It’s All My Fault. I Need a Solution

“Hoo…”

After seeing the guest off, I looked at my hands trembling in my seat.

Mana exhaustion left me without strength in my entire body.

My muscles twitched as if spasming.

I had little control over my movements.

‘I thought I could handle it.’

Even though I was using my mana to power the magic circle, I didn’t think I couldn’t handle two illusions.

After all, when I ran one illusion, it felt much easier than I expected.

Even when running it intensely and doing many simulations, it wasn’t burdensome.

‘Running illusions simultaneously is more damaging than I imagined.’

The problem wasn’t just showing the illusions.

The magic circle used a significant portion of its calculations to utilize pseudo-sensation to deceive the user’s senses.

Showing illusions and deceiving the senses with pseudo-sensation.

‘It’s not the same as just fucking a mouth.’

I didn’t mind putting a dick in a mouth.

Since it used the sensation of the dick going in to deceive the pussy with pseudo-sensation, putting the dick in the mouth was an essential element.

Using the mouth-pussy and throat-pussy to give the illusion of a real pussy being fucked.

This was the most basic process of the illusion.

Moreover, if I deceived them into receiving fellatio and rimming with the illusion, the illusion would become too much like an illusion, and its appeal would disappear.

‘Even if I deceive them with pleasure through foreplay, it’s not ‘insertion’.’

And ultimately, isn’t fellatio not sex?

So, fucking the mouth-pussy wasn’t a big problem.

However, making it seem like I was fucking a real pussy in different ways in other illusions was a different story.

‘It’s not just about making the scene an illusion, but also making it look like I’m raping the other person in their illusion, even though they’re not being raped.’

It consumed an absurd amount of resources.

When you think about it, it was natural that it consumed several times more than when one person used it.

‘I simply thought of it as double.’

It was only natural that the mana consumption exceeded expectations.

The only fortunate thing was that the illusion ended after everyone was satisfied.

If that hadn’t been the case, it might have led to a bigger accident.

If Yuris’ sex illusion had been interrupted midway.

They would have faced the truth of the pseudo-sensation I was showing them on the other side of the illusion, and if that happened, they wouldn’t be able to experience the illusion realistically next time.

‘I’d lose customers.’

I was glad it didn’t lead to such a worst-case scenario.

However.

‘The expenses are considerable.’

Even though I was already running a deficit, I didn’t earn income for two people due to the accident.

“Damn it… I need to tighten my belt even more.”

I felt like I was swallowing tears of blood.

Moreover, I had to close the shop for a few days until I overcame this mana exhaustion.

Expenses would increase without any income.

“Haa…”

I let out a deep sigh.

This was all a result of my shortcomings.

Miscalculating the amount of mana used and the calculations for the magic circle.

Trying to replace everything with pseudo-sensation, which conversely caused an overload.

Overestimating my skills.

Even putting the guests in an embarrassing situation because of it.

‘I have to take responsibility.’

Tightening my belt was a result of that.

Don’t blame others.

“I need to train more. And I need to keep a spare mana stone on hand to prepare for such incidents in the future.”

Just like running a temporary generator in the server room to prevent server downtime in case of an emergency, I needed a mana stone to use as temporary mana so that the magic circle I use with my mana wouldn’t short-circuit in such cases.

“Mana stones are a bit expensive, but…”

It’s better than damaging the reputation of the shop because of such incidents.

One time is a mistake, but more than twice is a matter of skill.

After finishing my thoughts, I got up from my seat.

My legs trembled, not having enough strength, and I limped to the bathroom mirror.

“Heh, I’m a mess.”

My hair was wet with sweat and matted in places, and my hollow eyes had no life in them. Moreover, there were dark circles under my eyes due to the sudden fatigue.

I looked like I could pass out at any moment.

“I really need to rest for a few days.”

I felt like I might die if I kept going like this.

“Mana exhaustion. I haven’t had it since I was a rookie…”

If Meiko saw this, she would scold me for neglecting my self-care.

“Haa.”

I had become too complacent with the recent series of successes.

The goddess of victory, the best knight of the empire, the most talented spirit mage of the Imperial Academy, the saintess respected by everyone, the high elf, and even my teacher regarded my illusions as real.

“My magic circle isn’t perfect. The reason those people didn’t feel a sense of incongruity with my illusions is because there was no hostility in the illusions.”

I washed my face with my dry hands and strengthened my resolve.

“I can improve from now on. I’ve already compensated for the near-error in the magic circle before.”

The first time is difficult, but is the second time difficult?

