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

 

 

Research Plan Presentation

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Before I knew it, Thursday had arrived. Third period.

The classroom was darkened by closed curtains. The department head, Zila-sensei, and further, Reelin-sensei sat in the front row, while several lecturers lined the back row. I was slightly nervous.

The projection magical apparatus was unpleasant. It was a magical apparatus that shines intense light on a manuscript such as paper and projected the reflected light. The characters written and figures drawn on the manuscript are enlarged and displayed on a reflective screen at the edge of the wall.

It would be ideal if the light could be amplified, but in reality, the system was designed to enhance the light source in advance to compensate for attenuation. Therefore, the manuscript was covered on three sides with boards in a box, leaving one side exposed to the screen. When exchanging the manuscript, the light was temporarily dimmed, which was not very comfortable for the eyes.

“Leon-kun. Please use the projection magical apparatus to explain the overview in about 10 minutes. Afterwards, there will be questions and commentary from the department head. If you are ready, please begin.” (Richard)

“Yes. Thank you for giving me the time.” (Leon)

I had been ordered to explain, but it is polite to say so.

“I will follow the copy of the overview in front of you to explain. First, regarding the background of the research…” (Leon)

What is it?

The side door was knocked.

“Leon-kun, please wait a moment.” (Richard)

My explanation was interrupted, but fortunately before reaching the climax. I thought it was all right. Richard-sensei, who was nearby, went to open the door.

Whoa!

“Dean.” (Leon)

“Has it already started?” (Dean)

“If it is Leon-kun’s research plan presentation, it has just begun.” (Leon)

“Exactly. May I also listen? I will not comment regarding approval.” (Dean)

The dean must have been confident that he would not be refused. He strode in.

“Of course. Please come this way.” (Leon)

“The back is fine.” (Dean)

Upon hearing the department head’s words, the dean sat in the back row. He had a slight smirk, as though expecting a good show. Despite being quite an important person, he seemed to have leisure time.

Well, it does not matter. It is rare for a student just enrolled to have their presentation heard. I should regard this positively.

“Now, let us resume. First, the background of the research. The light emission principle of light magic is that emitted by high-temperature objects…” (Leon)

I lightly interwove examples while explaining the types of principles. Most of the teachers already knew this. Still, I explained it to demonstrate that the student also understands properly.

“…Finally, there are light sources that emit light when charged particles are subjected to the demon world, and these are used as the light source for engraving magic art.” (Leon)

So far so good. The early part may be slightly heavy. According to the time display on the right of my vision, about five minutes had already passed.

I reached into the screen to exchange the manuscript… dazzling. Squinting, I placed the next manuscript and adjusted its position.

“As a challenge in engraving magic art, the densification of the area dimension of engraving is cited. If the density increases, it becomes possible to engrave magic crystals with a small effective engraving area and also facilitates the engraving of large-scale magical circles.” (Leon)

Reelin-sensei nodded.

“There are several factors that determine engraving density, but the focal diameter of magical light is a major factor. If the focal diameter were compared to another object, it corresponds to the thickness of a pen tip. That is, the finer the pen tip, the more intricate a design can be drawn. Currently, improvements have been made in other areas, resulting in approximately double performance every ten years, but it is predicted that progress will eventually plateau.” (Leon)

I paused to regulate my breathing.

“Therefore, this research aims to reduce the focal diameter, in other words, to focus the light more effectively.” (Leon)

I looked around the room, but there was no particular reaction.

The attendees probably anticipated this flow from the title. The problem is…

“Several factors impede the reduction of the focal diameter, but largely it comes down to aberration, where the refractive index of a focusing lens varies with light frequency and does not converge at a single point. In light emission by demon world application, although the light frequency range is narrow, unlike parallel sunlight, the light source is a point source, creating the difficulty that the light beam has a wide solid angle. Therefore, the success of the research depends on reducing this aberration.” (Leon)

Phew. I have overcome the planned climax. I exchanged the manuscript.

“Next, regarding the chronological plan…” (Leon)

I stated that after a six-month preparation period, I aimed to conduct the research over two years from the second year, that is, until August of the year 492.

“That concludes the explanation. Thank you for your attention.” (Leon)

Richard-sensei stepped forward.

“Now, we will proceed to the question-and-answer session. Those with questions, please raise your hand.” (Richard)

Hands went up immediately.

“Then, Tales-sensei.” (Richard)

“Yes. I am impressed by this very stimulating research plan. This question may not be suitable for a research plan presentation, as it concerns specifics. First, Leon-san, are you aware of the aberration improvement research conducted at this university until eight years ago?” (Tales)

Oh. The teacher was a participant.

