kscans

Chapter 204 - Automata, or The Convenient Magic Tools I Thought Up

Inba, the owner of the magic tool shop, spoke with a weary voice to the customer, Yuri, who had triumphantly entered the shop after finishing his morning of Magic Stone Tool creation guidance, also known as tough training, for Faren.

"You're here again? We don't deal in weapons, you know."

"Ahaha, I did my homework this time, so it's all right."

Yuri was full of confidence, promising he wouldn't bring any impossible demands like last time, but Inba didn't let down his suspicious gaze. This was the same customer who had ordered a home security system with anti-dragon specifications. He couldn't just let his guard down so easily.

"What do you want?"

"Magic tools for farm work. Or maybe I should say, automated magic tools?"

"Tell me in detail."

It seemed there wouldn't be any unreasonable requests like last time. Having made that judgment, Inba requested a detailed explanation. In response, Yuri stated his requirements.

"I see. A tool that sprinkles water as needed, depending on the condition of the soil."

"Yes. You know that magic tool I bought last time that warms gloves? I was thinking if you could have it measure the soil's moisture instead of temperature, using the same principle. Then you could connect that information to a mechanism that sprays water with Water Magic or something. It would stop spraying after a certain amount of water has been sprinkled."

"It sounds simple when you just talk about it. The problem will be whether it can accurately measure the soil's moisture."

"Would it be impossible to integrate information from multiple measurement points?"

"That would probably make it a bigger ordeal. But, well, it doesn't seem impossible."

Sensing a positive reaction from Inba, Yuri then mentioned another magic tool.

"A magic tool that opens and closes a window according to the room's temperature?"

What Yuri had in mind was a way to prevent his brewery room from getting too hot in the summer. It would be fine when he was home, but he couldn't rule out the possibility of being away from the house for some reason. In conjunction with the watering magic tool, he had concluded that he needed an automaton to handle maintenance while he was away.

"Yes. Measuring the temperature should be fine, but adjusting the force when opening and closing the window might be a little difficult."

It would probably be necessary to use a tactile or pressure sensor to provide feedback on the amount of force being applied.

"True. If it's poorly made, it might just rip the window itself off."

Yuri himself had the Magic Tool Creation skill, but its level wasn't high anyway, and he felt it might be better to keep it hidden. It would be best to have Inba make the order and then try to build a prototype himself later for reference.

"So, you want to use that failure of an apprentice who made that thing?"

"I don't know if they're an apprentice or not, but as long as they're willing to take on a request as uncertain as this, that's all that matters."

"An established craftsman might find it interesting, but they have their own work schedules. Using a novice isn't a bad idea. It'll help the fledglings earn some money too."

It seemed Inba also saw it as a good opportunity.

"But you know, whether it's the sprinkler or the window opener, there might be a small problem with the prototyping itself."

According to Inba, the problem lay in verifying the moving parts, though the sensor parts would be fine. For example, a sprinkler would require a magic stone with a decent output to spray a large amount of water, but a poor apprentice craftsman would have no way of obtaining such a magic stone. As a result, it seemed likely that they wouldn't even be able to make a prototype.

"In that case, I don't mind including the magic stones used for the prototype in the expenses."

Yuri had some magic stones on hand, but Adon and the others had strictly ordered him not to show them publicly.

"Are you sure? A greedy craftsman might overcharge you."

"I trust your judgment on that, Inba-san."

"Sheesh, you're a shrewd little brat. I'll just have them deliver the prototype as is. Oh, and one more thing."

The window opening and closing magic tool was one thing, but the watering magic tool would need to be placed outdoors. From Inba's perspective, leaving an expensive magic tool outside was abnormal.

"Then again, you live in a demonic, untrodden wilderness where not even birds fly, don't you, kid?"

"Oh, come on. There are some (friendly) birds around."



After accepting Yuri's order, Inba closed the shop for a moment and went around to the back.

"I know you're there. Open up. I've brought you some good news."

From among the scattered magic tool parts, the room's owner sluggishly appeared.