Kays Translations

Chapter 31: Preparing for Commercialization

"Sorry to keep you waiting. We have prepared dishes that allows you to quickly assess the performance and potential of the magic stove. Please enjoy it first."

Guido, after serving the dishes, urged everyone to try the food while sitting at the table himself.

"Yeah, it looks just like the usual. It looks very delicious. Let's dig in."

With Selfers's signal, everyone started eating their food at once, starting with the soup.

"It's just as delicious as usual, isn't it?"

"Yes, I don't see any difference," 

Nicolette agreed with Sven's opinion.

"Yes, when it comes to the soup, you just need to add heat, so there's no problem at all." 

Guido also seemed to find no issue.

"The omelette is light and delicious!"

Annemarie ate the omelette and smiled.

"Thank you. Omelettes are very dependent on the heat, so at first, there were variations, like overcooking or not heating enough, but after trying a few times, I found the knack. Since the heat source doesn't change like with a hearth, once you get the hang of it, you can cook better with this."

Even the omelette, which clearly showed the difference in the skills of the chef and the equipment, didn't seem to have any particular problem.

"The sautéed vegetables are tasty too. Well, I don't know the usual taste, so I can't compare..."

Eto said while alternating between eating bacon sauté and bread.

"This is fine too. Due to time constraints, I mainly used well-cooked Epinal grass for this, but I think it would work with other vegetables."

Regarding stir-fried food, Isamu had some concerns, but there didn't seem to be any particular problem. This was because the magic stove couldn't do things like stir-frying dishes all at once with super high heat like with a wok, as in the case of a magic stove, but they didn't have a frying pan with a flat bottom. There was no such cooking method available here, so it didn't seem to be a problem. Isamu secretly resolved to make a magic stove that could use a wok someday.

After finishing the tasting, the positive atmosphere in the room was evident.

"Isamu-sama, you never cease to amaze us... To receive reports that you were able to decipher the functional circle, and to create a magic tool within less than ten days..."

Selfers praised Isamu while drinking tea after the meal.

"Well, this time, I happened to obtain a magic circle in good condition, and I also got a magic circle that is compatible with it at the same time. I was just lucky."

"If it's just luck that allowed you to make a magic tool, then you should be proud. Well, that's typical of Isamu-dono..."

Selfers chuckled at Isamu’s usual self-deprecating assessment.

"Now, the question is, what to do with this magic device. I think it's fine to commercialize it, but Guido, what do you think after trying it out?"

"I think it's a very convenient and innovative magic tool, but I'd like to ask one thing. Isamu-sama, I think this magic tool requires a fire magic stone. How many do you use, and how long can you use it for?"

Guido's question was valid. No matter how convenient something is, if maintenance is cumbersome or running costs are high, it is unusable.

"You use only one magic stone. With this level of firepower, we have confirmed that it operates continuously for about four days."

"Four days with just one magic stone!? That's amazing..."

"By the way, Guido-san, how many hours a day do you use the hearth at the mansion?"

"It varies from day to day, but... In the morning and at noon, it's about one to one and a half bells, and in the evening, it's about two bells."

One bell is a commonly used time unit in this world and is roughly equivalent to 90 minutes. So, a total of four to five bells per day is about 6.5 to 7.5 hours.

"I see. In that case, with one magic stone, it should be able to run without replacement for at least ten days. Unlike the hearth, you can immediately heat it up again, so if you turn it off when you're not using it, you can actually use it about 1.5 times that amount."

"At least ten days!? If it can be used that long without replacement, it's not a problem at all."

"In fact, there are already magic devices that use fire magic stones called stoves. They look the same as regular stoves and are magic devices that generate flames with magic power, so they can be used just like regular stoves, so they're convenient. But they haven't become widespread."

"Hmmm, there are similar magic devices already. They seem useful, but why haven't they become popular? Is it because they are expensive?"

From what you've heard, it seems that such magic stoves are straightforward and should have become popular.

"The main reason is that the main unit is indeed expensive, and it's primarily because it doesn't spread to the common people. But even among the nobility, it's not very common, mainly because the consumption of magic stones is too high, and it's very time-consuming and expensive. So, it's only used by the royal family, very high-ranking nobility, or in the hometown of fire magic stones."

