Chapter 12: Training the Innovators

Mondstadt had entered a new phase of its journey. The wind-powered generator had been a resounding success, and now the city was beginning to expand its electrical grid. Word spread like wildfire, and many people were eager to be part of the progress. Satoshi knew that if this modernization was going to succeed, he needed to train the townspeople. It wasn't enough to simply build the technology—they needed the knowledge to use it, maintain it, and innovate on it themselves.

It was a bright morning, and the city square was bustling as usual. Satoshi stood in front of the nearly completed innovation hub, his eyes scanning the group of people who had gathered. There were a variety of faces—blacksmiths, merchants, farmers, even a few of the city guards. Satoshi could feel the energy of the crowd, an undercurrent of excitement mixed with curiosity.

Amber stood next to him, giving him an encouraging smile. "You've got this, Satoshi. Everyone's excited to learn. Just take it one step at a time."

Satoshi nodded, taking a deep breath. He stepped forward, raising his voice so that everyone could hear. "Good morning, everyone! Thank you all for coming. Today, we're starting something new—something that's going to help all of us make Mondstadt a better place."

He gestured to the innovation hub behind him. "This building is going to be our new center for learning and creating. It's a place where we'll be able to work together on new technologies, learn about electricity, and figure out how we can use all of this to make our lives easier."

A hand went up in the crowd. It was Olaf, the farmer from Springvale who Satoshi had convinced about the new road. "What exactly are we going to learn, Satoshi? I mean, I've never seen half the things you're talking about."

Satoshi smiled. "Great question, Olaf. We'll be learning about a lot of different things—electricity, how it works, and how we can use it to power machines and tools. We'll also be learning about construction—not just building things the old way, but using new materials and techniques that can make our work faster and more efficient."

Lisa, who had been leaning casually against the doorframe of the innovation hub, chimed in with a smirk. "And let's not forget alchemy. We'll be combining traditional knowledge with new ideas, and alchemy will play a big part in that."

Satoshi nodded. "Right. Alchemy is going to help us in ways we've never imagined. We'll be using it to reinforce structures, create new materials, and maybe even find ways to power some of our machines."

He looked around at the gathered crowd. "This isn't just about me or the Knights of Favonius—this is about all of us. We're building the future of Mondstadt together, and we need everyone's help. So, if you're willing to learn, if you're willing to be part of something new, then let's get started."

There was a murmur of agreement, and Satoshi felt a surge of excitement. This was the next step—not just building things, but building knowledge. He turned to Amber, giving her a nod.

"Alright, everyone," Amber said, stepping forward. "We're going to split into groups. If you're interested in learning about electricity, come with me and Satoshi. If you want to learn more about construction, Bennett will be leading that group over by the worksite. And if you're curious about alchemy, Lisa will be running a session inside the hub."

People began to move, forming small groups. Satoshi watched as Bennett, looking both nervous and excited, started talking to the construction group, showing them some of the tools they'd be using. Lisa, with her usual calm demeanor, led her group inside, already explaining the basics of alchemical reactions.

Satoshi turned to his group—a mix of townspeople, including Olaf and a few of the city guards. He smiled, holding up a simple light bulb. "Alright, everyone. Today, we're going to start with the basics. This is a light bulb. It's something we've used to light up the square, and soon, we'll be using it to light up homes all over Mondstadt."

Olaf squinted at the bulb, his brow furrowed. "How does it work? There's no flame."

Satoshi grinned. "Great question. It works using electricity—a kind of energy that flows through wires, like water flowing through a pipe. When the electricity reaches the light bulb, it makes a special material inside glow, giving off light. Here, let me show you."

He set up a simple demonstration, connecting the bulb to a small generator they'd brought from the worksite. As he cranked the handle, the bulb flickered to life, casting a warm glow over the group.

The crowd let out a collective "ooh," and Satoshi could see the wonder in their eyes. This was what he wanted—to see people excited about learning, to see them understand that they could be part of something incredible.

---

As the day went on, the training sessions continued. People moved between groups, trying their hand at different skills. Bennett led his group in constructing a small shed using new materials Satoshi had brought from the System, and Lisa's group experimented with creating reinforced alchemical bricks for future projects.

Satoshi found himself moving between groups, answering questions, giving demonstrations, and watching as people began to understand the concepts he was teaching. It was exhausting, but it was also exhilarating. He could see the gears turning in people's minds, the way they were starting to think about the possibilities.

At one point, he found himself standing with Venti, who had come to watch the training sessions. The bard had been wandering between the groups, his lyre slung over his shoulder, a content smile on his face.

"You know, Satoshi," Venti said, watching as a group of children took turns cranking the generator to light up a bulb, "you're doing something really special here. It's not just about the technology—it's about giving people the power to dream."

Satoshi looked at the children, their faces filled with wonder as the light bulb flickered on and off. He smiled, nodding. "Yeah. That's what I want—for everyone to feel like they can be part of this, that they can make a difference."

Venti grinned, plucking a few strings on his lyre. "And you're doing just that. Who knows? Maybe one of these kids will grow up to be Mondstadt's next great inventor."

Satoshi laughed. "I hope so. The more people we have thinking about the future, the better."

---

As the sun began to set, the training sessions wound down. The townspeople started to disperse, some of them still talking excitedly about what they'd learned. Satoshi felt a sense of pride as he watched them go. This was just the beginning, but it was a good start.

Amber came over, giving him a tired but happy smile. "That was amazing, Satoshi. People are really getting into it. I think they're starting to see what's possible."

Satoshi nodded, his eyes scanning the square. "Yeah. It's a lot of work, but it's worth it. We're building something together—something that's going to make a real difference."

Lisa joined them, her usual smirk softened into a genuine smile. "You've got quite the talent for teaching, Satoshi. And it seems you've managed to get even the most skeptical among us interested."

Satoshi chuckled. "I think people just need to see that they can be part of it—that it's not just some crazy idea, but something real."

Bennett ran up, a wide grin on his face. "Hey, Satoshi! The shed we built is done—and it's way sturdier than anything we've built before. The new materials really made a difference!"

Satoshi smiled, clapping Bennett on the shoulder. "Great job, Bennett. This is just the beginning—we're going to keep improving, keep learning. And soon, we'll have a city that's unlike anything anyone's ever seen."

Amber raised her hand, her eyes sparkling. "To the future of Mondstadt!"

The others joined in, their voices echoing through the square. "To the future of Mondstadt!"

Satoshi looked around at his friends, at the people of Mondstadt, and felt a warmth in his chest. This was it—this was what he had been working for. A community coming together, learning, growing, and building a future they could all be proud of.

"Alright, Mondstadt," he said quietly, his eyes shining. "This is just the beginning. Let's keep moving forward—together."