Ethan found himself assigned a small room in Bolg's house—a cramped space with only a bed to call its own. Despite its simplicity, he didn't mind and slept deeply into the following day. Upon waking, he felt significantly better. He couldn't help but wonder how to brew those potent potions himself—they were incredibly effective.

Before leaving his room, he consumed another vial of the healing potion. Using his makeshift walking stick, he made his way to the living area. Though the swelling had subsided, the injury still caused discomfort, and he saw no reason to aggravate it.

Bolg was already present, and upon spotting Ethan's approach, he called out to Kisa, who was in the kitchen, to prepare some food. Ethan took a seat at the table across from Bolg, who had exchanged his furs for a more conventional linen shirt and leather pants. His beard had been groomed, and his long hair as well.

The burly man grinned at Ethan as he settled into his seat. "Feeling better now, I see?"

Ethan nodded. "Yeah, a bit. Although I seem to have ended up in debt despite you taking my items as well."

Bolg simply smiled. "Ah, yes, that's true. You'll work it off in no time, you'll see."

Ethan let out a sigh. "Listen, Bolg, I will pay for my way, so is there something specific you need? I'm pretty good at coming up with innovative solutions." By "innovative solutions," he meant utilizing his knowledge of modern technology to create something valuable in this world.

Bolg appeared thoughtful. "Not sure what that could be. Do you know anything about wagons?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Wagons? What do you have in mind?"

Bolg shrugged. "The wheels keep coming off. It's old, but I rely on it quite a bit. If you can find a solution to that, I might let you stay here without charge for a while."

Ethan nodded. "I can take a look."

Just then, Kisa entered the room with breakfast, and Ethan's hunger surged. The aroma of sausages, eggs, bread, and butter made his mouth water. A pitcher of water was placed next to his plate. In return, he offered Kisa a smile and words of gratitude, which seemed to irritate her even more. Undeterred, he eagerly dug into the food.

Bolg had provided him with a long gray linen robe the previous night after he surrendered his armor and axe. It hung loosely on Ethan's frame. Additionally, Bolg had given him some medieval-style undergarments, which weren't the most comfortable, but far better than going without.

Ethan had received a quest notification as well, stating that Bolg had completed his quest and received the rewards.

After breakfast, Bolg led Ethan to a small yard behind the house where the wagon was parked. It was a simple, two-wheeled contraption with an open top, clearly designed for transporting goods rather than providing a comfortable ride. Wagons in medieval Europe weren’t comfortable, period. They lacked any form of suspension, making for a rough journey.

As Ethan circled the wagon slowly, ideas began to form in his mind. He recognized the need to address the jarring impact of uneven terrain, especially considering the absence of well-maintained roads in Dervin's Rest.

One idea that struck him was the use of leather straps or ropes as primitive springs. By strategically attaching these flexible elements between the wagon's body and axles, they could absorb shocks and vibrations, providing a rudimentary form of suspension. He envisioned weaving and securing these straps to create a network of support, distributing the load and cushioning the bumps during travel.

Satisfied with this concept, he turned his attention to the wheels. They were simple, large wooden wheels with spokes, directly attached to the axle using a wooden wedge.

Thoughts of ball bearings entered his mind, which would alleviate friction and instability issues. He imagined crafting robust, rounded wooden spheres that could fit snugly within carefully carved grooves along the wheel rims.

Choosing the right wood became his next consideration. He needed sturdy and durable varieties that could withstand the challenges of uneven roads and rocky paths. He made a mental note to consult someone about such wood types.

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A design took shape in Ethan's mind's eye. The meticulously carved wheel rims would house the spherical ball bearings, allowing for smooth rolling while reducing friction. He visualized the grooves carefully cut into the circumference of the rims, providing a secure track for the ball bearings to move along.

To ensure stability and balance, he pondered the hub and axle configuration. Strength was crucial, and he imagined crafting the hub from a solid piece of timber, reinforced with additional support where needed. The axle, made from the same sturdy wood, would be securely fastened to the hub, creating a reliable connection capable of bearing heavy loads.

