WeTried Translations

Translator: Coughing Baby

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◈ The Inept Mage’s Infinite Regression

Chapter 43

According to Ethan’s research, the ballot box was a wooden box covered by a double-layered cloth, allowing hands to reach inside. After testing a similar wooden box, Ethan estimated it weighed around eight kilograms, which the Gespenst V drone could easily lift.

"Even better, voting will happen outdoors."

Yurmus Magic Academy had two dormitory buildings, both with central courtyards. A third courtyard was at the intersection of the only corridor connecting these buildings. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a proper courtyard, but the garden there, surrounded by cloisters leading to the workshop and lecture buildings, made it feel indoors. Students referred to this third courtyard as the central garden or the cloister garden.

"They said the ballot box will be placed in the center of the central garden."

"What about the ballots?"

"They’ll use paper supplied by the academy. We can buy the same paper from the city and cut it to size."

"There’s going to be a seal on the ballots."

"We’ll just have a seal made that day. We can find a tight-lipped craftsman for that."

To vote, students would take a sealed ballot to their dorm, write a name on it, and drop it into the ballot box.

"Still, I think there will be people watching over the ballot box."

"Who wants to watch a box all day when they could leave that tedious work to machines?" Ethan asked. "I heard automatons will be handling it. That’s the key to this plan."

"Hmm? Explain it in more detail."

"Once voting starts, I’ll take a ballot and head down to the city. I’ll buy the same paper from the supplier, have it cut to size, and commission a seal from a craftsman. Then I’ll come back."

"That’ll take… about three hours. And then?"

"Next, you and I will write Keshen’s name on the ballots. We’ll have to be careful with the handwriting, but we won’t need to write too many, just enough to ensure Keshen gets the role of Cario but not so many that Jimonail and Miul notice. How about thirty ballots?"

"That should be enough. What next?"

Ethan pointed at Boen. "For the next part, you’ll be crucial."

"Of course, I have to be involved…"

"I knew I could count on you."

"That’s not what I meant."

Ethan explained, "I’ll cause a distraction. I’d rather leave it to you, but your reputation is important, so it’s better if I handle it."

"A distraction?"

"I’ll set off all the remaining firecrackers to create a loud explosion. Even from the Combat Magic Society workshop, the noise should reach the central garden. It won’t take long, but students will be curious and come to investigate. That’s when you’ll use the Gespenst V to swap the ballot box from the cloister roof."

Boen seemed unconvinced on multiple levels, but considering Ethan’s abilities, he thought it might be possible. He seemed torn between pointing out flaws and letting it go.

"…I should point out one thing: Even if we successfully divert everyone’s attention with an explosion from the Combat Magic Society workshop and I manage to swap the ballot box in that short time, the automatons will still be there."

"Exactly," Ethan replied. "Tell me, why do you think the automatons won’t leave their post?"

"Because automatons follow orders?"

"Right. All but the extremely high-end automatons can only perform the tasks they’re programmed to perform. Not only that, but an automaton can only process a limited number of commands."

"So you’re saying…"

"You got it. The automatons aren’t programmed to recognize drones. They might recognize other students or animals used as familiars, but drones are completely off their radar. From what I’ve observed, the automatons will ignore the drone even if it bumps into them. Whoever programmed them didn’t include drones in their list of threats."

"But they might have been given orders to guard the ballot box itself."

"That’s true, but it’s worth a try, isn’t it?"

After some thought, Boen nodded.

"All right. If you’re confident it’ll work."

But Ethan’s plan was a failure.

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"…Due to the rain, the voting location for the lead role in Cario’s Heroic Tale has been moved from the outdoor central garden to the auditorium. Those who have already received blank ballots and those who haven’t, please proceed to the auditorium to vote. To all students gathered in the central garden for voting, please note: Due to the rain, the voting location for the lead role in Cario’s Heroic Tale has been moved…"

In the central garden, where the ballot box had originally been placed, there stood an automaton dressed as a servant announcing the change in voting location.

Unfortunately, rain was an act of nature. Ethan couldn’t do anything about it.

Boen looked at Ethan. "Even though the auditorium is large, the Gespenst V is noisy. It won’t be easy to hide. Plus, an explosion in the Combat Magic Society workshop won’t be heard well in the auditorium, especially with the rain. What’s the plan now?"

Ethan couldn’t tell Boen, This life is doomed, so instead he said, "Let’s trust senior Linav."

"…If you’re okay with that."

The second plan was still an option. Ethan had already made contact with Keshen Dart, but Keshen didn’t seem particularly interested in playing the role of Cario. He had no intention of actively campaigning for votes or seeking help, politely declining any assistance whether from Ethan or otherwise. Still, Ethan had asked Linav to help Keshen secure votes regardless of his wishes.

"We need to check the results of the vote. We need to know the gap in votes and how much senior Linav helped."

