Chapter 77 - Craftsman and Craftsman
Under the dazzling summer sun, Dahlia stepped off a carriage in one corner of the workshop district.
She wore a navy-blue summer dress paired with a linen jacket, yet she still found it uncomfortably hot.
Under the green roof in front of her, she spotted the metal plate engraved with the words "Gandolfi Workshop" and rang the doorbell.
"Welcome, Chairwoman Rossetti."
"Good afternoon, Gandolfi-san."
With promptness as if he had been waiting, Fermo, the head of the Gandolfi Workshop, emerged to meet her.
His brown hair had streaks of white, yet his posture remained upright. He wore a dark gray smock, likely his work attire.
"Come in. It's a small space, but please, make yourself comfortable."
The interior of the Gandolfi Workshop was a single-story wooden building. While it was somewhat old, it was meticulously organized and clean. Although Fermo called it small, it was about as spacious as the workspace in the Green Tower.
The shelves lining the walls were neatly filled with numerous bottles, springs, tubes, and spray bottle components.
A few days prior, Dahlia met Fermo at the Merchant Guild to discuss making a prototype of a mass-production foaming pump bottle. However, with Fermo needing time to wrap up his other work and create the prototype, and Dahlia being occupied at the royal castle and drafting documents at the guild, today was the soonest they could meet.
As she sat in a chair in the center of the workshop, as Fermo had directed, he placed three foaming pump bottles on the table. Taking one of them, he handed it to Dahlia.
"This is the foaming pump bottle for mass production. If there's anything wrong with it, don't hesitate to tell me."
Dahlia took the bottle, spun it around once, then disassembled it to inspect it closely.
The push portion on the cap, the cap itself, the pump beneath it, and the body—every part was more efficient and stable in movement than the one Dahlia had crafted.
She tried pressing the one containing soap water. As white foam softly piled up on the plate before her, she found it unexpectedly delightful.
"I think it's perfect. It's much lighter, and it's also far easier to press."
"Yeah, I shaved a bit off the central part of the pump’s lid. I ensured the durability wouldn't decrease by distributing the pressing force across the entire bottom. I tested each of the three bottles by pressing them a thousand times, and none had any issues. If this works for you, I’ll proceed to test them by pressing five thousand times."
"Where are you planning to have the five-thousand-press experiment conducted?"
"Some students from the nearby primary academy agreed to take it on. They were happy to do it as a good part-time job."
Regardless of whether they were nobles or commoners, students could attend the academy if they passed the entrance exam. While tuition fees were covered by the government, there were still costs for supplies and practical lessons. For this reason, many commoners worked part-time jobs while attending.
"I’d like you to proceed with this on your end, Gandolfi-san."
"Got it. Then, I’ll have the experiment done quickly, finalize the specifications, and then head to the Merchant Guild... Oh, and you can just call me Fermo. Everyone in my workshop has the last name Gandolfi, so it gets confusing when someone calls me that."
"Understood. Then please call me Dahlia as well. I find it unsettling to be called 'Chairwoman.'"
"Alright, Dahlia-san. Honestly, even now, whenever someone calls me 'Gandolfi Workshop Manager,' I can’t help but think of my father."
Fermo said with a laugh as he lifted a large basket onto the table.
"And here are prototypes of different types. I went ahead with it on a whim, but I’d like your honest feedback."
From the basket, Fermo pulled out and lined up ten foaming pump bottles. Each had a distinct shape.
"There are so many of them."
"Yeah, I got carried away in the process..."
The color of the man's averted gaze was familiar to her.
Both her father and she would often end up creating alternate versions of their prototypes with added features when they get too excited.
While many of these were unnecessary, she believed that the joy of prototyping was also about exploring possibilities—it was essential.
"Let’s go through them in order. First, this one is a foaming pump bottle for shaving. The body is slightly thicker to fit a man’s hand, and it holds more soap liquid. Men tend to dislike the hassle of refilling."
"That makes sense."
That had been an oversight. The "hassle of refilling" was indeed a significant factor.
"Next, these two are large-capacity types. One has a square body to hold more liquid, and the other has a wider base to prevent rolling. These would be useful in kitchens where many cooks need to wash their hands."
"That’s true. It could also be convenient in bathrooms for large families."
"And this one is designed to be fixed in place with a latch at the base. If a matching latch is installed on the counter, it can't be removed without knowing the mechanism. It would be helpful for children, patients with trembling hands, or to prevent it from tipping over. And, though I’d rather not think about it, there's always the possibility that someone might steal it to cause trouble for a shop or that drunk patrons at restaurants or bars might take them home."
"For safety reasons, that’s a good idea."
She had considered accommodations for children and the elderly, but the thought of the possibility that someone might steal it to cause trouble for a shop hadn't crossed her mind.
Even though the royal capital was relatively safe, there were still drunkards, and in certain areas, such precautions might indeed be necessary.
"These four are for nobles. They’re made with colored glass and glasswork on the surface. Metal decorations could also work. For higher-ranking nobles, I imagine they’d prefer custom-made designs, though."
"The colored glass and the craftsmanship are beautiful. They could even make excellent gifts for women. Perhaps you could use the same interior components but add external covers with glass or metal designs?"
"Oh, I see. Instead of creating entirely new ones, using interchangeable covers is an option. That way, we could combine colored glass with various cover designs to make a wide variety of styles."
"Customers could even buy them and then switch the covers as they like."
Fermo nodded enthusiastically, jotting down notes on a piece of paper, while Dahlia began writing in her notebook as well.
Colored glass, cover designs, and perhaps even illustrations—it all seemed like an exciting prospect.
"These last two are portable versions. They're smaller for washing hands on the go... though, honestly, I just wanted to see how small I could make them."
