An alchemical internal combustion engine? What in the world was that?
The confusion was writ large across the faces of Albert and his companions.
Lynn, too, was taken aback; this was happening much faster than he had anticipated.
"Professor Philip and the others are getting ready for the first experiment. If we're late, we might miss it!" Lydia's voice was filled with excitement as she dashed over, sweat drenching her, cheeks flushed red like a ripe apple.
Lynn nodded with a smile, then turned to the group of wizards in the classroom. "Why not all of us go and take a look? This internal combustion engine uses hydrogen as its fuel!"
Albert and the others promptly rose and followed, a sizable group exiting the classroom in unison.
"Dean Lynn, what exactly is this alchemical internal combustion engine?" one of the male wizards curiously inquired. "Does it have anything to do with the Steam Engine of the Alchemical Association?"
"It's much, much more powerful than the steam engine..." Lydia proclaimed proudly, then added, fearing that they might not comprehend the extent, "At least ten times more powerful!"
While this was the first official experiment, they had tested this contraption before to see if it would function properly. The external gears spun rapidly, almost blurring her vision!
"Hurry, hurry!" Lydia kept urging, clearly not wanting to miss the debut of the internal combustion engine.
When they arrived at the alchemical workshop, a very tall and large carriage frame appeared before them.
Clearly repurposed from a carriage, its wooden sides had been removed, leaving only a chassis. Two extra wheels were added beneath the front section where camels and horses would be tethered.
Furthermore, there was a metal "box" atop the chassis, standing over a meter tall, firmly embedded in the rear half. With Lydia's explanation, Albert finally understood that this was the so-called alchemical internal combustion engine.
At this moment, the alchemists present were debating fiercely about who should drive this alchemical four-wheeler. Much like when Lydia piloted the airship into the sky, this was also destined to be a moment recorded in history.
"Alright, stop arguing. I think this opportunity should belong to Dean Lynn..." Philip interrupted the debate, looking solemnly at Lynn and the others walking over.
The alchemists present immediately fell silent.
Indeed, they could craft the alchemical internal combustion engine, but the crucial part was the blueprint provided by Lynn.
However, as Lynn glanced at the rudimentary four-wheeled vehicle, especially scrutinizing the gears, chains, and brake levers, he grew concerned about the potential loss of control or disassembly midway. He cleared his throat, delicately refusing, "No, I have no driving experience. Since this four-wheeled alchemical vehicle was made collectively by all of you, let the first driver be chosen by drawing lots or by voting among yourselves."
Under Lynn's "modest" insistence, the alchemists soon decided the first driver by drawing lots, with Philip naturally being the luckiest one.
Darren, Lydia, and the halflings could only watch eagerly. Although they were involved in making the alchemical vehicle, they dared not vie for this honor among the wizardly adults.
The triumphant Philip stepped onto the carriage. Due to the rush, he hadn't even arranged his seat properly, yet he didn't mind. He placed his right hand directly onto the alchemical steam engine.
Albert stared intently, curious to see if this thing was indeed ten times more powerful than Lydia claimed.
Gathered around the alchemical workshop were thousands of Iyeta Academy students, creating an aisle for passage.
As magic was continuously infused, the alchemical internal combustion engine began its operation. A vast amount of magic swiftly transformed within the alchemical array into a certain proportion of hydrogen and oxygen, directly conveyed into the cylinders.
Following this, the internal mixed elements vibrated rapidly, heating up until ignited. The enormous propulsive force generated by high-temperature, high-pressure gas incessantly drove the crankshaft with the connecting rod below.
A thunderous rumble emanated from the "metal box," akin to the roar of a primaeval beast.
Under everyone's gaze, the rear wheels, connected by chains and gears, spontaneously started turning, propelling the alchemical four-wheeler forward.
"It's moving, it's really moving!" Darren and the others shouted with immense excitement. Though they had expected it, witnessing this scene still couldn't conceal their joy.
"So fast!"
Standing by the roadside, Pierce and the others only felt a gust of wind as Philip drove the four-wheeler, almost whooshing past them, akin to a speeding arrow!
No, Pierce even thought it was faster than that!
But they quickly realized that the speed of this vehicle seemed to be increasing!
Philip on the carriage experienced it more profoundly; everything around him was rapidly receding. The endpoint he had marked out beforehand was swiftly surpassed, the tremendous wind resistance forcing him to squint.
Too fast... Way too fast!
Philip's legs trembled, even feeling a sensation as if he were about to fly!
However, this sensation of soaring, like lightning, was utterly captivating. Philip not only had no intention of slowing down but even increased the magical output, eager to test the limits of this contraption.
The spinning wheels turned into streaks, leaving a long trail on the road.
The cylinder's tolerance quickly reached its limit, but preceding its failure was the gear!
At several hundred rotations per minute under the ultra-high speed, the gear meant for transferring kinetic energy at the rear wheel couldn't endure and snapped first.
Crack...
Initially, it was a slightly muffled sound, then a chain reaction. The broken gear flew apart rapidly, causing the entire alchemical vehicle to lose control.
Philip was surprised to find himself airborne, spinning mid-air, then crashing onto the hard road, rolling several times before struggling to get up.
Everyone present was stunned, quickly rushing over to check on him.
"Lord Philip... Are you alright?"
"Professor, are you okay? Any injuries?"
With the help of everyone, Philip sat down laboriously.
Thanks to a last-minute cast of a "Mage Shield" for protection, although Philip looked disheveled, fortunately, he wasn't hurt. He kept murmuring to himself, "Too fast... Way too fast..."