I don’t think I’ll ever have to deal with two guests at the same time like this again, but it wouldn’t hurt to prepare.

“Temporary mana stone… How should I install it?”

If I simply connect the mana stone to the magic circle, mana will be consumed periodically.

If that happens, the mana in the mana stone might be insufficient when needed.

I needed an expert in touching mana stones and creating circuits using them.

“I need the help of an expert in times like these.”

The Meister School?

It was best not to expect anything from these people.

They keep their secret techniques hidden.

They wouldn’t share them with me, an essential member of an external school.

‘Most of the techniques I received from the Meister School are all techniques widely used by the public.’

Then there’s only one option left.

“I have no choice but to go to the dwarves.”

Dwarves.

“I didn’t want to meet them because of their bad temper…”

But there was no choice.

I was the one who needed them.

“I wonder if I have enough money to satisfy those guys.”

More expenses were about to come out.

“I need to prepare for a trip.”

To go to the dwarves’ city, ‘Steam Factory,’ I would have to take the train connecting the empire and Steam Factory.

Steam Factory.

A city-kingdom of dwarves filled with artisans.

A kingdom filled with all kinds of precision machinery.

Humans developed the empire with magic engineering based on magic, and elves developed using the power of spirits and nature, but dwarves, who couldn’t use magic, created steam engines using mana.

They used specific minerals that reacted to mana to create automatic machines with unbelievable efficiency.

I didn’t know the principle well, but I knew it was a steam engine commonly found on Earth with mana added to it.

Mana stones were also minerals, and the dwarves, who had a knack for handling minerals, applied them in their own way.

The dwarves’ steam engines used fuel made by processing mana stones, so no one could keep up with the dwarves when it came to mana stones.

Self-moving robots, giant trains moving on rails, and cars moving with the power of steam instead of horses.

All of them were mysterious objects that only dwarves could make.

‘If you know the principle of steam, can’t humans use it too?’

Since the efficiency of steam engines made by humans couldn’t surpass magic, most facilities still relied on magic.

From the perspective of the empire, which had already achieved extreme development with magic, there was no reason to take risks.

‘Magic is more efficient, too.’

Cameras, refrigerators, and boilers that operate with magic, along with various magic circles that support them.

With the addition of divinity to support them, there was no need to import dwarven technology.

‘Except for the train connecting the capital of the empire and the dwarves’ Steam Factory.’

The regularly moving teleport gates only carried a small number of people.

The cost of operating them once varied greatly depending on the distance, so only a limited number of people could use them.

However, the dwarves’ trains were relatively cheap to transport.

Therefore, I heard that there were movements within the empire to utilize them.

‘I think the Meister School is blocking them all.’

The Meister School, which claimed that magic was superior, shouted that it was impious for people to ride in tin cans like trains.

‘But they’re driving cars just fine.’

Well, it must be a power struggle between magicians, a political issue.

The Illusion Magic School, the weakest of the magic schools, could only listen from the sidelines.

“If we could utilize the dwarves’ technology well, we could improve the magic circle even more.”

Chee-eek!

I got off the steam train that was spewing blue steam.

[Steam Factory – Empire]

Humans for tourism and business poured out of the giant train that traveled back and forth between the two spaces.

“Tsk, to think that those guys who used to just dig mines in the mountains would build such a big city.”

A nobleman who got off next to me grumbled.

“Keep it down. You’ll get kicked out if you say things like that.”

A man who seemed to be with him silenced the nobleman.

Stubborn people who only dug stones.

Greedy dwarves.

There were still quite a few nobles who had the image of the past dwarves.

‘It’s true that they’re greedy.’

They were guys who looked at stones as if they were gold.

I was worried because they wouldn’t even try to trade unless it was proper gold and jewels.

“I don’t know if this money will be enough.”

I came all the way to Steam Factory to make a temporary mana storage device, but I knew that 50 gold was woefully insufficient.

I knew it, but I had no choice but to come.

‘I have to make it work somehow.’

I looked at the dwarves’ Steam Factory, which spewed blue steam from everywhere.

A strong mana scent stung my nose.

It was such a strong mana scent that it would feel unpleasant to anyone who could feel mana.

“Tsk, working in a place like this every day makes them bad-tempered.”

I clicked my tongue and put on a mask.

Humans had to wear a mask that blocked mana particles to properly tour Steam Factory.

If humans with little mana didn’t wear a mask, they could be taken away due to mana poisoning.

It was the opposite symptom of mana exhaustion.

