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

 

 

Magical Iron (2): Failure

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“Come here for a moment.” (Midgan)

Hmm.

After Richard-sensei left, Midgan-senpai called out to me. In response, the other two senpais who had been in the workshop stood up and approached.

For a moment, tension ran through me, but their expressions did not seem hostile.

“You may have already heard, but he is a first-year student. His name is Leon.” (Midgan)

Huh? Is he introducing me?

“It is a pleasure to meet you.” (Leon)

“Good. There is no need to be overly humble just because you are a junior. Politeness is fine, but in the Science and Technology Department, individual skill matters more than seniority. Now then, this one is…” (Midgan)

“I am Hogni, a second-year. Nice to meet you.” (Hogni)

“Yes.” (Leon)

For someone in the Science and Technology Department, he had quite a solid build.

“I am also a second-year, Dian. Nice to meet you.” (Dian)

He was slimmer but tall.

“Likewise.” (Leon)

“And I am a third-year.” (Midgan)

So Midgan-senpai was the senior among them.

“Well, some of the third-years finish their credits early and graduate ahead of time. Staying longer does not necessarily mean you are greater.” (Midgan)

“Do not take that too literally. Midgan-san is only being modest. Zila-sensei often praises his skill in metalwork and engraving magic art.” (Dian)

“Haha, well, perhaps. Anyway.” (Midgan)

All of them looked at me.

“This time of year, most first-years still attend introductory practicums. Since Richard-sensei said nothing, you must be exempted, correct?” (Midgan)

“Yes.” (Leon)

Both second-years nodded.

“I have seen a few students like that. Some graduated with great success, but others lost focus, were caught up by their peers, and never advanced beyond that. You should be careful.” (Midgan)

“I see.” (Leon)

It seemed he was concerned about me.

“No need to take it too seriously.” (Midgan)

“Actually, my mother said almost the same thing when she came to the capital recently.” (Leon)

“Haha, your mother, huh?” (Dian)

“Midgan is the type who likes looking after others. But your mother instead of your father, hmm?” (Hogni)

These three really seemed to be on familiar terms.

“Anyway, perhaps we should ask about that other matter, Midgan-san.” (Hogni)

“Ah, yes.” (Midgan)

What is that about?

“I heard there was a first-year who defeated a military student during a joint practicum with the Technical Department. That was you, was it not, Leon?” (Midgan)

“Eh?” (Leon)

“The rumors match your hair color and build exactly.” (Dian)

It seemed there was no escaping this.

“Yes, that was me.” (Leon)

“I thought so.” (Midgan)

“Is that a problem?” (Leon)

Should I not have provoked the military students?

“No, not at all. Some of those military students act arrogantly for no reason. It serves them right. We just wanted to confirm if it was true.” (Midgan)

The other two nodded.

“Well then, as Sensei said, if there is anything you do not understand, you can ask any of us.” (Midgan)

“Thank you very much.” (Leon)

The seniors dispersed around the workshop again. They seemed like good people. It was nice to finally know some upperclassmen.

Now, back to the magical iron.

The problem is how to remove wrinkles from fabric. The temperature of the base could not be too high because of the fabric’s nature, so that left only one possibility.

Steam.

According to Reo’s memories, a “steam iron” worked well. Water heated by the base of the iron would turn into steam, which escaped through small holes connected to the bottom plate. That steam loosen the fibers, and as it dries, the wrinkles disappeared.

In that case, the design need to consider the diameter, number, and placement of the holes.
However, Reo’s memory of that detail is vague. He only remembered there being about five or six holes. Of course, he never intended to build or modify one himself.

Still, relying too much on Reo’s knowledge and memory does not suit me. The hole size is important, but I also need to consider how to make them. I could drill them with engraving magic art, but that is not practical for mass production. For a workshop that manufactured these iron bases, it would be best to use machine processing.

Let’s see. The machinery should be along that wall.

After putting down my belongings, I walked over.

“Looking for the machining tools?” (Hogni)

“Yes.” (Leon)

It was Hogni-senpai.

“Have you completed the operation training?” (Hogni)

“No, not yet.” (Leon)

“I thought so. Then, you cannot use them yet.” (Hogni)

“I see. I just wanted to see what types of machines were here.” (Leon)

“In that case, I will explain briefly. From the right, that one is the drill press, used for making holes. Next is the band saw for cutting. Then, comes the grinder, a machine that polishes using a rotating whetstone.” (Hogni)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“The power comes from that rotating shaft beneath the ceiling. When you attach this belt to it, the rotation transfers to the machine.” (Hogni)

“I understand.” (Leon)

Though the power source was different, these machines resembled the ones in Reo’s memory, and I understood the basic concept. I felt grateful to him, who had always tried to do things himself despite specializing in control systems.

“So, what are you planning to do?” (Hogni)

“I have not finished the design yet, but I would like to drill some holes using the drill press.” (Leon)

“Oh?” (Hogni)

“Please wait a moment.” (Leon)

I said that and returned to my workbench to retrieve the lower section of the iron.

“I was thinking of drilling several holes through this side.” (Leon)

“Hmm, a part of the magical iron, is it?” (Hogni)

“Yes. I would like to make holes about that is about two millimeters in diameter all the way through. Do you think that is possible?” (Leon)

“This is cast iron, so it is quite hard. But with a zircon blade, it can be done. However…” (Hogni)

Cast iron was made by pouring molten metal into a sand mold, breaking the mold once it had cooled somewhat, and taking out the piece. It contained a high amount of carbon, had a low melting point, and was quite hard.

However, Hogni-senpai looked hesitant.

“It can be done, but what is the problem?” (Leon)

“Well, the plating that was applied rather thickly will come off.” (Hogni)

“Plating?” (Leon)

“Yes. It is probably there to make the surface glide smoothly over fabric and to prevent rust.” (Hogni)

Rust…

“Senpai, if I drill the holes and run water through them…” (Leon)

“It will definitely rust.” (Hogni)

“Ah, I thought so.” (Leon)

The inside of the holes would be raw iron with no plating.

“Thank you very much.” (Leon)

“Are you sure that is all right?” (Hogni)

“Yes. I will review the design.” (Leon)

“I see.” (Hogni)

Hogni-senpai looked puzzled.

I returned to my workbench.

No good. How careless of me. I have completely forgotten about rust. I have assumed that, since it worked on Earth, I could do the same here.

If it rust, red stains might appear on the fabric, and most likely they would. That would be a product defect. I could not create something like that.

In disappointment, I reassembled the disassembled parts, packed them back into the wooden box, and left the workshop.

 

—

 

I returned to my lodging.

From my storage space, I took out the iron I had bought.

Ugh, why? Something does not make sense. I have been thinking about it on the way back. Of course, if I drilled holes in the one from the campus store, it would rust. But then, why did irons on Earth not rust? Were the holes also plated?

No, that could not be it. In Reo’s memory, irons did not seem plated at all. They were not mirror-bright or reflective.

Then, the word “fluorine coating” surfaced in my mind. It seemed to be some kind of surface treatment.

That is a concept I had never heard of in this world. I would have to research it at the university later. But even if such a coating existed, would it really prevent rust completely?

As I thought about that, I lifted the iron.

Hmm?

Something felt off. Perhaps it was just different from Reo’s memory. It was heavier. The size looked about the same, yet the weight was greater, which meant its density was higher.

Could it be that despite being called an “iron”, it was not actually made of iron?

 

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