She Is Not a Witch

The air in Hopland was exceptionally fresh after the rain. Small puddles remained on the blue stone-paved streets, reflecting the azure sky. The autumn wind, carrying moisture and coolness, brought a mist-like sensation.

Loranhil was currently on the third floor of a restaurant. The top of the third floor was an open-air terrace. Having just rained, there weren’t many customers. Under the scattered sun umbrellas were white tables and chairs. She wore her black robe, sitting quietly in a chair, watching the passersby below.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” a woman in a white robe with gold trim approached the rooftop and sat down across from the young lady.

“Not at all, I just arrived myself.”

Loranhil looked curiously at the older sister before her. Though not very old, she possessed the high-level power of Sequence 6. Her figure was probably what men found attractive – voluptuous with beautiful curves. Her gentle and beautiful face matched her waist-length black hair, exuding the air of a perfect wife.

“I didn’t expect you to dress like this, Loranhil.”

Sitting opposite was the female alchemist who had previously participated in the negotiations, Tirella. She hadn’t gone with the delegation to the Dayas family but had left the team and stayed behind on her own, contacting Loranhil for a meeting after a few days.

“Well, if I didn’t disguise myself, I’d attract too much attention going out,” Loranhil explained.

“Indeed.”

Tirella recalled Loranhil’s appearance, a beauty unprecedented even in Emenas, where geniuses and top elites gathered.

“I apologize for Master Brontón’s behavior earlier, but I also hope you understand that Ruluna doesn’t have just one voice.”

Tirella began to explain. Unlike many Ruluna mages, she was a graduate of Emenas Academy. She was well-traveled and knowledgeable. In Emenas, thoughts and geniuses from all over the Ivar world collided, far beyond what local Ruluna mages could imagine. Sometimes, relatively rich knowledge could also breed a kind of arrogance, unwilling to lower oneself to observe many realities.

She first apologized, then began to introduce her school of thought.

“My school focuses on researching steam power cores. Most other alchemists use supernatural magic furnaces as power sources, engraving magic arrays inside to generate torque and make them rotate. But such craftsmanship is often complex and requires alchemists to create and drive. My research direction is to engrave effective magic arrays without relying on supernatural powers and create steam power systems because only this way can the majority of ordinary people benefit.”

Simply put, the current popular ones were all electric motors, while this genius alchemist was researching steam engines.

Magical electric motors not only required alchemists to make them but also needed constant charging with supernatural powers to use them. Otherwise, expensive magic crystals would be needed. Steam engines, however, could use ordinary fuel.

Tirella saw the young lady with a dreamlike appearance before her listening with expectation, and unknowingly became more and more invested in her explanation, using many professional terms.

“I’m sorry, I’ve said a lot of obscure things. I don’t know if you can understand. It’s okay if you don’t, I can explain slowly later.”

“I understand,” Loranhil nodded, her blue transparent eyes carrying a hint of amusement.

“That’s good. I was afraid I was talking nonsense and people would misunderstand.” Tirella also relaxed a bit.

“Why does Sister Tirella think so highly of our Carithes?”

“I don’t. I just think highly of you,” Tirella said with a smile, explaining her reason.

“You’re very beautiful, Loranhil, and you have your own opinions. You’re also quite powerful. It’s rare at your age. Rather than following those old men to other families, I’d rather stay here and discuss with you.”

“A person can only have one heart, and so does a ship. There can only be one power system. Most of the delegation are from the magic furnace faction. If I went there, I’d probably just be marginalized.” Tirella stated another reason.

“Our faction has just emerged and doesn’t have many members, so we can only seek allies through other channels. At the same time, I also hope to see my theories put into practice and spread across the continent.”

Loranhil nodded, taking a liking to this Emenas graduate. Mainly because her theory was aimed at the vast majority of ordinary people. Although Ruluna’s alchemical creations were excellent, they ultimately felt a bit too highbrow, unable to benefit the masses. This resulted in an extreme disparity in living standards between the upper and lower classes of this world.

The things and lifestyles enjoyed by the upper class might be even more comfortable than modern people in her previous life, while many at the bottom were still struggling on the edge of survival. She often thought that if the lower limit of ordinary people wasn’t raised, this world would always be in a state of division. People living in such different environments would lead to a lot of dissatisfaction and misunderstanding. This resentment would turn into deep gaps and barriers, hindering the progress of the entire civilization.

“I also really like Sister Tirella’s ideas. Even technology, if it can’t be popularized and used by ordinary people, will always remain a plaything of a few and unable to change the world.”

“If Sister Tirella wants to cooperate with our association, I would be very honored.”

“No, I should be the one feeling grateful. After all, no matter how good an idea is, implementing it will burn through a lot of manpower and resources, and you’re taking on more of the risk.”

Tirella and Loranhil conversed happily, finding common ground on many viewpoints. Although Loranhil claimed she had only learned from a reclusive teacher, many of her views and perspectives sounded particularly novel to Tirella, even greatly inspiring her.

The two talked about everything from power furnaces to ships, airships, alchemy techniques, countries, and ideologies. Their similar worldviews made them increasingly satisfied with each other, and they only ended their enjoyable conversation when it started to get dark.

“I’m sorry, we’ve been talking for so long without realizing it. Little Loranhil must have association matters to attend to. I’ve delayed you for so long.”

“Not at all. Today’s association matters have been mostly handled,” Loranhil shook her head. Her work efficiency was indeed very high.

“This gem contains some of our school’s techniques, blueprints, and design concepts. Because we want ordinary people to be able to use them, the manufacturing process is designed to be achievable without supernatural abilities as much as possible. I hope it can be of some help to you,” Tirella said, taking out a gem.

“As for payment, nothing is needed. This technology is not yet mature. I just hope it can spread and gradually be improved by everyone.”

The deep blue gem had faint light particles dancing within it, truly beautiful.

“If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask Laniel. She’s a third-year student at Emenas, currently on holiday at home in Hopland, living on Daffodil Street. I’ll write down the address for you in a moment.”

“Thank you,” Loranhil took the gem and briefly examined it.

[Steam Engine Prototype] (Bronze grade): A relatively primitive power source with basic magic arrays engraved. Can be built even by non-supernatural beings.

Although it was only rated bronze grade, in the young lady’s eyes, it was like the spark of a new era. Even though it was still somewhat immature, judging from the history in her dusty memories, this was a force that could truly change the world. The era of industrialization would once again unfold in the Ivar world, just as it had in her memories.

“Perhaps Sister Tirella doesn’t yet realize the significance of this, but on behalf of Carithes, I sincerely thank you,” Loranhil stood up and bowed.

⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱

Two weeks later, Loranhil thoroughly understood the technology, combined it with the excellent steam turbine structure from her previous life, and with the system’s constant assistance in analysis, modified and reconstructed this prototype. Its appearance changed greatly, probably unrecognizable even to Tirella herself, and the result was satisfying.

[Magical Steam Turbine] (Gold grade): An extremely powerful and efficient power source, combining the excellent concepts and technologies of two civilizations. Its supernatural structure and effects are the crystallization of wisdom, a miracle achieved by mortal bodies.

And the era of great ships and big guns was about to arrive.