The characteristic was that they suddenly got excited as if they had taken drugs.

I saw many people acting as if they had omnipotence before being caught by the police.

“Kyahaha! Look at me! I am the Emperor!”

One’s already drunk.

The noble, who earlier called the dwarf a bumpkin from the boonies, was laughing boisterously as he took off his clothes.

The sight of him waving around his puny thing as if it were something to be proud of was quite disgusting.

‘A guy who can’t even measure up, why doesn’t he listen?’

“Grab him!”

“No mask and mana intoxication! Add public indecency!”

Dwarf police officers in uniform waddled after the noble with their short legs.

The sight of male dwarves, barely over 150cm tall, chasing after him in uniform was quite refreshing.

Aren’t male and female dwarves all about the same height?

Even 160cm is considered tall.

“Release me! I am the Emperor of the Empire! How dare you touch the Emperor! Are you not afraid! I screwed the Empress of the Empire and became Emperor!”

Oh dear.

‘He’s going to get his head chopped off for insulting the Imperial Family when he gets back.’

Clicking my tongue at the noble who was being dragged away by the dwarf police for doing something he would greatly regret, I left the train station wearing my mask.

I headed towards the factory center, where mana particles were visible to the naked eye.

“A human? And you came all the way here with just a regular mask, not even a gas mask?”

“Because of the mana particles, most humans can’t even get close.”

As I headed towards the factory center, the factory workers glared at me.

They seemed amazed that a human had come to the factory, where humans couldn’t easily enter, and whispered among themselves.

Dwarves with thick beards looked at me as I entered the factory and asked in surprise.

“What brings an outsider here?”

“I came to commission something. I want to create a device that can store the mana from mana stones and use it in case of emergency.”

“Did you come to commission the factory manager? Or are you placing a personal order?”

“Is there a difference?”

“The price is different.”

I shrugged.

“Then I’ll have to go with a personal order. I don’t have that much of a budget.”

“How much is your budget?”

“50 Imperial gold coins, 50 gold.”

At my words, the dwarf who spoke to me scoffed and waved his hand.

“Go back. There isn’t a dwarf in the central factory who will accept your commission for that price.”

Tsk, I guess the central factory is out of the question.

I tried to at least give it a shot, but it seems impossible.

“Are there any dwarves who would accept it if I go to the outskirts?”

“Show some sincerity if you want to ask.”

I shook my head at the dwarf’s words as he made a circle with his finger.

“My budget is tight. Sorry.”

“Hmph, then go back quickly. Time is money to us.”

Ugh, those shameless snobs.

I’ll put up with it because I don’t have money.

I sighed and left the central area.

“Haa, what should I do?”

Just then.

“Do you need help?”

Turning around at the high-pitched voice, I saw a young dwarf boy standing there, without even a hint of a beard.

Mr. Human, It’s All Good Even If You Fail

Usually, when you think of a dwarf, you imagine a muscular figure with a beard covering the lower half of their face.

That wasn’t wrong.

Most dwarves considered large muscles and long beards as “cool.”

Muscles and beards were symbols of masculinity.

Which meant that without them, you wouldn’t be recognized as a male, as a man.

‘That means boys who haven’t gone through puberty have surprisingly delicate physiques.’

I knew that dwarf boys going through adolescence were usually between 130 and 140 cm tall.

And when they hit puberty, their remaining height would suddenly increase, and at the same time, muscles and beards would start to grow.

‘It’s common knowledge among dwarves that only men who have gone through puberty can learn artisan skills.’

I looked at the dwarf boy in front of me.

The youthful boy, who had tied his black hair back with a hair tie, was tall for a dwarf boy.

He was wearing overalls, symbolizing a formal worker who could only be used by adult male dwarves.

His height seemed to be in the early to mid-150s.

He was taller than other dwarf boys.

He was almost as tall as an adult, but perhaps because he lacked muscles,

he even gave off a somewhat petite feeling compared to other adult dwarves.

“It seems like you’re having trouble in many ways.”

The dwarf boy looked up at me and smiled.

“Did you hear?”

“Yes. I followed you secretly from when you were heading to the central factory and overheard you.”

He secretly followed me.

‘Was this boy the presence I felt behind me earlier?’

I didn’t sense any hostility, so I left it alone, but I didn’t expect it to be this boy.

“You need a worker, right? A worker to make a temporary mana storage that can be used in case of emergency.”

“That’s right.”

I didn’t bother hiding it.

Considering the budget I had, I had to seize any opportunity I could get.

