After a month of heavy labor working in the textile factory as a porter, Kaan observed the machines.
"They use similar steam machines to Earth's industrial age: Thomas Newcomen's ultra-inefficient early models. These engines heat the water discontinuously, meaning they work twice as hard to make the same power," Kaan thought while walking to work. "I can improve that by adding a condensing room. I really appreciate my engineering professor now."
"But, how am I going to do this without someone accusing me of being an industrial spy? Let's think. I can say I'm a fast-learner and thought of this while trying to make a fire. I noticed water dripping from my roof, and there was no rain outside, so I found it that way. That sounds good."
He walked into the factory. "Hey, Lysander. How are you?"
"Good," Lysander said with a bitter smile. "Aside from working myself to a pulp, I feel good."
"Hey, I accidentally discovered something," Kaan began, adopting his carefully crafted lie. "When I observed this machine, I felt it was inefficient, having to boil the water twice. At night, when I fire up my stove to get heat, I noticed small droplets of water coming out of my roof even though it wasn't raining outside, so I thought maybe... it's the water in the air!"
Lysander stopped him. "Hold on, kid. I don't understand a single bit of what you're saying. These machines are the latest model, and what do you know about them? Did you have one in your village?"
"No, but I am a fast-learner, sir," Kaan insisted.
"If you want to suggest something, go to the owner's room right there," Lysander said, pointing. "I am not an engineer, kiddo."
Kaan walked around the machines. Thankfully, today was a rather quiet day, not like the others where he had to carry tons of fabric.
He knocked on the owner's door. "Hello, sir, may I suggest something to you?" Kaan asked.
The owner, Elfan, a fifty-year-old man who looked like a friendly neighbor but was a millionaire in this world, was a quiet, agreeable man. He was notably open-minded for this era.
"Yes, I am listening, Khan," said Elfan, going through documents.
"After I worked here for a month, I observed the machines, sir, and they are very inefficient, having to boil the water twice. At night, when I fire up my stove to get heat, I noticed small droplets of water coming out of my roof even though it's not raining outside. So I thought, maybe, it is the accumulated water inside of the air!"
Elfan, who had been listening while reading, suddenly dropped his documents and focused entirely on Kaan. "So? What's the point of this?"
"If we can make the accumulated steam inside of the piston come out to another storage room to feed it back to the steam engine, we could make the machine twice as efficient," Kaan explained.
Elfan was intrigued. "What do you know about these machines, young man? I'm open to speed improvements, but these steam machines cost a lot, you know. Tell you what, there is a scrapped steam machine in the warehouse. If you want to make some improvements, you can try to repair that one and test your idea on it. But only in the after-hours. If I see an improvement, you will be rewarded, kid."
"YES! I can repair a steam machine with my knowledge. This is great!" Kaan thought.
"Thank you, sir. You can count on me!" Kaan said, leaving the room.
DING!
New quest activated.
"WHAT THE HELL! DON'T YOU HAVE NO CHARGE? HOW ARE YOU GIVING ME A QUEST!" He screamed in his head.
Repair the scrapped Steam Machine and Make the Improvements
Reward: Random piece of junk from upper-level dimension.
Failure: 30 Therums will be deducted from you.