The American In Another World
Chapter 49: Breakthrough

12 January 1640

Secret Location

Magical Research Department, Facility 1

"Show me," Lee excitedly spoke.

Looking towards the open plains, he stood beside Dr. Holden is with several other MRD researchers. Wearing protective gear and taking cover behind the bunker about half a mile from the test site, they glued their eyes to the blank monitor in front of them and the converter behind it. The wires connected to the converter stretched out out of the room, swerving towards the box-shaped object in the distance.

Dr. Holden pressed a button on his laptop, starting the experiment. The head-mounted countdown timer began to tick, a figure announced by the monotonous voice of the woman. A strange blue light appeared, surrounding the box-shaped object as it channeled the energy from the magic gem within. As the energy is sucked from the magic gem, the gauge on the monitor creeps up.

“100 watts.. 200.. 500.. 1200! 3 kilowatts, 5!” A scientist reads the numbers on a monitor aloud.

The blue light in the distance immediately disappeared, with the readings on the monitor descending to the appropriate level.

"There's any sign of radiation?" ask Dr. Holden to one of his subordinates.

Looking at Geiger counter, he replied, “Nothing at all. Its energy source does not match any other energy generation source we know of.”

Lee, unsure of the importance of this reading, approaches Dr. Holden, ask him a question while the experiment subsides. “So Doctor, does this mean we have a new clean energy source?”

“Indeed, although we should run further tests. However, the implication of this experiment is a breakthrough. The fact that we can convert magical energy into electricity seems to indicate a connection between the two.”

“Then does that mean we can convert electricity into magic energy?” Lee wondered.

“That's exactly what we hope to find in our next experiment. Mr. President, please put back your safety glasses,” said Dr. Holden while returning to his computer. "Is the preparation ready?" He asked the nearest researcher.

"They, sir."

"That's great. Let's continue, ”he said, putting on his own glasses before pressing the button on his laptop.

The energy transferred from the magic gem was returned to it seamlessly. Lee looked at the researchers to measure their expressions. Evidently, they were not surprised by what they considered to be expected events.

"Martin, feed the gem with five kilowatts" says Dr. Holden.

A researcher fiddled with his laptop, adjusting the input value to 5,000 watts, which was fed to the magic gem for a few minutes. With anxious anticipation, the heart begins to beat as the mana detector remains silent.

“Hmm..” Dr. Holden analyzes the Mirishian device. "It doesn't seem right" he said, staring at a blank screen.

"Is it active?" Lee offered.

Holden smiled nervously as he checked the buttons on the device. "Ah, it doesn't seem to light up." He flicked the switch, causing the device to turn on and provide a faint blink, which quickly developed into a reading that matched the mana signature of the device in the box. Another signature, placed at the same distance from the observer and near the original sample, shows the energy of a standard magic gem. Compared to the electrified sample, the reference expends less magical energy.

“Yah... it was very interesting,” said Holden.

"What?"

Holden explained, “This discovery may have some interesting applications, once we figure out how to use magic. In particular, I believe that one day we can incorporate magic into our machines and devices, such as the Parpaldians, Muans, and Mirishians. It may take a while for self-development to occur, especially with only Rodenius and the nearest island nation offering magical help, ”isrequisite.

Lee followed. "So so. I'm going to transfer him to the State Department. We've been with you so far. Are there any Muan products you want to reverse engineering?”

Holden rubbed his chin. “Any product with magic operating simultaneously with the machine is fine. I prefer to see any device that is energy related, maybe there is a machine? Or any weapons you can get?

"I'll see what I can do, Doctor."

“Excellent,” Holden said happily, clenching his hands together. "Now, please join us for the next experiment," he pointed towards the door. "I think you'll be very impressed with this one."

Lee raised an eyebrow, wondering what Holden might have. His mind was interested in the actual application of magic. Maybe a researcher found a way to connect to magic and cast a spell? He smiled as his inner child thought wildly about magic.

——

They approached a vast stretch of blue — bodies of water once known as the Atlantic Ocean. Now, it was a vast and unnamed ocean. Full of sea monsters and aquatic life, with no land visible or detected by the survey system, it really is a barrier — a border.

“I want to know what we can find in..”.

“I also wonder the same thing, Mr. President. One of my friends at NASA said there was more land, but something was troubling our satellite so we couldn't get a closer look at the area. Quite mysterious.”

Lee hummed in response. "Squeaky. So what are we going to see here?” He asked, putting aside tangential speculation.

“We learned how to use runes. By etching a series of runes onto an object, we can give it magical properties. With precision lasers, we can cram more runes into smaller objects, writing the entire magical program effectively. We still haven't been able to comb through the book so far, but we were able to test our theory of rune programming. Consider this basic water rune, ”he said, showing him a bucket with a large engraving of alien logograms along the outside of the wood. “When written in a bucket and activated through a magic gem, it produces water from nothingness.” Holden holds the magic jewel and touches the runes with it. "Even we can use magic, as long as it's with runes."

Empty bucket slowly filled with clean water. Once half-filled, Holden pulls the magic jewel, causing the appearance of the water to stop.

President Lee nodded. “Gosh, something like this would be a blessing on Earth..”

