One Brilliant Calculation
Xiao Lei: And now, Midgardsormr, you and I shall attempt to discover the edge of the sky!
Midgardsormr: I have no idea about what you speak.
Xiao Lei has come up with a working hypothesis suggesting the sky eventually comes to an end. She and the prince have come to Midgardsormr to ask questions about the sky and mana.
Midgardsormr: ...I see. You feel as though the closer you get to the summit of a mountain, the more the level of mana decreases.
Euden: That's the theory—but we figured we'd ask you since dragons seem to be well- versed in mana and the like. So then, what's the truth? Do higher places really have a reduced amount of mana?
Midgardsormr: It is as you have conjectured. As elevation increases, mana is reduced.
Xiao Lei: I knew it! Oh, but this is such a relief. If it had been disproven, my theory would have fallen apart.
Midgardsormr: I am rather surprised you noticed. The reduction in mana based on elevation is a slight one at best. If you consider the flow of mana to be 100 at ground level, the summit of a mountain would be something like 90.
Xiao Lei: Wait, what?! Say that again. Please!
Midgardsormr: Er, if you consider the flow of mana to be 100 at ground level, the summit of a mountain would be something like 90?
Xiao Lei: Why do you know those numbers to such an exact degree?!
Midgardsormr: We dragons are beings that co-exist with mana; we are acutely aware of even the smallest shift in its flow.
Xiao Lei: In that case... Yes, this should work!
Euden: Was that a flash of inspiration?
Xiao Lei: I have indeed—but it will require the assistance of Midgardsormr. If he is willing to help, I should finally be able to calculate the edge of the sky! Are you willing to assist me in this, Midgardsormr? ...Pleeease?
Midgardsormr: I must confess, you have awakened my interest in unpacking this mystery. I have completed my investigation. If we consider the mana here to be 100, it is 99 at the top of the Halidom.
Xiao Lei: Hmm, I think we may need a more fine-grained number. What if we consider this place to be 1,000?
Midgardsormr: In that case, the Halidom would be 998.
Xiao Lei: Very good, thank you. I've recorded that. Now, the next step, if you would?
Midgardsormr: The measure at twice the Halidom's height, yes? Give me a moment. The measure is—
Xiao Lei: Wait! Are you sure you went up exactly twice the Halidom's height? You didn't miss the mark in the slightest?
Midgardsormr: ...Hmm. Now that you say that, I may have made a slight error.
Xiao Lei: That is unacceptable. Precision is key when taking measurements such as this. Our entire endeavor hinges upon your exacting accuracy! Now please be attentive to the flapping of your wings and fly to PRECISELY twice the height of the Halidom! You hold sway over the wind itself! Surely you can do this, yes?
Midgardsormr: Very well. I shall provide you the answer— and accuracy—that you seek.
Euden: This is starting to make my head hurt. How many of these measurements are you planning to do?
Xiao Lei: As many as it takes! We must fine-tune our measurements to an exacting degree until we discover exactly how the flow of mana changes at height. This will allow us to calculate where the edge of the sky is located! Give it your all, Midgardsormr! I'm counting on you!
Midgardsormr: The amount of mana at twice the Halidom's height was 996.
Xiao Lei: 996, thank you. Next, I need a measurement at three times the Halidom's height.
In this fashion, Midgardsormr took to the skies time and again, until finally...
Xiao Lei: Thank you, Midgardsormr. Now I should be able to make perfect calculations. Wow! At a height of more than 20 Halidoms, the reduction in mana shifts! So, taking all the data into account, the height where the mana reaches zero would be... Yes! 3,047 Halidoms worth of height! THAT is where the sky ends!
Euden: Whaat?! It's higher than 3,000 Halidoms?!
Midgardsormr: Even I could not have imagined such a thing.
Xiao Lei: The number really is unbelievable. Let me just double-check... All right, I've re-run my calculations, and the number remains the same. The edge of the sky lies at a height of 3,047 Halidoms. Eureka! I've done it! I have pulled back the curtain on the edge of the sky through the power of numbers! Though I suspect the number 3,047 Halidoms will hold little meaning for other people... But it means something to ME, and that is what matters!
Euden: It's a pretty spectacular outcome. Congratulations, Xiao Lei.
Xiao Lei: Thank you! And thank YOU, Midgardsormr! Ah! That gives me an idea! Would you allow me to ride on your back and visit the edge of the sky?! I would love to be able to see the edge of the sky for myself!
Midgardsormr: My apologies, but that is not possible. Not even I can reach such a height.
Xiao Lei: Oh. That's too bad. ...Wait! I've just had another spark of inspiration! I know what my next objective is going to be! I will reach the edge of the sky and witness it in person, thereby proving it with both numbers AND practical observation!
Midgardsormr: And how do you intend to do this when even the mightiest of dragons cannot?
Xiao Lei: I will...figure that part out later. But believe me, I WILL figure it out! After all, however unreasonable it may have appeared, we managed to unlock the secret of the sky's edge!
Euden: I've got a feeling you can solve any problem placed in front of you.
Xiao Lei: Heh. Thanks. Oh, and I'll still be needing your help from here on out, if that's okay. Because someday we're going to see the edge of the sky together!
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