For the next week, the "Unholy Trinity" operated in secret.
While the rest of the Academy was learning how to levitate feathers, Arthur, Zack, and a recovering Julian were in the dorms, engaging in Micro-Engineering.
The goal:The Personal Data Assistant(PDA). Codename:The iScroll.
...
Arthur used the Gutenberg Press technology (from Arc 1) but adapted it. Instead of ink, he used conductive silver paste. Instead of paper, he used thin sheets of mica (a transparent mineral).
He printed the circuits directly onto the mica layers.
"It's a sandwich," Julian observed, looking at the layers. "A glass and silver sandwich."
"It is a multi-layer circuit board," Arthur corrected. "Layer 1: Logic. Layer 2: Memory. Layer 3: Display."
...
Zack was the MVP (Most Valuable Programmer). He had an innate talent for binary logic. He created a simple operating system based on runes.
If (Touch Screen) ⇾ Then (Activate Pixel).
...
This was the hardest part. They couldn't carry Julian around in their pockets.
Arthur solved it with the Leyden Jar technology (Chapter 22). He created a miniaturized battery—a small glass vial filled with condensed mana-gel (alchemically treated slime).
"It holds enough charge for 4 hours of screen time," Arthur noted. "Or 30 minutes of heavy gaming."
....
On Friday night, Arthur held the finished product.
It looked like a slate chalkboard, but smooth and black. It had a wooden frame. It was heavy, about two pounds, but portable.
Arthur pressed the 'Home' button (a physical rune at the bottom).
The screen lit up. A pixelated logo of a Gear appeared.
OS: PENDELTON V1.0 > WELCOME USER.
"It works," Zack whispered, tears in his eyes. "It's beautiful."
Julian scoffed, though he was clearly impressed. "It's a glowing rock. What does it do?"
Arthur tapped the screen. He opened the first application they had coded.
[CALCULATOR]
He typed 58008. He turned it upside down.
"Immature," Julian rolled his eyes. "Is this the height of ancient technology?"
"No," Arthur grinned. "This is."
He opened the second app.
[TELE-TEXT]
"I gave one to Vivian this morning," Arthur said. "She thinks it's a compact mirror."
He typed: HELLO WORLD.
Three seconds later, the slate buzzed.
A message appeared on the screen: WHO IS THIS AND WHY IS MY MIRROR VIBRATING? — VIVIAN
"Wireless communication," Arthur declared. "The death of the carrier pigeon."
End of Chapter 30