Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 325: Training Begins
A few days later, I finally completed the production manuals. Rosalia, Nero, and Lelie had all given them passing marks, so I was fairly confident in the result. All that remained was to hear the craftspeople's opinions and revise the instructions wherever necessary.
Lionel also sent an official report concerning the Snow Wolves. They had stopped appearing near the village, which was a great relief.
As a precaution, several territorial knights would remain stationed in the village until spring. I sent them Hot Cookies, magic-stone hand warmers, and potions so that they could perform their duties in comfort. I hoped the supplies would please them.
“As we discussed yesterday, the craftspeople will arrive today,” Brother Alex said. “For the time being, I would like them to receive instruction in the estate's workshop as planned.”
“Understood. Everything is ready, Brother Alex.”
Brother Alex nodded firmly. He understood how important this training was, which might also explain why he seemed worried.
There was no need for concern. The products I intended to teach were not especially difficult. Fountain pens were far more complicated and required much greater concentration.
Furthermore, I had prepared the manuals specifically for this purpose and simplified every production process. Even people without Craft should be able to make acceptable products by following them. True mass production was still out of the question, of course.
That was probably for the best. Large-scale industrial production seemed possible, but the idea was also rather frightening, so I decided not to pursue it yet.
Three craftspeople arrived. All were advanced in years and carried themselves with the dignity of master artisans.
We began with introductions and harmless conversation, hoping to help everyone relax.
“So you were the head of your workshop until recently?” I asked one of them.
“That is correct. I thought my son would feel unable to establish himself while I remained there, so I stepped aside.”
“The same happened to us,” another said. “Retirement was peaceful, but before long our craftsman's blood began to stir. Just when I thought my working days were truly over, House Heine sent an invitation.”
“I see.”
Brother Alex had deliberately recruited retired master craftspeople.
They possessed both technical skill and experience in developing new methods. If everything went well, their sons' workshops might eventually become involved too. What a strategist!
More impressive still was Brother Alex's ability to locate exactly the masters he needed. What kind of eyes did he possess? Surely he did not have secret agents lurking in the shadows.
Having my own ninja sounded rather entertaining.
As we talked, I learned that all three masters possessed Craft. The lessons might be over surprisingly quickly; there was probably little I could teach them. In that case, I would devote most of my attention to training Lelie, beginning with the fundamentals.
Once the tension in the room had eased, we started work. The three masters were astonished when I presented the production manuals.
“You have written the manufacturing methods on paper? What will you do if someone steals this?”
“I had heard rumours, but your way of thinking truly is different from ours.”
Ordinary craftspeople apparently believed that apprentices should learn by watching and stealing their masters' techniques. That made sense. If methods were freely recorded and distributed, imitations would quickly flood the market.
My own view was different. Even if competitors copied us, it would not matter as long as we maintained overwhelmingly superior quality and production volume. To do that, every worker needed to produce goods of the same high standard. That was the purpose of the manuals.
“If anything is unclear, or if you discover a better method, please tell me. I will revise the manual immediately.”
“Y-yes, understood.”
The bewildered masters would simply have to become accustomed to it. This was how House Heine's workshop operated.
I decided to begin with glass pens, pencils, and other stationery. There was already plenty for them to learn, so the more complicated magic tools could wait.
The masters eagerly set to work. Their many years of experience were immediately obvious. Unlike Rosalia and me, they moved precisely and efficiently, without hesitation or wasted effort. They understood each process and reproduced it with remarkable speed. We might not need to recruit any more craftspeople for quite some time.
“Wonderful! I never knew such products existed.”
“I would never have imagined using glass in this manner. Decorative glasswork may also be worth exploring.”
“Pencils are remarkable, and erasers are extraordinary. They keep the paper clean and even allow us to revise drawings halfway through.”
Their praise made me a little embarrassed. While the masters experimented, I concentrated on teaching Lelie. She did not possess Craft, but with enough practice, she should still be able to make many of the products. The processes were not extraordinarily difficult.
“Relax your shoulders, Lelie. It is all right to fail. And do not compare yourself with the masters. They have spent their entire lives training.”
“Y-yes, understood.”
I was teaching Lelie to make a pencil case. The same basic design could look completely different depending on the fabric and pattern, so it required a good aesthetic sense. I asked her to create something that would appeal to girls. After all, everyone else in the workshop was male.
Work is going well.