Beating the Heat
Smile showed up at the training grounds looking pretty rough.
She was breathing hard and sweating buckets, like the heat had gotten to her.
Did something happen last night?
...Yes. My physical condition has declined by sixty percent from baseline.
Abnormal heat buildup occurred last night due to reduced dissipation of solar heat absorbed during the day.
What does that even mean...?
This phenomenon is commonly referred to as a tropical night.
You could've just said that in the first place...!!!
My sleep duration was more than seventy percent below average.
I attempted to have the Meowbots fan me, but this failed to resolve the issue...
The Meowbots overheated and shut down first.
A repeat occurrence tonight is expected to severely disrupt the upcoming schedule.
...Captain, I request your assistance.
Collaborating with another person increases the number of possible approaches.
This should improve the odds of finding a more effective solution than working alone.
I am curious to see what solution you come up with.
For starters... I have an idea of my own.
How is it?
*Slurp...*
Flora's watermelons have a higher average sugar content than those grown in NOA.
Consuming chilled watermelon helps lower body temperature...
An appropriate choice.
With watermelon juice smeared all over her mouth, Smile polished off the slice and immediately picked up the bowl of bingsu beside her.
Crushed ice with sweet-and-tart syrup.
It lacks any spicy kick, but it's still a solid choice.
Cold foods help beat the heat.
Simplicity wins. Lesson learned.
So...
Ta-da. Here it is.
Allow me to present my Custom Turbo Fan Mk. 7.
What happened to Mk. 1 through 6...?
...
It is equipped with a high-powered motor and custom-made blades.
It generates airflow no ordinary fan can match.
She skipped right over it! She completely dodged the question!
Unlike an ordinary fan, this one doesn't just blow warm air around.
It uses a magitech cooling unit to generate genuinely cold air.
An emergency power module keeps it running during outages.
The built-in handle makes it easy to carry.
...Can anyone actually carry this thing around?
You can, Captain.
With you carrying it, fluid loss while we're on the move can also be minimized.
A simple adjustment converts the handle into backpack straps.
She's really planning to work me for all I'm worth...!
Well then, shall we turn it on?
I pressed the power button. The fan whirred to life, blasting out a stream of cool air.
Smile enjoyed the breeze for a while. Then she opened her mouth and started making a strange noise.
Aaaaaaaah...
Ah. Ah. Ah. Ah. Ah. Ah.
What are you doing?
The uneven air density in the fan's airflow modulates sound waves.
Aaaaaah... Ah. Ah. Ah. Ah. Ah.
I recommend that you try it as well.
As Smile played around, the fan whisked away the sweat trickling down her jawline.
Her breathing, ragged from the heat, gradually eased.
Perspiration is evaporating in the breeze, drawing away heat...
The snacks you prepared are cooling me from within, while the fan cools me from the outside.
It proved effective against the heat... I am satisfied.
My body temperature appears to have dropped sufficiently.
Now it's your turn.
Smile took me by the hand and sat me down in front of the fan.
Sure enough, the cool breeze swept through my hair, and the muggy feeling began to fade.
So... what do you think of my creation?
Tsk, tsk. That's the special mode activation button.
It connects the second built-in motor to the power unit and pushes it into overdrive.
It generates an ultra-powerful blast of air that instantly boosts the cooling effect.
It delivers the strongest wind you've ever experienced.
Really?
I was just starting to get used to the cool air.
If it could blow even colder, maybe it could drive the heat out of me all at once.
With that thought, I reached for the button without a second's hesitation—
This feature still requires improvement.
Captain, do not press the—
*Click*
...Uh-oh.
...I pressed it.
When I came to, I was plastered against the wall, looking utterly wrecked.
The instant I hit the button, the fan unleashed an insanely powerful blast of air...
...I don't remember much after that.
...The output is too powerful for human use... noted...
The output will need adjustment when I build Mk. 8...
It was unplanned, but I acquired useful test data thanks to you.
I expected nothing less, Captain.
Thanks for always helping with Smile's research.
...Yeah. If it helps you, Smile... I'm glad...
I really... am...