The renovated Knight Order’s barracks quickly became the talk of the territory.
“Hey, did you hear? That shabby Knight Order’s barracks suddenly got all spruced up!”
“Did they hire a bunch of craftsmen?”
“No, I heard Lord William, the lord’s second son, fixed it up with his skill.”
“A skill? Is there even a skill that can repair buildings?”
“They say it’s a Production Skill.”
“Production Skill? Can it really do things like that?”
“Apparently, William’s Production Skill is on a whole different level. The furniture he makes is also said to be incredible.”
There weren’t many new happenings out on the frontier, so rumors spread fast.
And there were those who, after hearing the rumors, actually took action.
“Please, take me as your apprentice!”
I found myself at a loss, faced with a group of young men and women bowing their heads before me.
“Father, who are these people?”
“Ah, Will, it seems the rumor about your Production Skill has spread throughout the territory. These people are hoping to become craftsmen under your guidance.”
The young men and women spoke passionately.
“I always thought Production Skills were only for making small things. To think you could build houses and take on big projects like repairing the Knight Order’s barracks—it moved me.”
“The furniture you make, Lord William, is so exquisitely decorated. I happened to see it once, and I truly believe it opens up a new future for furniture.”
The first to speak was Carpenter, Craft’s nephew.
Well, I appreciate the compliments, but I’m still just a child.
As I struggled for words, Father placed a hand lightly on my shoulder.
“Will, you’re probably thinking you’re still just a child, aren’t you?”
As expected of Father—he sees right through me.
“But Will, even the head of the Levant Company has recognized your talent. Talent has nothing to do with age.”
“Ooh, the Levant Company, that famous merchant house?”
“Amazing, Lord William!”
The excitement in the crowd only grew.
What was I supposed to do now?
“I’ve been thinking about this since that day. It’s hard for a noble’s child like you to sell goods directly to merchants, but if you become the representative and establish a workshop, the products made there can be sold to merchants.”
So Father had thought that far ahead.
“Let me declare this now. The Fairchild Family will establish a new workshop!”
“Oooh!!”
The enthusiasm reached its peak.
There was no way I could refuse at this point.
Now that I thought about it, the gods had said that, as a blessed Producer, I would influence those around me.
It was time to resolve myself.
“Understood. I’m just a child and inexperienced, but I’ll do my best. Let’s all work together to make something great!”
Everyone responded with cheers.
Later, Father told me he had already confirmed that all the young people gathered had Production Skills.
Not only that, but Smith, our house steward, had interviewed them in advance to make sure there were no issues with their personalities.
Everything had been arranged without me realizing it.
Father apologized for moving things forward without consulting me, but, knowing how cautious and reluctant I tend to be, he thought I might refuse if I’d been consulted ahead of time.
When he said he pushed things forward because it would help me flourish in the future, all I could do was be grateful.
Smith had also prepared a location for the workshop near the Margrave’s mansion.
As for the building, the materials had been gathered so I could construct it however I liked.
Smith really was an excellent steward.
Since this was my own workshop, I thought I could take what I’d learned from Craft and expand on it, trying out whatever kind of building I wanted.
Wanting to create something new that had never been seen in this world, I built a tall, hexagonal building with large windows and a high ceiling.
Inside, I made living quarters for the craftsmen who would be staying and working, and even included the bath that was so popular at the Knight Order.
When I showed the finished building to the workshop apprentices—
“Wow, what a beautiful building! I’ve never seen anything like this shape before!”
“Whoa, what’s with this luxurious bath?”
“I’m proud to be able to work in such a splendid workshop. Someday, we’ll do our best to make things just as magnificent!”
I was glad to see how well-received it was. If everyone could work hard in this workshop for the prosperity of our territory, I’d be thrilled.
Some people were so eager they moved in that very evening.
The next day, once all the apprentices had gathered, I demonstrated the Production Skill for them, and everyone started working earnestly.
If someone struggled, I’d give them individual advice.
My explanations tended to be more intuitive, but everyone listened intently.
No one looked down on me just because I was a child.
For example, Carpenter insisted that, as long as he was my apprentice, he wanted to be called Carpenter, and would not budge on that point.
The apprentices also taught each other.
It felt like a good atmosphere.
They were all craftsmen with bright futures ahead of them.
And as I taught, I came to realize something.
No one else, except Teo, could absorb the skill so quickly and make things as I could.
Most people struggled with delicate work like detailed decorations, or didn’t have enough magic to make large items—everyone had their own weaknesses.
For example, Carpenter wasn’t good at visualizing fine details, but he had plenty of magic, making him skilled at repairing buildings.
It seemed Teo really did have a special talent.
With everyone so motivated and working hard, I soon learned who was good at what, and we were able to divide up the work more effectively.
Even without my intervention, everyone could now make high-quality furniture and repair buildings skillfully.
Just around that time, a guest arrived from the Capital.
“I heard the news! I understand you’ve established a workshop.”
Bursting in with excitement was Alex Levant, the head of the Levant Company.
True to his reputation for quick information, he’d already caught wind of the story.
“Please, let our company handle your goods.”
“Thank you. Even though the workshop has just started, having a major company like Levant handle our products is very reassuring.”
I’d had a feeling we’d meet again, but I was happy we could reunite like this.