How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 210

234. Preparing for New Business (5)

First, I need to figure out who among my acquaintances knows the most about this.

As soon as I got back, I decided to visit the alchemist Elmeroth.

Initially, he seemed reluctant, stating he wasn’t a blacksmith. However, his eyes lit up with interest when I mentioned it was a rare magic sword.

“…Hmm, so it’s really a magic sword?”

“Yes. It’s also a unique and powerful sword that emits sword energy on its own.”

“Sword energy without an owner? Nonsense…”

Elmeroth shook his head, clearly skeptical.

“Don’t joke around. I’ve never heard of a sword that emits its own aura. Does that even make sense?”

“I’ve never heard of it either. But, theoretically impossible things become possible with artifacts from the old era, right? The magic tome I obtained is also a product of that era.”

After that explanation, he couldn’t outright deny it.

“Wouldn’t you be able to fix it, Elder?”

“Let’s take a look.”

Instead of replying, Elmeroth took off his usual glasses and put on a pair of uniquely shaped spectacles.

Those were definitely tools to see the internal magic circuits of magical tools, right?

“…Tsk, this is going to take quite a while.”

His expression soured, and he clicked his tongue as if he was in trouble.

“Is it such a complex formula?”

“The problem is the internal formula engraved in the core of this sword.”

He tapped the rusty surface of the blade with his fingertips, indicating the issue.

“The internal circuit is completely broken. Only about three-quarters are left. And even the main formulas are cut off.”

“Could it be because I broke it?”

“All you did was cut off a line or two of the circuit. This thing’s magic circuit is fundamentally degraded. It’s not simple.”

If he says it’s not simple, then probably only a very few people can fix this.

For example, the crazy lich Kmelz Alfrens, or the Eye Witch Pericia, who has the ability to restore matter itself.

Only those kinds of people come to mind, but asking either of them feels like a death flag for me [a situation that will likely lead to one’s demise].

I only trust this person.

“It’s not that there’s no way at all. There’s a method used to repair this kind of magical tool, so I’ll try to fix it as much as I can first.”

“Please do so.”

For now, I have no choice but to entrust it to him as much as possible.

If it doesn’t work, I’ll think about it then.

And some time later.

Elmeroth called me, saying he had something to say about the sword I had entrusted to him, and handed me something.

“Take it.”

As soon as I arrived, he pushed it away as if throwing it.

When I caught it, it was a heavy stone, wasn’t it?

“…Ugh?! Heavy! What is this?”

“I put the sword you entrusted to me last time inside. It’s a kind of mold.”

He explained that he carved a frame out of solid stone, put the sword inside, and filled it with a special liquid.

“Inside, there’s a secret elixir that restores the corroded mana circuit. If you soak it in there, it might be repaired somehow.”

He said that high-level magical tools usually have restoration magic cast separately to maintain and repair them, ensuring the formulas don’t break easily and maintaining their effects for a long time.

The maintenance formula was originally built into the magic sword.

It seemed he intended to attempt restoration by using an elixir that activates it.

“However, I don’t know if it will be properly restored. This elixir was originally stolen from the Black Tower’s secrets, so it’s uncertain.”

“…If it doesn’t work, I’ll think of another way then.”

It’s a relief that there’s progress.

I obediently accepted the mold containing the magic sword being restored.

* * *

After that, I returned to my original main task and started preparing to set up a store under my name again.

Using the land and buildings I bought, I drew up a concrete plan to build a workshop and store, and entrusted the construction to the artisans I was introduced to in order to lay the foundation.

And one more thing.

“This time, I’m going to divide the work that each of you will be in charge of.”

I revealed today’s business in front of the different races gathered before me.

Distribution of work to be entrusted.

“Each person has different skills and talents. So it’s important to distribute work that suits them.”

Right person in the right place.

Placing people in fields that suit their aptitude is the basis of a policy that saves talent.

But that basis is the most difficult.

“I’m confident I can do anything!”

“Trust me and leave it to me!”

Of course, they are showing their willingness to do anything, and I acknowledge that.

“Of course, I trust you. But it’s only difficult if I make you do something that doesn’t suit you. That’s why it’s very important to distribute tasks that suit you even a little bit.”

I pondered for days on end about the placement of the work to be entrusted to them.

Fortunately, once I have a rough estimate and plan, there is not much to worry about regarding the placement.

Because I have appropriate means.

“First of all, you will be placed as I call your names. Of course, if you wish later, your opinions will be reflected as much as possible, so don’t worry.”

After telling them to stand in line, I began to place them one by one, calling out to them as if they were nervous.

“Um… In Ralten’s case, it would be good to work in the potion workshop. You can learn the details from Elmeroth.”

“Yes!”

“And Ruwal, you seem to have the qualities to attract people with words. How about working in customer service?”

“I’ll give it a try!”

If someone who doesn’t believe in me saw this scene, they might criticize me for judging aptitude by looking at people with what talent.

But they believe in me and follow my words obediently, acknowledging them.

It’s truly heavy trust.

Of course, there is also a basis.

‘…Where.’

I glanced at the next person and referred to their stats and characteristics.

That’s right, everything is visible.