“Yes. I am aware. I recognize that optical aberration improvements were made, resulting in a roughly ten to twenty percent reduction in focal diameter.” (Leon)

“The results… the maximum reduction was only 50 percent, though the goal was 50 percent. Moreover, the weight of the engraving magical apparatus quadrupled. Considering future research, do you think that relying on optical and light source improvements can make this feasible? Please respond.” (Tales)

The teachers murmured. However, they settled after a few seconds, as if to first hear my thoughts.

Six teachers participated in the previous research, and ten students. Could I handle it alone, aside from the supervising teacher? That was the question. What did Tales-sensei intend? Was he saying not to touch the old research’s wounds, in other words, to avoid it?

Although reluctant, I had no choice but to display a confident attitude. Otherwise, the plan would not be approved.

“To conclude, I believe it is feasible. Specifically, much depends on the latter, the improvement of the light source. At the planning stage without prior results, this is as much as I can explain.” (Leon)

“The light source… You are aware it is an ancient Elf relic, yes?” (Tales)

“Certainly.” (Leon)

Wow. I had prepared, but this made me appear an overconfident young man oblivious to those around me. I would surely be reprimanded.

“Fufufu. This is good.” (Tales)

Eh?

“Upon the approval of this research plan, I, Tales, would like to offer my cooperation. Zila-sensei.” (Tales)

“Oh, is that so?” (Zila)

Eh. In that direction? Tales-sensei wishes for a rematch?

“Yes. Thank you. Any other questions… yes. Department head, please.” (Richard)

“I also consider this not a question for this stage.” (Zila)

Laughter arose, but the department head’s eyes were stern.

“Even if this research succeeds and the focal diameter of magical light is reduced, well, that would still be a significant achievement.” (Zila)

Ugh, a discussion on research value.

“If the density of the magic symbol increases, some issues arise. If the regions with large magic flux are densified, the magic pressure tolerance inevitably decreases. Do you think the improvement of magic crystals can be achieved solely by focal diameter reduction, as Leon-kun stated?” (Zila)

“That can be adjusted as needed by engraving width.” (Leon)

Oh no!!

“Ah, engraving width adjustment, you say. That is acceptable. But is it truly possible? An expert in engraving, such as Zila-sensei, might manage, but…” (Zila)

This is bad. I spoke too easily. Adjusting the cross-section according to flow seems obvious. For example, in printed circuit boards with high current, changing wire width according to current is common sense. But that is ordinary on Earth.

Adjusting line width implies knowing where large magic flux flows in the magic symbol. Of course, with the brain system SisLab_SimConnect, or the model-based system, it can be determined without issue. During simulation, one can see the flow through each path via monitors. Even without observation, the engraving magic art module Engrave Studio optimizes automatically, precisely determining the engraving line width.

The problem is why such a thing is possible. Because I use the brain system…

Sweat trickled down my back.

How should I answer?

“Ah…” (Zila)

Eh? Zila-sensei.

“As the department head said, if one is accustomed to engraving, one can generally understand. The question is whether Leon-kun can do the same, is it not, department head?” (Zila)

“Yes, exactly.” (Tales)

“Then, this will suffice, Leon-kun. Take this.” (Zila)

“This?” (Leon)

I strained my voice.

I did not fully understand, but I approached Zila-sensei and received a small lump.

“This is what I submitted…” (Zila)

“Yes. It is the magic stone you created in the first class of October. Try to activate it. If it is your creation, you can activate it.” (Zila)

“Yes.” (Leon)

I charged mana. The magic stone began to emit light. The dim classroom was intermittently illuminated.

“Now, that will suffice. Stop the emission and place it on the projection magical apparatus. Yes, over the white area of the manuscript so that the magic symbol is visible.” (Zila)

Following the instructions, I adjusted the apparatus and focused on the blurred magic stone.

The magic symbol was enlarged and projected on the screen.

“Oh!” (??)

The teachers murmured.

“How is it? Beautiful, is it not? But this is not machine engraving. I declare that Leon-kun engraved it manually, in the name of the visiting professor, no, the Zila Workshop magical technician. Be that as it may, as you can see, the engraving line width is perfectly adjusted. Therefore, I believe it proves that he can accomplish this.” (Zila)

“Indeed, it is clear at a glance. My question has been answered.” (Tales)

 

—

 

The curtains were opened, returning sunlight to the classroom.

“Zila-sensei. Thank you. Somehow, the plan was approved.” (Leon)

The presentation ended successfully. Thanks to the function of Engrave Studio.

“Haha, unnecessary worries of the department head should be dispelled.” (Leon)

“Nevertheless, Sensei…” (Richard)

“What is it, Richard-kun?” (Zila)

“You carried that magic stone so well.” (Richard)

“Hmm? Yes. If anyone questioned, I intended to show that magic stone to silence them.” (Leon)

Gasp!

“Not Tales-sensei, but I am impressed.” (Richard)

Truly.

“Hmm. Richard-kun. Please take care of the subsequent procedures.” (Zila)

“Yes.” (Richard)

“Thank you very much.” (Leon)

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)