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Volume 4 Chapter 5.3

Translator: Reflet
Editor: Weasalopes

Three days later, in the morning.

「How is the workshop already renovated …」

「If tis a workshop ‘round this size, three days would be ‘noguh for construction time even if we renovated other thin’s.」

Kakashi, who was staying at the accommodation located at the centre of mining union visited his workshop after been called over by Hiroshi. As he saw the finished building, he blurted out his thoughts from shock.

「No no no, you say a workshop of this size like it’s not a big deal; but if you were to build a workshop this big from scratch, even if you had all the materials, to begin with, it would at least take two weeks…」

「Oh, for Hiroshi, this is pretty normal. It’s better not to question it.」

「How…」

To Tatsuya’s words, Kakashi mumbling response. In reality, Kakashi’s estimation isn’t wrong. If a normal person was to work on this project, it will take them at least one day to dismantle the building and clean up the debris. Then it would take them another full day for surveying the building. It will be another one to two days to build the framework and so on. Like this, each process will at least take one day to work on. For this project, they did not need to do surveying or checking the land status but if they did, that would be another seven days added to the construction time.

If they kept the original framework of the building, they could cut down on the construction time. However, because of the uproar that occurred, many areas of the original framework was damaged. So apart from the basics, the whole building was rebuilt for this project. If they used a technique from the high-level craftsman, they might be able to finish the project in a week. But three days was unheard of.

「Hey, Kakashi-san」

「What is it?」

「If you’re surprised over a mere construction task, you’re going to struggle to work with us. So can you try and accept that a single workshop was constructed over a couple of days?」

「A mere workshop? You’re asking for the impossible…」

To Makoto’s outrageous favour, Kakashi responded without thinking. He replayed the phrase “mere building” in his mind.

「Wait, when you say a single workshop…」

「We’ve finished building the blast furnace as well.」

「What the…」

Kakashi gave an unearthly cry after hearing an overwhelming amount of information. Hiroshi, completely ignoring Kakashi’s reaction opened the door and pushed Kakashi into the workshop. Seeing that, Tatsuya and Makoto went off to tell the president about the new blast furnace. Haruna and Mio went off to buy food for the home-warming party which they have planned for later today.

「Lookin’ at the original layout of ya workshop, I guessed t’ would be the best place to build the furnace.」

「I’m still not over the fact that the entire workshop has been rebuilt so I don’t have any comment about the inside layout of the workshop….」

Although he completely ignored Hiroshi’s question, Kakashi was surprised once again as he saw the layout of the workshop has barely changed from before.

「… Hm?」

「Was there somethin’ ya didn’t like?」

「No at all, it’s just I don’t remember seeing this hammer so I was surprised. What is this used for?」

「Oh, that. Since ya goin’ to be usin’ magical steel from now on, thought t’ would make it easier for ya to work with equipment made of magical steel. I made it while I was testin’ the blast furnace yesterday.」

「While you were testing, huh…」

Kakashi dropped his shoulders and mumbled, exhausted from the amount of information he was surprised by today. It was an item that he would need to use sooner or later, and they made it for free. So, he had nothing to complain about it. He was definitely surprised that they just decided to make such a high-quality item for a test run. Yet, the process didn’t disadvantage anyone, so he decided to not question about it.

「I tried to make it as close to the hammers ya were usin’ before but the material ‘tself is different so ‘t would be uncomfortable to use it at first. I’m sorry but ya just hafta git used to usin’ it.」

「It is new equipment. It’s only natural that it requires getting used to.」

As Hiroshi noted about the hammer, Kakashi replied with a bitter smile and took the hammer in his hand. As Hiroshi mentioned, the way it felt in his hand was not too different from the other hammers he has used before. Since the hammerhead was made from different material, the balance of the hammer was a little different. But it wasn’t to the point where he wouldn’t be able to work precisely with it. For a while, some of his work might be a little rough but after fifty or so hits, he should be able to work as usual.

「… this is a well-made hammer.」

「I’m glad ya liked it.」

Completely ignoring Hiroshi’s words, Kakashi observed the hammer intently and gave a light shake. Now that he has new equipment, only one thing was on his mind. He wanted to make something with it.