Students eligible to vote ranged from first to third years and totaled 192. Excluding those who didn’t participate in academy events, about 150 votes would be cast. Of those, around 30 would vote based on their own preferences, ignoring trends. Linav estimated that without special intervention, Jimonail would get 50 votes, with Keshen and Miul getting 40 and 30 votes respectively, allowing Jimonail to secure the role of Cario. However, Linav believed that if she worked hard, she could shift about 10 votes, resulting in Keshen getting 50, Jimonail 45, and Miul 25, allowing Keshen to win.

"For now, we’ll have to wait."

At Boen’s words, Ethan said, "What if we meet Jimonail?"

"Now?"

"Yeah."

From Ethan’s perspective, if Linav failed, he’d have to reload anyway, so he needed to make the most of the remaining time before voting ended.

Finding Jimonail wasn’t difficult. On a rainy day, there weren’t many places for students to gather, and the auditorium was open for voting. Plus, if Jimonail wanted to gather votes, staying near the voting location was the best strategy.

Indeed, Jimonail was sitting at a table and chatting with four other students. Her group was close to the entrance, allowing her to greet students coming to pick up ballots. If the incoming students weren’t too distant from her group, she’d strike up a conversation. "Who’s this? Here to vote? Who are you voting for? It’s a secret? If you don’t have anyone in mind, how about Jimonail?"

Ethan was ignored, but Boen wasn’t.

"Boen? Are you here to vote too?"

Jimonail didn’t speak to him directly. It was Toevi, a male student known to be friends with Jimonail, addressing Boen.

"Yes," Boen replied.

"Busy lately?"

"Not really."

"It’s cold out. Want some tea?"

Toevi gestured for them to come closer, and Boen and Ethan joined Jimonail’s group. Toevi’s eyes twitched when he saw Ethan follow along, but he didn’t say anything.

As the two sat down, Toevi wiped teacups and poured tea, saying "This is a surprise. I thought you didn’t participate in events like this."

"I like plays. I usually don’t participate, but the role is important for this event."

"…Really? So you’ve already decided who to vote for?"

"Yes."

The conversation paused for a moment as Toevi handed tea to Boen and Ethan. Jimonail and the other students seemed to be paying close attention to their conversation.

"So who are you voting for?"

"Jimonail."

"Oh, really?"

Toevi subtly pushed a plate of snacks toward Boen.

Jimonail Eurogia was a pale girl with white hair and red eyes. She had been quietly listening until now, but at Boen’s words, she leaned toward him. She was usually quiet and reserved, but when she made eye contact, her presence was unmistakable.

"Why?" she asked.

Boen adjusted his glasses.

"First, your background fits. The other two aren’t from the Empire, so I think you’re better suited to the role. Plus, you have a more aristocratic demeanor and education, making you a better fit for a noble role. Lastly, Cario is known for his handsome appearance, and you’re the best match."

"Hmm, really?" Jimonail accepted the praise as if it were only natural given her status. She then looked at Ethan and asked, "And you, Ethan?"

"Huh? Me? I’m voting for Keshen." Ethan picked up a cookie. "I think Keshen is prettier than you."

In the silence that suddenly fell over the table, the sound of Ethan chewing his cookie was unusually loud.

Jimonail’s group couldn’t hide their discomfort, but Jimonail herself didn’t seem bothered.

Unexpectedly, Jimonail said, "Hmm, people from other great families are always so uncomfortable."

"Why?"

"They never listen to what others say."

"Conversations with them do seem to always go poorly."

"Right?" To Boen, Jimonail asked, "How did you two become friends?"

"Through the Combat Magic Society."

"Are you interested in combat magic? Planning to become a mercenary?"

"Yes. It’s a good way to earn money quickly."

"Hmm, that’s dangerous."

Ethan stood up and said, "Is there a reason you want to play Cario?"

"Who wouldn’t want to?"

"I don’t know. I don’t want to play Cario. Many people separate the heroic Cario from Emperor Cario, but I think they’re the same person. The Emperor is a bad person, isn’t he?"

For a moment, Ethan saw Jimonail’s expression darken. It was more intense than Ethan had expected from a simple provocation, but she quickly composed herself.

She smiled and said, "I don’t think so. Unlike you, I like His Majesty. Very much."

∞

After voting ended, counting began immediately. With only about 150 votes, the results were announced quickly.

Once the counting was done, an automaton announced, "The three candidates with the most votes to play the lead roles in Cario’s Heroic Tale are, in order: Jimonail Eurogia with 96 votes, Keshen Dart with 27 votes, and Miul Sino with 13 votes. That is all."

Cheers for Jimonail echoed from the corner of the auditorium, and Linav, sitting next to Ethan and Boen, bit her nails.

"That Jimonail…"

The gap was beyond Linav’s predictions. Overwhelmingly so.

"…she outplayed us."

‘Jimonail rigged the votes,’ Ethan realized.

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