episode_0157

Episode 157. The Gray Tower (2)

****

The two wizards looked out of the carriage. From the magic tower, the carriage was approaching the academy.

The discovery related to batteries is quite remarkable. Isn’t it strange that it was made by someone who has no relation to the world of math or academia?

“How to trap lightning in a box without magic.”

“Isn’t that a bit exaggerated?”

Osterdo, I thought so too. There’s no way one person could have done that much.

“That’s very likely.”

“You’ll know when you see it.”

Of course, it wasn’t an easily believable claim. How could a mechanical device contain the power of lightning? Perhaps something like a magic stone would be an option.

“I heard he was the princess’s lover.”

“That’s probably true. I think that’s why the rumors were so exaggerated.”

It wasn’t easy to believe that he had made a discovery that would change the world. Since it was an unverified claim, it would be better to see it for yourself.

****

I looked at the man who had just entered my lab. I had received a letter saying he would come. This man was the gray-haired man, Canatus.

He was a man whose age was difficult to guess.

The hair is black and not wrinkled, but the eyes look like those of an old person. It was a physiognomy that was very suspicious. What can I compare it to?

Let’s use a hospital analogy. Old professors of internal medicine had that kind of physiognomy. Why? Is there any basis for this? Did you check this correctly?

– It seemed as if a voice was being heard.

The man hasn’t even said hello yet. I think he’s judging me based on my appearance. I bowed my head to the man and greeted him.

Canatus sat down.

“Professor Asterix, right?”

“Yes.”

“Where does it hurt?”

“No.”

He said he was coming, but I don’t know exactly what he came for. If he wasn’t sick, why did he come? I looked at the wizard, but his expression didn’t change.

“Please sit down first.”

“Yes.”

He must be a bit reserved. I waited for Canatus to speak. He took something out of his robe pocket and put the robe down.

The robe flew and hung on its own. As expected, a wizard is a wizard. How amazing.

“I saw the professor’s story in the newspaper.”

“Yes. What did you say?”

Matapju looked suspicious at these words. It was an obvious story. It seems that someone who doubts my achievements has come to visit me again.

“They say he’s the greatest genius of this era. Most recently, he diagnosed a corpse that was nothing but bones and cleared the Baron’s family of false accusations.”

It’s a bit of an exaggeration. It wasn’t just bones. It was half-rotted.

“So?”

“Isn’t the Tower of Heaven the starting point and the end point of all studies? I heard that you are also conducting research other than medicine. I came here to hear your opinion.”

It seems to be as you say. In the end, I came here to check and hear if what you said is true. I nodded.

“Why is the Tower of Heaven the final destination of learning?”

“That’s right. In order to reach the point where you can ask for concessions from the laws of nature and providence, you must study the original rules. Many wizards devote decades to studying the discipline.”

“I see.”

Matapju nodded slowly, perhaps satisfied with his own wonderful words. He may be surprisingly simple. Just like the geniuses and scholars I’ve met so far.

I’m talking about both my past life and my current life.

“Ask a question.”

“To cut to the chase. What I’m curious about is how you captured the power of lightning in a mechanical device without magic. Could you explain the principle?”

“No. It’s a trade secret.”

“Ah?”

Kanatus’s expression was worth seeing. In fact, it wasn’t even a trade secret. It was already published in a thesis. It was a secret and it was private.

“I’m sorry.”

“Can you explain a little bit?”

I pretended to think for a moment.

Of course, Matapju is one of the few people in the empire who can utilize and imitate the principle of omniscience by just listening to me. In any case, there was no need to obsess over every single invention.

Not one or two.

“To put it simply, it utilizes the power generated when metal corrodes. Right now, it’s salt water, but other metals and other liquids can be used. That’s where experiments are needed.”

“If it’s complicated, it’s complicated, and if it’s simple, it’s simple. Are you saying that it’s a rusting process?”

“Yes.”

Chemically, this is called an oxidation reaction.