「Since ya liked the hammer as well, let’s move onto the main topic.」

「… the main topic?」

「We need ya to learn how to operate the new blast furnace.」

「… Oh that!!」

Kakashi, who was so mesmerized by his new equipment completely forgot about the blast furnace. Like every other craftsman, it seems that once something catches Kakashi’s thought, all of his focus will go to that one particular thing.

「Also, try craft somethin’ with the magical steel ya smelted with the new blast furnace.」

「Yeah, but is the operation that different from a standard blast furnace?」

「Welp ‘t take up magic from an outside source so there are few extra steps that ya need to know ‘bout..」

Extra steps…  Kakashi’s expression stiffened as he heard that phrase. New workshop and a new furnace that required new operation, if he doesn’t learn each step carefully, it will be a hazard.

「Just vaguely, what kind of operations would I have to do?」

「First o’ all, if the furnace doesn’t take in magic when ya start up the fire, ‘t won’t be any different from a normal furnace. ‘n when ya add in the materials, ya need to adjust the temperature as well as the magic flow. If ya mess up the adjustment, the magical steel would come out in a state that ya can’t really work with.」

「How bad is it ?」

「’t won’t turn into cursed steel n’ stuff like that so ya don’t hafta worry ‘bout that. Ya’ll mess up until ya git the hang o’ it. ‘t just when ya mess up the adjustments, the end product won’ be magical steel but some other steel that’s hard to re-use as ordinary steel. When it’s in that state, an ordinary craftsman can’t really work with it so tis harder to get rid o’ it. But ‘ight now, the stock for magical steel ore is purty good so even if ya mess up heaps, they’d say tis only natural n’ give ya more stocks.」

「I see…」

To Hiroshi’s vague explanation, Kakashi became more worried. Unsure if Hiroshi was aware of Kakashi’s thoughts, Hiroshi started to explain how to start up the new blast furnace. The initial step of starting up the blast furnace was exactly the same as starting up an ordinary blast furnace. The only difference was that when he’s placing the fire into the furnace, he would have to flow the magical energy in from the magic line.

「Is everythin’ clear up until here?」

「Yes, I understand the process. It’s done like this, right?」

As Hiroshi checked in with Kakashi, Kakashi decided to try starting up the furnace. When he’s taking the magic from the magic line, it does use up some of his magical energy. However, the process only takes about a second and it uses less magic compared to using items like pot so even for people like Kakashi could operate the furnace.

「Welp, this is where tis important so pay attention.」

As Hiroshi gave notice, he started to smelt magical steel (precisely a mixed steel of magical steel and mithril) by using the fire which Kakashi has started up. They stocked up enough magical steel and mithril ore so there was plenty for them to play around with.

「Then adjust the temperature to this much n’ magic ‘bout this much n’ if ya continue tis process…」

Around the time one steel would be made, liquidy mixed steel was pressed out into a shape of an ingot. The moment the steel was poured out from the furnace, it cooled down and solidified at a ridiculous speed. Just like that, the ores were finally smelted into magical steel.

With Hiroshi’s experience, he could have smelted the steel in half the time. However, if he smelted the steel at his usual pace, it won’t be helpful for Kakashi. Not only that, the invention of this furnace meant that craftsmen who lack magic will now be able to smelt magical steel. If someone with a ridiculous amount of magical energy and craftsman experience used their talent to minimize the operation time, it would defeat the purpose of inventing the furnace.

「n’ like this, ya smelt the magical steel.」

「I see…」

Kakashi, who has been glaring at the screen that showed the amount of magic and heat used, responded with a serious expression. As he switched places with Hiroshi, he carefully weighed out the magical steel and mithril ore. Keeping everything single procedure of the operation in his mind, he raised the temperature and flowed ton of magic into the furnace.

Immediately, he glared over to the screen, not wanting to miss the slightest change in the condition. He directed all of his focus and senses to the change in sound, magic and the temperature of the furnace. After operating the furnace for what felt like an hour, he mixed the magical steel and mithril, sorting away any unnecessary parts. Finally…