Chapter 4: The Tutor

It was a few months after I realized the skill I had been granted was the Production Skill.

An elderly lady came to visit.

“Hello, William. My name is Erika.”

Erika-san, who greeted me with a gentle smile, was the tutor for the Production Skill that Father had arranged for me.

The Production Skill is a somewhat rare skill, and while there are craftsmen with the skill at the Workshop in our territory, apparently there was no one experienced enough to take on the role of a tutor.

Erika-sensei had led a well-known Workshop in the Capital, but recently she had stepped down to make way for the next generation and retired.

Father heard about this from someone and earnestly requested her to come.

I was truly grateful for his thoughtfulness in wanting me to be taught by the best person possible.

“Well then, let’s begin learning about the Production Skill from today.”

First, she taught me what a skill is and what magic is.

According to Erika-sensei, the heart of the Production Skill lies in magic that creates things. 

As the skill grows, you apparently learn other related magic as well.

She explained that magical power resides within the body, and magic is how you interfere with the world using that power.

We started with learning to sense the magical power within my body. 

As Erika-sensei guided me, I felt something welling up from around my stomach. 

I wondered if this was magical power. 

It also made me feel all warm inside.

And then, at last, it was time to practice the Production Skill.

“Now, let’s try combining this wood to make a small chair for a doll to sit on.”

In front of me were various pieces of wood, which the servants had brought.

“Watch carefully, now.”

Erika-sensei’s expression became focused, and from around her wrist, a warm light enveloped her hands. 

A delicate magic circle appeared above her palm. 

Wow, this is just like the magic I saw in anime in my previous life. 

One of the pieces of wood was also wrapped in the same warm light.

When the light faded, a small chair appeared.

“Like this, you can skip the entire manufacturing process and create a finished product instantly.”

I see, that’s incredibly convenient.

“However, if you don’t understand the structure of what you’re making, the skill won’t activate properly. Also, to make good items, it’s important to have a clear image of the finished product in your mind.”

“An image?”

“Yes. Imagine who will use it and how. I believe the Production Skill is ‘the skill to give form to your thoughts.’ The more concrete and heartfelt your image, the better the result.”

‘A skill to give form to your thoughts,’ huh.

The idea of reflecting your feelings into the things you make—that sounds like a dream. 

My memories are hazy, but in my previous life, I think I was just pressured to meet quotas and sell products. 

No matter how hard I worked, nothing tangible remained, and I can’t recall many customers who were grateful.

That’s why I wanted to do work that left something lasting after I was reborn.

And now, it’s not just about making things that last. 

To be able to make something while thinking of the person who’ll use it, and have that feeling take shape—what a wonderful skill.

But according to Erika-sensei, most people can’t picture things clearly at first.

“It’s only natural not to get it right from the beginning, so don’t worry if you fail.”

I closed my eyes, focused, and tried to picture the finished product just as she taught me.

I imagined the same chair that Erika-sensei made in my mind.

Magical power welled up from deep within me and gathered in my hand.

When I opened my eyes, my right wrist and hand were enveloped in light, and a magic circle appeared over my palm.

The magic circle floating and shining in midair was beautiful. 

I could hardly believe I was able to do this.

“My, for your Production Skill to activate on your first try is impressive!”

Her praise made me happy. 

In my previous life, I was never praised like this.

And when the light faded, there was a chair for a doll.

“Well done.”

She praised me again. 

I’m glad I managed to make it properly for now.

“Next, try making something as you envision it.”

“Understood. I’ll give it a try.”

There are many kinds of chairs.

What came to mind was an antique-style chair I’d seen in my previous life. 

Thankfully, I remembered it clearly.

Next, I imagined who would use it and how.

I wanted my kind Father and Mother to sit in a stylish chair with an elaborate design. 

The chairs they used were made from good wood, but their designs were a bit plain.

I pictured the two of them sitting in ornate, antique-style chairs.

I wonder if this will work.

Focusing on my image, I activated the Production Skill.

Once again, light shone from my hand, and a magic circle appeared. 

The warm light enveloped the wood.

When the light faded, there was a chair with elaborate decorations, just like the antique one I’d seen before.

I did it! 

Just as I imagined.

“Oh my! To be able to make such an ornate chair—and at a size for people to use, too!”

Erika-sensei was surprised when she saw the chair.

She examined it from various angles and nodded deeply.

“This is a splendid piece. You have excellent talent.”

I felt a little embarrassed. 

I was never praised like this in my previous life.

When I tried making another one for practice, the same chair appeared.

I’m glad. 

It wasn’t just a fluke.

And I think it was even easier to make the second time.

Just as I was wondering what to make next, I heard hurried footsteps and voices from outside the room.

“Is it true that Will made a chair?”

“My, my, Will might really have a talent for this.”

It sounded like Father and Mother. 

Maybe a servant told them.

Still, they both came to see me even though they’re so busy.

My parents rushed into the room and their eyes landed on the chair.

“This fine chair—did the teacher make it as a sample?”

“No, your son made it.”

“What, Will made this?”

“What a lovely design. It’s so elaborate.”

“Your son’s Production Skill talent is outstanding. I can’t believe this is the first chair he made based on his own image.”

Father and Mother both looked truly delighted.

“May we take a closer look?”

They came closer to the chair, saying things like, “It looks like a veteran craftsman made it,” and “It’s really well done.”

I originally made the chair because I wanted my parents to use it.

I felt a bit shy, but I mustered up the courage to speak.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to give this chair to Father and Mother as a present.”

“Can we really have it?”

“Thank you, Will. We’ll treasure it.”

Yes, I’m glad I said it.