Meet the principal

Ernest, one of the largest cities in the Midland Federation, has a long history. It was established as early as the ancient Magic Empire. Ernest is most famous for the huge star gate located in the center of the city. This is the continent's largest city. The first star gate discovered on the planet, its discovery marked the beginning of mankind's journey out of this continent and into the demiplane. Ernest's name is recorded in any history textbook.

The aerostat slowly landed, and after it came to a stop, the passengers stepped off the aerostat under the guidance of the flight attendant, and took a steam carriage to the airport reception hall.

"This is my first time coming to Ernest!"

Claire held Reiner's arm and looked around excitedly. She was wearing a beige long dress, a cream-white short-sleeved jacket, and a pair of strappy sandals. She was a very cool and fashionable outfit.

Previously, due to matters at Amelia's family, Claire had the opportunity to visit Ernest. However, time was tight at the time, so Claire chose to go directly to Amelia's hometown to join Reiner. This has been a year. That's the past.

"This place is no different from other Midland cities, with steam, rivets, mechanical carriages traveling between the roads, and humid fog that often hides the sun."

Reiner was in his usual double-breasted dress. He did not wear a silk bonnet like the average Midlanders, but let his somewhat messy gray hair flicker in the mist.

"The Midland Federation attaches great importance to mechanical development. The people here are more like engineers than mages. They build huge aerostats, walking steam carriages, and lighting systems that cover the entire city."

In the Midland Federation, the largest number is not alchemy workshops but various factories, especially around developed cities. A large number of factories not only provide many daily necessities for the city, but also provide a large number of jobs. However, at the same time, some low-cost The insufficient capacity of factories to handle pollutants has resulted in a poor environment in these factory areas. The most obvious one is the dense fog that covers the city. The wet mist of industrial smoke and dust mixed with water vapor can easily cause respiratory diseases, which has been controversial in various places. , but the Midland Federation has never taken it seriously for the sake of development.

Reiner thought of the blackbody radiation problem from the lighting system. This problem was actually raised due to the needs brought about by the widely used lighting system in the Midland Federation. Engineers urgently needed to find the relationship between the luminescence of the metal wire and the temperature, but failed. Unexpectedly, this little electric light actually brought about great changes in the magical world.

As Mr. Braggs said, some people read historical legends but think they are just simple stories. Some people look at the ingredients description on the medicine and get a glimpse of the truth of the universe. Any great discovery never appears out of thin air. , but it was extended from small problems, thinking, making progress, and finally being revealed.

Reiner came uninvited this time and last time.

It was different from Ernest's hurried visit. He had actually received the invitation, and both his residence and itinerary were arranged by the Magic Association.

The two took a rental mechanical carriage to the hotel. This was the hotel where Ernest stayed during the conference last year. It seemed that Mercury Scale had reached some kind of agreement with this hotel.

As soon as he entered the lobby, Reiner was greeted by the receptionist.

"Is it Lord Rainer Ingle?"

The other person looked very young, and his eyes instantly lit up when he saw Reiner.

"Mercury Balance has arranged a luxurious suite for you. I will take you there right away."

"Thanks."

Reiner nodded politely, followed the receptionist and took the elevator to the tenth floor, where he found Reiner's suite.

"Ah, Sir Iain Gray, I have a heartfelt request..."

Before Reiner was about to open the door and enter the house, the receptionist spoke shyly.

"Can you sign your autograph for me? I feel a bit ashamed to say it. This time last year, I was also working as a receptionist here. I had a brief exchange with you at that time, but unfortunately I missed it before I could sign."

"is that so?"

Reiner recalled it and found that it did seem to be the case. However, Reiner was not sure what the receptionist looked like at that time and whether he was the same person as the one now.

However, he still generously signed an autograph for the receptionist and watched the receptionist excitedly walk into the elevator at the end of the corridor.

"Reiner is a celebrity too."

Claire smiled, opened the door and walked into the suite.

Different from the slightly narrow single room where Reiner lived last time, this room is spacious and bright, with a large living room, separate toilet and bathroom. Through the living room is the bedroom. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, you can see the Ornes city. The star gate in the city center, the huge star gate looms in the mist, standing alone among the rows of tall buildings in the city, like some kind of creation from another world, giving people a strong sense of alienation.

"Ah, it's a big soft bed!"

Claire came to the bedroom and was instantly sucked into the double bed. She sank deeply into it and made a happy sound.

"The day after tomorrow is the opening of the Ernest Conference. I may need to take some time to discuss academic issues with you in these two days. After the official opening, I will be a little busy for two days. When everything is ready, we can go to Ernest City Have fun for a while.”

Although Ernest is mostly covered with dense fog and the natural scenery is not unique, due to its long history, there are many buildings that have been standing since the ancient Magic Empire, and have a strong humanistic style, such as the oldest alchemy workshop, Sophia Alchemy. Workshops, such as the Ososista Tower commemorating the discovery of the 100th demiplane.

However, in recent years, due to serious industrial pollution, some ancient buildings have been damaged to a greater or lesser extent. It is said that the Ernest City Councilors are seeking solutions to protect these monuments in an attempt to suppress the forces of factory owners. .

Of course, these are not things that Reiner needs to consider. He only needs to take Claire to visit Ernestli.

After enjoying the soft big bed for a while, Claire packed her clothes and went to the bathroom to take a shower to relieve the fatigue of the journey. Reiner sat in the living room and read the treatise he had not finished on the aeroboat. Soon, there was a desk on the side of the living room. Flashing light, this is a teleportation circle that is only available in luxury suites. It was arranged by Mercury Scale in this hotel in advance.

Reiner picked up the letter. It was a summons, very brief, with only one sentence.

"At three o'clock in the afternoon, Ernest Conference Center, Conference Room 3, seminar on the paper on the speed of light - Frederic Dmitry."