Chapter 494: The Unidentified Creature

With Nero somewhat revived, I began preparing tea. The servants in the room came over to help as well. Seeing Nero lend a hand must have convinced them that they could at least assist with that much.

“Brother Alex, I’ve already cleared all the documents that were here. Could you check the ones in this box? In exchange, I’ll tidy the papers on your desk.”

“I thought it might be possible, but to think you’d actually finished it all…”

“That was incredible speed. Just how exactly are you doing these calculations?”

Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela stared at me as though I were some strange, unidentified creature. That hurt a little. Then I noticed Lady Fabienne and Nero wearing the same expression.

This isn’t good. At this rate, they’ll start treating me like some kind of rare animal. I’ll have to show them that it isn’t anything special.

It was a bit improper, but I borrowed some of the dried fruit that had been set out as tea sweets.

“In my head, I picture it like this. These four pieces arranged vertically represent the ones place, while the single piece above them is worth five. The next column is the tens place, then the hundreds place, and so on.”

“I see. And above each place, there’s a marker worth five of them, right?”

“Exactly. Then you move the pieces according to the number, like this.”

I demonstrated by moving the dried fruit. Of course, this really called for a proper tool. The movement wasn’t smooth, and it was a little hard to follow. I should probably make a real one and explain again.

“So that’s what you picture in your head when you calculate. If I practise, do you think I could calculate quickly too?”

“I’m sure you could, Sister-in-law Daniela. It might be a little hard until you get used to it, though. If you like, I could prepare a tool to help.”

“Yes, please.”

“I’d like one too, if possible.”

When I glanced at Lady Fabienne and Nero, both were looking at me with eyes that clearly said they wanted one as well. Thinking ahead, I supposed I should prepare an abacus for each of them.

“Then I’ll make four of them.”

After tea, we returned to work. Lady Fabienne and Nero had grown accustomed to sorting the documents, and their speed increased dramatically. That, in turn, accelerated my own work. Before I realised it, I had processed everything on Brother Alex’s desk in under fifteen minutes.

“Sister-in-law Daniela, could you check these documents, please? While you do, I’ll tidy up those over there.”

“P-please do.”

Ah—her face twitched. Had I put Sister-in-law Daniela off? That wasn’t fair. I only wanted to earn some praise.

A little dejected, I set about clearing the papers near her as well, finishing those too in under fifteen minutes.

“Brother Alex, Sister-in-law Daniela, it’s about time for a break.”

“Y-yes, you’re right.”

“Y-yes, of course.”

This time, both their faces stiffened. Definitely not a good sign. If I kept tearing through the work like this, they really would treat me like an oddity. I had better leave it there. Lady Fabienne and Nero must also have been tired of repeating the same task.

“We’ve finished most of the paperwork, so I’ll be returning to the House Heine estate now.”

“Thank you, Julius. You were a tremendous help. Honestly, I’d like you to come lend a hand again.”

“Alex is right. To think all those documents were finished in a single day… it’s like a dream.”

Sister-in-law Daniela narrowed her eyes and lowered her brows. She was clearly exasperated. I had been useful, but apparently I had overdone it. Oh, woe was me. Why did things always end this way?

“Julius, I’m looking forward to when the tool is ready.”

“Me too. You must promise to teach us your calculation method.”

“Of course. I’ll have it prepared right away.”

Both of them smiled. The prospect of faster calculations clearly appealed to them. Since they had both ranked at the top of their class at the Royal Academy, I had no doubt they would master the abacus quickly.

Once they did, they would no longer drown in paperwork like this, and their free time would increase. Nothing but benefits. As soon as I returned to the House Heine estate, I would begin making the abacuses.

As for whether or not to teach Rosalia how to make one… I’d wait and see for now.

If Father and Mother wanted one too, I might make it public. Who knows—this could even become the Heine Trading Company’s next product.

As soon as I returned to the House Heine estate, I headed for the workshop.

“Fabienne, what will you do?”

“I’d like to stay with you, Julius-sama.”

“I see. Then let’s make sure we take breaks while working. The material will just be wood.”

“So it’s woodworking. That means someone other than a magic-tool craftsman can make it, just like a pencil.”

I selected wood that looked sturdy and easy to work, then began. Making all the tiny beads was the most difficult part. At times like this, I wished I had a machine. Even so, the Craft skill let me work at a reasonable pace.

While I wrestled with the wood, Lady Fabienne sat at the table embroidering. Embroidery had charms of its own, and delicate lacework sounded fascinating. I hoped Lady Fabienne would awaken the Craft skill someday, but since the conditions were unknown, I could not help her achieve it.

At last, the first abacus was complete. I tested it after sanding the frame and beads smooth with a file; the beads slid easily. As I experimented, Nero, who had kept his distance to avoid interrupting me, approached.

“Julius-sama, is it already finished?”

“More or less. This is the tool I mentioned earlier. Its name is the abacus.”

“Abacus…”

“And how is it used?”

Curious, Lady Fabienne came over as well. Since it was as good a time as any, I decided to take a break and teach them both how to use it.