Chef in the Apocalypse - Chapter 19: Rubick’s Hammer

The story revolves around Charles Karino, a Levaamu Empire mercenary aerial pilot who mans the twin seater reconnaissance seaplane Santa Cruz. One day, he receives a preposterous assignment: to fly solo over 12,000 kilometers of enemy waters to protect a girl named Fana del Moral. Fana happens to be the next in line to the empire’s throne and a girl possessing beauty “equal to 5,000 beams of light.”

This is a standalone book. There’s another series under the name “To Aru Hikuushi e no Koiuta” (Love Song for a Certain Pilot) set in the same world, but in a completely different place and with different characters.

– Ulrezaj @ Mazui

Adapted to anime as “The Princess and the Pilot”

Is magic really a wish machine?

No! In a universe where magic actually exists, the ultimate nature of magic must be as simple and beautiful as the laws of physics.

This is the story of a mass-produced magic warfare tool man who learned the ultimate nature of magic.

But so what?

Just as a bird can fly without understanding aerodynamics, so a wizard does not need to understand the ultimate nature of magic to use magic.

Knowing the ultimate nature of magic does not mean that the tool man can become a great magician.

But the desire for knowledge is human instinct, and curiosity is the first driving force of human civilization. Humans hope to understand the inner workings of magic, even if it is supposed to be unreasonable.

An inquiry into the ultimate nature of magic, without any justification!

The story in the book takes place in an age where steel dances with gunpowder.

Here, muskets are in the ascendant, armor is still the protagonist, military theories are changing with each passing day, and innovations in systems and craftsmanship are emerging one after another. And this world has one more thing than ours: magic.

The world is undergoing earth-shaking changes, and no one can stay out of it.

- Description from novelbuddy

In a world where strength reigns supreme, Leon Xian was nothing but a cripple, mocked and humiliated by his peers. Betrayed, abandoned, and cast aside—his fate seemed sealed.Until he awakened the Limitless Copy System.Steal any talent. Copy any technique. Master any power.With a single touch, he rises from the depths of mediocrity to stand above geniuses. The arrogant elites who once looked down on him? He crushes them with their own techniques. The noble beauty who broke off their engagement? Now, she regrets it.From a sect’s laughingstock to an unstoppable force, Leon’s journey has just begun. Enemies will kneel, beauties will fall, and legends will be rewritten.Watch as the trash becomes invincible!

Billions of light years away, on a planet where magic flows through every creature, two dominant species battle for supremacy, 'Humans and Ants'.In this world, Ants aren’t just insects, they are the most intelligent and powerful race who challenged humans, wielding magic and evolving in ways no one can predict.Reborn as an ant in this brutal, predator-filled realm, Kai refuses to accept a life of insignificance. With a sarcastic system, ultimate skills, bizarre evolution choices, and a talent for chaos, he sets out to defy fate.From dodging death against Dragon Men, Ape Men, Wolf Men and Termite Kings, etc to building his own army, Kai’s journey is one of relentless growth, cunning strategy, and outrageous battles.Survive! Evolve! Conquer! The world isn’t ready for the rise of the most overpowered ant in history.