Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Magic tool workshop.

"By the way, do you have an interest in magic tools?"

"Yes!"

Uh oh, I was about to forget the main topic amidst all this.

"By the way, what are magic tools? I've never seen one before..."

"Well, of course. Magic tools are only circulated among nobles."

"Why is that?"

"Because they are expensive. It's not a price that even a commoner could afford in their lifetime."

"Is it really that expensive...?"

"Oh yes, the raw materials are also precious. It's not going to get any cheaper. It'll be difficult for commoners to get their hands on magic tools."

I thought it was convenient to find something like that, but since my expectations were so high, I felt a sense of despair.

"What are the raw materials?"

"The raw materials are magic stones and magic iron."

"Magic stones and magic iron...? What are they?"

"Magic stones are like transparent gems. If you pour magic power into them, you can manifest the magic of the infused magic power. Magic iron is iron that can be freely changed by flowing magic power through it. Magic tools are made by making a shape with magic iron and inserting a magic stone into it."

Is that like a battery and iron...? Are there really mechanical things like that? I want it...!

"Where can I get those magic stones and magic iron...!?"

I asked excitedly, but my tension dropped instantly at the answer.

"You can't get them because all the mines that produce magic stones and magic iron are state-owned and bought by the country. Magic tools are also made in state-owned workshops."

What...then there's no way to get them! Is there no way to get them somehow...?

Even magic tools are monopolized by nobles, just like sugar!

Wait, though...this is a magic tool workshop, right? It's supposed to be state-owned, so why is it here?

"Grandpa, why is this magic tool workshop here? Shouldn't it be made in a government-run workshop...?"

"Oh, this workshop is special. I used to work in a government-run workshop until recently, but I retired and wanted to keep making magic tools. So, I started this workshop."

"Is it easy to start a workshop like this?"

"Normally, it's impossible. My old inventions were going to earn me a title, but instead, I was allowed to start my own magic tool workshop. Recently, I've been freely coming up with new magic tools and selling them because the workshop pays well and I don't have money problems."

"So, are there no other workshops that aren't government-run?"

"I don't think so. It wouldn't be recognized easily, and not many people want to make magic tools after retiring."

So, does that mean this is the only non-government-run magic tool workshop? This is so lucky! If I hadn't come here, I wouldn't have known about the existence of magic tools.

Can I buy the magic tools they make here if I pay them money...?

"Grandpa, if I had enough money to buy magic tools, could you sell them to me?"

"No, I can't sell them. The condition for opening this workshop is to sell all the magic tools to the government-run workshop. It's probably to make sure we're not wasting precious materials."

I see... they're confirming the amount they sell to the grandpa and the amount the government buys to prevent material loss...

So, does that mean it's impossible to get my hands on magic tools? Becoming a noble is impossible too...

I found something useful, but I can't give up!

I decided to ask the grandpa honestly.

"Grandpa, I'm just a commoner and a son of a cafeteria owner, but is there any way for me to get my hands on magic tools?"

"That's difficult, but if you go to the Royal Academy, there might be a possibility. And when you graduate from the Royal Academy, you can become a government official, and they use magic tools in the government office in the royal castle."

"The Royal Academy!! There's a school in this world, huh."

However, if I go there, there's a possibility I could have a comfortable life using magical tools, right? Then, I'll aim for the Royal School!!

But can a commoner go there?

"Can even a commoner go there?"

"Anyone can take the entrance exam and enroll if they pass."

"What about money...?"

"Tuition and materials are free. But since it's mostly nobles, you'll need money to socialize and wear nice clothes so you don't stand out. And since the school is in the city center, you'll need money to live nearby."

It's good that tuition and materials are free, but it seems like it'll cost a lot of money for other things...

I need to think of a way to make money after all...

"Is the entrance exam difficult?"

"It's an exam that noble children take after studying since they were young. Commoners hardly pass. Only children of wealthy merchants pass as commoners."

"What age do you go to school?"

"School is for 5 years, from 10 to 15 years old. How old are you?"

"I turned 8 years old this year."

"Then you have about two years left. The exam is at the end of winter, and you start school in the spring."

If I have two more years, I should be able to study... My brain is that of a college student, after all!

The question now is how to study...

"Can I ask my grandfather to teach me?"

"I've forgotten a lot and have no teaching materials."

"I see..."

I'm already stuck... My brain should be fine with math, but I don't understand anything about history...

For now, I'll think about studying later. I don't want to trouble grandfather.

"I'll think about studying on my own. As for money... " 

I had come up with a plan. Grandpa had said he was thinking about magic tools. That meant he was inventing new things instead of taking orders to make existing ones.

So, I thought that if I sold my knowledge, I could make some money.

"If you like the magic tool I came up with, would you buy the idea from me?"

"You came up with a magic tool? How could you, who have never even seen a magic tool, come up with one?"

"Well... it's a secret. Is that a problem?"

If this didn't work, I'd have to start over again. I waited for Grandpa's answer, hoping he would accept it.

After a while, Grandpa answered.

"Well, that's fine. But it'll have to be considered something I came up with, not something you came up with. Is that okay? I'll also get a royalty for its use."

"That's totally fine. What's a royalty?"

"I haven't explained that yet, have I? The person who invents a magic tool has the right to make it first. However, others can make the tool if they pay a usage fee for the idea. This is a well-established system that is registered with the palace, and changes can't be made later."

I see... it's like a patent. Honestly, I want to register it in my name, but I can't do that, so there's nothing I can do.

"That's fine too. But please consider the usage fee when buying my idea."

"Hmph. If it's a good idea."

"I'll come up with a good one. Actually, I wanted to ask you about the existing magic tools, but it's been quite some time since I came here, so could you tell me about them next time I come?"

"Oh, I'm always here, so feel free to come anytime."

"Thank you! I'll definitely come back! Oh, can I ask your name, Grandpa? I'm Leon!"

"I'm Marcel."

"Okay, see you later!"

I said that and ran out of the workshop towards home. I could see a bit of the future ahead, and my steps were much lighter.