“Don’t ignore me just because I’m young. I may look like this, but I’m skilled.”

He seemed a little self-conscious and said it as if he was making excuses.

I had a hunch that he was skilled.

The fact that a dwarf who wasn’t even an adult was wearing overalls in the factory meant that his skills were recognized to some extent.

I heard that to wear those, you had to create an invention that was recognized by the workers inside the factory.

There was no reason to refuse just because he was young.

When you think about it, I was closer to being the weaker party.

Dwarves were a race that wouldn’t even deal with you if you didn’t have money.

“You only have 50 gold anyway, right? With that amount of money, you can only deal with quacks living on the outskirts. Dwarves whose skills aren’t guaranteed.”

“You knew that and still came to me?”

“Of course. I was quite curious about that offer.”

The boy said, humming with a youthful voice.

“I’ll do it. That request.”

“50 gold is the upper limit I can give.”

“I don’t care about the price. Performance is what matters to me.”

“Performance… You’re already wearing overalls, do you really need that?”

At my words, the dwarf boy shrugged and pointed to the dwarves gathered together in the factory.

“I may be wearing these, but none of the workers in this factory recognize me.”

“Then how did you get to wear those overalls?”

“Because I have achievements.”

“Achievements?”

“Yes. The device I made was a huge hit not only in Steam Factory but also in human society.”

“What is it?”

“An indoor temperature control device. I don’t know if you know it as ‘Manacon.’ It’s a machine that allows you to set the desired temperature anytime as long as you set the mana, even if you’re not a mage.”

I know it.

It was a wildly popular item among imperial nobles and wealthy people.

A mysterious invention that could adjust the temperature just by grinding mana stones and adding a little water containing mana.

It was called the ‘Invention GOAT’ for summer only because it chased away the heat in the summer.

Now, mass-produced products have come out, and many ordinary people can cool down their homes with it.

‘But the mana water made by grinding mana stones is expensive, so I can’t use it unless it’s a really hot day.’

Ah, so you were this world’s Willis Carrier.

“It seems dwarves don’t recognize it.”

“That’s right. They laugh, saying that other inventions are much more efficient than this temperature control. It’s too much to say I’m a little different from them.”

He grumbled and glared at the workers.

“It’s not like I don’t have a beard or muscles, so they’re ignoring me.”

“Are you trying to get recognized by the dwarf workers?”

“It’s not like I only want to be recognized by them.”

“Then?”

“I don’t care who recognizes my skills. Even if it’s a human.”

Passion was burning in the sparkling eyes of the young dwarf.

“Anyone will give me money.”

“You’re a dwarf after all.”

I wondered if he was another race because he said he would do it cheaply.

“It’s an investment for the future. It’ll be a good deal for you. Humans call this buying low, right?”

He didn’t seem to have any fear of failure.

“It seems like we’ll be dealing with each other often in the future, what’s your name?”

“Call me Theo. That’s my name.”

“I’m Max.”

“You said mana storage, right? So that mana can be supplied to the magic circle at any time in case of emergency.”

He thought for a moment and asked.

“There are already many such things on the market, right? I know that humans are also making mana storage.”

“That’s right. Humans know how to make it too. But aren’t all the items only consume mana to maintain the storage in normal times?”

“That’s right. So, in fact, it’s an item that costs a lot to maintain. Mana is something that evaporates as soon as you plug in a mana stone… Wait a minute, do you want a storage that doesn’t consume mana?”

“That’s right. It must be an item that doesn’t consume mana at all in normal times. There’s no reason to make it if it’s consumed periodically.”

At my words, Theo’s eyes widened.

“If another dwarf had heard what you just said, they would have refused unconditionally.”

“Is it because I don’t have enough money?”

“No? Because it’s practically impossible. Processing mana with free properties and storing it without consuming mana? That’s impossible.”

Was it that difficult?

If you just think about gathering mana in one place and fixing it, it’s not difficult.

‘When I think about it, even the Meister School consumed mana to maintain the magic circle for storing mana.’

If I improve it well, it seems possible.

“…Is it impossible?”

“Hehe, you’re lucky. If I hadn’t been doing similar research, I would have told you to get lost like other dwarves.”

Theo chuckled and said.

“Instead, I need the help of a mage. A skilled mage, right?”

He asked, looking at the mask I was wearing.

“You’re perceptive.”

“Just the fact that you came to the central factory with only a mask without a gas mask means you’re quite skilled, and the item you’re applying for isn’t something knights would use, so it’s obvious.”

A craftsman with good observation skills.

