C10- The First Invention

In the passing three months, the invention of the engine started to change the Flarum Viscountcy. Designs that used the engine for mass production were made, and the Flarum's were getting ready to start selling these machines. Dion Flarum was given the title of Count by the emperor.

During this time, Clair continued working on the blueprints she found in her dorm and Corvin's research to make something that will be used widely is almost finished. He went to the library after school to do some calculations with help of some books. He was now showing his results to Noah.

"Noah, you know lightning, right?"

"Do you think I am an idiot?"

"Yes. But that's not important right now. Look at this."

He pointed to the papers on the table.

"This is something this world has never seen. We can conquer the night with this!"

"What? What do you mean? What even is this drawing. It is really bad."

"I am not an artist, okay? Listen, you know how hot metal shines, right?"

"Uh-huh."

"And lightning is falls more on metals, right?"

"Yup."

"And when lightning hits metals, it heats up, right?"

"I know."

"So, we put the lightning inside the metal, and put it in a glass ball so it gives the light outside but doesn't burn the outside!"

"You made a magic light?"

"But this doesn't use magic! Anyone can use this, not just mages."

"And, how do you make sure the metal doesn't melt but lights up? How do you put the lightning in the metal? How did you even come up with this idea?"

"I am just that smart, okay?"

'It was just an idea that came from my dream so it's not exactly my idea, but I won't tell him that.'

"Find a way to do all those, and then come again."

Right then, someone nudged Corvin's shoulder.

"Uhhm..."

The duo turned back to see Clair there.

"C-Clair! It's been a while! How are you?", said Noah while trying to hide the papers behind his back.

"I heard you guys talk, I am really sorry! But I think I might now how to put the lightning inside the metal."

"Huh? Why should we trust you? You didn't accept our off- mmgghh!"

"Noah, shut up for a second. I need to learn how to do that, you are going to ruin our plans! Please explain Ms. Clair."

"You can call me Clair, I don't care about nobility or our new title. And the lightning thing is actually something I am currently working on my project."

"What is your project?"

"I am currently working on a bunch of machines that will let me create my projects easier. Of course, I will complete them at home and not here."

"So?"

"I call the lightning flowing inside metals electricty. Electricity and that light thing is also one of the parts I need. Can I look at your notes?"

"You know our conditions right?"

"An equal share between the three of us? I-I don't know if I can do that..."

"Then we can't show our notes."

"Bu-but."

"And, I still have many different ideas you know. Make sure you don't miss out on great profit for the future with short sightedness."

"I-I will look into it. Then, please follow me. I will show you the 'electricity generator'."

While walking, Noah whispered into Corvin's ears.

"Dude, why did you do that?"

"What?"

"It feels like you scammed her, doesn't it?"

"Huh? Why?"

"I don't know, maybe because you talked her into sharing her company with us equally."

"But, I will bring a lot of money and ideas. You are the one leeching off of us actually. Make yourself useful."

"Dude, I am an artist, okay? I can make paintings and entertain people. We can use that to make money. And, I want to change how this empire is ruled, not make inventions."

"Do that then. Do you think an army is something you can come up with on a whim? Start from somewhere. The earlier the better."

"I have some ideas on where to start already."

"Great. Show them to me one day. I will also find a way to turn average villagers into useful soldiers myself."

"How will you do that?"

"I don't know, but that is your best bet to change the empire."

"Fine. Thank you."

*****

"Wow, it looks weird. Does this thing really-"

"Yes, it does make electricity."

"Hm. Then, can you show us the lightning?"

"Yes. Do you see the two copper cables over there? Look at where their tips meet."

"They aren't touching, is this working?"

"Yeah, you will see the lightning there."

"Oooh."

Clair started turning the wheels of the generator. Not much later-

Bzzt~

-Sparks and lightning made an arch in front of Noah and Corvin.

"Woah! It looks cool."

"Yeah."

"It might hurt or kill you if you get too close so I am stopping it for now."

"Then, can you make this to see if light will come?"

Noah gave her his notes.

"Wh-where did you find these?"

"Huh? I made them, didn't you hear?"

"This is pretty good, except the drawing. The calcultaions are really amazing."

"Heh, my Corvin is just that amazing!"

"What are you being all proud for? Anyways, can you make it Clair?"

"No, the part that is supposed to light up is almost impossible to make with hands. I don't know how to do it."

"Wait, let me see them again."

"Look. This part. I have the metal but I can't shape it correctly."

"Hmmm... I can make this with magic I think."

"Huh? You can?"

"Probably. But just making one will be exhausting."

"But you can, right?"

"Yeah, bring me that metal, really hot. I will try right now."

"Oh, uh sure."

Clair heated a bit of tungsten and brought it to Corvin. The metal started floating and bending. Corvin was reshaping it with vector magic. He started to sweat as the metal cooled down. Clair offered to reheat it but Corvin refused because the shape could change. After a couple of agonizing minutes for Corvin, he finally menaged to complete the shape. Clair then completed the rest of the lightbulb while Corvin rested. Then with the help of Corvin's magic, they put the metal to it's place and vacuumed the air. Then they put the lightbulb to test.

"It is in place! Clair, start the engine!"

When the engine started, The lightbulb shined, then got brighter and brighter.

"Whoo!! It is worki-"

Bzz-pt~

"-not. It is broken."

"What?"

"Clair, show me the papers again."

"Huh? Why? Do you not trust your own calculations?"

"No, we may be missing something. Maybe that's why it failed."

Corvin looked at the papers again. After a bit of reading, he found the reasons it failed.

"There are a lot of different things we didn't account for. Just making the electricity and the bulb isn't enough. We are putting too much energy. Look here..."

Corvin and Clair started talking about the lightbulb. Just as Noah was starting to sulk because he was left out, they turned to him at the same time.

"Noah!"

"Huh? What?"

"Contact your father, Clair will bring his father as well. We need their skills."

"Huh? Why?"

"Because he is an excellent energy mage isn't he? We need an alchemist for certain materials and an energy mage to help with measurement and stuff like that. And we will also officialize our partnership."

Corvin leaned close to his ears and whispered.

"Maybe you can also get engaged to her, what do you think?"

"HU-HUH!? Wh-where did that come from?!"

"You just got jealous, didn't you?"

"Wh-why would I?"

"You like her a bit, I think. I can see it in your eyes, your eyes started to look at her differently."

"Be-because she is an important ally, that's why...", he was visibly red at this point.

"Well, I will leave it at that... for now.", whispered Corvin with a grin.