I don’t know about the rooftop bar though.

“But if I use this, will I be able to control the power of lightning better? With magic, you know?”

“Try it once. I don’t know.”

I took out the voltaic cell from under the desk and put it on. Matapju looked at me. I poured the electrolyte into the transparent glass tube.

“Is this the machine in question?”

I brought both ends of the copper wire connected to the battery close to make a spark. Matapju couldn’t hide his admiration at this.

Honestly, it’s not that much. It’s an effect that can be achieved by just rubbing a balloon and dog hair together. The Voltaic cell is a bit strangely made, though.

Matapju scratched his head.

“Then. I heard you came up with a practical use for this machine. The details were a bit hushed, though.”

“There’s that too.”

“Could you please tell me a little bit?”

“It’s simple. I told you before. It uses the movement of electrons that are released when metal corrodes. It forces those electrons to move along the copper wire. That’s the wire.”

“I understand.”

“Now, wires can be extended in length without major limitations. They don’t have to be a span long. They can be used to transmit information.”

“Is that so?”

“This. You said that electricity was invented based on the structure of nerves and muscles, right? Nerves transmit signals within the body, and if you give electrical stimulation to a frog’s muscles or nerves, you can force it to move. It’s the same principle. ”

“Just like nerves transmit information in the human body, can wires transmit information?”

It was something I had said several times, but it always felt new to the listener. I nodded, and Matapju thought about it for a long time.

As if that were true.

“Honestly, I came here today with the intention of refuting Professor Asterix’s research.”

“Yes.”

It seemed so.

“But if you look closely, the professor’s words make a lot of sense. Since the results are still there, isn’t it pointless to refute them?”

It was surprisingly true.

****

The conversation went on for quite some time. Canatus listened to what I said much more attentively than I expected.

“I guess so, Professor. For geniuses like us who are ahead of our time, isn’t it difficult to make others understand what we say?”

If it were me, I would never have said something like that. I knew what he was trying to say. I nodded.

“Uh… … . Yes.”

“In that sense, the part that the professor is talking about is really interesting. It seems like you had a hard time persuading the academic world.”

No, it’s the opposite. Regardless of whether it’s easy or difficult, a scientific theory that doesn’t present a logical structure and basis is not a scientific theory.

Even if you hit it well, it’s just a prophecy.

“The ability to persuade others is more important. What good is knowing something by yourself? If you can’t provide evidence, it’s not science.”

Matapju laughed heartily at these words.

“That’s true too.”

It was as expected. After all, it wasn’t like the top boss had any special business to attend to. He just came to see if I was a conman or not.

All I had to do was say something reasonably smart.

“Professor. How about working at the Magic Tower? I heard you’re also very knowledgeable about alchemy. And those machines.”

I was used to receiving scout offers, but this was an unexpected turn of events. No, why would I work at the Magic Tower if I can’t use magic?

I shook my head.

“Oh, that’s a bit difficult.”

“I guess so.”

After listening to my answer, Kanatus looked at me with a serious expression on his face, contemplating something.

“Can I make a suggestion?”

“What is it?”

“You may have heard that the Imperial Family has established a new company in relation to me. It is not easy for a chemical company to lay communication lines, so we need a partner.”

Matapju nodded his head slowly.

“You want help with laying copper wire?”

“That’s the gist.”

“It’s an interesting suggestion, but I think it needs some consideration. I also need to think about how useful that machine would be.”

****

There are people like that sometimes.

Matapju tapped the palm of his hand with the fingers of his other hand as if trying to calculate.

That went on for quite some time.

“Well, but. Until you agree, it’s difficult to cooperate with you on the technical side. After all, it’s something we developed with great difficulty… … .”

Canatus laughed again.

“Professor, you are right. Nothing is cheap when it comes to important things… … . I will send you the advance payment before I leave the academy.”

I haven’t decided how much I’ll send. Are you the type of person who keeps important information to yourself?