New chapter of Control Engineer is out! (1/2 chapters)

 

 

What Precedes

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

In the evening, when I returned to our trade house, the closing hour had already passed, so I spoke with Manager Begart in his office. Since our house mainly deals in wholesale, compared to retail shops, there is little work left at this hour.

“Truth is, I am a graduate of the Faculty of Economics and Commerce at the Royal Salomea University.” (Begart)

Once Begart stepped out of the accounting office, his speech to me became more formal. I had heard somewhere that he was a bachelor, but to learn it was Salomea University was unexpected.

“Heh, is that so?” (Leon)

Though he works in accounting, I know little about him personally. At most, I know he is the third son of a merchant family. By the time I became aware of things, he was already the manager of our Lioness Trading House.

Come to think of it, being the third son of a merchant family is the same as me. Unlike me, he did not inherit his family house, but he still became a merchant.

“Salomea University, like other royal and national universities, generally holds examinations in mid-July, announces results in August, and admits successful applicants in October. There were also transfer examinations, but they seemed quite difficult.” (Begart)

While listening, I jotted notes.

“And regarding tuition fees, do you think one can manage it oneself? Conan-niisan said there are things called scholarships.” (Leon)

“Leon-dono, when it comes to matters of money, it is best to consult first with President-sama or Vice President-sama.” (Begart)

“Uu…” (Leon)

That is not wrong.

“Still, I quite understand your feelings, Leon-dono. I too studied through the aid of a scholarship.” (Begart)

“Heh, that is impressive.” (Leon)

“No, not at all. If I recall, at admission I paid about one thousand Cecil.” (Begart)

“One thousand Cecil!” (Leon)

That is a considerable sum. Including the one-time transfer fee I received recently, I have roughly that much saved. Yet if I paid it, daily life afterward would collapse. If I enter Salomea University, I must apply for a scholarship.

“Earlier you mentioned you received a scholarship, but was repayment not difficult?” (Leon)

“Well, in truth, I never repaid it.” (Begart)

“Eh, is that true?” (Leon)

“After graduation I served for some time as an official in the royal capital. When one becomes a public servant, repayment is deferred, and if one serves long enough, repayment is forgiven.” (Begart)

“Ooh, please explain in detail.” (Leon)

“Yes. Scholarships are broadly divided into public and private. As the names suggest, the former are supported by the kingdom or domain governments. The aid is not large, but generally half is granted outright, and one only needs to repay the remaining half. In my time, five years of service as a public official granted full remission. Whether the period remains the same today must be verified.” (Begart)

Five years… that is quite long.

“As for the latter, they are supported by individuals or enterprises. The conditions vary greatly. Generally, compared to public ones, the aid is larger and the repayment lighter, but the academic requirements are stricter. One’s entrance ranking must already be high.” (Begart)

I see. But why would individuals offer aid?

“What gain do private scholarship patrons obtain?” (Leon)

“Hahaha, it intrigues you? Best you know. Firstly, as an act of donation, they receive tax exemptions. Secondly, they gain renown as philanthropists. And then…” (Begart)

“And then?” (Leon)

“If the beneficiary is outstanding, there are rumors of drawing them in, even adopting them into one’s family. Though that is an extreme example.” (Begart)

“Heh.” (Leon)

“In any case, success in the examination is the foundation. Salomea University is held in high regard, so if you pass, a public scholarship is almost assured.” (Begart)

Ooh.

“Thus, it would be wise to aim for that first. However, since there are many faculties and departments, if necessary I shall inquire regarding schedules, applications, and current procedures.” (Begart)

“Truly? May I ask that of you?” (Leon)

“Certainly. But you must consult either the President-sama or Vice President-sama without fail.” (Begart)

“Thank you very much.” (Leon)

 

—

 

An ominous premonition filled me.

Before Kaa-sama’s chamber door, I exhaled a sigh. When I returned from the shop to the inner residence, the maid Ursula told me that Madam, or Kaa-sama, was seeking me. Thus, I came.

What business could she have with me? Surely not the matter of university I had just raised.

*Knock*

I waited a beat, and then, introduce myself as Leon.

“Enter.” (Mother)

“I heard you sought me. What is the matter?” (Leon)

“Sit there.” (Mother)

It seems going to be a long talk.

“Really now, must you be so wary to speak with your mother?” (Mother)

Muu. Nothing can be hidden from Kaa-sama.

“It is good news. The patent you submitted has been registered.” (Mother)

“Ooh.” (Leon)

That was quick. Truly good news. The patent agent had mentioned an accelerated examination procedure likely she paid that fee.