"Oh, I see... By the way, how many magic stones do they use?"

"From what I've heard, it uses up a medium-sized magic stone in a day or two."

"Eto-san, how much is a medium-sized magic stone, by the way?"

"A medium-sized one? I think it's about 1,000 ruins."

"Oh, it's 1,000 ruins for one day, so it's 15,000 ruins a month... If you replace one every two days."

15,000 ruins are about 150,000 yen in Japanese yen. It's certainly not possible to throw that amount of money away every month.

This is an easy-to-understand problem with magic tools that have no choice but to be used in the state in which they were discovered.

"But if similar items are that way, it makes the advantages of a magic stove stand out even more. By the way, how much firewood do you use every day with the hearth? Also, how much is the price of firewood?"

"We have three hearths in our kitchen, and we use about five bundles of firewood a day, which is about 150 bundles a month. One bundle of firewood is about 8 ruins."

"I see. In that case, if you replace it with the magic stove, using one magic stone, you can use three per month for each stove. With three stoves, you'll need nine magic stones. Eto-san, how much does a magic stone for the magic stove cost?"

"The small-sized magic stones used for this one cost around 100 to 120 ruins."

"Even if it's 120 ruins, with nine of them, it's 1,080 ruins, so the operating cost would be about the same. If we add a firepower adjustment feature, we can further reduce consumption, making it competitive even with regular stoves."

Isamu roughly calculated using various numbers, and everyone watched in amazement.

"Uh, huh? Did I make a calculation mistake?"

Realizing the error, Isamu hurriedly recalculated, and Sven corrected him.

"No, no, that's not it. I was just amazed at how fast Isamu-dono's calculations were."

"Indeed, I was really surprised... I mean, aren't you as good as those people who handle the finances at the royal castle or the major trading companies, who do calculations all the time?"

Nicolette also expressed her amazement.

In this world where arithmetic has not developed much, Isamu’s calculation skills, being a science major, seemed particularly impressive.

"In that case, let's move on to mass production once everything is ready. Isamu-dono, I'd like to ask for adjustments towards mass production. How long do you think it will take?"

"Well... I'm not sure when the firepower adjustment feature will be ready, so let's leave that aside. What do you think about having three settings: high, medium, and low heat? If we go with that, it's already done, and we just need to adjust the exterior."

"Three settings sound quite extraordinary... But I guess we are not dealing with the usual... Alright, let's work on the exterior finishing together with Eto and Guido for the rest of this month."

"Understood. If possible, could we also have Annemarie-san join us?"

"Me too!?"

Annemarie was taken by surprise when brought into the conversation.

"Yes. It's often a good idea to have a female perspective when developing everyday use products. Besides, both Eto-san and I are technically inclined, and Guido-san is a craftsman. If it's just us, we might not be able to stop it if things go off the rails, so we'd like your help with the adjustments too."

Isamu made the request with a somewhat embarrassed tone. Hearing this, Annemarie couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Fufufufu. Fine, I understand. You're right, I suppose it might go a bit wild with just you three."

"Great, we'll have the four of you working on it then. Is everyone okay with that?"

As the head of the family made a final confirmation, everyone nodded in agreement without hesitation.

"Is there anything else you'd like to ask?"

"Um, sorry, may I ask one more thing?"

"Of course, Isamu-dono."

"When it comes to the magic circle that served as the basis for the magic stove, how should we present its origins when we commercialize it? For product registration, it might be necessary. It could be disclosed as my ability skill, but is that okay?"

"Oh? I completely forgot about that..."

"You're right. We were so excited that we forgot. But, as Isamu-san pointed out, we should avoid disclosing anything about the ability skill for now."

Isamu question led the family head and his wife to think after a sudden realization.

"In that case, why don't we bring Willem into this? We can say that our family has established a magic circle research division, and we've signed an exclusive contract with him. We asked him to conduct investigations on magic circles in ancient ruins. If we combine what he brought back with items we obtained in the past and pieced them together, we happened to create a working one. Fortunately, his name is somewhat known, and more than half of that story is actually true."

