Yesterday was the eighth day of the week, and as is customary in this world, people go to the Temple of Tolmas to pray and make one or two sacrifices… Neo decided to go against the tide and invited the five of us that is, Selene, Sena, Hemer, Lisa, and me to spend the day at the Blackforge house.
The day went by normally, nothing remarkable, except for a pleasant family day. Dalia and Neo spent almost the whole day glued to each other. With the freedom of being at home without any supervision, they relaxed, though always under the watchful eyes of Durman and Astrid. Conversations about upcoming inventions or future family plans, among other things, were the main topic. From time to time, both Neo and I found ourselves dreaming of a new life. One we could never have imagined.
(Spending moments like these with the family reminds me of my parents and my sisters. I don't know if I'll ever see them again. Sometimes I think that being here is a reward for a new chance, but at the same time, a punishment not being able to be with the people who love me for being that child, even if sometimes spoiled, hurts deeply. I really miss arguing with my father and my mother's overprotectiveness. In this world, I have many people who care for me, but it's not the same, I don't know... I hope they don't miss me too much.)
First day of the second week of the month, and Neo is already causing trouble in the guilds. (I guess that's just his nature.) Today, when I arrived at the company, a powerful avalanche of children started asking questions about the classes. Apparently, the marchioness announced the schooling of all children during the Tolmas service yesterday.
To start the day, I redirected them with Marte to the Language classes, giving me time to get on with the company's tasks.
Since Neo was around, doing who knows what, I had no choice but to take control of the workshop and get to work with the craftsmen. With the eleven present the five carpenters, five blacksmiths, and our glassworker I proposed the idea of creating glass jars quickly and easily.
I wanted to make jars of 250ml, 500ml, 750ml, 1000ml, 1500ml, and 2000ml, for mayonnaise or whatever other uses we might come up with. Surely Neo wants to pickle cucumbers or other vegetables.
Almost by mistake, I pulled a caliper out of the subdimension, but I changed it at the last second for a 20 cm ruler. The ruler was metal, with small marks made with a diamond on the milling machine. Despite their curiosity, the craftsmen didn't ask about the ruler; they stayed focused on the explanation, though a few glances wandered toward the metal plate.
On a sheet of paper, I drew the exact diameters of the jars 4.5 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, and 11 cm. For that, I used a nail and a thread in place of a compass, which apparently are expensive here. Then below each, I drew the mouth diameter of each jar, slightly smaller than the base. After that, I drew the height dimensions 6.5 cm, 12 cm, 14.5 cm, 17 cm, 20 cm, and 23 cm.
Then I left the carpenters to create a wooden model for each jar. We have two foot-powered lathes for wood. This world is technologically backward, but not as much as I thought at least it has the pedal lathe.
Before I could even give orders to the blacksmiths, a maid from general services arrived to tell me it was my turn to teach. So I called for Pudiente to take charge of the workshop while I gave the class.
Today, I had planned to give two hours of math, but since Neo wasn't here and I had to oversee everything, I gave them the good news.
■― Today you got lucky, you'll only have one hour of math. ―
Some cheered, others seemed disappointed, but one thing was clear the children's little slates were full of notes. Some were still practicing letters and numbers, while others already had entire sentences written. There's a clear difference between the boys and the girls they master writing and have beautiful handwriting, even on chalkboards. Especially Emiliano's daughter, Sumi her handwriting is excellent. Good thing we brought her to study instead of keeping her working.
The children were all stirred up, but even so, little by little, they're paying more attention to Marte as they do their tasks and practice. Since they celebrated too much not having to see my face today, I started by asking the multiplication tables. Some tried to hide or peeked at their little slates the same ones who had celebrated were the same ones who got scared when I asked them questions. Then I called three boys and three girls to the big chalkboard to write the numbers from 1 to 30, in words, not digits, while the others did the same on their own boards.
I didn't have time to assign more work when Marte arrived to continue with Language class. That hour of math went by in a flash. But despite Marte's intention to keep teaching, I took everyone outside to the courtyard.
Learning is all well and good but playing is too. So today I began the physical education classes, starting with some basic stretches, then I had them run in circles in the central courtyard of the company, which drew the attention of the craftsmen, who came out to see what the commotion was about.
― Baro ― Hunt, what are the children doing. ―
■― Running in circles. Learning to add or write is great but keeping the body healthy is important too. ―
I stayed chatting with the craftsmen while the children ran ten laps, then I had them play tag. Since they didn't understand the game, I had to explain the rules. They ran here and there without rest.
