Chapter 355 - 353: Magic Research Institute
During Duane’s stay at Sea Cliff Castle, Lady Delilah gave him a tour of the Kennedy Magic Research Institute.
This research institute was part of the Silent Shore Magic Academy. It was said that there were over two hundred Mages below Level 3, and even over twenty at Level 4 and Level 5.
Duane finally understood how Count Kais could produce so many Spell Scrolls and Magic Energy Arrows for the battlefield. It turned out he had this many Mages providing support.
However, relatively few personnel were involved in core research. Most of them handled the production of basic items, such as manufacturing Magic Crystal Powder, extracting Elemental Essence, and so on.
Deputy Head Louis’s laboratory was larger than a soccer field. When Duane arrived, it felt like he had stepped into a museum.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of model ships were displayed here. The smaller ones were one or two meters long, while the largest were a full seven or eight meters—almost the size of a small cargo ship.
Duane couldn’t help but admire the Kennedy Clan’s investment in Magic research. This laboratory alone must have cost an untold number of Gold Coins.
"Duane, you’re here!"
Louis emerged from between the countless racks of models. As the chief researcher, she had been working tirelessly here for many years.
"Ever since Delilah told me you had new ideas about ship Manufacturing, I’ve been looking forward to talking with you every single day. I can’t believe I had to wait four or five days!"
Duane said apologetically, "My apologies. There were some matters to discuss after the war, and I also took a couple of days to rest."
Louis glanced at Duane’s severed arm, feeling a pang of regret, but didn’t say much.
Constant condolences only serve to reopen old wounds.
"Come, come! Before you say anything, come and see my latest masterpiece!"
She enthusiastically pulled Duane toward a workbench at the very back, where a five-meter-long model sailboat was displayed.
Delilah and Natalia looked at each other and shared a helpless smile.
There were very few people who could get Louis this excited. Someone like Duane, who was full of ideas and had an innovative way of thinking, was one of that rare few.
For example, based on the idea for a Magic Dryer that Duane had proposed last time, Louis had built a prototype and was already trying to incorporate it into the production process for the Kennedy Time Closet.
Furthermore, Duane’s assembly line concept had improved the efficiency of clothing production by leaps and bounds.
"This ship’s sails have a special Enchantment that allows them to capture elemental air currents, generating greater thrust."
Louis began her enthusiastic introduction. "Additionally, I’ve installed a searchlight on the mast. Even when sailing at night, you can see the sea surface four to five hundred meters ahead clearly."
As she spoke, she activated the power device, and the searchlight lit up.
In reality, the device could be understood as an extremely high-powered Magic Energy Lamp.
"If there’s an emergency, like reefs ahead, an Extraordinary on board can activate the ’Water Jet’ Array to give the ship a reverse thrust, allowing it to stop in a much shorter time."
Duane couldn’t help but admire her creativity and practical skills. Since the model of the ship was already complete, production must have already been scheduled.
"If this were to be built, what do you think its top speed would be? Also, I’m curious, is ’Water Jet’ a new spell you’ve researched?"
"Water Jet comes from a type of Magic Frog in the Shallow Water Area. I obtained the Spell Model from its Demon Core."
Louis explained, "If we build this new type of Magic Energy Ship, I believe its speed could reach 7 to 10 meters per second!"
Duane was secretly amazed.
A speed like that was already on par with modern container ships and comparable to cruise ships and passenger liners.
In this Otherworld, which relied purely on natural wind power, such a speed would be absolutely top-tier.
She added, "If we include the existing Magic Energy Power Assistance Device, the speed should increase even further."
As she said this, her brow furrowed again. "However, at high speeds, the structural requirements for the ship are also very high. An ordinary ship would easily fall apart, especially when using ’Water Jet’ to decelerate."
"Actually, there are many other disadvantages," Duane said.
"Oh?" Louis’s expression turned to one of interest. She knew he was about to share his own ideas.
"I was the target of an assassination attempt at sea before."
He had already learned from Baron Theodore who was behind the assassination.
To be precise, the assassination attempt against him had been a joint operation initiated by Marquis Sean, commissioned by Earl Orlando, arranged by Viscount Ugo, and carried out by Blood Anchor.
"The first thing the assassins did was try to burn my sails with Fire Arrows to leave my ship dead in the water."
Louis nodded. "That is indeed a primary offensive tactic; it’s a common maneuver in naval warfare. However, I can install a Magic Shield on the sails or mast. As long as it’s activated during combat, ordinary Arrows won’t be able to pierce the shield and threaten the sails."
"That is a good solution, but I have another idea," Duane said.
"Please, tell me!" Louis listened intently.
Lady Delilah and Natalia grew curious as well.
"I want to create a type of ship that doesn’t rely on sails for propulsion. That way, there’s no longer a risk of the sails being burned."
"I’ve thought of that method too, but I haven’t found a suitable spell to provide power to the ship."
Louis shook her head. "Water Jet does provide thrust, but it can only be used as an auxiliary. If we relied solely on it, the speed would probably only be two or three meters per second."
Duane took out a recently made propeller and a wooden basin. He used the Water Gathering Technique to fill the basin with water, then placed the model ship in it.
Louis was surprised both by Duane’s ability to produce objects from thin air and by the structure of the wooden boat. "This boat of yours has a rather peculiar design."
"This is the kind of ship I want to build."
Duane used a Wind-Held Spell to control the propeller’s rotation, and the small boat actually began to move through the water.
"What is this?"
Louis’s eyes widened, and she stared in disbelief at the scene before her.
She was a Grand Mage, so she could clearly sense that Duane was not using Magic to push the boat forward.
"This thing... spins, and the boat moves?"
Delilah and Natalia also gathered around, examining the small wooden boat moving through the water as if it were some new curiosity.
"It must be the rotation that’s providing the thrust," Delilah guessed.
They were not foolish. With a moment of analysis, they grasped the general principle; it was just a form they had never imagined before.
"Correct. The force propelling the boat forward is generated by the ’propeller’ spinning and pushing the surrounding water. If we can harness this, we can completely eliminate the sails and minimize how much sailing is affected by the weather."
Louis exclaimed in admiration, "I have to admit, your way of thinking in this field is truly different from others. I’m both shocked and amazed!"
Her tone shifted. "But our ships are very large and also need to carry heavy loads. If we rely solely on this ’propeller’ you speak of, the requirements for its strength will be extremely high!"
The strength of materials was a problem she often considered, so she thought of this immediately.
"We’ll forge the propellers from steel."
Duane said, "It’s not just the propellers that will be steel—the ship’s structure will be made of steel, too!"
"That’s impossible!"
Louis rejected the idea on the spot. "Let’s not even discuss whether we can build an iron ship. Even if we could, how much iron would a thirty-meter-long iron ship require?"
She shook her head and said, "Forget about your Black Forest Island; I’m afraid even Count Kais’s Silent Shore would struggle to provide such a massive amount of iron ore!"