As usual, we were having breakfast together as a family when the manor suddenly became noisy.
“What’s going on?”
“Master, my apologies for disturbing you during your meal. Demon Beasts have emerged from the Great Forest.”
Smith, the steward, hurried into the dining room and reported to Father.
Smith is an experienced old man who manages the retainers of the Fairchild Family.
It seemed that a message had arrived by fast horse from a town near the vast western forest known as the Great Forest.
Occasionally, Demon Beasts emerge from the Great Forest.
The Fairchild Family maintains a Knight Order precisely to exterminate such threats.
Often, just a few knights are enough to deal with them, but this time it seems they appeared as a horde.
When that happens, it’s time for the Fairchild Family’s Knight Order to take action.
Father left his breakfast unfinished and departed.
The well-trained Knight Order moved swiftly, and by midday, they had assembled before the manor, fully equipped.
“All members, fall in!”
At Captain Liam’s command, the knights clicked their heels and straightened their backs.
“Sir, preparations are complete.”
“Good, let’s go.”
Father leads the Knight Order.
In the Fairchild Family, it is customary for the head of the house to lead the Knight Order into battle.
Father possesses the Swordsmanship Skill.
Not only is he a capable commander, but the retainers also say he is formidable as an individual.
The sight of the Knight Order departing on horseback is truly gallant.
As the ones who protect us from the threat of Demon Beasts, the Knight Order is held in high regard by the people of our domain.
If I had chosen to be a Hero or Sage upon reincarnation, maybe I could have been active in the Knight Order too.
But, somehow, I just can’t picture myself dominating Demon Beasts in battle.
Come to think of it, even God said my soul was exhausted.
“Let’s try using leather as a new material today.”
Just as I was feeling conflicted, Erika-sensei suggested that we try working with a new material.
First, she demonstrated by making a small leather bag.
“When working with leather goods, you also need to use thread. It’s more difficult since you’re combining two different materials.”
A leather bag, huh.
The image that came to mind was of those branded handbags from Italy and France that I’d seen in my previous life.
Yes, my memory is still vivid.
I remembered that my little sister, Sophia, had recently mentioned wanting a bag.
Being the youngest, Sophia tries to act grown-up sometimes.
She even says things like, “I’m a member of the Fairchild Family too.”
But she’s still little, so I think something cute would suit her best.
A cute pink, but with an elegant and refined design would be nice.
I pictured my sister happily chatting at a noble party, clutching a handbag.
Magical energy gathered at my fingertips, glowing, and a magic circle appeared above my palm.
When the warm light enveloping the leather faded, a beautiful bag had appeared.
“My, such a lovely and beautiful bag is a rare thing indeed. The texture feels wonderful too.”
Erika-sensei praised me.
Next, I decided to make a bookshelf.
My older brother will soon turn fifteen and plans to enroll in the Academy in the Capital.
That’s why he’s been studying hard every day lately.
He’s always enjoyed physical activity and seems to have fun practicing swordsmanship.
Even Liam, the renowned captain of the Knight Order, acknowledges him as a naturally gifted swordsman.
On the other hand, while he’s average at studying, it was never his favorite thing.
Even so, seeing him work so hard at his studies made me want to make something for him.
My brother’s room is always tidy, but when I visited the other day, there were so many study books that they didn’t fit on his desk, and some were stacked on the floor.
That’s why I thought I’d make a bookshelf for him to store everything neatly.
In this world, just like in the medieval era of my previous world, books are expensive, so there aren’t many people who own enough to need a bookshelf.
Usually, only noble libraries have them, so they’re costly and not something found in individual rooms.
I pictured an antique bookshelf like those I’d seen in my previous world.
I wanted to create a beautiful bookshelf with elegant carvings that would cheer up my hardworking brother.
Activating my Production Skill, the bookshelf I had imagined appeared before me.
“My, what a beautiful piece of woodworking. What is it for?”
“I made it so books can be arranged and kept tidy. My brother has been working hard at his studies lately, so I thought it might be useful.”
“I see, you made it for your brother. Creating things with someone in mind is very important for honing your Production Skill, so I think it’s wonderful.”
Just as I was happy with how it turned out, I heard hurried footsteps outside the room again.
“Will, I heard you made something amazing!”
“I want to see it too!”
This time, instead of our parents, it was my brother and sister who appeared.
Can our servants read my mind or something?
Whenever I make something, they always seem to tell the person who might want it.
“Wow, what a wonderful, cute bag!”
My sister seemed to really like the handbag.
“If you’d like, you can have it, Sophia. You’ve been wanting a bag, haven’t you?”
“Really? Thank you so much!”
“And is this a bookshelf?”
“Yes, I made it thinking it might be useful for you since you’ve been studying so hard recently, Brother.”
“Really? Oh, this would let me organize all my books neatly. The design is beautiful too. The carved plants are amazing. Having this on my desk will really lift my spirits. Thank you so much.”
It makes me happy to see my family delighted with the things I make.
My practice with the Production Skill continued.
This time, I tried making a mirror chest out of wood and glass.
I pictured an antique type made entirely of wood, without using any iron.
According to Erika-sensei, combining materials of different properties is quite challenging.
I pictured Mother using it while putting on makeup.
Yes, I made it quite well.
Later, when I showed it to Mother, she said, “My, my, how wonderful. May I use this? Thank you. If you can make similar items, we could even give them as gifts to other noble families.”
So I tried making a few more of the same item.
Erika-sensei praised my work, but asked with some concern.
“William, you really are so talented. By the way, do you feel tired at all?”
“No, not especially.”
Using a lot of magic makes me hungry, but as long as I eat, I feel fine.
“Hmm, and you don’t look pale either. Normally, after making one or two things, you’d be drained of magical energy and exhausted.”
So that’s how it is.
It seems I can make as many things as I want in a day without any trouble.
“It appears your magical energy is enormous, William. You might have even more than the chief court magician in the Capital.”
Erika-sensei seemed less impressed than slightly exasperated.
An enormous amount of magical power, huh.
I suppose that’s thanks to God’s blessing.
The nobles of this world only care about sword and magic, unaware, and I ended up choosing to be a producer, not a Hero or Sage.
But, surrounded by warm and supportive people—starting with my parents—crafting has gradually become more and more fun.
If I truly have talent with the Production Skill, I hope someday I can repay everyone’s kindness.