― Iván ― Sir Hunt, what are the children doing. ―
■― They're playing. ―
― Iván ― Isn't it dangerous for them to play like that. ―
■― You're worried about the children. ―
― Iván ― Yes… my wife is pregnant, and soon we'll have our second child. I'm really looking forward to being a father. ― He smiled as he imagined himself as a father at last, but I saw something else that restrained feeling everyone has when they talk about their children… (What a disgusting being Tolmas is.)
■― By the way, Iván, don't call me Sir. Hunt is fine. By the way, I was thinking of teaching the children how to defend themselves. ―
― Iván ― Defend themselves how. ―
■― If someone tries to hit them, they should know what to do. Since you're their physical education instructor too, what do you think, would you like that. ―
― Iván ― The best form of selfdefense is to run, but if they have to protect someone else, that's another matter. ―
■― If I explain how to give the lessons, would you be a teacher too. ―
― Iván ― I don't dislike the idea, but do you think a simple guard like me could be of any use to these children's future. ―
■― I don't know, you'll have to prove it just like Marte or like me. I don't know if I explain things well or if I'm even fit to be a teacher. ―
― Iván ― Don't say that, you're incredible. ―
■― You think I'm better than I am. Let me prove it. ―
I called all the guards together, explained the rules of tag again, and set the condition that no magic could be used, and anyone who stepped outside the rectangle we drew with ash would lose.
There were the five guards and me. I started first, ran quickly to tag Iván, but he dodged like a bullfighter. I had to stop almost instantly so I wouldn't step out of bounds. Then he went for Luca, and when he touched his belt, even though I fell rather pathetically, I was safe it was my turn to run. After a few clumsy dodges on my part, Marek lightly tapped me on the head.
― Marek ― You're it, Mister Hunt. ―
When I realized it, the children were shouting and cheering, each one supporting their favorite, but what surprised me most was seeing everyone watching from the windows, leaning out so they wouldn't miss the fun.
■― What exactly are you all doing? Are you here to work or to watch us play? ― I spoke toward all the windows. Many lowered their heads, and the children went silent at once. ― You're it, Ernesto. ― I couldn't waste that opportunity. When the children heard me, they started shouting louder than before, everyone else burst out laughing, and poor Ernesto didn't know what to do.
― Ernesto ― That's cheating. ―
■― A. ―
We kept playing for a few more minutes until I got tired and couldn't go on. I let the children play inside the rectangle but with the condition that they couldn't use magic, and under Iván's supervision.
I went back to the workshop, and the blacksmiths were making patterns or seals for the company. Apparently, Pudiente had figured out how to use the power of movable type from the printing press. He created a logo though he surely doesn't know what a logo is and placed it inside a circle.
The design he came up with was excellent. I liked it so much that I sent a picture to Neo. Before I could even say it, he told me to have them make a giant version to hang above the company's main door.
Meanwhile, I checked the carpenters' progress they seemed tangled up with the shape of the jars, but our expert glassworker was guiding them well, so I went back to the children. After an hour of games, they were exhausted and drenched in sweat.
When I told them to stop, some were out of breath, but what surprised me most was how everyone was mixed together boys and girls didn't care anymore; they were all just there, no matter their age or who they were.
I borrowed the glass workshop, since it wasn't going to be used today, to give the children a bath. In a large cauldron, I heated water with magic and sent them to wash up. Using the first prototype of the shower rune stone, I showered with them, giving each one a bar of soap. (Good thing Neo made about 2,000 bars he'll probably scold me one day for giving them away, but so what.)
I used a small breeze to dry everyone off, but then I had a new problem their clothes were dirty. I couldn't send them home clean but in dirty clothes, so I had each one wet their clothes and scrub them with soap. Then, with a bit of water magic, I rinsed their clothes and used a warm breeze to dry them quickly.
Then I called Marte so she could come in with the girls while I waited outside the door. Following her instructions, I reached in to create a sphere of water where the girls could rinse their clothes, refreshing the water after each use. When Marte gave the signal, I used the same wind magic to provide a warm, gentler breeze. It took me longer to clean their clothes.
Once everyone was clean and wearing bright, fresh clothes, I sent them to Language class. Despite a few complaints, they all went to study.
While I was handling the baths, the general service staff prepared the same stew as last week it's impressive how they can copy a recipe after seeing it only once.
Lunch went great, better than usual the children seemed tired. So I sent them home, not wanting them to fall asleep around here.
When I returned to the workshop after a good meal, I checked the wooden molds. As I expected, the carpenters have unmatched talent I can't imagine what they could do with a proper lathe. I ordered them to cut each wooden figure in two, and while that was being done, I started poking around the workshop and found a box full of wood scraps.
