Kays Translations

Chapter 202: Preparation

　Miss Daniela seemed to have taken time out of her busy schedule to be here. As soon as she finished her requirements, she headed off to her next job. This is where I’ll  say goodbye to brother Alex. He has  something to do at the townhouse and another at the school. Apparently, the cold at the school is even more prevalent than the other day.

“The school is crowded with people. It’s easy for it to spread.”

“Can’t they cancel lectures?”

“It’s difficult. There will be a difference from other grades. And  we can’t look back on the cancelled classes during the summer vacation. Everyone has plans.”

　Many of the students attending the academy are aristocrats. Nobles have to return to their parents’ homes during the summer vacation to attend tea parties and gatherings as well as to help with the family business. The plan must have been decided long ago.

“It sounds like there’s nothing we can do. What about lung disease?”

“So far, two students at the school have newly contracted a lung disease. Thanks to the magic potion that you spared, they were able to survive, but it was a very bad tasting potion. The potion they took afterwards also had a terrible smell and taste. It’s become a bit of a legend. Thanks to that, though, more and more people started washing their hands and gargling.”

　　It looks like they used a magic potion that I didn’t make. I knew it would turn out to be disgusting. I thought I taught them how to make it, but why does it end up like this? Can’t I change the conventional wisdom?

　At the same time as we parted from my brother, we also moved to another common room. As expected, we kids can't use this room alone. If some high-ranking aristocrat saw us, he might criticize us later.

　Not everyone is friendly towards the Margrave Heine family. There may or may not be some nobles who think Daniela-sama was taken away from them. It’s easy to see from this relationship that that’s not the case.

　Since I seemed to have some free time this morning, I decided to make a few improvements to the ice house. The blueprints are in the townhouse, but it’s all in my head. No problem. However, I don’t have the tools to make magical tools. For the time being, I started by cleaning up the inside of the old ice room.

“I wonder if it’s okay to go into a place like this~?”

“‘It’s fine. I’ll ask everyone to help me when they’re done creating the panacea, but I don’t want to burden them right now. I’m sorry, but please help me.”

“Of course. Leave it to us.”

　Working with the two of them, I carry the materials to a place where they will not interfere with future improvements. We pack as much as possible into crates so that they are easy to move. Don't forget to write on the box what's inside.

“It’s a very cold room, but isn’t this cold enough?”

“No. It needs to be colder. It needs more freezing cold.”

“Won’t that hurt the material?”

"Some of the materials will be damaged, so I'm planning to separate them in the icehouse. If possible, I'd also like a place to store them outside."

　Until now, there may have been no clear way to preserve the material. All the materials were kept in the ice room. Of course, there are some materials that are better stored at room temperature. In the future, I would like to thoroughly address this issue.

　It would be great if the Royal Palace Magic Potion Division could spread the word to the outside potions guilds and potions masters.

　Maybe I should make a mini ice room for storing materials? But that’s just a freezer. In that case, it might be better to make a refrigerator since it would be more useful for the common folks.

“What’s wrong, Julius?　You look like you’re thinking of something difficult to do.”

“How rude. I was thinking of a new magic tool.”

“In that case, how about becoming a magic tool maker then?”

“That’s what I was going to say, Axel. Come to think of it, I wonder if it’s possible to become both a potion maker and a tool maker.”

　I don't think there are many people who call themselves both. Does it weaken their authority?　Or is it regulated by law? I’m not sure.

“I’ve never heard of it, but Julius can be one.”

"That's right. Julius can do it."

　Where does that confidence come from? Hey, don’t look at me like that. I’d be tempted to do it.

　After cleaning up the room, I re-measured it and examined the condition of the walls. The walls are thicker, probably to prevent heat from escaping, but that’s not enough. I would like to put insulation down if possible. Is there anything that could take its place? Should I put some wood in between?

“This would require a lot of prep work. It’s going to take longer to improve the icehouse than I thought. Maybe it won’t be possible until spring.”

“It’s going to take that long?”

“Yes. Looks like I’m going to need some wood.”

“I don’t know if we can get wood. If we order it right now, maybe we  can work something out?”

　It is true that we might be able to get it now. It would be impossible in the full-blown winter, but right now the snow will probably stay only near the top of the mountain. Let’s hurry up and order. For this reason, dimensions have become important. Afterwards, we worked together to measure the dimensions of the room.

“That’s about all we have to do this morning. I’ll ask them to get the rest of the wood for me.”

“I guess our mission ends here. It was my first job, and I’m glad it went off without a hitch.”

“Is it safe to say that it was completed successfully?”

“Good. I’ll tell brother Alex how much you two have been a big help to me.”

　I’m sure my brother will give them a reward. By doing so, the relationship between the two of us will deepen further and they will be able to show off to those around that we have a connection. Do you realize that, in a way, you’ve decided to join in the battle between nobles?　Well, you’ll figure it out eventually. Nobles are vicious and fearsome creatures. Just like me here.

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