This fortune-teller Ailen, I will find and awaken even your unknown talents.

Refer to the other person’s stats and abilities to determine where it would be good to work.

Moreover, since they have a high level of trust in me, I can accurately grasp all their characteristics.

It was an idea that came to mind and I tried it out, but I think it’s a pretty good plan.

Of course, the accuracy cannot be said to be 100 percent.

There are also invisible factors such as personality and what you want to do.

Even so, there will be enough grounds to divide the priority placement.

Later, if you wish, you can have them do other things as much as you want.

‘But is it okay to use this talent like this…’

My special skill of knowing the other person’s abilities and qualities is, when you think about it, perfect for hiring someone or putting them under me and assigning them appropriate tasks.

“Then next!”

Calling the name of the next person, I continued to check their abilities and decided on the tasks to be assigned in order.

* * *

Once the placement is done, the next thing you need is training.

To be precise, you need minimal education and mastery of the work to give them work.

“You must acquire enough knowledge to judge or have at least the way things work.”

You can’t give people work when they don’t know anything.

To put it in perspective, what you need is a training period.

Well, you’ll have to train them for at least a few months.

Hoping for a newcomer who knows how to do the job from the beginning is the same as hoping to win a lottery ticket that you didn’t even buy.

‘You have to teach them to use them.’

So I took the different races and went into training to give them some work.

I asked Lowell to teach the basic qualities that a merchant should have, such as currency rates and calculations, to his merchants, and the technology to Elmeroth.

I asked each appropriate person.

Of course, I’m not playing around either.

There are things I want to teach them directly.

“Now, we will start an easy-to-understand Ailen special elemental magic lecture! Wow! Clap clap clap clap!”

In other words, I am the elemental magic teacher.

“Come on, clap!”

When I clapped and made a fuss by myself, the different races who were the subject of the class hesitated and followed suit.

“In short, you will have to learn elemental magic, which is only basic.”

There was a need to teach them elemental magic.

The number one item among the products that will be officially distributed in my store is potions and other medicines.

However, most of the medicines I handle are processed by someone who knows how to use elemental magic is the first condition.

Until now, I have been distributing them in small quantities, and only when a large contract comes in, I mass-produce and hand them over under my leadership.

From now on, I plan to have them take charge of the work and I will stand back.

To do that, you must meet the conditions for producing the potion.

In other words, you have to make a contract with the spirits.

Spirit water or processing materials using spirits is an important method.

“…But elemental magic.”

“Is it possible for us?”

“I have already confirmed that you have the qualifications. If you’re worried, you can see it again in this place.”

I reviewed their stats and found that each of them had the minimum qualifications related to elemental magic.

It’s really convenient in times like this.

You can know what is possible and what is impossible for each person.

Or you can bring out talents that even they didn’t know they had.

But this is only what I know.

To reassure them, I need to show them concrete evidence.

“This is a common way to identify the qualifications of an elementalist.”

I brought a liquid made by mixing Undine’s [water spirit] spirit water and some medicinal herbs.

I mixed my blood into it and finished it.

“What is that?”

“It’s a reagent for identifying spirit power.”

It is a reagent that reacts to even the slightest spirit power.

Usually, it is a method used by the Spirit Master Guild to identify children they can raise.

“If you have even the minimum level of spirit affinity, this reagent will react.”

The method of use is to put your hand in and concentrate.

As they each put their hands in the identification liquid and concentrated as I taught them.

The liquid gradually solidified like jelly as if it was trembling.

It has the property of becoming viscous when it reacts to spirit power.

“As you can see, you have the qualifications to contract with at least the lowest-level spirits.”

“Oooooooo…”

The atmosphere heats up with the discovery of talents they didn’t even know they had.

I understand their feelings of admiration and excitement, but I can’t have a class like this.

I clapped again and changed the atmosphere.

Pay attention again!

“Anyway, you must learn elemental magic and master the potion recipes I teach you. Got it!”

“I will definitely learn it!”

They nod with firm determination.

It’s difficult if you’re too nervous, because the contract of elemental magic is governed by the spirit master’s heart.

Come on, let’s take it easy.

Even if it’s a class, it’s not difficult.

Just teach them the summoning circle and instruct them on the summoning tips.

Rather, it’s so simple that if you write down the method somewhere, even a child can try it by reading it.

Above all, I gave them beads made by processing spirit stones as catalysts.

I dug them up myself.

If you use these, even a beginner without skills can summon the lowest level… depending on the qualifications, even the lower level without any problems.

‘Elemental magic, it’s really simple.’

But why isn’t this simple method common?

‘Because the guild monopolizes all the know-how…’

Technicians tend to be obsessed with monopolizing technology.

I understand.

Because that’s their livelihood.

That’s why spirit masters who are not members of the guild don’t have disciples as much as possible to maintain their rarity.

The guild also thoroughly selects and teaches talent.

Honestly, I don’t like the method.

If you want to increase your value, you have to increase your power, not maintain it by monopolizing information.

‘…Well, this is a full sound from someone who has enough [a saying that means someone is speaking from a position of privilege].’

This is just an impression that comes out because I can see it from the perspective of a strong person.