When I tried to put my hand on one of the discarded pieces a carpenter stopped me and explained that the heartwood of that type of tree cannot be used. Apparently it has a lot of sap and it is very sticky. Without paying much attention I took one. The smell overwhelmed me; it was similar to latex or rubber, but I couldn't tell the difference in the scent.
I decided to experiment with it since I can't help the artisans. I went out to the yard and like a true alchemist, I put the piece of wood on the fire. When it began to burn the black smoke that rose from it irritated my eyes and the smell was disgusting. It seemed like a pile of burning tires.
A maintenance boy told me that that wood is called black arbumo, that it must not be burned because it can cause damage and illness. Later they told me that there is also white arbumo which is also not very useful. They also told me that it is sold at the woodcutters' guild at a cheap price.
I sent to buy several logs that had the largest possible heartwood. Pudiente went with the runners; meanwhile I took the time to check the company's accounts and just as I feared, we are producing nothing, we are selling nothing, we have already sold a large quantity of the inventory of Padre Pudiente's products and thanks to the marchioness we have money for a long time. But we must be careful how we spend the money.
About an hour later Pudiente returned with two enormous logs, one of each type, according to what Pudiente told me, the master of the woodcutters' guild gave him the logs because he didn't want them at all. With the maintenance guys I set out to experiment with the trees' sap. So I took a sample of each and put it on the fire. As they had indicated, the smoke was white, gray, or black depending on each of the three types.
I started with the white one, since the smoke had a more pleasant smell; in fact it was almost sweetish. The smell of this type reminded me of silicone. First we separated the center of the log, that is, where the greatest amount of sap was concentrated, from the wood and the bark; following the carpenters' advice, we tried not to discard much wood because it is perfect for molds.
We cut the log in two, with a large crosscut saw for two men. Then carefully we cut so that we removed the center, almost perfect, shaped like a triangular prism. We set the other two trunks aside and cleaned the yard.
Then, thanks to Pudiente knowing what to throw away/sell and what not to, we brought out piece by piece a wine press. To make it easier we cut the two prisms into triangular slices of about 4 cm by eye, over a cauldron, so as not to waste any sap.
Two men turned the screw to press the wood; between the slats of the "barrel" the sap began to flow with some wood impurities. One of the maintenance boys suggested filtering the sap through a linen cloth. His idea was brilliant so we took another cauldron, placed the cloth over it, tied it with rope to the cauldron so it wouldn't sink, and little by little let the sap filter. This process took us a long time because the sap is quite dense. I left the boys filtering all the liquid while I went back to review the company's balance.
While reviewing the accounts with Pudiente, we began to talk about glass jars. I didn't know what purpose they might have. I started explaining how vegetables could be pickled, seeds stored; I tried to explain how dehydrated food could be created, but he didn't understand me and since he was making strange faces I decided to stop. I leaned out the window to watch how they filtered the sap. They seemed entertained, I decided not to disturb them with my presence and stayed talking with Pudiente about the meal budgets, besides talking about the meeting with the marchioness and the others.
Aside from the fact that he insulted me several times because of the letters to the marchioness and her daughter, I asked him how he felt about the atmosphere.
He told me that everything seemed planned, that everything turned out as I expected, that somehow all the offenses that Neo and I committed were completely ignored. On other occasions, especially if the nobles were alive, we would already be dead for offending them or our business would already be in flames.
We were in a deep conversation about the current state of the kingdom when we were called to continue with the sap experiment.
We went down to the yard, and after checking the work, I ordered a small fire to be made. While they were preparing it, I went to look for Emiliano to ask him about the thermometers.
― Pudiente ― I know where they are. ―
■― Ah, I should have asked you first. ―
― Emiliano ― If you don't need me, I'll go back to work. ― (How embarrassing :P)
With a thermometer, we put the sap over the fire. I wanted to see what would happen if I heated the sap little by little, so we set the cauldron on a three-legged stand. By opening or closing the legs, we could control the temperature reaching the cauldron.
We started with the highest position; after a few minutes, I didn't see any change, so we slowly lowered it, waiting a few minutes and measuring the temperature. When we got close to 80 degrees, but without exceeding it, small bubbles began to appear, so we started to stir slowly. The sap quickly rose to 100 degrees just from being stirred. The water in the sap began to boil. We raised the cauldron again and returned to 80 degrees, and by mixing little by little, we obtained a kind of translucent, whitish honey that thickened as it cooled.
I wanted to pour some of the "honey" on a flat surface, so with the ladle in hand, I went to the blacksmiths' workshop and poured a bit onto the anvil.
