Magicraft Meister Part 1

"But then again, I don't know much about it myself."

There are about three types of desiccants used in reality.

Silica gel type, calcium chloride type, and quicklime type. Charcoal is also hygroscopic, but was not included in the list.

Silica gel is said to be silicon dioxide (SiO2), but since silicon dioxide commonly found is quartz or crystal, and Jin could not understand how it absorbs moisture, he passed on it.

Calcium chloride is one of the < bittern> components in seawater, so it is separable by Jin. It absorbs moisture and dissolves, a phenomenon known as tidal dissolution.

Jin knew that quicklime is calcium oxide, which can be made by burning shells with fire.

In this way, calcium chloride and quicklime are the two most likely materials to be used.

Each of them has its drawbacks.

Calcium chloride absorbs a lot of moisture, but it is difficult to handle because it ends up as an aqueous solution. It is not possible to leave a lump of calcium chloride as it is.

Then there is quicklime. Absorbing moisture, it becomes calcium hydroxide, or slaked lime, which is useful for improving the alkalinity of acidic soils. However, when quicklime is sprinkled with water, it generates heat rapidly, to the point of ignition.

There have even been cases of fires caused by leaking rain falling on quicklime bags.

Incidentally, self-heating sake in cans uses this heat.

......."　

Jin explained the desiccant idea to Erza, Saki, and Toa.

"Well, there are pros and cons, aren't there?"

Toa said impressed.

"That silica gel is difficult to use even with gin, isn't it?　That leaves us with a choice between quicklime and calcium chloride. If it were me, I'd choose quicklime.

Saki seemed to be in favor of quicklime.

"I think quicklime is better, too. As long as you don't pour water directly on it, it will be fine. Calcium chloride might be dangerous if spilled.

Elsa's opinion was a fair one. In fact, calcium chloride desiccants are used for commercial purposes even on modern Earth.

"I also think that quicklime is a good choice.

Toa agreed.

"Okay, let's go with that line of thinking.

Because Horai Island is an island, it is rich in seafood. They produce a lot of shellfish similar to clams, so much so that they look forward to making miso soup when the miso is mass-produced.

They are also used as ingredients for stews, so there is quite a large stock of shells.

The Magecraft Meister does not waste anything that could be used as a raw material.

"Let's experiment first.

Baking calcium carbonate (CaCO3), such as shells and limestone, at 110 Celsius, the carbon dioxide (CO2) separates to form calcium oxide (CaO).

This is an experiment sometimes performed in high school chemistry.

When shells were placed in a crucible made of carbon and heated by engineering magic <, the shells turned into quicklime.

"Hmmm...interesting..."

Alchemist Toa is very interested.

Jin's engineering magic is very useful. I wish I could use it too.

Saki looks over Jin's shoulder into the crucible. Her hair brushes the tip of Jin's nose.

Saki's hair has become much more silky than before since she has been taking daily baths in the hot springs on Horaijima.

Jin smelled the fragrance of her hair and was unusually attracted to her.

"...... Jin, does it generate heat when you pour water on it?"

Sensitive to the slight reddening of Jin's face, Erza peeks out from the opposite side of Saki and half-forcibly turns Jin's attention to her.

"Ah, ah. Well, let's transfer this to this plate and pour some water on it.

The resulting quicklime is transformed into slaked lime with a cloud of steam.

"Interesting. This is what chemistry is all about.

Saki was genuinely enjoying the change, but Erza was feeling a bit uneasy.

Jin was wondering why his heart was beating faster than usual when he was sandwiched between the two.

"Well, Jin-kun, the process itself is simple. Then, we need to use cheap materials and heat them in an inexpensive way.

Toa gave a brief summary. It is something that must be considered if production is to take place outside of Penglai Island.

"As I recall, limestone should be fine instead of shells, and heating the material is ...... hmmm, 1100 degrees Celsius is too much for firewood... ......"

Without the use of coke and air (oxygen), a temperature of 1100 degrees Celsius would be difficult to attain.

"I wonder if this is the only place where we would have to use magic tools. ......"

"It's not for personal use, so I think it could be profitable if done right."

Toa agrees. Perhaps it's his age, but Toa is very good at this kind of cost vs. cost calculation. Saki inwardly commented to her father, "I hope I don't get greedy ...... anytime soon.

"Yes, Toa is right. Keep the ...... heater as a black box, so that it will destroy itself if you try to remove it. ......"

Jin seems to already have the idea in his head.

"Now we just need to know where we can get the limestone?　I guess we just need to know where we can get the limestone.

Saki added.

"Yes. But I think we can start by using shells or eggshells.

Jin answered, realizing that he could not start up this plant in the Klein Kingdom, where there is no ocean.

"Hmmm...... shells...... shells......"

Jin pondered and suddenly remembered something.

"Elsa, I remember hearing that shell fossils were found in Lake Tosmo."

I think it was Berthe's brother Matheus who said something like that in Tuscosia, a border town between the Kingdom of Celuloa and the Shoro Kingdom.

"Yes, there is certainly a place where you can get it. ...... Oh, there's limestone there?"

Jin nodded.

"Yes. If there are fossils, it means that long ago it was at the bottom of the sea. That means there is a high possibility that limestone can be found there.

Limestone is formed by the accumulation of sea lilies, corals, and shellfish in the ancient sea. Therefore, the presence of fossils means that there is a high possibility of the existence of limestone.

"Come to think of it, I haven't been to the Shoro Empire recently. ......"

And then I thought of something else.

"We should send Barrow and Behré back home too. And I have to report about the demon tribe.

It was decided.

"Okay, I'll go to the Shoro Kingdom. ......Ah, we'll go there after the day after tomorrow."

"......Why that day?"

"Because my brother Jin's treatment will be finished the day after tomorrow.

Erza answered Saki's question.

"Saki and Toa, will you go too?"

Toa answered Jin's question.

"No, we often go back to my parents' house. I think I'll pass on it this time.

"I see."

Jin then turned to Erza and asked her the same question.

"I'll go with you."

Elsa grabbed the hem of Jin's dress and answered without a pause.

"Okay. I'll have to talk to the two of you and get you ready. First, I'll go to Reinhardt's place and say hello ...... and let Reinhardt take care of this plant as well."

Erza thought as she listened to Jin's mutterings that Adberg's hard work was about to increase again.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

It was raining in the village of Kaina that day.

Jin moves to Nido Castle and calls Barrow and Behle.

"What?　Are you going back to your hometown?"

they shouted in unison.

Can I go home?

"Yes, of course. I'm sorry I'm late.

But both Barrow and Behle were excited. They may or may not have heard Jin's words.

"I've always wanted to go back!　It's not that I don't like it here. In fact, I'd like to work here forever!

"I see. Well, good. Well, we'll be passing through the Kingdom of Egelea on the way. I hope you have fun along the way."

"Thank you!"

In fact, he had just recently learned from Regulus 5, the fifth column (Quinta) dispatched to the Blue Lands, that Count Kuzma and Beena would soon be getting married, and he wanted to congratulate them on that occasion.

Jin added this to his words to the two.

I understand. I will serve you as your butler and maid of honor.

Jin was impressed by their firmness.

"I'll be leaving in three days. You can prepare any luggage or souvenirs you would like to take with you. It doesn't matter how much you have.

"Yes!"

Jin's literally means that it doesn't matter how much you have, but the two of them thought it was a bit of an overstatement of Jin's kindness.

This does not change the result, though. The only one who noticed this was Elsa, who was still holding onto the hem of Jin's dress.