kscans

Chapter 253 - Episode 2: Second Half, Project Leader

"If we consider its role as a magic tool, the problem is its magical efficiency, isn't it?"

I confirmed this with Maytyl. She nodded.

"Since we're just storing the cold balls in the box, we don't need to gather them and keep them in one spot. The circuit will be simpler, and it should use less magic than a Spiral Flame. However..."

The development of Spiral Flames and lasers has led to significant improvements in the efficiency of magic circuits. We have also started to gradually understand the properties of the magic characters, the patterns at the center of the Spiral Flames.

Thinking back, this must be what he meant when he said he wanted us to rush the analysis of the Spiral Flame over the laser as soon as the calamity began to recede. ...Honestly, just how far ahead was he looking?

"It has to operate all year round without stopping, right?"

"Exactly. And if we use a normal box, it would probably drain even a crimson magic crystal in a few days."

I calculated the price of a crimson magic crystal. Even with the current surplus of crystals harvested from Magic Insects, it was out of the question. Only someone like a king could afford to use it.

"So that's why the box has this structure."

I looked at the box held by the demon once more. The box was double walled, and the space between the walls was a vacuum. According to Ricardo, creating a vacuum reduces heat transfer. I understood that since heat is transferred by the collision of balls, reducing those collisions would be effective.

"This is also an application of the Spiral Flame, you know. It lets the balls trying to get out pass through, but repels the balls trying to get in. ...It's not impossible to create a magic circuit that can do both. This one is even simpler."

Maytyl spoke.

"In that case, the first thing we need is a mechanism to continuously draw magic from the crystal. We thoroughly researched the catalyst for bonding positive and negative magic crystals for the laser and the purple magic generator, so that should be manageable..."

"Yes, if we combine it with that pipette screw, it won't be difficult to continuously draw out small amounts of magic from the crystal," I replied to Vinaldira's words.

So, the problem is still the box's ability to retain temperature. The better it is, the less magic it will consume. Considering the need for a perfect seal, it would naturally have to be metal.

The screw is small, so we could just barely manage with magic-infused metal. But this box is impossible. That means we have to make it using that die. If we do, then precision becomes an issue.

This is bad, my part might be the most difficult...

Lost in thought, I felt Maytyl's gaze on me and hastily straightened my posture.

"Well, our roles are mostly decided."

Vinaldira and I nodded at Maytyl's words. I would need to coordinate with Maytyl for the improvements to the Spiral Flame magic circuit and with Vinaldira for the magic catalyst, and I also had to consider the artisans who would handle the die. No, given its intended use, I also need to hear the opinions of Rilka and the others who will be testing it.

It really does seem like my job has the most complex problems. Oh well, for now I should just follow Maytyl's instructions and move forward...

"Alright, Noel can be the leader for this project. Vina and I will act on your instructions."

Maytyl, a princess of the Empire, had just said something strange.

"W, wait, isn't that odd? The principle behind this magic tool is the Spiral Flame. Your Highness Maytyl should be the one to take command."

I quickly objected.

"As a magic tool, the box is the central component, right? It's best for Noel, who's in charge of it, to oversee the whole thing. Besides, I'll be your subordinate, so you can call me Maytyl. Or May, if you prefer. See, you're an official professor here, and I'm just a guest."

Maytyl's reasoning solved nothing. Making an imperial princess my subordinate is impossible. In this case, the 'guest' in guest professor means a guest of the state.

"I agree. Considering the users, Noel is the best choice."

Vinaldira nodded. We're from the same kingdom, yet you're going to bow to the Empire and sell me out?

"All I need to do is devise a way to screen catalysts that change magical reactions based on temperature. Please, guide me, Your Excellency, the Court Magician."

Vinaldira made her escape. How could she? I thought we were comrades, both victims of his whims.

"Besides, this is a gift for the new king of your kingdom's coronation, isn't it? How can Noel, the Court Magician of the kingdom, not be the one in charge?"

"W, well..."

She hit me where it hurt. I wanted to retort that I had just said this was important for the Empire too, but I couldn't argue back.

"Don't worry, you were practically in charge during the laser project too."

"That's right. I think so too."

While I was stammering, the decision was made without my consent. I will never forgive him.

◇◇

"Um, you see. This level of precision won't work... or rather, I think it will cause some problems. Actually, the precision might be too strict."

