The Genius Engineer's Legendary Territory - Physics Treatment (3)
“The core of a massage gun lies in properly understanding the imbalance of the eccentric wheel.”
Vibration is the nonlinear motion caused by the wheel’s rotation axis deviating from the center.
“Measure the eccentric distance accurately. The farther the axis center is from the wheel center, the greater the vibration and power become. We’ll fine-tune this to adjust the massage gun’s strength precisely.”
My first massage gun was built by arbitrarily setting these parameters, finding a decent strength level, and rushing production. Now it’s time to raise its completeness to the next level.
“This isn’t just a massage gun—it could work in so many other fields! Couldn’t we use vibration technology for cutting on the milling machines we’re already using?”
Rebecca scratched her messy red hair and asked, her eyes sparkling with that signature curiosity.
She’s usually scatterbrained and endlessly inquisitive, but once focused, she turns sharp and insightful.
“Exactly. Not just massage guns—upgraded massagers, conveyors, transport devices… anything that involves vibration. Milling machines included, of course.”
I taught them as much knowledge and skill as I could, guiding their research forward.
It hadn’t been a waste of time. The results were starting to appear, if slowly, centered around Andersen.
Of course, creating something from nothing remained impossible, but improving existing performance and gathering detailed data was entirely within my reach once I gave them clear direction.
That was simple time investment at its finest.
“People are starting to gather more, and everything feels smoother than before.”
The trio from Helec in particular had been vital. In their homeland, constant exposure to ancient civilizations had fostered a deep scholarly culture.
That explained why Rebecca, Darius, and Grent all possessed unusually high academic understanding.
It would be wonderful to bring in a few more researchers like them. Engineers would be ideal, but any dedicated minds would do.
I headed to Uncle Richard’s office.
“What now?!”
“Why are you yelling the moment I walk in?”
“Ever since you showed up, I jump every time I see you.”
How troublesome could I possibly be?
“But… for my nephew, it’s allowed, right?”
“Ugh… so? What’s the matter?”
“How’s the academy construction coming along?”
“Right now, we lack both manpower and funds. Instead of building from scratch, we’re remodeling the existing buildings for temporary use. The scholars needed for education are already hunting for them.”
“That’s not a bad idea at all.”
From the start, I never planned on something grand. We simply didn’t have enough educators yet.
We’d begin with teaching the interested ones. To start, noble children who could afford it.
Later, I met Builder and Amos.
“Making materials for the pipes will take time. It costs a lot, and there are more problems than expected…”
Builder’s face looked grim.
“What do you think, Uncle Amos?”
“This is no small project. At least three years, especially with all the electrical wiring required. We’ll need more pipes than we have right now. The territory’s resources fall short. The mines must output far more ore than they do now.”
“Tch. Then what about the pollution in the outer Iron Hall district? Penley?”
“We’ve been sending as many soldiers as possible to clear blockages and haul away garbage. But no matter how much we remove, they just pile up again. The soldiers are worn out, and I worry this is only a temporary fix—until the big project is done, this is all we can do.”
My head was pounding in sympathy.
When I first arrived in this world, I’d planned to leave territory management to Gain-nim and my father so I could research in peace.
Now, every flaw jumped out at me and refused to be ignored.
The entire world was riddled with problems. I had no idea where to begin.
The biggest issue, of course, was the people’s mindset and education.
“I’ll have to change the approach. Shift to long-term projects.”
“Long-term projects?”
“What does that even mean?”
“Thinking far ahead. First, Builder and Uncle Amos, keep working on the sewer and electrical systems. Penley, come with me.”
With Penley, I toured Iron Hall, inspecting the buildings.
“This is where we’re teaching electricity. What do you think? Pretty good, right?”
Originally, the building had been a pub that we slightly remodeled to use only during the day as an education hall.
Located near the center in the southwest Steel Mark district, it had excellent accessibility and spacious interiors—perfect.
I could see students inside teaching the local residents even now.
“Most residents of Iron Hall have now learned about the dangers of electricity and how to stay safe. They’re already familiar with bulbs, so they’re all eager for the power supply. Hahaha. Know what they’re saying these days?”
“What?”
“‘We’re proud to be residents of Iron Hall!’ How proud they must feel! Does that feel good, young master?”
“Proud? What?”
I said it that way, but inside I felt a surge of pride too.
Thanks to the residents’ growing satisfaction, the order to learn was being followed without complaint.
“But there are still complaints about the delayed supply. Only the upper nobility in the Higher district are getting electricity right now. The sense of deprivation seems even stronger than before.”
This was unexpected. After all, this was a noble territory—shouldn’t everyone already be used to this lifestyle?
“Yeah?”
“Don’t worry about it. People who complain are everywhere anyway. Once we finish the power supply in Iron Hall, it’ll fade away.”
I simply nodded. Since Penley said so, it was fine.
“We should add basic education here too.”
“Huh? That’s… a bit…”
Penley hesitated.
“Why?”
“Nobles have lived that way since childhood, so they’re fine. But for ordinary residents, it might not stick. They’ve been raised differently.”
Penley, who usually agreed with me, had finally voiced a negative opinion.
Knowing his abilities were excellent, I paused.
“Uh… maybe.”
“Yes. And the biggest problem is that those who follow the education will be hurt.”
