SHC56_ch_CH56_Chapter 56: Winter Prep Brings Opportunity?

 

Chapter 56: Winter Prep Brings Opportunity?

In the end, while we were busy calming down a very emotional Viktor—who had burst into tears—we managed to bury the sweet potatoes in the embers with help from Genzo and Lara. They turned into delicious, steaming hot yaki-imo.

Yes, they were very tasty.

Also, fun fact: elves can get runny noses. Who knew?

Anyway, Kanade eventually decided to return home for the time being. But since he and Regulus would now be learning magic from Viktor, he’d be staying over at Genzo’s house about once every three days to attend lessons.

In the midst of all that chaos, Regulus and I ended up making a new friend.

The wind grew stronger and colder, signaling winter's steady approach.

Before that, though, I had something I really wanted to do.

Magic lessons start with meditation—essential for building concentration and developing the magical neural pathways. I was fine with that, being the indoor type, but for the more energetic Kanade and Regulus, staying still for extended periods was a real challenge.

Viktor seemed to expect this. His approach was to break things up: short meditation sessions followed by practical demonstrations or experiments showing how magic works, and then back to meditation again. It was all about short bursts of focus.

Meanwhile, I used the time to knit a neck warmer using yarn Elise helped me order.

Before the real chill set in, I wanted to get Regulus’s winter wardrobe sorted.

Utsunomiya-san had brought over a few clothes, but unfortunately, kids grow fast—and most of last year’s stuff didn’t fit anymore.

I did have some hand-me-downs, but I asked Elise to shorten the sleeves and hems instead of cutting them. I’ve been a little chubby since I was young, apparently, so if Regulus just unpicks the alterations, they should still fit him for quite a while.

Hopefully, that person will earn enough soon to support Regulus on their own.

As part of our arrangement, all expenses for Regulus’s living costs would be converted into debt for Father. I don’t mind saddling him with that debt myself, but it’s different if Regulus will inherit it once he becomes an adult.

So, I’ve been trying to cut costs wherever I can, to keep the debt from piling up too much.

For the record, my own living expenses are generously covered—thanks to Romonov-sensei’s creative negotiations. I’ve essentially been told to spend freely within reason.

That’s why I’ve been buying yarn in bulk under the guise of a personal hobby, and transforming it into Regulus’s winter gear—scarves, gloves, sweaters, and neck warmers. It’s just barely skirting the rules.

Thanks to a skill I have, I can knit quickly and smoothly. At the very least, I needed two of everything—scarves, gloves, sweaters—for everyday use and spares. I’d also need to handle vests, hats, and socks.

I joined in the theory part of the magic lessons, knitting as I listened. As I finished the first neck warmer, I slipped it onto Regulus just as meditation ended. He buried his face in the yarn and squealed.

“It’s so warm!”

“I’ll add a button to keep it fastened later, okay?”

“Okay!”

It was a little puffy to allow some room for growth. With the sweater and gloves added, he looked completely bundled up.

For outdoor play, neck warmers are much safer than scarves anyway—less risk of snagging.

While I was thinking that, Viktor and Kanade came over and started poking curiously at the neck warmer.

“Hey, what’s this thing?”

“Huh? It’s a neck warmer.”

“Like a scarf? It’s really soft and fluffy though.”

“Yeah, well... that’d be the spirits. They’re probably messing around and fluffing it up. Oh, and it looks like it came with a [Frost Resistance] enchantment. Are you going dragon hunting or something, Reitan?”

How even?

I’ve had embroidery amplify magic before, sure, but that was because I used special Elven symbols. This was literally just regular yarn—cheap, since I bought in bulk.

As I blinked in confusion, Viktor stared at me, brow furrowed.

“Aatan, you might be naturally gifted at enchantment magic.”

“Enchantment magic?”

“‘Fuyo’... magic?” Regulus echoed.

“Hey, what’s ‘fuyo’ mean?” Kanade added, tilting his head.

Apparently we were all confused.

