Why Do You Want to Develop Strategic-Class Magic?

If you weren't strong enough, why would anyone accept you as their master? Back then, Retsu Kudou had won over the other two families in the Ninth Laboratory through sheer strength.

In the end, it was Retsu Kudou they respected. If you lacked strength, why would anyone accept a weakling as their leader?

Yet Kudo Shingen had spent his entire life failing to achieve either of those things.

"Master Mitsunobu, this is only what I ought to do. Please give me your orders directly whenever you need anything."

Though Kuki Uichi's tone was respectful, Kudo Mitsunobu could sense a hint of admiration in his eyes.

A few days ago, when Kuki Uichi's grandfather had suddenly told him about this arrangement, Uichi had been very unhappy.

He had already submitted an application to join FLT, hoping to learn more advanced CAD technology at the company where Syr was working.

But his grandfather had not only forcibly summoned him home; he had also ordered him to swear loyalty to the young master of the Kudo Family.

Naturally calm by temperament, Uichi had lost his temper with his grandfather for the first time.

His grandfather had said nothing. He had simply opened a box containing several CAD prototypes and told Uichi that they had all been made by the young master of the Kudo Family.

At first, Uichi hadn't thought much of it. What could a high school student possibly make? But after taking a closer look and trying them out,

he had changed his mind. This was a genius when it came to CADs. Judging by his professional standards, even these few prototypes were absolutely on par with the Silver Cluster, made by Taurus Silver.

P.S. Thanks to @Primordial Sun for the generous tip.

Last night, I suddenly got a message from the site saying I'd been given a trial promotion starting today.

I don't think a flop like me, who's destined to sink without a trace, will get any particularly good recommendations.

But I still want to turn my luck around and at least roll over a little.

At the very least, I want to become a tasty salted fish.

Thanks, everyone, for the votes you sent yesterday.

Same old request: please vote. If you have any extra votes, I hope you can spare one or two for me.

Many thanks.

Chapter 38: Why Do You Want to Develop Strategic-Class Magic?

FIRE, newly registered by the Kudo Family and wholly owned by Kudo Mitsunobu, was located in the commercial district in the center of Nara. They had chosen to establish it in Nara because the city was within the Kudo Family's sphere of influence, which would make things more convenient.

Besides, with the way things were these days, traveling from Tokyo to Nara didn't take long. For instance, it had taken Kudo Mitsunobu only about two hours to get from First High to FIRE that day.

The three men were in the conference room. Kudo Mitsunobu and Kuki Ken sat facing each other, while Kuki Uichi insisted on remaining on his feet and didn't sit down.

"Grandpa Kuki, how is the company's recruitment going?"

Kudo Mitsunobu asked about something that concerned him. When he'd come in earlier, he'd noticed that the company was still rather empty, with only a few employees at work.

"It's been easy to recruit management staff and people to handle external relations."

"But it hasn't gone very smoothly with technical staff, since we aren't relying on the Kudo Family's reputation."

Kuki Ken answered honestly.

"That makes things a bit difficult."

Kudo Mitsunobu looked troubled. He'd been planning to take advantage of the excitement around the Nine Schools Competition and announce FIRE's establishment right after it ended.

His three CADs had already been converted from his personally customized models into mass-production models. But even mass-produced CADs needed to be adjusted to suit each buyer's habits.

If they didn't have enough staff, they'd have to delay opening.

"In that case, I—I have an idea. May I offer it?"

Kuki Uichi, who was standing nearby to attend to them, suddenly spoke up.

"Uichi, there's no need to be so formal. We're discussing this together, so just tell us your suggestion."

Kuki Uichi nodded.

"When I was still in school, students specializing in magical engineering often took summer jobs to hone their skills."

"It's summer vacation now. If I get in touch with them, some of my former juniors should be willing to work over the summer."

Kuki Ken and Kudo Mitsunobu were both quick thinkers, and immediately realized it was a good idea.

Nearly all the students who made it into Magic University could be considered talented. They'd certainly have the skills to adjust CADs for customers.

Once the company got through this period, they should be able to recruit qualified employees.

There was another benefit, too. Graduates of Magic University were in high demand.

If the summer workers enjoyed their time at the company, there was a good chance they'd choose to work there after graduation.

"Well done. At least you came up with something better than I did!"

Kuki Ken praised his grandson.

"Grandpa, you're only in charge of managing Kudo Technology, so your thinking's gotten a little set in its ways. After all, talented applicants come to Kudo Technology in droves every year. It's impossible for you to end up short on staff."

"Then I'll leave this to you, Uichi. It'd be best if you could find enough people before the Nine Schools Competition."

"Of course. I'll get in touch with them right away."

"There's something else I'd like to discuss."

Kudo Mitsunobu took out a blueprint he'd prepared earlier.

Kuki Ken wasn't good at this sort of thing, so the blueprint was naturally meant for Kuki Uichi to look at.

As soon as Kuki Uichi's eyes fell on it, his brows furrowed. It wasn't because the blueprint was particularly hard for him to understand.

On the contrary, it was clearly laid out. Even a newly graduated student like him could understand it.

His brow furrowed because the CAD's design was far too intricate.

"Master Mitsunobu, forgive my bluntness, but the CAD you want to make isn't meant for ordinary combat against people, is it?"

"This is a dedicated CAD for strategic-class magic, isn't it?"

Kuki Uichi gently set down the blueprint. He really hadn't expected that the young master would give him such a shock so soon after he'd started working for him.