“The opposition period has not yet ended, so it is not absolute, but still, a relief.” (Mother)

“Yes.” (Leon)

Then…

“The talk is not over. Truly, you child.” (Mother)

Too soon to rise.

“Regarding the prototype you made, some of its functions cannot be reproduced.” (Mother)

Uh-oh, this is turning ill.

“By reproduction, do you mean artisans have already attempted manufacture?” (Leon)

“Exactly. For it is to become a product of the Lioness Trading House. Unless you obtain the national license and serve as the house’s exclusive craftsman, of course.” (Mother)

At present, I have no intent of becoming an exclusive craftsman. When selling magical apparatus, magical tools, or magic stones to the general public, manufacture must be by a nationally licensed craftsman, or under their supervision in a registered workshop. I learned this when visiting a workshop. To obtain such qualification generally requires years of practical experience, though there seem to be loopholes.

“Yes. Then, which function is at issue?” (Leon)

Mother smiled broadly. A refined smile in appearance, but having lived with her since birth, I know. It is scheming.

“Claim item seven, the color rendering function.” (Mother)

Ah, as expected. That was the difficult part.

The color rendering function means the adjustment of light’s hue, saturation, and brightness. According to Reo’s memories, the white or yellowish light of common magical lamps is a mixture of several frequencies.

Commercial magical lamps employ luminescent magic stones with three filaments of differing frequencies connected in series to the magical circuit. I altered it to parallel, controlling the magic flux through each filament, thus adjusting hue and brightness. Series and parallel each have pros and cons. The originator of that magic stone circuit must have judged that series was sufficient to approximate sunlight, despite variations toward yellow or blue.

“No, for color rendering one must carefully select the magic crystals as well.” (Leon)

I clearly wrote that in the prototype manual.

“Of course, I read your manual, and though vaguely, I understood. The magic stone craftsman also should. Here, this is the failed stone.” (Mother)

“Yes.” (Leon)

Receiving the stone… at a glance, it was fine material, a high-quality magic crystal. I activated the internal system, launched the magical circuit application, and performed reverse analysis engineering. Seconds later, a window displayed the equivalent magical circuit. The filaments were considerably large. For high-intensity light use, it seems… and thus–…

“Ah, as I thought.” (Leon)

The resistance settings for each filament color remained unadjusted. Since the original filament volume ratios were uneven, it affected their emission balance. I had instructed adjustment within tolerance, but with such large filaments, gain also required tuning.

“As you thought?” (Mother)

“Eh–…” (Leon)

The smile left Mother’s face and her brows knit.

Ah, blunder.

“Surely you did not discern the fault merely by glancing at the stone?” (Mother)

“Uu…” (Leon)

“Haaah. I wondered why in your room there were no magnifiers or tools such as craftsmen use. Now I see.” (Mother)

“You entered my room unannounced?” (Leon)

“Oh my, what wrong is there in a parent entering their child’s room?” (Mother)

She clearly thinks it no wrong at all.

“I had heard that unlike other artisans, Leon could craft magic stones using only magic art. But to discern their state by sight alone…” (Mother)

Exposed…

“That face. You child truly are…” (Mother)

“Uuu…” (Leon)

“Well, never mind. The craftsman requests to meet the maker of the prototype, but openly that is impossible.” (Mother)

Never mind, she says…

“Um.” (Leon)

“What is it?” (Mother)

“Is that all?” (Leon)

“Yes, that is all. If I marveled at your every peculiarity, Leon, I would not survive.” (Mother)

“Hah.” (Leon)

“To begin with, being different from others is no evil. If in any part it excels, all the more so. To force an exceptional one into the mold of the ordinary is nothing but harm.” (Mother)

Ooooh.

“You are not angry that I kept silent?” (Leon)

“Well, to be honest, somewhat. Yet everyone has things they cannot speak of, even to family. Very well. The craftsman cannot meet you, but write carefully your observations. It may take several exchanges. For now, we need twelve magic stones. I shall prepare the crystals at once. By when can you finish?” (Mother)

“Twelve? Then, ah…” (Leon)

“Ah, what? Do not say the day after tomorrow.” (Mother)

I was about to say tomorrow.

“Haaah… Leon, I know you overexerted yourself when you made the magical lamps for the hallways and foyer. I know not what you did, but you must also attend to other matters. No neglect.” (Mother)

“Then, by Monday.” (Leon)

That is five days.

“Do not rush. Ensure no defects occur.” (Mother)

“Yes.” (Leon)

Surely, this is for an exceedingly important client.

 

—

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