He took out a metal bucket with many small runes on its surface. This time, when he placed the magic gem on the surface, the bucket filled up almost instantly, even overflowing before Holden quickly withdrew his hand.

“Yeah, that's for sure.. something.”.

"Indeed it. I never thought I'd see a miracle in my life even though I always had an attraction to it, but here we are, ” he said with a sincere and passionate smile. “I want to thank you again, Mr. President, for nominating me for this position.”

“Anything for old friends.” Lee glanced at his watch. “Sorry, I have an appointment with my wife. We'll enjoy the food of Qua Toynian!” In a hurry, he bid farewell to the MRD staff.

"Send my regards to him!" Holden waved at him.

——

The Mirishial Sacred Kingdom Ancient Weapons Department

The enthusiastic Baeluno scanned the artifacts buried deep within the mountain complex. The section of the trail stretches into the depths below, neatly arranged around a large hangar, two of which contain weapons that even the old stories cannot explain in detail—Pal Chimera. He gawked in surprise, stopping to stare at the technological marvel his country had managed to obtain.

"How's…?" He said, unable to speak any further due to his overwhelming shock.

Director Parpe escorted the young man. “This was left behind by the Magicians after they moved their country to a safe place. You can review the details later in our library. For now, we should focus on the task at hand.”

"So so. What is it?”

“We have copied the books you brought, but now we need someone to direct the distribution of this material and help connect this hard science with the magic we can understand.”

"I understand. Well,” he said as he stared at the magnificent machines below, “Be aware that you are very grateful for allowing me to enter this facility, Director.”

“You should send thank you to Director Freeman for referring you. Advanced scientific knowledge is something we lack, and the resources you bring home are critical in overcoming those barriers.

"Thank you" he said again. “So, what exactly will I do here?”

Parpe stopped to relive his memories. “For now, it is very important for you to master the scientific content outlined in these books. I'd like you to work with some of the professors I invited from the imperial academy to develop a class suitable for my other departments. They will wait in the conference room in front.”

Baeluno held back a frown; he was a little disappointed at the fact that he would not be working on any of the secret projects that the interviewer had persuaded him to do. "So, I'm not going to do anything?"

Hyrane looked at him with a sympathetic expression. “I understand that you may be disappointed. Trust me, the time of your participation will come. But for now, we have to focus on our foundation — our base. Once the basic work is done, you can merge the rest of your office. At that time, the return of Ravernal Empire will be announced to the public.”

"The Ravernal Empire is coming back soon?" He asked in a frightened tone. "How fast?"

“Oh, I have the impression that all departments and office heads have been notified?” Hyrane asked, inwardly kicking himself for revealing sensitive information.

“Ah, I did receive some letters, but have not opened them yet. Maybe the announcement is there.”

Hyrane became calm, sighing in relief. "really. The estimated time of their return is about fifteen years, although it could be sooner or later, ”dia spoke with a level of calmness that aroused curiosity in Baeluno.

"Fifteen years?" He repeated, looking down in slight horror as he struggled to maintain control over his heartbeat. It felt like his stomach was going down, and he felt like he was heating up due to the emotions from this news. "That's .. immediately."

“That's why – is once again – essential to run and run this program. You may want to appoint a replacement to replace you as director. You may not be able to return to the Development Office for a while, especially with the Ravernal threat looming over us.”

Baeluno sighed. Although he was frustrated at being kidnapped from his position as director, he understood the seriousness of the situation. The threat posed by the Ravernal Empire was too great to be muffled by the ego of a single person. "I will file a referral to my department" he said. He looked up, looking at the conference room in front of him. "Director, is there any secret information I can't tell you?"

"NO. We have initiated them into our work here. The only problem you might face; I'd say it would be their stubbornness. I know some of them have shown themselves to be magical supremacists.It may be difficult to open their minds to this scientific study.

"That's a pity."

"Ready?"

Baeluno.

The two entered the conference room, finding themselves before some prominent sages. Many professors were also high-level magicians, boasting magical abilities at the peak of their respective races.

“Professor, please meet Officer Baeluno. Seeing that he is the director of the Development Office, I assume some of you may have met before.

“Ah, yes, Baeluno! I remember you. Glad to see how far you have stepped, ” said an old elf.

Baeluno returned his greeting. “Thank you, Professor Arca. It's good to see you again."

Several more introductions were exchanged before work finally began. Sorting through the available topics, they organize the books in order of difficulty and progression, then group them by subject.

Hyrire, satisfied with the progress achieved, broke away from academia. “Alright, everyone. Excuse me, I have a meeting to attend. Baeluno, send me the schedule you have created after you have finished analyzing this material. If anything is lacking, contact Minister Phiam and Liage directly. Hopefully, they can get the things you need from Americans.”

"Understand me, Director."

Hyrne left the room, sighing in relief again. It feels reassuring to know that they now have a strong possibility to develop adequate defense and unlock Ravernal's knowledge in time. Still, he also felt there was not enough time left. "The race against the Ravernals," he murmured to himself, condemning the fact that their return coincided with his lifetime. His curse on the Ravernals quickly turned into a prayer for himself and all of Elysia. "I pray that we do enough."