Annemarie proposed involving Willem in the explanation.

"Well... While it's somewhat forced, it's mostly based on the truth. Let's go with that for now. How about we let Anne handle the coordination with him? I'll prepare a letter right away."

"Yes, I'll go to see him right after this."

"Thank you. Isamu-dono, is that arrangement acceptable to you?"

"Yes, it's not a problem."

"In that case, let's proceed with that. Anything else?"

As the final confirmation was made once again, everyone agreed promptly.

"Alright. We can consider the release date and the introductory price once we have prototypes for sale. Hehe, I look forward to everyone's expressions when we, the ‘Trash Magic Stone Dealers,' release a new magic item. It's going to get busier, I'm sure, but I'm counting on all of you!"

"Yes!"

And so, the plan to commercialize the world's first magic item created with self-made magic circles began in earnest.

The family head and his wife, along with Annemarie, who had returned from the research facility, gathered in Selfers' study.

"Father, it seems like there's a need to expedite the practical deployment of the old magic."

"Yes, that's right... To be honest, I didn't think Isamu-dono would be this incredible. I never expected that by just deciphering the old magic, we would already receive so many benefits. He didn't have to do anything else... But now, he's going further by deciphering the functionality and even creating original magic tools. Who could have predicted that?"

"Hehe, that's true. It's just like Isamu-san not to fully understand what he's doing."

"And now he's involving Willem, too. At this rate, he might discover even more functional circles that can be read. My health is nearly back to normal thanks to him, so starting from tomorrow, I'll also focus on mastering the old magic. Anne, I want you to continue learning the new and old magic with Marcella. You don't need to worry about keeping up with others anymore; just do your best."

"Understood."

Annemarie and Marcella, who had a good affinity with the old magic, decided to slow down their pace in mastering new magic until others could catch up.

But with the looming deadline for Isamu ability skill disclosure, they decided to prioritize raising their own skills to the maximum potential.

"Nicolette, I'd like you to continue learning and translating the old magic with Liddell. Do your best. It's a bit awkward to say 'do your best' to you, but... for broad dissemination, it's essential to translate and teach it."

"Of course. I think I've finally started to grasp the key recently... And it's frustrating to let my daughter outperform me."

With a quick wink at Annemarie, Nicolette implied she would do her best.

Nicolette and Liddell, who were more inclined toward theory, had yet to fully master the old magic. However, their role in translating it into a manual for widespread use was crucial.

"Hehe. Please do your best, Mother! If you're too slow, I'll keep learning new magic more than you, you know? Hehehe."

"Oh, aren't you just saying that? Well then, I might ask Isamu-san for private lessons to study more."

"Huh? Wait a moment, Mother, what are you talking about, not with envy, but just recklessness!"

"Nicolette, wait a moment."

Annemarie and Selfers seized on Nicolette's jest with humor.

"Heh... just kidding. Just kidding. Hehe, both of you are getting too anxious."

"Oh, Mother!!"

"Good grief...Oh, right. Starting tomorrow, Rudolf and Karina should join the practice too. They may not be knights, but they've learned practical combat skills and magic. It'll be great if they can use old magic for protection. They may also see things differently, offering us a fresh perspective on old magic."

"Understood. I'll let them know."

"Yes, I'm counting on you... Alright, the letter to Willem is ready. Please take this to him."

"Thank you. I'll go deliver it right away."

With the letter in hand, Annemarie left the room.

As they watched her go, Selfers spoke up.

"Well, Anne has been taking all the credit lately. We should also do our best."

"You're right. Not just with old magic, but we need to think ahead in various ways... Starting with... discreetly increasing our stock of fire magic stones and other magic stones."

"Yes, I'll take care of that. It's a golden opportunity that's come our way. Let's not miss it; let's give it our all."

With determined looks, the two nodded in agreement.

For years, they had been mocked as the "Trash Magic Stone Dealers." Now, to clear their names, a quiet fighting spirit was sprouting in the hearts of the family head and his wife.

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