Finally, he considered attaching the hub to the axle, contemplating options such as wooden pegs, nails, or even sturdy leather straps.

Satisfied with his design, Ethan turned to Bolg. "I have some ideas, but I'll need assistance to bring them to life. Do you know a skilled carpenter?"

Bolg raised an eyebrow. "I do, but..."

Ethan interrupted, raising his hand. "Look, I have only a little experience working with wood. I can make significant improvements to your wagon, but I need someone skilled to execute the changes."

Bolg shrugged. "It will cost a bit of coin, though."

Ethan smiled. "Of course it will. I can't simply wave my hands and magically make everything better. Do you want to improve the wagon or not?"

Bolg frowned slightly but eventually nodded. "Alright, I'll fetch him. Better be worth it, though."

Bolg left, and Ethan returned to the house. He approached Kisa and requested something to draw on. After her initial refusal, he explained the project he and Bolg were undertaking. He needed to sketch out the plans for the ball bearing wheels and suspension setup. Those drawings would be essential for the carpenter to work from.

Relenting, Kisa brought him paper and a black greasy stick that resembled a crayon but had a distinct odor. Ethan thanked her and began working on his drawings. Despite not being an artist, he strived for precision and was reasonably satisfied with the result.

Soon after, Bolg returned with a burly man in tow. The carpenter had massive arms and proudly displayed a broad, hairy chest. With thinning hair and a short blond beard, he introduced himself as Lork. Lork's interest was piqued as he studied Ethan's drawings intently.

[https://i.imgur.com/om9cehH.jpg]

After a few minutes of silence, Lork looked up at Ethan with a grin. "This is interesting! Ethan was it?"

Ethan nodded. "Ethan Okamura. Yes, it's called a ball bearing. It reduces friction and improves stability. The leather straps will act as shock absorbers, providing a smoother ride."

Lork continued nodding with a smile. "I see, yes. So, you're asking me to build this?" He pointed at the drawing.

Ethan nodded again. "That's correct. If you do it for free, you can keep the plans and potentially earn a good amount of coin by making this for others. Bolg's wagon will serve as the test subject, and then you can sell the design to the next customer."

Lork slapped the table happily. "Deal! Let's get started!"

Bolg seemed surprised by Lork's enthusiasm, and Ethan blinked before asking, "Go where?"

Lork reached over and playfully slapped Ethan's shoulder, which felt like being struck by a bat. "To my workshop, of course! I'll start working on this right away, but I'll need you to guide me along the way, should I need it."

Ethan looked at Bolg, who shrugged casually. Then he turned back to Lork. "Alright, I'll come with you. But I have a favor to ask."

Lork frowned. "I'm doing this for free, you know?"

Ethan smiled. "For Bolg, yes. But I'm giving you a valuable design. All I ask is a little assistance if I need it in the future. I promise it won't be anything too burdensome."

Lork studied Ethan for a few moments before smiling. "Alright, I can agree to that. This truly has potential, no doubt about it."

Ethan nodded. "Indeed. Shall we go then?"

Together, they returned to the yard, where Lork had Ethan sit in the back while he pulled the large wagon. Ethan was astonished by the man's strength, as Lork effortlessly performed the task that would typically require a powerful animal. Bolg appeared thoughtful as they left the yard, but Ethan was focused on his own experiences. Wagons were undeniably uncomfortable, and he was being jostled around quite a bit.

Lork, at least, seemed like a decent guy. More importantly, he was a craftsman—a person Ethan could relate to. Despite his frustrating circumstances, he felt a surge of excitement accompanying Lork. Ethan enjoyed building things, relished dismantling them to understand their inner workings even more. Now, the two of them were set to construct the first ball bearing wheel—perhaps not the very first in existence, as he had no knowledge of technological advancements in the rest of this world, but certainly not something common in these parts.

Lork hummed happily as they traveled, and curious onlookers stared at the unusual duo as they passed by. Lork waved at people and smiled, and most returned the gesture with their own smiles. Ethan received little of that attention, but he didn't mind. He was about to revolutionize the wheel.