I Became a Plague Doctor in a Romance Fantasy

Episode 140. The Discovery of Electricity (2)

***

At the center of the research lab, atop the desk sat a giant Voltaic pile. The shadow of the Voltaic pile fell on Amy’s face.

Amy tilted her head in confusion.

“I don’t get what you mean… stacking frogs generates bioelectricity?”

“Hmm. That’s kinda close.”

“Why on earth?”

“Simply put… the difference in electric potential between zinc and copper. As the copper corrodes, it releases stored energy.”

“Not exactly medical science material, huh?”

“True. Closer to physics than physiology.”

In historical context too, though Galvani’s studies were pivotal in uncovering these facts, his theories were ultimately disproven.

This could be seen as a necessary physical-chemical concept for understanding nerve principles.

“So, creating a battery by stacking frogs allows us to harness invisible forces? Like static electricity or lightning?”

“Nope. It’s not about stacking frogs but layering zinc and copper plates. The latter part is roughly correct though.”

Amy pondered a bit.

“Wasn’t it that frog movement generates electricity? I still don’t get it.”

“Well, electrical signals within the body are transmitted via electricity. So when an electric shock is applied to a frog’s leg, it twitches.”

“Ah. How do we apply the electric shock to the frog’s leg?”

“Remove some skin, open up the leg, and locate the sciatic nerve.”

“Eh…?”

Her expression was one of sheer astonishment.

Well, experimental animals might die during experiments sometimes. Though it’s unfortunate…

“How did you figure that out?”

Indeed. What exactly did Galvani do to discover that suspending a frog on a copper hook and touching it with a zinc knife made its legs twitch? Hard to imagine.

“That happened.”

“Understood.”

Amy wore an expression of doubt but didn’t press further.

“Alright, Amy. There’s something for you to do.”

“Yes.”

“Go find professors from the Academy’s Physics Department—or related fields—who might want to co-publish this work.”

Amy nodded solemnly.

“Bring Istina along too.”

It’s questionable whether there even is a Physics Department at the Academy. If so, graduate students will likely come forward. If not, someone similar should suffice.

***

Amy and Istina set off to find someone willing to collaborate with Professor Asterix.

Would other department professors want to work with Professor Asterix? Amy and Istina had differing thoughts on this matter.

On one hand, professors from other departments might want to collaborate with Professor Asterix, who has achieved countless scientific breakthroughs in the capital.

On the other hand, they might not want to work with Professor Asterix, known for his eccentric personality and unconventional research methods, especially since their fields differ.

Anyway…

The two headed to the Physics Department research building.

***

Istina and Amy split up to search more efficiently.

Istina’s strategy was this: Professor Asterix has many connections deep within the empire and boasts numerous research achievements.

Logically, those participating in such challenging research should be experienced, wise, and simply put, skilled professors.

Knock, knock.

Istina entered Professor Mycellus’s lab after knocking. The silver-haired old professor looked up from the book he was reading.

“Who’s there?”

Unlike the highly specialized modern academic community, scholars in the 18th century often dabbled in multiple fields for various reasons.

There was less to study back then compared to now—many of today’s high school textbook discoveries were made by them.

For example, Newton was not only a mathematician but also an astronomer and alchemist, while Galvani was both a physicist and a doctor.

Professor Mycellus was similar. He was an alchemist, physicist, and biologist all at once.

Istina wondered. Did this professor, found by name, want to work with Asterix, the youngest professor in the Healing Department?

This proud elderly professor might not want to collaborate with Asterix, the eccentric youngest professor. Anyway…

“I’m Istina. I’m Professor Asterix’s graduate student. He’s currently writing a new paper and is looking for someone to collaborate with on the research.”

Professor Mycellus scratched his chin.

“Asterix… You’re talking about that guy? The professor who came from the imperial palace?”

“Yes.”

“Incredible. What kind of paper?”

“Apparently, he’s built a machine that can handle the power of static electricity or lightning.”

