Jin was in a laboratory in , analyzing the ore sent by <>.

"Yes, it is still ...... somewhat different."

The ore sent to me was brass ore, which is copper ore.

It looks like gold, and together with pyrite, it is a mineral that is easily mistaken by the layman for gold. >>The way to tell them apart is simple.

The way to recognize it is simple. It can be recognized by rubbing it on a white unglazed plate called a <>.

Gold is golden, pyrite is greenish black, and pyrite leaves black marks (striations).

Aside from that, according to the <>, the brass ore in front of Jin is composed of copper, iron, and sulfur. The copper content is about 35 percent.

However, pure brass ores are rare, and because of the presence of other rocks, the copper content as a whole is about 0.5 percent.

However, the ore as a whole was excellent, with a copper content of nearly 2 percent.

"But ...... it feels somewhat strange. ......<>...... is this ......?"

After another analysis, it was found that the copper contained in the material seems to have been altered.

"<>"

To confirm the discrepancy, Jin extracted the copper.

From approximately 10 kilograms of brass ore, a 200 gram lump of copper is produced.

It is an ultra-pure copper called oxygen-free copper.

"What's different about this copper ......?　>...... hmmm ...... maybe ......"

"Father, what did you find out?"

Reiko, who was cleaning up the tailings after the copper had been extracted, asked.

"Yes. I don't know how to say it ...... well, it seems to be copper like mithril silver, as opposed to silver."

"You mean mithril copper?"

"Yeah, no, I'm not sure about that name, but something like that."

Jin explained that it was not just copper, but that its response to magic power was an order of magnitude higher.

"Normal copper, unlike silver, shouldn't have such a good affinity with free magic element (ether)."

Jin thought fondly of his former colleague, "If Saki were here, she would be happy to get started on her research.

"Is this what happens to all copper in areas with a high concentration of free magical element (ether), or are there some conditions for its production? ......?"

Another question came to my mind.

"If so, does iron too ......?　<>"

Jin tries to extract more iron from the tailings.

This one turned out to be a lump of iron weighing about 170 grams.

"Hmmm, nice iron."

Iron is more susceptible to changes in properties due to impurities than copper.

What was extracted was pure iron, which could be called oxygen-free iron.

"Is this also a material like ...... mithril?　>...... I knew it."

This iron was also found to have a very high affinity for free magic element (ether).

"Perhaps some of the neutrons have been replaced by magic elements."

If it has the same properties as mithril silver, Jin guessed, that must be what it means.

"I'll think about the application in time. ...... than that. ......"

Jin thought that if all the metals produced in the satellite Alpha had these properties, it would be difficult to use them.

The good affinity with free magic element (ether) means that the shielding effect is high, and the degree of reinforcement by magic power is also high.

"I was thinking of ...... for a material with high shield effect, but I got it from an unexpected place."

We should be happy about that.

"Father, I have a question."

At that moment, Reiko asked me a question.

"What is it, Reiko?"

"If all ores in areas of high free-magic element (ether) concentration have such properties, what would happen if they were left in a normal environment?"

"I see. ......"

In that case, they would revert back to normal material, right? If so, the question arises as to how long it would take for this to happen.

Mithril silver is stable, but we cannot be sure that other elements will be the same.

"It might be a good idea to refine the necessary amount as soon as possible for the time being."

He feels that by refining it, he can fix the good affinity with free magic element (ether).

"Then, let's have them refine it now."

Cosmos 551 to 600 in Alpha can use engineering magic. He has them secure the materials and send them through the warp gate.

"If necessary, we can call in craftsmen (smiths) from Horai Island.

Then comes the report that the convoy <<<> has returned.

.

However, we did not measure the entire area of high free-magic element (ether) concentration, but only a localized area centering on Zipert.

Even so, enough data was gathered to infer that the area in question seems to be expanding in a spherical shape.

"It would be interesting to know if this area is expanding or contracting. ......"

If it is expanding, we need to find a solution to the question of when it will spread to the orbits of Ars and Hale.

"Thank you, but we will let the three vessels continue their measurements. "Yes, for the time being, one year."

Jin thought that if he measured for such a long period of time, he would be able to find a trend, even if there were some errors.

The three ships were built by <> on the moon, but since they were under Jin's command, they would take orders from <>, which meant that they would take orders from <>.

Thus, <><><> was assigned to the task of measuring changes in the range of high free-magic (ether) concentration areas between Hale and the sun Celan.

It will be a year before we get any reasonable results.

* * * * *

Meanwhile, the refining of metallic materials has begun at Satellite Alpha under the direction of Jin.

Gold, silver, copper, iron, zinc, tin, lead, light silver (titanium), aluminum, mithril silver, adamantite, etc. are being refined and sent through the warp gate.

<, they were sent to the east coast of Hale. This is because it is the area where Jin is planning to build his base of operations.

Also, it is the only place in Hale where a warp gate is located. We are planning to set up such a material repository in the (tentative name) in the near future.

At the same time, Jin also examined samples of gold and silver, and confirmed that they also have a very high affinity with free magical element (ether).

"Gold, silver, zinc, tin, and even adamantite are the same ...... interesting phenomenon."

As I wrote before, high affinity means high efficiency of reinforcement by magic power and high shielding effect.

"Hyper Adamantite made from this Adamantite will probably be the strongest and hardest metal in the known world."

Jin secretly decided to rebuild Reiko's skeleton with this metal in the near future.

"Copper's magical conductivity is also amazing ......, on par with normal mithril silver."

The affinity for free magic element (ether) is high across the board, and there seems to be no exception.

"In addition to <><>, it is a third high-performance material. ...... Why not call it <>?"

Ethernet is a computer networking standard.

Its Ether means "omnipresent" and is the English reading of ether.

"Ether gold, Ether iron, Ether adamantite ......?"

Reiko uses Jin's suggestion and calls the new material.

"Hmmm...... that doesn't sound right, it sounds so unnatural. Let's not call it Ether."

This is something I said myself, but it doesn't seem to fit, so I immediately drop it.

"I think I'll just go ahead and crown it <> after all. ......"

<<<<>....... Jin felt a little better, but still felt a little uncomfortable.

"Oh, naming is such a hassle!"

Jin consoled himself that it was good to be bothered by something seemingly unimportant, since his main concern was gone.