A mage? A spell engineer!

Chapter 239 A Little Interlude

All you need to do is direct the charge along your palm.

Rorschach was wide awake now and tried it out with a small iron knife, which indeed attracted iron objects.

Yes, the magnetism is weak because air is not a magnetic conductor. Rorschach's "charge drive" is becoming more and more proficient; it's no longer just something that sticks to his own hands. He's gradually spreading an electric field throughout the air. If the continued charge can break through the air, then he can initially achieve the third-circle energy manipulation magic, "Lightning Bolt."

Similarly, by controlling the electric field to form a vertical discharge channel in the air during thunderstorms, lightning can be guided to strike the location specified by the caster, with an effect equivalent to the spell's [Summon Lightning] spell.

The above are all application scenarios that Luo Xia deduced based on his common knowledge from his previous life. He also did not know how the [Lightning Beam] and [Summoning Thunder] were cast in this world. The latter was a common attack method used by nature mages. Perhaps it was to summon some kind of "spirit of lightning"?

As for the electromagnetic cannon, it involves the issue of efficiency. It can use magic to generate current and organize acceleration coils to accelerate the steel nails, but with the same amount of magic consumption, it is far less effective than the [Flying Arrow Technique].

If a mage skilled in lightning magic were to arrive in Rorschach's original world, aside from helping others overcome internet addiction, it seems that studying electrical engineering or even microelectronics would offer broader career prospects and employment opportunities.

After his thoughts had wandered, Rorschach returned to the knife in his hand. He controlled the flow of charge in the electric field, concentrating it to pass through the blade. "It should all be carbon steel." Rorschach's judgment was correct. He tossed the dagger onto the cast iron door knocker of the dormitory, and it successfully adhered to it, meaning the knife was magnetized!

Rorschach's Magnetization Technique (Blue): Can make certain materials magnetic.

It's a spell that's not very useful but quite interesting. If it were to be applied in reality, Rorschach would definitely make an electromagnet instead of constructing a corresponding magic circle for this spell.

"Unless you can imbue any object with magnetism, transforming it into a permanent magnet."

The development of the wired telegraph project is still ongoing; confirming its theoretical feasibility is not enough. While generously allocating funds, Kano also demands that the non-magical alternative technology lab produce not just prototypes and semi-finished products, but machines that can be quickly deployed and rolled out throughout the kingdom.

Therefore, there is always a lot to do in the laboratory, setting technical standards, manufacturing machines, and taking into account the issues of cost and large-scale manufacturing.

The basics of electrical theory have been gleaned by shamanistic dwarves, but now people need to further quantify it, defining the measurements of resistance, capacitance, frequency, and wavelength, and finding suitable indices.

Rorschach could only keep giving hints: "Obviously, the two are directly proportional. We need to define a quantity to describe the capacitor's ability to absorb electricity."

With him there, the Eureka moment in the lab can continue uninterrupted.

Most of the team members supporting the project are generalists. Their early education often focused on alchemy or natural history. Fortunately, everyone here has a certain level of mathematical literacy, including the instructors from the artillery academy—calculating ballistics requires a great deal of knowledge in mechanics and mathematics.

Those who emerge from this laboratory are likely to be the world's first electrical experts, although their theories are still rudimentary, and it is questionable how far this technological path will go in a world with magic.

With the "Rorschach-brand R&D catalyst," the project progressed relatively smoothly, except for one minor hiccup:

That evening, the group members returned to the city one by one in their magical wind-powered boats, while Snow stood by the Seine River watching the sunset, waiting for someone.

After everyone else left, the man finally appeared. He was an instructor from the artillery academy, and he still maintained the demeanor of a soldier, even though the kingdom hadn't paid him a salary for some time.

"Sir, what brings you here?" Snow received his confidential letter, requesting a private conversation.

"Is there no one else here? And is there no listening magic?"

Master Snow grew increasingly interested in the conversation that was about to begin, wondering why the man was being so cautious: "No, I assure you."

"Excellent, Master Snow. You are the highest-ranking official here, and out of loyalty to the kingdom, I must discuss a serious matter with you. I have overheard rumors that Master Rorschach comes from the Empire."

Snow was greatly disappointed: "I'm dispelling that rumor—it's not a rumor. Mage Rorschach comes from the Imperial Royal Magic Academy. You're wasting your time discussing this with me."

The instructor couldn't understand Snow's attitude: "You're ignoring the risks! If he's an Imperial spy, our findings will be leaked, greatly threatening the safety of the Holy Kingdom."

"Are you saying that Rorschach would leak the technology he proposed and led the invention of?" Snow seemed to have heard a bad joke, and all he responded with was a cold snort.

"You don't understand!" The instructor lost his composure, his blood boiling. "You mages are always so nonchalant, as if you're forever floating in the sky! My father died in the battle against the Empire, and I'm always ready to die for the kingdom! But you're completely unprepared."

"Then you should go now." Snow's expression grew even colder: "Your accusations against Mage Rorschach and our magic guild are baseless, based only on rumors you've heard and wishful thinking."

"The reliability of Mage Rorschach has already been thoroughly verified within our guild, witnessed by two archmages. Even if he is indeed a so-called special individual, his intelligent mind has already made a significant contribution. Perhaps for the kingdom, an intelligent mind is more beneficial than a blood-filled brain that has lost its mind."

"You are trampling on my dignity, sir." The instructor's face was already flushed red.

The monk issued an ultimatum: "Because you presumptuously speculated about one of our important members. If you cannot accept this and let go of your prejudices, then please leave here with your self-respect."

"My name is Baditz de Grievvar, Mr. Snow. I will now leave this place and prove you wrong today."

"We'll see, better yet, before I forget your name."

Snow was indeed wrong; Baditz's concerns were not unfounded. As soon as Rorschach returned to his dormitory, he began to record the results achieved in the lab that day.

Of course, he wasn't going to present this "gift" to the Chief of Staff or His Majesty the Emperor, but rather to bring it to the Kingdom of Bain.

Clearly, the communication system of the magic guild is too expensive and requires at least magic apprentices to operate. If you don't rely on the guild, setting up a telegraph network is the more reliable option.

Rorschach's approach was to use a borrowed hen to lay eggs. After he proposed the idea, the brilliant minds gathered by Cano turned everything into a replicable reality. Rorschach then used his own advantages to both advance the research and reap the rewards.

Baditz hasn't shown any irreplaceable talent yet; he's only doing auxiliary work similar to an apprentice. Without him, the lab is just missing a human computing unit. Some people noticed, but quickly forgot about it.

The interlude concludes with the founding of a secret society in Valuana that promotes the idea of ​​"rejecting theology and magic, and prioritizing reason," with the founder being Baditz de Grifval.

(End of this chapter)