“With magic?”

“No, it has nothing to do with magic.”

Professor Mycellus furrowed his brow.

“But if I understand correctly, it sounds like you’ve already finished making it. Is it complete?”

“Yes, it’s already completed.”

“Is that so?”

The reaction was lukewarm. After some thought, the old professor scratched his chin again before continuing.

“If you’ve already finished, why are you here?”

“That…”

Istina had no specific answer. She’d only come because Professor Asterix told her to; she herself wasn’t entirely sure why.

“If you’ve already finished your research and are just looking for someone to tack their name onto the paper philanthropically, I don’t need that. Look elsewhere.”

“Understood.”

Perhaps it’s because he finds it tedious to write papers outside his field alone. That’s what Istina thought, but she couldn’t say it outright.

“Thank you for your time.”

“Sure. Go ahead.”

Istina bowed slightly and exited Professor Mycellus’s lab. This attempt didn’t go well. I wonder if Amy had better luck.

***

“Lightning power, sounds interesting… Ah, is that Asterix? Wasn’t he the one who created a new medicine and cured the Imperial Princess last time?”

Amy adopted a different approach.

Since Professor Asterix is famously eccentric, many people probably wouldn’t want to work with him. Especially from other departments.

Therefore, finding a young professor who hasn’t yet established themselves would increase the chances of success.

Regardless of how papers phrase things, this one is bound to attract attention if co-published with Professor Asterix.

Amy nodded approvingly.

“Yes, that professor.”

“Asterix, right? He’s quite famous. Where does rumor end and truth begin?”

Amy tilted her head.

This was Professor Bernstadt.

A physicist, also dabbling in magical studies and alchemy, because physics alone wasn’t enough to sustain him professionally.

Still, Professor Bernstadt was exceptionally young for the Physics Department and one of the few female professors there.

“Well… What exactly are you curious about?”

“First, is it true he’s from the imperial palace? Did he really cure the princess? And… is he dating her?”

Amy scratched her head.

Professor Bernstadt seemed uninterested in the new research—at least for now.

“It seems so.”

“Wow, truly incredible… Developing medicine, is that real? What’s the principle behind it?”

“Only Professor himself knows the exact principle. But using it is definitely real.”

Professor Bernstadt nodded seriously, appearing satisfied with the explanation.

“Then… Is it true Asterix is dating the Sacred Maiden? I heard he healed her too. Are people confusing her with the princess?”

Amy hesitated before responding.

“The Sacred Maiden is also being treated. It’s not a mix-up with the princess, but rumors about him dating the Sacred Maiden seem exaggerated…?”

Professor Bernstadt nodded.

“Look at me… I shouldn’t be spreading rumors about other professors. What research are you conducting? What’s this collaboration about?”

Professor Bernstadt was rather talkative. Surprisingly, she might mesh well with Asterix.

***

Amy’s group returned to Professor Asterix’s lab with Professor Bernstadt.

The lab was already a mess. Professor Asterix turned his head toward the sound of the door opening.

“Oh, are you here to apply for grad school?”

***

Seeing Amy bring a friend, Asterix briefly thought she might be a prospective graduate student—but she shook her head vigorously.

“This is Professor Bernstadt from the Physics Department.”

“Ah, I see.”

She looked around the lab curiously. It was indeed cluttered.

Not only human specimens but also materials for the Voltaic pile and several dissected frog carcasses were scattered around.

“Why are there so many frogs?”

“Oh, those?”

He was trying to devise a way to demonstrate bioelectricity at the symposium. Though the results were already known, presenting the method effectively was crucial.

“We conducted experiments making dead frogs move with electricity. Anyway…”

I glanced at Professor Bernstadt briefly.

Bernstadt had her wavy light-brown hair tied into a ponytail. Her eyes were an unusual purple, and her gaze, filled with puppy-like curiosity, scanned the surroundings.

“If you’d like to collaborate, I’ll explain what we’ve built and what we aim to create.”

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