Jin's lecture was still underway.
"...And so, while the 'Adriana-style' is supremely suited for automata, it possesses a single major drawback."
The audience seemed to already anticipate what it was, eagerly hanging on his next words.
"Namely, that it is costly. In this context, cost refers to a combination of factors including materials, processing techniques, and crafting time."
None of those were particularly problematic for Jin, but for the general public, reality was quite different.
"To resolve this... or rather, developed in order to reduce costs, is the 'ball-joint style' that currently dominates golem crafting."
The majority of the engineers nodded in silent agreement.
"Now, I intentionally said 'in order to reduce costs' rather than 'to resolve.' Allow me to explain the difference."
After explaining that the ball-joint style was indeed low-cost and suited for mass production, Jin continued.
"However, in terms of movement, several issues arise."
He went on to explain why it was ill-suited for replicating human-like movements.
"Please turn to pages six and seven."
Printed there in the handout materials were diagrams of the human skeleton and musculature.
"As this is an introductory overview, some of you may already know this, but let us briefly review the mechanics of the human body..."
And with that, the first part of Jin's lecture, "Introduction to New-Model Golems," concluded without a hitch.
"Thank you very much, Jin-sensei. We ask that all questions be held until the end of all scheduled lectures. We will now take a ten-minute break."
During this ten-minute window, the attendees were free to get a drink of water or visit the restroom.
"Phew, that's the first session done."
"Thank you for your hard work, Jin-sama."
Marikka offered him warm words of appreciation.
"I'm glad to see that no one seemed put off by the term 'Adriana-style.'"
"Yes, that is because the 'previous' Jin-sama put so much effort into making the First One thoroughly recognized, after all."
Jin had simply wanted people to know that the one who laid the groundwork for automata and perfected them was his predecessor.
"...Yeah, sounds like something I'd do."
"Indeed, most certainly."
Jin smiled faintly and let the tension drain from his shoulders.
"Marikka, you're up next. I'll be listening from right here."
"Knowing you're listening makes me nervous, Jin-sama..."
"And now, moving on to our next presentation: 'The Future of Golem Control Theory.' Marikka-sama of the All-Creation Clan, if you please."
This time, Marikka took the podium.
"To those meeting me for the first time, how do you do? To those who already know me, it has been a long time. I am Marikka of the All-Creation Clan."
Marikka delivered her greeting with an ease that made Jin think, Oh, she's really used to giving lectures.
"To begin, I would like to present a lecture titled 'The Future of Golem Control Theory.'"
Marikka started with a review of golem control fundamentals. From what Jin could observe of the audience's reactions, most of them appeared to grasp that level of theory without issue.
"...Up until now, when it comes to the control core, updating—which is to say, improving—the control system has required far too much effort. Because of that, the current reality is that craftspeople are often forced to rely on somewhat outdated control systems."
"Marikka-sama's voice carries remarkably well, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, it really does."
While she was using a loudspeaker magi-device, her voice was so clear that one wondered if it might have resonated throughout the grand auditorium even without it.
"I would like to discuss one measure to improve this situation. To start, golem standardization must be established as a prerequisite."
If golems were standardized, the exact same control system could be applied across the board—a self-evident truth.
"Let us call this model 'Type 1.' The data required for this Type 1 would be shared, which I am sure you can all understand as well. Therefore..."
Everyone leaned in, straining their ears to catch what Marikka would say next.
"We will construct a system that manages control data in a unified manner and allows for arbitrary updates."
At this stage, more than half the audience still didn't seem to fully grasp the concept.
"In short, we aim to share data across all Type 1 units. Allow me to explain the system designed to achieve this."
Murmurs of awe rippled through the crowd.
This was one of the two central pillars of the day's presentation—the other being the introduction of the magic-frame style golem.
In the world of Planet Ars, where an internet did not exist as it did on modern Earth, the concept of data sharing was revolutionary.
"...And in this manner, the data is managed through a terminal. When golems of the same model periodically exchange data via these terminals, you can easily imagine the immense volume of data that will accumulate."