I was starting to like him in many ways.

‘If this young dwarf is really the one who made Manacon, there’s no doubt about his skills.’

What I liked most was the price.

I was satisfied just by the fact that I could solve it within the 50 gold that other dwarves had rejected.

“Let’s try it for now. Follow me.”

“Okay.”

I followed the dwarf boy, Theo.

Was there no possibility that he was a female dwarf?

No female dwarves enter the factory area.

Dwarves were a race where the roles of men and women were clearly distinguished, even more so than humans.

Male dwarves were in charge of making and repairing machines and mining minerals.

Female dwarves were in charge of crafting mana stones and jewels.

Of course, this central factory full of machines was a women-free zone that only male dwarves could enter.

Should I call it a man’s factory?

‘It’s not like there’s no possibility that Theo is a female dwarf.’

I looked at Theo’s flat chest without curves.

Look at that flat chest.

You can tell at a glance that he’s a boy.

If he was a woman, there would be at least a little bulge, but there’s no such thing at all.

‘A female dwarf pretending to be a man and coming to the central factory?’

That might be possible in human society, but at least in dwarf society, there was no crazy dwarf who would do that.

Where would there be a dwarf who would do something that would be caught no matter what?

I headed to Theo’s personal workshop.

A personal workshop for such a young dwarf boy.

I gained confidence in his words that he made Manacon.

The industrial area where his personal workshop was located had a lower concentration of mana particles than the central factory.

“Come in.”

Thud.

As soon as the workshop door closed,

Whoosh.

The air purification system attached to the wall started to run, purifying all the mana particles remaining in the room.

“Okay, let’s hear the detailed purpose and start working. First…”

Only after the mana particles disappeared could I take off my mask.

“…Huh?”

Theo, who was looking at me after I took off my mask, paused for a moment.

He seemed startled and stared at me.

“Is something wrong?”

“Eh? Ah, no. I was just surprised for a moment. It’s my first time seeing a human’s bare face…”

He stared at me intently.

“Humans don’t have beards on their faces either?”

“They do grow. Some people grow them depending on the person, but I like it clean.”

“Ah…”

He stared at my face for a long time.

It was understandable that he would be surprised to see a human without a beard in a dwarf society always full of adults with beards.

“Not having a beard isn’t bad either.”

After saying that, he was finally able to concentrate on his work again.

“Ahem, anyway, let’s get to the point. In order to create a machine that stores mana without consuming mana, one condition is necessary.”

“What is it?”

“It’s to gather mana with free properties in one place. Usually, the main culprit of mana waste is that the gathered mana is released for storage, or mana is consumed due to the spells engraved to hold it more strongly.”

“That means there’s a way, right?”

“That’s right. There’s a way to gather mana without using mana, although it’s physical.”

He took out a small mineral and handed it to me.

“This is a mineral called Ruitan. It’s an item that has a repulsive property to mana. When mana touches this mineral, it bounces off, and if you use this well, you can store mana in a core made of this mineral.”

Ruitan.

I knew about it too.

There was a time when the Empire made armor out of this mineral, planning to use it as magic nullification armor.

‘But it ended up repelling the knight’s mana too, to the point where the knight couldn’t even use Aura.’

And it couldn’t repel mana that was too powerful, shattering instead.

I looked at the core Theo had made with Lutan.

The small, walnut-sized circular core had intricate machinery attached here and there.

The inside of the core, which clearly looked like it was completed with meticulous craftsmanship, had an empty structure.

That empty space must be the structure for inserting mana.

“If you put a mana stone in this container, it will break.”

“That’s right. But what if, instead of a mana stone, you grind the mana stone and make it like water?”

“……”

“Liquefied mana has a lower density than a mana stone, so it’s okay. It’s a property I learned while making Mana Corn. However, there are two problems with using it.”

“What are they?”

“One is that when you grind a mana stone, the density decreases, but the efficiency also decreases accordingly. On top of that, Lutan won’t break, but it will still bounce the mana out.”

“So we need someone to grind the mana stone efficiently and someone to put the ground mana water into this core.”

Theo smiled at my words.

“So that’s why you needed a magician.”

“That’s right. How about it? Can you do it? If you can, I won’t take 50 gold. Rather, I’ll put Human’s name on this invention as well. And if you complete this core, you can create the mana-free storage you wanted, Human.”

Can I do it?

No, this was something I had to do.

To improve the magic circle.

“Let’s do it. It’s no loss even if we fail.”

“Please.”

Theo handed me a high-quality mana stone.