Scientific Wizard

"Dennis, do you want to take a look at the construction of this alchemical quadriga next? We've just added steering, acceleration, and deceleration functions. It's a fascinating stroke of ingenuity," Lynn spoke up once more.

Lynn's words were like whispers of the devil, constantly teasing Dennis's mind because these were precisely the issues he was grappling with but hadn't resolved yet.

However, in the end, he shook his head, looking at the group of absent-minded school wizards, sighing. "No, there's no need to look further. Let's head back."

Dennis knew well that he was a failure both in invention and in his research approach. Continuing the comparison would only deepen his despair.

"Lynn, please trust me, the technology regarding the internal combustion engine will never leak from us!" Dennis assured, very serious.

Though the other party claimed not to care about communication and dissemination, Dennis understood the significance of internal combustion engine technology. It was a power that could revolutionize the magical world.

"Since this path leads nowhere, why not change tracks?" Lynn's voice echoed once more.

Dennis paused, naturally understanding the hidden meaning in those words: to rope them into the research of the alchemical internal combustion engine.

Dennis was once again surprised by Lynn's open attitude towards alchemical research, his expression becoming hesitant. He couldn't shake off the feeling of discord within him since he had initially approached this with a competitive mindset.

"I think a war that will engulf the entire wizarding realm is looming. From the attitudes of several councillors, the situation doesn't seem optimistic," Lynn solemnly expressed.

"No doubt, it's a crisis for the entire magical world! The time left for us is limited, and the application of the alchemical internal combustion engine is still in its infancy. We need more people to join in, to strive for every bit of advantage!" 

Dennis was somewhat moved. After all, Lynn was right. The Church would eliminate them all, regardless of their faction.

"Moreover, I believe the internal combustion engine is far from its limit. There will definitely be better, more concise methods to utilize this power. We just haven't found them yet..." Lynn added.

"Do you really think there's something more powerful than it?" Dennis was rather surprised. In his view, this type of internal combustion engine was already near perfection, almost limitless, requiring only more intense heat, and stronger explosions to yield even more powerful energy.

It could be said that the only limitation to its performance was the material issue.

"Of course, I firmly believe so!" Lynn nodded confidently, then chuckled. "Before the internal combustion engine appeared, didn't you also believe steam was the answer to everything?"

"You're right; there's no end to magical research." Dennis nodded, no longer hesitating, immediately agreeing to participate as an external member in the development and improvement of the alchemical internal combustion engine.

The wizards of the Alchemy Association didn't object. They had devoted half their lives to steam engine research, only to find it obsolete. Channelling their relevant experience into the study of internal combustion engines could give some value to their past efforts.

Having successfully convinced another group of researchers, Lynn was overjoyed. This meant he could free up the alchemists originally researching the internal combustion engine to explore other technologies, such as firearms and cannons.

***

The following week, the entire harbor city was bustling with energy. According to the townspeople, something novel seemed to emerge almost every other day.

For instance, water wheels erected by the riverside automatically irrigated farmlands, or alchemical vehicles faster than the wind. Wizards even came up with something called a "textile machine" using magic to make clothes.

Mary was certain of this because a few of her friends had entered the weaving workshop. It was said that a person could weave hundreds of meters of fabric in a single day.

Wasn't this magic?

However, to earn more silver coins, Mary chose to enter the glass workshop instead.

It was like a furnace inside, enclosed with billowing steam. Workers poured piles of fine sand into the smelting furnace, and the wizards added a mysterious powder. Then, under some peculiar force, these grains would transform into a "transparent crystal."

It wasn't an easy job. Burns on the arms were common for the less skilled workers. But nobody complained because this work paid a handsome reward of twelve silver coins—a gleaming currency representing hope.

All workshops were continuously expanding, employing a total of over four thousand people.

In the nearly two months since returning to Harbor Town, Lynn experienced what it was like to spend money freely.

Based on an average of ten silver coins per worker per month, that amounted to a total expenditure of four hundred magic gold coins.

However, this was just the least of all expenses. The real bulk lay in constructing various factories and paying wages to the wizards.

Lynn was somewhat worried; would this outflow of money cause inflation in Harbor Town?

Fortunately, the town's productivity was rapidly increasing, and in the short term, it didn't cause significant price hikes.

The seventh night soon arrived, with a huge full moon hanging high in the sky, casting radiant moonlight.

"It's Moonrise!" Lynn gazed at the sky's immaculate moon, his expression becoming somewhat profound. It meant he had been here for a full year.

The phases of the moon, waxing and waning, were just astronomical phenomena caused by the satellite orbiting and reflecting sunlight.

Similarly, every month had a full moon. But only during the annual Monday did the Silver Moon shine the brightest, accompanied by the restlessness of magic.

(TL/n - Annual Monday is called Moonrise. It is a celestial phenomenon.)

After a year, Lynn once again felt this unique sensation, intensified this time, as the magical energy within him vibrated like boiling water, uncontrollably dispersing around.

However, Lynn's expression remained calm. He closed his eyes, feeling the gradually strengthening power within his body. After about an hour, he reached the peak, as if breaking through some sort of restraint.

After months of accumulation, coupled with the surge of magical power on Moonrise, Lynn smoothly advanced from a second-tier wizard to a third-tier wizard. But becoming a grand wizard next wouldn't be as easy.

Just like the transition from a wizard apprentice to a full-fledged wizard, it was a qualitative change!

TL/n - 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alchemical_symbol