“Ah, ‘fuyo’—enchantment—means attaching a magical effect to an object or person. For example…”

Instead of explaining further, Viktor gestured for Kanade to pick up Regulus. Of course, Regulus was heavy. Then Viktor gently took Kanade’s hand, murmured something in a language I didn’t recognize—maybe Elvish?—and had him lift Regulus again.

“Whoa!? He’s super light!”

“I gave Kanatan a strength boost. Simple, right? That’s enchantment magic.”

Regulus giggled as Kanade lifted him high into the air. Kanade was grinning just as wide. It was ridiculously cute.

Ugh, my heart. So wholesome.

The atmosphere in the training hall grew lighter and warmer.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. When we looked over, Lara stood leaning casually in the open doorway, one corner of her mouth lifted in a smirk and her gaze cool and effortless.

She always looks so cool.

“Mind if I pop in for a minute?”

“Of course, come in.”

Kanade stopped mid-air lift, and both he and Regulus turned to watch Lara with sparkling eyes.

Apparently, Kanade once said that if he could grow up to look that cool, he’d be happy. I get it. I really do.

“What brings you here, Lara?”

“I got a letter from Marie. She has a request for you, Little Round One.”

“From Lady Maria? For me?”

She held the letter delicately between her fingers, her posture flawless as always. Even Kanade and Regulus had gotten dragged into her impromptu walking lessons before, just from watching her.

When I opened the letter, I found something I hadn’t expected.

Apparently, the Empress herself had taken an interest in the kanzashi hairpin I’d made.

“A kanzashi... the Empress wants one?”

“Yep. I never thought it’d reach her eyes, honestly.”

“Whoa, that’s huge. I heard she’s not materialistic at all. The Emperor once had a hard time picking a birthday present for her. In the end, when he asked what she wanted, she just said ‘a quiet day with the family.’ She’s that kind of person.”

“And now she wants something you made.”

I was a little panicked.

I could make another, sure—but I didn’t have any more of the fabric I used from the Princess’s dress. There wasn’t enough left for that level of detail.

What do I do?

As I was thinking, Lara glanced at the neck warmer still around Regulus’s neck and pointed.

“Little Round One, what’s that?”

“That’s a neck warmer—something to keep your neck warm.”

“Hmm. Are they sold around here?”

“Uh... I don’t think so?”

I hesitated, but Kanade answered for me.

“Nah, I’ve never seen one before. I go into town a lot, but nope.”

“Well, there you have it.”

“So it’s your original design, huh?”

Sort of. I mean, it’s not entirely original—I pulled the idea from my past life.

As I waffled on what to say, the conversation moved on without me.

“If you don’t mind, could you make one for me too? I’ll provide the materials.”

“Um, sure, I don’t mind. But... why?”

“When I’m not teaching, I’m an adventurer. And scarves are actually dangerous—they can get grabbed or caught during a fight. That’s why I don’t wear them, but I also hate the cold.”

“Ah, that makes sense…”

Consider this as a potential business opportunity.

Something clicked in my mind.

“If something like this were sold, do you think adventurers would buy it?”

“If it were affordable? Definitely. Not everyone can splurge on furs or fancy cloaks.”

“One more thing. If the hairpin I gave to Maria ended up with the Empress, and it gained popularity... do you think others would want them too?”

“I haven’t seen it myself, but yes—trends tend to flow from the upper classes down. There could be demand.”

Then maybe—just maybe—I could start training artisans now and still meet demand in time. Since it’s all handmade, even if it becomes a trend, the limited quantity could help keep it fashionable longer.

But if that happens, knock-offs will show up...

Wait, maybe if I secure the techniques and legal protections now...

“Training and protecting artisans… legal frameworks… What else do I need…?”

“A-Aatan? Are you okay?”

Uh-oh. My head hurts.

A surge of nausea and dizziness struck me with force.

Before I lost consciousness, I needed to tell someone—to make sure it wouldn’t be forgotten.

A small hand grabbed my shoulder.

Through my hazy vision, I saw Kanade’s worried face.

“Kanade... please... remember... Train and protect artisans... legal systems...”

“I got it! I got it, so hang in there, okay?

I squeezed his hand, and he squeezed back tightly.

Relieved by his strength, I let myself fall into darkness.

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