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

 

 

Research Proposal

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“Winter vacation was wonderful. Haahh……” (Bell)

“Eh?” (Leon)

At the student cafeteria during lunch, where we had gathered together for the first time in a while, Bell looked utterly exhausted.

I faced Dia.

“Well, Bell, even though the university has resumed for quite some time, you are still saying such things.” (Leon)

Indeed, it was already late January.

“Ehhh… Dia said the drinking party was fun too.” (Bell)

“It was fun, but Bell, you should be a little more composed.” (Leon)

Hmm, does that mean I should reopen it?

No, that is not it. Perhaps she thinks so, yet if that were the case, Bell’s personality would make him speak directly about it. Therefore, there must be something else. Something beyond my control. Judging from Bell’s character, it does not seem to involve practical magic art.

I had a sudden realization.

“Ah, it is that you find preparing the research proposal tedious.” (Leon)

“Oh, comrade! As expected of Leon, you even understand a maiden’s heart.” (Bell)

Bell straightened his upper body and took my hand.

“I do not think so myself.” (Leon)

In the first place, what does a maiden’s heart have to do with this?

“You traitor!” (Bell)

The cafeteria does not serve alcohol, does it?

Well, I could partially understand Bell’s feelings. At Salomea University, more than half of the students receive scholarships. I am one of them.

That assistance is granted on the premise that the student conducts research and studies through the university. Therefore, the repayment amount may be less than the provided sum, and interest is not added. There are preferential conditions. Yet, obligations naturally arise. One such obligation is the submission of a research proposal by the end of February.

“This time, the proposal does not need to be fully completed, so there is no need to take it too seriously.” (Dia)

“Ehhh, that may be fine for the Science and Technology Department, but for the Art Skills Department, it is…” (Bell)

“Is that so?” (Leon)

I looked at Dia, the other student from the Art Skills Department.

“Well, obtaining approval from the department is more stringent than from the funding source.” (Dia)

“Yes, it is strict.” (Bell)

Bell nodded with an air of pride.

“I see. That is how it is.” (Leon)

Of course, students cannot create and submit proposals entirely on their own. Formally, the approval of the department head is required. Yet with so many students, the department head does not review all proposals personally. Moreover, even if a proposal is submitted, the research content is not fixed, so revisions afterward are common. However, it is best to avoid making major changes in the progress report submitted in August. Excuses are troublesome.

“Since they will be similar anyway, I will just copy Dia’s proposal verbatim.” (Bell)

“You will be found out immediately.” (Dia)

“Exactly. Dia is trusted daily, so I become the villain.” (Bell)

That is probably true.

“Did you hear, Leon? Anyway, Bell, do your best on your own.” (Dia)

“I know, ah!” (Bell)

Hm?

“By the way, Leon, do you know a girl named Odette?” (Bell)

“Ah, a first-year student in the same department, I suppose. We have little contact. Has she done something?” (Leon)

“Yes. She is the dormitory supervisor for first-year students.” (Bell)

“Ah.” (Leon)

The dormitory supervisor is responsible for maintaining order in dormitory life.

“Ah, you said ‘Ah’?” (Dia)

“She also serves as a first-year student liaison in the department.” (Bell)

“I see. She likes that sort of thing, does she?” (Leon)

“I do not know that much. Anyway…” (Bell)

“When we returned to the dorm after drinking in your room, it seems Odette saw us.” (Bell)

“Eh?” (Leon)

There is a hint of malice.

“And she deemed returning drunk a behavior unbecoming of a dormitory resident, so it became an issue in the first-year class assembly at the Third Dormitory after winter vacation.” (Bell)

Uwah.

“Well, we are adults, so drinking is not a problem, and no complaints came from the surrounding residents. I argued there was no reason for such criticism.” (Bell)

“What was the outcome?” (Leon)

“At that time, many first-year dormitory students agreed with us, so it was resolved without incident.” (Bell)

“I see. Leon, you should also be careful.” (Bell)

“Yes. I will.” (Leon)

 

—

 

The third period.

Recently, regardless of department, the third period had become self-study. What should be done was preparation of the research proposal. I too had begun preparing the research proposal to submit to the Lachesis Foundation in February. I was researching at the university library.

Now, regarding the research proposal. Although the completeness of the plan is not required, the contents should remain consistent. The timing may vary, but that is unavoidable. The direction was decided and that was light magic art.

Preferably, I want to focus on the principle of luminescence.

Currently, the mainstream method, exemplified by lighting magical tools, converts magical energy into light energy via thermal energy. When an object is heated, it emits electromagnetic waves, part of which is used as visible light. However, this method is inefficient, as most energy is lost as heat.

