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RE: Project Submission OKZK-6541#5658
Dear Prof. Okazaki,
Our panel has carefully reviewed your project proposal titled "Evidence of Unaccounted-for Forces Demonstrated using a Programmable Magic Engine", attached.
I regret to inform you that the panel unanimously declined to fund your proposal on grounds that it falls outside the purview of our faculty, and indeed of academia. While the university does not presume to judge your personal interests, it is not appropriate to use research funds in their pursuit.
The panel also raised concerns that the individual listed as co-author of your proposal, named Asakura Rikako, is not a member of any research group at our institution, and on review of the global population registry does not appear to exist at all. While the panel decided to take no further action on this matter, I have been asked to remind you that improper citation practices and the fabrication of sources (or co-authors, as the case may be) may constitute academic misconduct or fraud and carry severe consequences up to and including expulsion.
Best regards,
Yamada Hiro
Spokesperson, Review Panel
Faculty of Comparative Physics
*。ヾ(｡>ｖ<｡)ﾉﾞ*。 Spell Engine Running Notes ☆*:.｡.o(≧▽≦)o.｡.:*☆
Or: Screw you, we'll just do it anyway!
Comment by: Rikako♡
With what funding, again?
Comment by: Yumemi
I didn't have funding for my Gensokyo expedition, either!
Comment by: Rikako♡
Then where did you get that spaceship?
Comment by: Yumemi
Stole it. (Also, not a spaceship)
Comment by: Rikako♡
Of course. You do have what it takes to be a magician.
Comment by: Yumemi
♡✧*。(òωó)。*✧♡
Comment by: Rikako♡
Speaking of, why is there a heart next to my name?
Comment by: Yumemi
Why not?
Comment by: Rikako♡
Touché.
End Goal
One programmable spellcasting engine for showcase purposes.
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Getting Rikako familiar with engineering techniques
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Getting Yumemi familiar with magic!
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Three components:
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The engine performs operations to use magic according to its program
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The programming interface for giving instructions to the engine
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The spells themselves, to be developed for use by the engine
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Requirements
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To prove replicability, must be a machine that can run with no human intervention beyond activating and controlling it
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Possible to set up different spells to be cast with the same machine
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For the proof of concept, we only program one spell, but make sure it's extensible
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To prove it's different from Yumemi's magic-imitating technology, no optics and minimal electronics
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The fewer moving parts, the better. Give people no excuses to think this is a weird interaction of phenomena or just a trick of the light etc.
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Pure mechanics would be ideal
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Can we do pure mechanics?
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Comment by: Rikako♡
Yes.
TODO
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Rikako+Yumemi to develop a plan for having a machine perform the motions of a spell
Comment by: Rikako♡
I'm thinking a surface that can dynamically create sigils to channel a spell. Since we don't want optical components, we can use a spinning disk with adjustable colored components to create almost arbitrary images, yes?
Comment by: Yumemi
Perfect! We should be able to build it like a music box where we give the instructions more moving the color components mechanically and the only electronics are in changing the instructions and spinning the disk.
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Yumemi to develop a programming interface for Rikako to use
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Rikako to develop the first spell for the engine
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Chiyuri to acquire materials
Comment by: Chiyuri
Why do I always get the shit job?
Comment by: Yumemi
Because you're my grad student! ｺﾞﾙｧヽ(`д´ ヽ)
Comment by: Rikako♡
We need to think about the composition. Materials and colors. Gemstones would be ideal for what we're trying to do, but with no funds, we need to think of something else.
Comment by: Yumemi
What kinds of gemstones?
Comment by: Rikako♡
Ruby, emerald, sapphire, those would give us the primary colors and a good range of magic affinities. Some semi-precious stones could substitute, but they won't be as good.
Comment by: Yumemi
Oh, we can just synthesize those. They're dirt cheap.
Comment by: Rikako♡
We can?
Comment by: Yumemi
It's specialized equipment, but I'm pretty sure one of the other labs has a machine we can borrow.
Comment by: Chiyuri
"Borrow"
Comment by: Yumemi
Quiet, you.
Comment by: Rikako♡
Tell me more.
Comment by: Yumemi
Well, for example, with rubies and sapphires, all you really need is aluminum and impurities… actually, let's block off some time to tell you all about it.
Progress
First check-in postponed in favor of impromptu lecture on synthetic minerals.
Rikako's Log
The "spell" is done. Yumemi's interface made it a piece of cake. You could program a movie with this, if you really hated yourself.
Really, I've been spending more time just watching how my inputs change the ridges on the transmission plate just so and how that translates into the casting disk's layout than programming. It's worlds more interesting, in my book, than the spell.
She's going to be disappointed. She'll think it's a joke and a waste of time, and then it won't work. Should have said something about "no human intervention" instead of trying to make a point. That's just not how it works.
At least if it flops, I can try another spell quickly. But then, I suppose it might not. That's the problem with magic. If only I could do this kind of thing scientifically. Reliably.
Test Run
The instructions are entered and the disk starts spinning slowly to warm up. The individual gem-pieces jiggle in their slots to test mobility and make sure there are no obstructions. The lid over each of them closes and opens again; same purpose. It almost looks like a living creature waking from sleep.
After warmup, the disk accelerates and the backlight turns on. They had to compromise on the no-electronics no-optics rule—without a light, it would be too hard to see the sigil.
Rikako hasn't said what kind of spell it's supposed to be, said it's a surprise, but Yumemi can't wait. So she asks.
"A love spell," is the answer. "It warms the heart and strengthens bonds." The straight face is part of the answer, too. Nothing kills magic like doubt. That's why you safely lock it away in writing.
Yumemi's eyes turn as round as the spell disk. "Like, mind control?"
"No, more like a blessing. Thoroughly unscientific, no?"
"I'm not sure if we can make that the official showcase, but maybe we…"
The disk begins casting its spell, and Yumemi turns her full attention back to it. She almost doesn't dare to blink. Rikako watches Yumemi's face the same way.
"We'll have to do something about the noise." The components click and clack as they slide back and forth to create a pattern. Lids close for an instant to block colors or make dark lines in the rotating image. It's a good thing all the pieces are both light and sturdy.
The first sigil is a suggestion of a face, drawn in simple dark strokes on the backlit disk. It has an enthusiastic smile and bright red outlines of hair. The second looks more serious, half-lidded, with a suggestion of glasses and purple hair.
A third sigil replaces this, an outline of two figures, one redheaded, the other purple, holding hands. Ruby components trace a heart around the axis of the disk. Rikako watches Yumemi put her hands on her face, hiding her cheeks and mouth.
With more noise, the fourth and final sigil is drawn all in white backlight and dark lines. It's not perfect, glitchy, the lids can't operate quite fast enough, but it's close enough to the intent.
(◍•ᴗ•◍)♡ ✧*。
Both watch quietly until Rikako decides the spell has failed and begins damage control. "Well, I suppose that wasn't much of a spell. I'll write another one quickly and we can—"
Yumemi interrupts by nudging her with her hip. She's covering her cheeks and grinning ear to ear. "What are you talking about? That totally worked."