“…Why?”
“Common sense and manners only work if everyone has them. If some follow the rules and others don’t, the rule-breakers gain and the rule-followers suffer. Eventually, even the rule-followers will feel dissatisfied and stop.”
“Ah… right… I see.”
This I hadn’t considered. I’d been thinking too simply.
Still, I couldn’t punish those who didn’t follow the rules.
How could they adapt to an overnight change in life? And if I passed strict laws, the innocent would suffer.
“It’s difficult.”
“Exactly. But I’m not worried!”
Penley grinned wickedly, curling and flicking his mustache.
“Master Robon is here, right? Look! Back in the old days, the residents wouldn’t even receive this kind of education. But now their minds are changing! It’s because Master Robon has been working so hard for the territory! Hihihi. This is such a wonderful phenomenon.”
I chuckled at his sudden self-congratulation.
His endless flow of words had been annoying at first, but I was starting to adapt.
Perhaps this confidence wasn’t so bad.
“Master Robon is the best! Don’t you all agree!”
The instructors noticed us and turned to look.
Then, following Penley’s lead, they began cheering one by one.
“Thank you to Master Robon for giving us this education!”
“Amazing! He’s truly the greatest noble I’ve ever met!”
“I want to become a mage engineer too!”
“Me too! Me too!”
A small child receiving education with his parents rushed over and said it.
“Yes. You can be anything.”
“See? Young master? Kids these days all dream of becoming mage engineers. Hahaha! Iron Hall’s future looks so bright!”
Seeing it with my own eyes only strengthened my conviction. Yes, no matter the problems, education was the greatest asset for the future.
‘I should propose more education halls.’
*
DRRRRRRRRRRR!
A blue truck climbed the winding mountain road toward the research lab.
In the cargo bed, a large wooden plank protected whatever was inside.
A few members of the volunteer army sat around it, scanning the surroundings.
“Master Robon! We’ve missed you!”
“Long time no see! Master! We’ve been practicing! Now we handle crossbows perfectly!”
“You’ve become even cooler since I last saw you, Master?”
They were the young men I’d trained back when I first visited the mining village.
“Master? Just call me young master from now on. Listen here.”
“Yes, young master!”
“We’ve brought something amazing! Hahaha!”
“We were super tense the whole way here just to keep it safe.”
What did they bring? Did they find new ore?
From the driver’s seat, Miner and Beck stepped out.
“Young master, I found new ore!”
Miner’s face was radiant.
“Really? What is it?”
New minerals were always welcome.
“Ta-dah!”
Miner untied the rope and lifted the plank, revealing a huge pile of black lumps inside.
“Huh?”
I carefully picked up one of the black rocks.
It had a smooth, glossy surface—shades of black and gray.
When I touched it, black powder dusted my fingers.
“…Crazy.”
A curse slipped out before I could stop it.
“Do you know what this is?”
“Digging it was tough. It breaks easily.”
Of course. It was one of the minerals I’d been desperately seeking.
“Graphite. This is graphite.”
A mineral with a layered, sheet-like molecular structure made of carbon.
Graphite alone changed countless things for humanity.
The most famous was the humble pencil.
The foundation of mass documentation and record-keeping was here.
‘This timing is perfect.’
I’d been thinking about expanding the education facilities anyway. Now, pencils would make writing far easier for everyone.
Beyond that.
Graphite was incredibly useful for metal engineering—alloys, casting, surface treatments. Especially as a lubricant in machines.
Right now, machinery breakdowns were giving me headaches. This would solve them.
Moreover, graphite’s excellent electrical conductivity made it perfect for electrodes.
‘With this, I could mass-produce sodium hydroxide?’
I’d made sodium hydroxide before for making tungsten, but only in small quantities.
Now, using graphite, electrolysis would allow bulk production.
That meant soap could be produced in huge amounts too.
‘Then the hygiene problems in Iron Hall would be fixed.’
A cold-like epidemic was spreading in Iron Hall—mostly due to poor hygiene. Frequent hand-washing with soap would change everything.
“Miner, you handsome devil!”
I pulled him into a tight hug. What a lovable guy. Big-hearted too.
“Ayoo… I can’t breathe, young master.”
That was why I’d invested so much in him. Finding wolframite and graphite had completed his mission.
“Want anything? I’ll give you anything you desire.”
He’d done his job, so rewards were due.
“Honestly, I’m already satisfied, so maybe not…”
“Still, say something. Ideals are fine too.”
“Ideals?”
“Yeah. Whatever you imagined. No matter how silly, it’s okay—just tell me.”
Miner rolled his eyes, then suddenly had an idea and perked up.
“Ah! I was just imagining something…”
“What?”
“Miners are overworked lately. A more comfortable tool would be great…”
“Yeah.”
“A pair of giant hands that could scoop up a whole pile of ore or dirt in one go, and dig hard ground…”
“Wow… you really thought of that?”
“Ah, sorry! I was just imagining! I know it’s impossible! I’m happy with just this truck!”
“No. I like it. We’ll build it.”
Miner’s eyes widened.
“…Really? Giant hands?”
“No, giant hands.”
It would take time, but with graphite found, we’d have plenty to work with once the busy days ended.
“I’ll make you a gift that will surprise you. Just wait and see.”