At present, movement and control data for golems and automata were managed individually on a unit-by-unit basis. In other words, each unit relied entirely on its own isolated experiences.
Sharing this meant granting them the equivalent of tens or even hundreds of lifetimes' worth of experience.
Furthermore, as long as they shared the same model, even a newly crafted golem could immediately move with the skill of a battle-hardened veteran.
And that advantage was not limited to combat. It applied equally to domestic labor, medical care, and manufacturing.
Once the implications sank in, the audience broke into generous, resounding applause.
Following another ten-minute break, it was Jin's turn again.
"Now for the third segment of the program, 'Explanation of New-Model Golem Construction.' Jin Nidou-sensei and his disciples, Freddie-san, Greena-san, and Rubina-san, please take the stage."
"I-I'm so nervous."
"Calm down, Rubina."
Jin gave Rubina an encouraging pat on the head.
"Alright, let's go....Come, Storm."
As Jin, Reiko, Rubina, Greena, Freddie, and Storm took the stage, the hall erupted in applause.
At the same time, hushed voices rose from pockets of the crowd.
"Hey, look up there..."
"Isn't that the dropout, Freddie?"
"You're right, it's him."
"How did a guy like that end up as an apprentice to the Magi Craft Meister?"
Only those nearby, along with Reiko and Hope, managed to catch the murmurs.
"Now then, I will begin the 'Explanation of New-Model Golem Construction.' First, as a working example, this golem, Storm, was crafted by my three disciples."
An appreciative buzz spread across the hall.
"It utilizes the magic-frame style I mentioned briefly earlier....Freddie, Greena. Could you remove a portion of the outer casing?"
"Yes, Master."
Following Jin's instructions, Freddie and Greena removed the outer plating covering the golem's entire right arm.
"As you can see, the internal muscle tissue is composed of magi-resin."
Freddie delivered the line. His tone was stiff and monotone, but that was understandable given his nerves.
Jin stepped in to elaborate further.
"While I cannot show you the internal skeleton directly on stage, please refer to page ten of your handouts."
The sound of pages hurriedly turning filled the room.
"As you can see, its shape is something you might more appropriately call a 'framework' rather than a skeleton."
In a sense, it bore no small resemblance to the bamboo frame of a scarecrow.
"Because of this shape, it can even be produced using molds. This will result in substantial labor savings."
The absence of complex mechanical joints was a massive advantage in manufacturing.
"Now, has anyone here noticed the inherent problem with this method?...Allow me to answer that question."
Jin swept his gaze across the room and saw that only about ten percent of the audience wore smug expressions indicating they had figured it out.
"You are likely thinking that magi-resin cannot provide sufficient power or speed. However, once you understand that limitation, all that remains is to analyze the cause and implement a countermeasure."
The audience stirred once more.
"To diverge slightly from our main topic: every phenomenon has a cause. And once the cause is understood, it should always be possible to devise a solution."
Jin paused for a breath, giving the audience time to absorb the philosophy before pressing on.
"First, we apply markings to the frame to designate the joint sections. By doing this alone, the process of calculating where to bend is simplified, which directly translates to increased movement speed."
A collective murmur swept through the grand auditorium.
"Next is the magi-resin itself. Its performance varies significantly depending on the region of origin and the species of tree from which it is harvested."
The auditorium buzzed with renewed excitement.
"If any of you assumed that all magi-resin is essentially identical, you ought to reflect on that a little. The difference in performance can easily be double."
Several members of the audience lowered their heads in sheepish realization at Jin's words.
After detailing several further improvements, Jin summarized the core concept.
"Now, if you adopt this approach, control becomes extremely tedious. Or rather, almost none of the existing control parameters can be reused. That is precisely where the terminals Marikka-sama proposed earlier come into play."
Backstage, Marikka was reportedly squirming in pure embarrassment, muttering things like, "...To think Jin-shama would address me as '-sama'..."
After walking the audience through several more technical points and having Rubina, Greena, and Freddie each deliver brief explanations of their own, the morning session came to a successful close.