Bernigi was left wide-eyed and flabbergasted, Jonas rubbed his brow, and Lucia simply nodded.
Idaea looked toward the opened door with reverence. “To be able to run to them for a favor like that—that is very brave of her. Ms. Dahlia is a very admirable chairwoman.”
Admirable? Was that really the appropriate adjective for her foolhardiness? It was only that Dahlia currently had an extremely narrow ken. As her close friend, Lucia was certain about one thing. “That’s not her as a chairwoman—that’s Dahlia the hopeless magical toolmaker.”
As soon as the servant answered the door, Dahlia burst into the parlor. “I have a favor to ask of everyone here. I hope you can lend me your strength!”
The men had just finished their discussions and were about to disband, but they all leaped to their feet at the appearance of the out-of-breath, overwhelmingly urgent chairwoman. “Of course, Madam Rossetti. In Volf’s absence, I am at your service.”
“I shall do whatever I can as the master of the Merchants’ Guild.”
“The Adventurers’ Guild is also at your disposal.”
“Miss Dahlia, the Tailors’ Guild may have little power, but I shall wield it to its full extent for you.” Continuing after Guido, each of the men agreed on behalf of his guild. She was already very accomplished and had helped everyone here. Perhaps it could be said that Chairwoman Rossetti brought great profit to everyone. None of them could possibly refuse her imploration.
“Did something happen, Chairwoman?!”
“What is it that you wish to ask of us?” Ivano and Guido asked at the same time.
“Please enchant the slime for me!”
“Enchant the slime...?” Muttering voices overlapped.
Other than Ivano, the men here were all viscounts or even greater in rank. Those with great magical ability received mandatory education in controlling it during primary school. There were lectures in magical arts in college too, where students got practical training on how to enchant things like metals and small items. Depending on the person, they might wield magic for combat or self-defense. However, not once had the lesson plans included enchanting slimes—powdered or otherwise. The thought had never even come to mind, to be honest. Everyone had confused looks on their faces—everyone except for Ivano, who pressed his palm against his forehead.
“I am practiced in offensive magic, but enchanting slimes? What would that entail?”
“Would that be possible for someone like me who has no experience crafting magical tools?” The hesitant questions came from Augusto and Forto.
“It is—we will begin by teaching you how to do it. Does that sound about correct, Master Dahlia?”
“Yes...” Seeing all the bewildered faces in the room and Guido’s curious smile, Dahlia felt sweat bead up on her brow. She had finally realized the consequences of her actions—all too late, however.
“I do not go back on my word; I shall lend a hand.” Leone decisively volunteered his help, perhaps in consideration for the company as the Merchants’ guildmaster. Whatever the reason, it was very much appreciated.
“Thank you very much. In the workshop, we have discovered that the differing magic changes the output of the material. I understand the impudence of my request, but I hope to borrow everyone’s elemental magic to get to the bottom of this matter. Also, um, we have produced another material as well.” Dahlia had completely changed her tone from when she’d entered the room.
But Forto heard her out and was very interested in this development. “Yet another one?! What kind of material is it?”
“Erm, it’s a smooth pellet. It does not have elasticity, but it makes for a unique-feeling material in cushions. I have a hard time coming up with an equivalent, but it is very relaxing. Lucia is very happy with it as well. I believe you will understand if you try it for yourself.”
“If Lucia is happy with it, then it must be something suitable for us clothiers to use. Very well. Allow me to help too.”
“A new, relaxing material, you say? How very interesting. I should like to sample it too; it may be applicable for use in furniture.”
“If we assume that applying magic of differing elements to it may create even more impactful materials, then perhaps we may even need to construct more slime farms...” Smiles spread throughout the room.
“Shall we go with Master Dahlia, then?” Guido’s prompting put everyone on their feet. Despite doubts regarding the prospect of enchanting slime powder, they all seemed to be very passionate about magical tools and new materials.
It was only afterward that Ivano informed Dahlia of the truth: “Those were merely their expressions as they worked their mental abaci.”
Heeding Dahlia’s clarion call, all parties headed to the magical toolmaking workshop. The nobles eyed the bead cushion with skepticism, but only a portion quickly changed their minds when they sat on it; some were left with smiles and others with frowns—it wasn’t for everyone.
Next came preparing for the experiment. As some of those present were unfamiliar with or ignorant about magical enchantments, Bernigi reprised his role. However, there was now another instructor: Leone. Shockingly, he had been a member of the Magical Tool Research Group in college; he must’ve seen the surprise on Dahlia’s face, and he nonchalantly dropped the fact that he had been Carlo’s senior in the research circle, shocking her even further.
“I know little about magical toolmaking, but I know my way around the basics of enchanting. Firstly, whoosh your magic into the palm of your hand, and then—” Bernigi was apparently a big fan of onomatopoeia for his intuition-based teaching.
On the other hand, Leone was a much more logical lecturer, writing down notes on the fundamentals of magic and enchantments on paper. “Enchanting with materials is generally executed with nonelemental magic, though those who have the power of fire, water, and the like are still able to—” Students went and learned under the teacher whose style they preferred.
Meanwhile, Ivano assigned himself the duty of recordkeeping, and Dahlia focused on combining the mixtures. Though her magic was classified as nonelemental, it would have been more accurate to say that her magic had trace amounts of elements that the instrument hadn’t been able to measure; she simply couldn’t enchant with or cast elemental magic. Her hair was red and her eyes green—hearing their busy voices, she couldn’t help wishing she was capable of fire or air.
Bernigi demonstrated the enchantment with the yellow slime mixture as Leone explained his process. Bernigi had developed his own style for hardening equipment, and that had likely involved earth magic; he beamed when Leone explained it was the perfect element for weapons and armor.
Then it was time to begin hands-on practice. The mixtures to be used were the one for yellow slime-impregnated cloth and the one for waterproof cloth. Once the respective slime powders were added, then fire, earth, water, wind, and ice magic would be applied. The enthusiastic students took their turns enchanting, but as expected from first-timers, there was a bit of hullabaloo—failing to apply enough magic to cause a reaction; evaporating the liquid with offensive magic; washing the mixture away with water; and freezing over the whole plate, to name a few problems.