Therefore, I want a different principle of luminescence.

There were several, generally involving atoms, molecules, or electrons receiving energy from external sources and emitting light (electromagnetic radiation). On Earth, this is collectively called luminescence. The method of excitation classifies it.

Based on documents in my mental system and my memory, the information can be summarized as follows, with examples in parentheses:

• Excitation by chemical reaction (combustion, etc.)
• Excitation by light (ultraviolet) (Earth: fluorescent lamps, mercury lamps)
• Excitation by electron beams or radiation (Earth: cathode ray tubes)
• Excitation by electric fields (Earth: light-emitting diodes)
• Excitation by the demon world (Engraved Magic)

Other principles besides luminescence exist. For instance, passing high-speed charged particles through materials with reduced light speed is one method. The Earth terminology is interesting but difficult to interpret.

Che, Che, Chere, Cheren, Cheren, Cherenkov…

Apparently, the name of the discoverer. I imagined radioactive material glowing pale blue in water. Stylish, but inefficient.

Well, that could be excluded. I would focus on luminescence.

Since the first method is outdated, the second is technically convenient. Fluorescent materials exist in this world. On Earth, fluorescent lamps were widespread. However, their efficiency was not ideal, though better than the heat-mediated method.

In terms of energy efficiency, the fourth and fifth methods were superior.

The fourth method requires objects in conjunction with magic art. On Earth, semiconductors are used. Given the use of holes in the material, it is practically impossible with pure magic art.

Even if limited to magical tools, this would pose a significant issue, which is why I researched this in the library. I needed to determine whether the theory and technology for the fourth method existed in this world.

If I conduct research and obtained results, publishing them would require underlying technology. Otherwise, questions such as ‘Where did a mere university student acquire this knowledge?’ would inevitably arise. I found no existing background technology. The concept of semiconductors exists, but not their practical use. If it cannot be explained, it must be avoided, at least for research funded by a scholarship.

With the fourth method difficult, only the fifth remained.

Applying the demon world to electron beams excites electrons, which emit light along two external directions when returning to the ground state. This phenomenon is utilized in Engraved Magic, and magical tools also exist. The amount of light depends on the applied demon world intensity, making it quite efficient. It is part of the lost ancient Elf civilization.

The question is research value. Since it is partially practical, some may argue there is no novelty. In such cases, the focus should be on solving conventional problems.

The conventional problems are that, compared to thermal methods, the technique is large-scale and complex. This is inevitable. Another is the focal diameter. Current improvements reach about one-hundredth of one millimetre, which is sufficient for straight light beams suitable for engraving fine magic symbols on magic crystals. Yet, to increase engraving density, the focal diameter must be further reduced.

This improvement is likely the focus of my research.

 

—

 

“Hmm. Improving Engraved Magic, is it?” (Reelin)

Without an assigned advisor, I consulted Reelin-sensei, who handled external inquiries.

Sensei folded her arms and began to think.

“Have you decided specifically what improvement you aim for?” (Reelin)

“To reduce the focal diameter of the processed light beam.” (Leon)

“Umm.” (Reelin)

She hummed and stroked his chin.

“What do you think?” (Leon)

“Well, the research topic is not poorly chosen. However, reducing focal diameter has been attempted by many researchers over the decades and is still ongoing. Do you know this? I believe it was conducted at this university as well.” (Reelin)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“Hmm. I expected you, Leon-kun, to aim for something flashier.” (Reelin)

“Flashier?” (Leon)

“I mean offensive magic art, and such. Ha ha ha… Ah, sorry. It is solid and satisfactory.” (Reelin)

I am often thought to like flashy methods. Dia and others have said similar things.

“In terms of field, your work lies between theory and technology. I think it is good. However…” (Reelin)

“What is it?” (Leon)

“Probably, for the current proposal submission and the July progress report, it will be fine. Next year will be considerably more difficult.” (Reelin)

“That is…” (Leon)

“After two years, you will report to external reviewers on the mid-term of your scholarship research. At that time, if the research topic seems to copy past examples too easily, it may be criticized. It is acceptable if you have some results, otherwise, you may be reprimanded.” (Reelin)

“I look forward to it.” (Leon)

“Fufufu. That is confident. Students must have such confidence.” (Reelin)

“Haah.” (Leon)

“Very well. I will support you. Proceed along the line you explained. Prepare the first draft of the proposal by early February. Then, we shall adjust it.” (Reelin)

“Thank you very much.” (Leon)

 

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