Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World-Chapter 424: Part-Time

TL: Etude Translations

“Oh, my goodness!”

Upon seeing the relentless methods employed by the chemists in the Northwest Bay on their exploratory journey, Kevin couldn’t help but cover his mouth in astonishment.

However, he actually envied the academic culture mentioned in the letter.

Although his perspective had broadened significantly in the Scholar’s Tower of the Gabella Empire’s capital, he felt that the researchers here were still more focused on ‘breadth’ rather than ‘depth’.

He continued reading.

“Thanks to the increasingly abundant talent at Weiss Academy, Lord Grayman has invested a fortune to establish five major laboratories. The first to be set up was the Chemistry Lab, followed by the Biology Lab, Metallurgy Lab, Geology Lab, and the Power Lab.”

“The last three, just by their names, you might not know what they do. According to our school’s teachers, the Metallurgy Lab is for studying how to extract valuable metals or other substances from ores more effectively and process them. As I understand, it’s akin to iron and copper smelting. Haha, who would have thought that the work of blacksmiths would become a subject of study?”

“The Geology Lab, its main task is to explore underground minerals, which used to be the work of miners.”

“As for the Power Lab, it’s about researching how to replace manual labor with machinery, like hydraulic bellows, spinning machines, etc. The person in charge is said to be the renowned mechanic, Guy Burns.”

Hmm, these seem to be things closely related to civilian life.

Wait a minute… Metal smelting? Mineral exploration? Does the Northwest Bay currently have a high demand for metals?

Kevin frowned, wondering if Count Grayman was manufacturing weapons for… war?

He shook his head. The count probably wasn’t that kind of person.

“The lord dispatched three fleets towards the north, west, and east, not only to explore new worlds but also to verify whether the earth under our feet is round.”

Wow, that’s a pioneering endeavor!

Ah? Wait, perhaps predecessors have attempted this but failed without leaving any historical records.

Kevin continued to the end of the letter, which discussed a recent case. The lord’s court executed a vile squire and set an interest rate cap for private lending. Any rates above this were considered usury and would be severely punished.

Good news! Kevin, coming from a humble background and having witnessed too many families destroyed by usury, excitedly slapped the table.

His misgivings about Count Grayman temporarily vanished.

Kevin carefully folded the two precious family letters back into the envelope and then placed them in a delicate wooden box.

“Ah… If only Lord Grayman could extend his ‘telegraph’ lines to the Gabella Empire’s capital.”

That was just wishful thinking. Not to mention the vast desert separating Gabella and Ordo, even if the telegraph station was built here, he couldn’t afford to use it.

Currently, the ‘telegraph’ primarily transmitted military, political, and high-value commercial information.

Maybe he should return to the Northwest Bay after achieving academic success? But staying with his teacher was also good, as the old man wished. Perhaps he could bring his parents over…

“Dong~”

The melodious bell from the imperial capital’s clock tower interrupted Kevin’s thoughts.

The bell rang twice in succession, indicating it was already two in the afternoon.

It was time for Kevin to visit his teacher.

…

“Ah, Kevin, come in, come in!”

Kevin’s teacher, David Aldridge, greeted him warmly. As expected, the old scholar was discussing something with his senior, Mond Landon. They had been spending more and more time together lately. Was it about some important academic issue?

“Kevin, I’ve found you a great part-time job. It will not only enrich your knowledge but also help you earn some living expenses while you study.”

The old scholar beamed, waving the emperor-bestowed staff that symbolized his status as the great tutor of the Scholar’s Tower.

Seeing his teacher’s animated expression, Kevin felt his homesickness and melancholy dissipate.

His teacher, despite his solemn and dignified demeanor in front of others, always became like a playful old child among his own people.

“Really? Thank you, teacher.”

Having a part-time job was excellent. As a direct student of Aldridge, Kevin only had to pay ten Ordo copper coins symbolically. Aldridge often helped him with living expenses in the capital by having him copy books. The ‘hardship fee’ he gave for copying was quite generous, nearly equal to what a professional copyist would earn.

“Don’t thank me just yet.” Aldridge said with a twinkle in his eye, “There’s a precondition for this job — you must pass my test in your main academic field.”

Alright, Kevin thought, the teacher wouldn’t let him off so easily.

He confidently said, “Please, test me as you see fit.”

“Young man, don’t be so arrogant!” Aldridge turned serious, “Let’s test you on the Church history I’ve been teaching you recently.”

He thought for a moment and quickly came up with several questions, asking them one by one.

Aldridge’s questions included some obscure ones, but

They didn’t stump Kevin.

The young scholar answered each one, adding his personal insights on some controversial historical points.

“Hmm… While I don’t entirely agree with some of your views…”

Aldridge, stroking his white beard, nodded and said,

“But they do make sense. Alright, I declare you’ve passed the test.”

As soon as Aldridge finished speaking, Mond, the senior, began clapping, “Congratulations, Kevin.”

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“Thank you, senior, thank you, teacher. So, what is the part-time job you’ve arranged for me?”

Kevin asked, full of anticipation.

“Oh, it’s a position as a guardian of the Royal Archives. How about that? Not bad, right?”

Aldridge laughed heartily again.

“This is fantastic!”

Hearing his teacher’s words, Kevin was so excited he almost jumped up.

The Royal Archives, mainly responsible for storing various records of the Gabella royal family, like genealogies, was also a large library. The collection of books there was second only to the Scholar’s Tower, and most of the general books — those not involving royal secrets — were accessible to the guardians, essentially the managers. In contrast, the Scholar’s Tower library had access restrictions based on the internal hierarchy of the tower.

Securing this position would not only enhance his knowledge but also provide a handsome salary, befitting a royal establishment.

Kevin was instantly filled with gratitude towards Aldridge.