Prelude to Presentation

Napoleon sat back in his carriage as it rumbled along the cobbled streets toward the University of Paris. It was early in the afternoon, and the sun was high in the sky, casting a bright light across the city. As he approached the grand facade of the university, he gazed out of the carriage window, taking in the ornate details of the building's architecture.

The University of Paris was a magnificent sight to behold, with its imposing columns and grand arched entranceway. The stone facade was intricately carved with elaborate designs, and the windows were framed with elegant wrought iron balconies. Napoleon was impressed by the sheer scale of the building, which seemed to stretch on for miles, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sight before him.

As the carriage drew closer to the entrance, Napoleon caught a glimpse of the students milling about outside. They were dressed in uniforms that were typical of the late eighteenth century, with frock coats, waistcoats, and breeches. The colors varied, with some students wearing dark blues or blacks, while others had brighter shades of red or green. Their outfits were completed with stockings and buckled shoes, giving them a formal and professional appearance.

As the carriage came to a stop, Napoleon and Ciela stepped out of the carriage and paid the coachman the fare.

"Is everything in order?" Napoleon asked, looking at Ciela who raised a leather briefcase containing their thesis.

"I have it here, master," Ciela said.

"Okay, then let's go," Napoleon led the way, and along the way, asked students who study at the University of Paris for directions.

"Excuse me, monsieur, do you know where the salle des actes is located?"

"It's on the second floor, kid," the student, who is in his higher years, replied.

"Thank you," Napoleon nodded in appreciation, and continued towards the main entrance, with Ciela following closely behind.

As they entered the building, Napoleon was struck by the grandeur of the interior. The walls were adorned with beautiful paintings and sculptures, and the floors were made of polished marble. The sound of voices and footsteps echoed throughout the halls, creating a bustling and lively atmosphere.

They climbed the grand staircase and made their way to the Salle des Actes.

The salle des actes was a large room with high ceilings and grand arched windows that allowed natural light to pour in. The walls were paneled with dark wood and decorated with intricate carvings and gold leaf details. The room was set up for a formal event, with rows of chairs facing a raised platform at the front of the room.

On the platform, there was a large wooden desk, with a matching chair for the presenter. Behind the desk, there was a backdrop made of rich crimson fabric, emblazoned with the seal of the University of Paris in gold thread.

Napoleon surveyed the room, taking in the faces of the other attendees. There were professors and students, as well as members of the public who had come to listen to the presentation. They all looked expectant, and Napoleon could feel their eyes on him as if asking for his identification.

One of the attendees walked forward and greeted them.

"Bonjour, monsieur, mademoiselle. Are you lost?"

"No," Napoleon shook his head. "We are here to present our thesis and we have an invitation from the university. Ciela, please hand him the letter."

Ciela handed over the letter to the attendee, who glanced over it and then nodded.

"Ah, yes. Napoleone Buonaparte. You are expected. Please follow me," the attendee said, leading them toward the raised platform at the front of the room.

As they were being escorted to their seats, the man introduced himself. "I'm the Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, Augustin de la Fontaine. We are eager to hear your presentation. Our esteemed guest from the scientific community will be here shortly, and once they do, we will start your presentation."

Napoleon nodded, feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement. This was a big moment for him, one that would ultimately change the course of history as he knew it. He and Ciela took their seats at the front of the room and went over their notes one last time.

A few minutes later, the doors at the back of the room opened, and a hush fell over the crowd as a distinguished-looking man in a suit walked in. Napoleon tapped Ciela's shoulder, getting her attention.

"What is it, Master?" Ciela asked.

"You see that man who just entered? That's Antoine Lavoisier, the renowned chemist, and scientist," Napoleon whispered to Ciela. "He's one of the most brilliant minds of our time," he continued, his eyes fixed on Lavoisier as he made his way to the front row of seats.

"He's made groundbreaking discoveries in the field of chemistry, including the discovery of oxygen and the law of conservation of mass. He is also the proponent of the Caloric Theory, a theory that we are debunking later."

Ciela looked impressed. "I see."

Followed by Antoine Lavoisier, distinguished individuals also entered the salle des actes. Based on their appearance he can tell that they are big shots. Pierre-Simon Laplace, Jacques Charles, Charles Augustin De Coulomb, Louis Nicolas Vauquelin, Claude Louis Berthollet, and many others he couldn't name as he could recognize them. Still, this proved that the Kingdom of France was teeming with intellectual scientists, which is an indispensable asset.

If only he could get his hands on them in the future, he would be able to rapidly industrialize France. The thought of it is making him excited.

Napoleon took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. He needed to focus on the present, on their presentation. He opened his notes and scanned through them once again, ensuring that he had everything in order.

As he looked up, he saw that Lavoisier was now talking with the other scientists in the front row. They were discussing something, probably related to their field of work.

The Dean of the Faculty of Sciences cleared his throat, signaling the start of the event.

"May I now call upon Napoleone Buonaparte to come forward and present their thesis," the Dean said, gesturing towards him.

Napoleon and Ciela stood up and headed over to the front. He could feel the weight of everyone's gaze on them. He took a deep breath and began to speak, his voice clear and confident.

"Good afternoon esteemed members of the Faculty of Sciences, distinguished guests. My name is Napoleone Buonaparte from the Brienne-le-Château, and this is my assistant, Ciela. We are here to present our thesis on the Principle of Thermodynamics, showing the relationship between work and heat."