"I understand. It’s natural to wonder about the smallest and largest sizes possible..."
"Right? Every craftsman thinks about it at least once. And if it’s possible, we try it."
A craftsman, oh yes, a craftsman, truly a craftsman.
Dahlia was reminded of conversations with her father. When they got like this, it was pure fun, and nothing else mattered.
"Fermo-san, do you also test the limit of something to see when it breaks?"
"Of course. I want to know how it performs in use, and it helps with future improvements. For that bottle, once the ten-thousand-press test is done, I plan to push it until it breaks. Do you do the same for magical tools?"
"I do, though not everyone does."
What Fermo didn’t know was that many magical tools were made far more durable than regular items or tools. Testing their breaking point could be seen as excessive for some.
Nonetheless, Dahlia conducted durability checks on almost everything she made.
For waterproof cloth, she had washed it a hundred times and even had someone with ice magic freeze it to test its resilience.
Her father had supported her with a simple, "Do as much as you like." However, as her tests continued, he had joked, "Don’t you feel sorry for the blue slime embedded in that waterproof cloth?"
"Out of these prototypes, I’d like to submit the ones you think are good to the guild."
"I think they’re all good. Let’s first submit all the viable ones with proper specifications. After that, I’ll leave the rest to Ivano, a member of my company. He’ll handle it somehow."
"Are you sure about leaving it all to him? Uhm... Won’t it be too much for him?"
"He told me I can make what I want, so... If it’s too much, he’ll let me know."
Fermo was convinced for the moment by the red-haired woman's carefree smile. The man named Ivano, her employee, was surely an exceptionally sharp individual.
Had Ivano been present, though, he might have frozen in horror at their conversation.
"Oh, this applies to all of them, but the part where the body connects tends to leak. You told me kraken tape would work, but would it be alright to leave that part to the magic toolmaker at another workshop?"
"Yes, I would appreciate that. I actually brought some kraken tape, so I’ll try applying it."
Kraken tape resembled a thick white cloth bandage. When infused with magic, it transforms into a semi-transparent white rubber-like material, becoming adhesive. It was a versatile product used for packing, anti-slip applications, and more.
"I wish I could apply it, but my magic power is only at level two..."
"With kraken tape, level two should be enough to apply it."
Dahlia easily responded to Fermo's words.
Magic was typically divided into fifteen levels, with higher levels corresponding to greater amounts of magic.
It was measured by touching a specialized magic stone, and it was also used for entrance exams at the academy.
However, individuals like Volf, who lacked external magic power, could not be measured with a regular measuring magic stone; instead, a special magic stone would be used, and their blood would be dripped onto it for the measurement.
Additionally, it was said that for the royal family or the ducal houses, their magic power could be so overwhelming that it would exceed the limits, potentially breaking the measuring magic stone.
"Wait, I thought you needed at least level five to handle magical tool materials?"
"That’s for the academy entrance exam... But kraken tape can be applied with just level two. In fact, those with magic close to fifteen, or even above, might find it difficult because it sticks too much to their hands."
"I see..."
To take the entrance exam for the High Academy's Magical Tools Department, one needed level five magic power. Fermo must have assumed he couldn't use them because of that. After enrollment, one needed level five or above to use the various equipment, which was why the academy set that standard.
However, with kraken Tape, as long as one had level two magic power, it could be applied without any issues, though it would take time.
I knew the answer, but I decided to ask the man, who was casting a heated gaze at the kraken Tape.
"Fermo-san, would you like to try applying it?"
"Sure!"
They sat side by side at the table, placing the lid component of the pump in front of them.
"Alright, do you know how to enchant magic?"
"Yeah, more or less. It's the same as when using a magical tool for the first time, right? You just use your dominant hand’s index finger?"
"Yes, that's right. And for the kraken tape, just let enough magic to warm the tip of your finger flow through. The distance should be close enough that you’re barely touching the tape. The color will gradually change, and then just apply by circling it around the lid..."
"Wait, the kraken tape is becoming all squishy!"
The man's finger seemed to turn the kraken tape into something resembling dried squid.
Without practice, it was difficult to channel a steady flow of magic.
"You need to relax and breathe out as you do it. When it starts to get squishy, try lifting your finger slightly and moving it."
"...Oh, now it's straightening out... huh? It won’t set..."
"Your magic power is weakening. Try getting your finger closer and focusing."
"...Focus... focus..."
With the man muttering to himself as he struggled, the kraken tape slowly formed a circle at his fingertip.
"...I actually did it. But it's all wrinkled."
"No, for the fourth attempt, this is impressive."
It was on the fourth piece that it went all the way around the lid without curling up or losing any magic power.
Perhaps it was because he was accustomed to the careful work of crafting small items, but it was a neatly formed circle that didn’t seem like it was his first time enchanting magic.
"How many more tries until I can do it without wrinkles?"
"At this rate, if you keep going, after about a hundred more, it should be perfect for production."
"It's a little hard to breathe. Is this what magic depletion feels like? And I’ve only done four..."
"Well, if you do about four a day, you’ll have it down in twenty-five days. Plus, as you keep pushing your limits, your magic will increase a bit. Eventually, you’ll be able to do all of the prototypes."
Dahlia said this with a smile, while Fermo wiped sweat from his brow and sighed lightly.
"It's exciting to expand the scope of prototypes... but this is tough. If I’d started younger, it might’ve been different. But here I am, starting now..."
"Huh? But, Fermo-san, you’ll keep going, right?"
Although his gaze seemed a little distant, she couldn't help but say it to the man who still wouldn't let go of the kraken Tape.
The man squinted his green eyes, nodded, and smiled.
"Of course. I'm a craftsman after all."
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