Everyone came to see what was happening, and I told them not to touch it, to let it cool. I went back outside to keep the rest of the sap at 80 degrees. After about fifteen minutes, I returned to see what had happened to the one I poured on the anvil.
I touched the lump with the back of my hand, and seeing that it wasn't hot, I realized that what I had just created was something incredible. I'm not sure if it was silicone, but it looked very similar—it was rubbery and slightly firm, but not too much; I could press it with a finger, and it would sink a little.
I took the lump, or silicone disc, and we went outside, where I cut it in two with scissors. I put half in vinegar and the other half in lye made from ashes.
While everyone was asking what I was doing, Emiliano arrived with the first mold for the jars. It was exactly what I had asked for, so I left the sap in the workers' hands and went with him to see how the first jar would come out.
It took a while for the furnace to heat up. But Emiliano's skill never stopped surprising me in a short time he already had a preform ready to be blown.
He placed the blowpipe facing downward, and I closed the molds. He began to blow. (He was standing on a chair to blow vertically.) I followed his directions, and just as I feared, the glass accumulated at the bottom.
I took over, and we started again, but this time we set the mold upside down and placed the pipe's opening about fifty centimeters from the floor. I crouched down and, with a bit of magic, started to blow air into the pipe, shaping the glass inside the mold.
Emiliano told me when to stop, according to his intuition, and when we separated the molds, what came out was a jar different this time. Its walls were more even.
― Emiliano ― This one is perfect. ―
■― Almost, but if my experiment outside turns out well, we'll have to slightly change the mold's pattern. ―
Intrigued, he asked me about it, and we went out to see how the experiment was going. The so-called "silicone" didn't seem to be affected by either the vinegar's acid or the lye. Since it was almost time to go home, I told everyone to clean up and get ready, because tomorrow we'd begin some hard work.
After tidying up, cleaning everything, and saying goodbye to the workers, I asked them to call Iván, but they told me he wasn't scheduled to stay at the company that night. I told the others to let him know I wanted to speak with him first thing in the morning if possible.
Since Neo hadn't arrived yet, I headed home with Levi and Pudiente, chatting about how our day had gone. As we crossed a few streets, we ran into the guards who were supposed to replace Levi, so I told him he could go, that I'd go straight home and everything was fine. He didn't listen and accompanied me all the way home.
During dinner, Sena and Selene told me how Neo had been out of control. Apparently, the bastard spent the whole day jumping from guild to guild every half hour the marchioness could barely keep up with him. He went from the blacksmiths' guild to the carpenters' guild, which are quite far apart, as if it were nothing.
They told me how Neo kept the poor marchioness running around until she got tired and decided to rest for a while at the merchants' guild, which is roughly halfway between the two.
Of the printing presses we had to deliver, Neo had already finished the first two. Meaning, the bastard made two printing presses in a single day, with over 3,000 movable type pieces for each press. And of course, he sent them to the merchants' guild, where he helped define a document for the registration of new merchants with boxes and all sorts of data.
The form he designed was one of the examples I had created on the subdimension computer. Sena brought a few copies so I could see them. The document had everything: name, surname, age, date, signature, company name, business field…
Sena was amazed. She understood the concept and had ideas about what printed documents might look like, but seeing them made was wonderful to her.
One detail that took me a while to notice was the paper's format. I didn't realize until I reviewed the document that the paper size was A4, when the printing press we designed didn't use those dimensions.
I asked the girls what they thought about the size and shape of the paper, and they said it just seemed like a regular format to them.
■― This format isn't a coincidence, look. ― I took one of the documents. ― If we fold it along the longer edge, it divides perfectly in half. ―
― Selene ― And what's so special about that? ―
■― For example. ― I cut the document in half, and I could almost see Sena's heart breaking for the paper. ― If we stand up and look at the piece I just cut, then place it over an uncut sheet, you'll see what happens. ― They both shook their heads. ― When I bring it close to my eyes, it looks like it's the same size. ―
― Sena ― I don't see why that matters. ―
■― Neo just created the first standard. It means that if all papers have the exact same size, you don't need to roll them up like the ones in your offices—you can make a book and stack all the documents flat, one on top of another. That way, they take up less space, and you always have a consistent paper dimension, unlike those endless scrolls you usually have. ―
We kept discussing it for a while longer until I noticed Lisa starting to fall asleep. I stood up and, giving Selene a shoulder massage, hinted that it was time to go.
We took a shower before bed, and I took the chance to shave so I wouldn't waste time in the morning.
― Selene ― I don't know if I like you better with or without a beard. ―
■― Hard to say. Neo shaves once a week. I usually let mine grow a bit longer it doesn't bother me. ―