第５８２堀：悪だくみとお勉強 (Part2)
As I caught my breath and sipped my tea, Taiki-kun spoke up as if he’d just remembered something.
"By the way, what exactly are we going to be teaching? I mean, I know it’s magic, but what’s the educational policy?"
"Ah, I haven't really decided on that yet. I don't even know what their level is over there."
"Wouldn't it be better to discuss that with them properly? We should probably establish some boundaries on how far we're going, right?"
"Well, I’m certainly not going to be showing off Narjia’s armaments."
If we were to use that equipment, there’s a good chance it would function like a siege weapon, potentially turning an entire fortress into a test subject. Even if it didn't, we might end up blowing a practice field to smithereens. That would only tarnish Weed’s reputation, so I have to make sure we don’t do anything so reckless.
"I see. So we need to get our story straight on this side as well."
"Shouldn't you ask Kagura for her input? I'm sure she has her own requests."
"That’s true. Oh, come to think of it, Princess Schans sent a request regarding electrical technology."
I recall Kagura mentioning that if they had electricity, it would be convenient to work at night or something along those lines. Well, it is convenient, though it’s also a leading cause of staying up too late.
"Electricity, huh? That has nothing to do with magic, though."
"Well, you know. It’s more about showing off Weed’s technical prowess. But still..."
"Explaining electricity... what are you going to do? I don't feel like I could teach that. I don't even know where to start."
Yeah. I know exactly how Taiki-kun feels. If someone asked me, "What is electricity?" could I give them an immediate answer? For us, electricity and power are essential parts of life, widely understood by the general public. But being asked to explain it to a civilization still at a medieval European level? That’s a real headache.
"How did you explain it to your wives?"
"I just told them it’s how things work. I ignored the principles and all that."
"Ah, the 'it works in reality, so that’s good enough' approach."
"We don't really know how our own home appliances work either, so 'if it works, it's fine' is usually enough. But that won't fly with students and researchers, will it?"
"Shall we do some science experiments?"
"Yeah, that’s probably the easiest way to show them. That’s how the members in Weed who research electrical development got their start, too..."
They were originally subordinates of Zargis when he was investigating electricity, but now they work independently on electrical matters. I heard they conducted various experiments based on the science textbooks I gave to Zargis. Trying things out for yourself is the best way to learn, after all. Seeing is believing.
"Then, why don't we have Zargis-san explain the electrical side of things?"
"Nah. He’s busy gathering information for the academy. Besides, his specialty is magical power."
Plus, if I pile any more work onto Zargis, he’ll probably collapse. He’s been working hard on the front lines of environmental surveys ever since the New Continent was discovered.
"..."
The two of us tilted our heads in contemplation.
"Hmm, hmm. If that is the case, why don't you leave it to me?"
The person who walked into the room saying that was...
"Taizo-san."
It was him. The man who had prepared everything himself and even created a rudimentary communication system in this other world.
"It’s a place I can return from easily, isn't it? In that case, you can leave the electrical matters to me. If I show them how to make a battery, the existence of electricity will be recognized."
"Ah, a battery."
"Come to think of it, we did have that experiment about making a battery."
"A lead-acid battery using sulfuric acid would be dangerous and bad for the environment, so it’s probably best to go with a salt-water activated carbon battery or a fruit battery. I won't be handling anything dangerous."
"We don't really understand."
We know it does something like a battery, but since it’s outside our field of expertise, we just accept that it’s "that kind of thing."
"Hmm. This level of knowledge is basic, you know? There’s also power generation via motors, or perhaps coil systems would be better."
"We have no idea what you're talking about."
I have a vague memory of a power generation system involving copper wire wrapped around magnets, but that’s about it.
"Sigh. You two are more undereducated than I thought. I can't say I’m thrilled about you taking the podium with that level of knowledge. I’ll need you both to act as my assistants when I explain electricity. It won't do for you to know nothing. I’ll give you a crash course before we head to the academy."
"Ehh!?"
And so, for the first time in a while, Taiki-kun and I found ourselves sitting at a desk, studying electricity.
Ah, so that’s the problem.
Beyond the science experiments, most of what I learned in school has long since flown out of my head, except for what’s absolutely necessary for work. Unless you’re interested in it, of course. Personally, I liked science experiments, but my memory of them is hazy at best. I’m at the point where I have to look things up on the internet whenever I write something like this.
Unless you’re a true specialist, it’s basically impossible to remember everything. Maybe I should have loaded an encyclopedia onto my smartphone before coming to this world. Or perhaps some recordings of those "Iron Dash Village" style shows?
I think about it every time I watch them—those people aren't just idols anymore, are they? And I mean that with the utmost respect, not as an insult.