I spoke to the three assistants standing before me. All three of them had visibly tensed up the moment I picked up the blueprints. It was enough to make me nervous too. Two of the three came from families with much higher standing than my own.

I chose them as my assistants through our work on the calamity countermeasures, and they followed me here, understanding my policy of prioritizing this university over the Royal Capital.

That's why I have a responsibility... I dislike the term 'disciple,' so I've given them the official position of assistants to me as a university professor, but my responsibility for their future remains the same.

"B, but we measured the time it took for the ice to melt. It achieves the efficiency exactly as you instructed."

Arina, standing in the center of the three, spoke up. She was older than me and the third daughter of a count's family. She had wanted to become a disciple of the Great Sage, but through various events in the lab, she ended up under my tutelage.

"The material that will actually be used isn't magic-infused metal, right? This is a prototype for making the mold. Since it will be stamped out with a die, this exact precision won't be transferred. Also, this part here is the door hinge. It needs to be opened and closed repeatedly. The circuit will be broken each time, so the movement needs to be as slow as possible to avoid straining the magic crystal. If we want it to last for decades, we can't rely on alchemy for maintenance."

My assistants jotted down my words. I had to resist the urge to say, "I'm not completely sure about this, you know."

"Furthermore, you need to consider the people who will be using it. They're ordinary people who cook food. Do you understand..."

I explained it to them as if I were spelling it out for a child. I wrote on the blueprints with a ballpoint pen and used gestures to describe the die casting process. Drawing from my experience working with Dolph and Bowgan, I explained the importance of having some leeway.

"The convenience of the blacksmith and the cook..."

The faces of the three assistants stiffened. The idea of them, as magicians, having to accommodate commoners like Bowgan and Rilka was clearly bothering them. It would be a problem if they didn't understand, though.

...Well, I suppose I can't blame them. I said the same thing to him a long time ago.

"Listen, the role of alchemy is certainly significant. But the final product will be made by their hands. Just as we can't do things that are impossible with alchemy, they can't do things that are impossible with smithing. That's why we, who are upstream in the process, must understand that. Besides, if we don't think about the people who will actually be using it..."

I pointed to the paper they had presented me, which recorded the time it took for the ice to melt in the box.

"This efficiency will become nothing more than a number on a page."

"We understand. We apologize for our shortsightedness."

The three of them bowed their heads in unison. Ugh, I'm the one who should be bowing my head to my superiors... Well, I suppose they've accepted about half of what I said. For the rest, they'll just have to get used to it through actual work.

"Please, don't be so formal. Look, I make mistakes too. When I do, I'll be relying on you. Besides, we can use the data from this failure as a reference for the next improvement. For example, through this experiment, you've gotten a much better feel for the relationship between the Spiral Flame's output and the size of the box, right?"

I explained each point. The three of them listened as if their entire bodies were ears.

I just really need them to do their best. Now that Maytyl and Vinaldira have pushed me into this leadership role, these three are all I have.

"I'm counting on all of your help for this matter. Understand, this is a magic tool that will be unveiled for His Majesty the new king's coronation. I will naturally report your contributions. So that I can live in peace... no, that's not it. In any case, do your best."

Hiding my ulterior motive of "you all need to become great and make my life easier," I spoke, and the three looked moved and bowed their heads once more.

They left, clutching the failed blueprints. I could hear their earnest discussion from the hallway.

I decided to ignore the last thing I heard, something like "For the honor of the Central Garden school..." No such thing exists, and even if it did, I wouldn't be its leader.

Besides, I don't have time to worry about such things right now. Based on their level of understanding, they'll probably mess something up next time too.

But I'll let them make the mistake, then point it out and have them fix it. I used to think that mistakes were absolutely unacceptable, but watching his methods, I've come to understand that sometimes, making a mistake is the faster way forward.

"No, no, that guy hardly ever makes mistakes. He says he's not sure, but he gets it right almost every time."

I shook my head. I couldn't possibly operate using someone like him as a standard. Just being dragged around like this is more than enough.

"Right then, I need to use this new data to ask May and Vina for adjustments. For May..."

I started to think about what to discuss with the two of them.

"That's right, I have to contact Dalgan too. Ugh, just how busy am I?"

Honestly, this was all a tremendous hassle because of Ricardo. Securing one for my own use when it's finished won't nearly be enough to make up for all this trouble.