Lork made significant progress on the wheel that first day, requiring very little guidance from Ethan. So, Ethan took the opportunity to relax under the warm sun. He wasn't certain of the exact time of year, but it felt like late spring, or thereabouts.

In the evening, he returned to Bolg's house, had a quiet dinner while enduring Kisa's disapproving gaze, and retired to bed early. The following day, Lork once again arrived to pick him up. However, Ethan was now able to stand without assistance, so instead of riding in the wagon, he opted to walk alongside it.

Bolg joined them to see the outcome of Ethan and Lork's work, and the burly carpenter was brimming with excitement to showcase the finished product. As they slowly made their way down a gravel road just outside the village, they attracted more than a few curious stares.

As Bolg rode along, Ethan suddenly noticed a screen appear in his field of vision.

Notice:

Available plans:

Reward:

You have learned Master engineering

Ball bearing wheels

2 Specialization points (SP)

5 Essence points (EP)

Ethan couldn't help but smile to himself, as he minimized the window that had appeared in his vision. He could feel a change within him, a newfound confidence in his abilities to design wheels more efficiently. It was as if he possessed an innate understanding of what measurements would work best, even if the size of the wheel was altered. The information seemed to flow effortlessly, without the need for conscious thought. However, he couldn't help but wonder about the tier system—how had he gotten the master engineering? Shouldn’t it be basic?

Clarity on the matter was something he desired, but he knew he had to exercise caution and avoid revealing too much. Asking too many questions at this stage would be unwise. He decided to be patient and wait until he reached a new location. There, he could seek answers or, even better, discover them for himself.

Bolg continued to marvel at his transformed wagon. The enhanced comfort and stability left him in awe, and it appeared that Ethan had finally earned a modicum of respect. For Ethan, though, he believed there was still room for improvement, but considering it was his first experiment, it was an impressive achievement.

After bidding farewell to Lork, they rode back to the village. Bolg struck up a conversation along the way, saying, "You know, Ethan Okamura, I think Dervin's Rest might benefit from someone like you. If you have other ideas as good as this one... if you can do other things..."

Ethan shrugged and replied, "Not sure if I want that, Bolg, at least not in the long run. I want to explore more of this world. Although I might stay for a while to repay your healer."

Bolg winced at the mention of the debt. "Yeah, about that... I'm sorry, Ethan Okamura. We might have gotten a bit carried away. With what you did for the wagon, I'll help you pay it back."

Ethan shook his head. "No need, Bolg. I'll think of something. However, I might require a few materials to fulfill the request."

Bolg glanced over, curious. "Oh? Do tell."

Nodding, Ethan began to explain, "Well, firstly, I don't possess a spell for sharpening. However, I might be able to create one. Keeping a knife perpetually sharp seems challenging, but what if I devised something that could sharpen it automatically?"

Bolg shrugged. "I can't offer advice in that area, not being my expertise and all. But what would you need?"

Ethan counted off on his fingers. "I would need a leather worker to make a sheath, a thin sheet of inlaid metal for the sheath, and some type of oil for maintenance. Do you know any leatherworkers who might be able to assist?"

Bolg nodded. "Of course! We can visit her right away. Karin lives nearby the house."

The leatherworker's shop was situated on the main street, and as they entered, Ethan was impressed by the wide array of shoes and clothing. Most of it seemed designed for physical labor, but some pieces appeared to serve as protective armor.

While Ethan understood that such armor wouldn't withstand a sword or arrow, he couldn't help but wonder if leather was more durable in this world. Karin emerged from a back room, smiling at Bolg. "Ah, Master Bolg, good to see you. How can I—"

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Her expression soured upon noticing Ethan admiring her wares. "So, you brought a stranger with you. May I ask why?"

Bolg grinned. "Well, Karin, this gentleman needs some assistance. Also, could he get a pair of boots? I'll pay for them, of course."

Ethan began to object, but Bolg waved away his concerns. "Look, Ethan Okamura, you did a fine job with the wagon. Consider this as my payment to you."

Relenting, Ethan approached Karin and bowed politely in the Japanese manner before speaking. "Well met, Karin. I've heard you might be able to help me with a project I'm working on."

Karin responded with an unhappy frown. "Maybe I can, maybe I can't."

Suppressing his annoyance at her attitude, Ethan maintained a polite smile. "Perhaps if I explain the purpose, you'll reconsider. Essentially, I require a sheath with a thin layer of pliable metal inside, particularly where the blade slides past."

Karin scoffed. "That'll dull the blade, stranger. It seems nonsensical."

Ethan nodded. "You're right, it does. However, what if the metal were enchanted? What if, by sliding the blade past the metal lining, it would become sharpened to a razor's edge without lifting a finger?"

Karin and Bolg stared at Ethan for a few moments, and then Karin leaned forward, her tall figure looming over him. She was not only pretty but also had an intense aura. "You're an enchanter? I've never seen one before. An item like that could be useful to anyone."

Ethan nodded. "I would imagine so. However, activating the enchantment would require some EP, so you'd have to pay for each sharpening."

Karin waved her hand dismissively. "Of course, nothing comes for free. Here's my proposal: If I help you create this item and you succeed with the magic part, you'll make one for me too."

Ethan found himself enjoying this exchange of favors and decided to push a little further. "Hmm, it seems a bit one-sided. The enchantment itself holds value, as you surely know."

Karin began to argue, but Ethan raised his hand to stop her and continued, "However, if you provide me with some sturdy leather clothes for travel and a new pack for my belongings, I'll make one for you as well."

Bolg couldn't hide the smile creeping onto his face, and Karin glared at Ethan. "Seems a bit steep, don't you think?" she asked.

Ethan shrugged. "I don't think so. From what I understand, enchanted items are rare here. Not only would you get one for yourself, but if you wish, you could sell it at a much higher price than what I'm asking."

Bolg chuckled. "He's got you there, Karin. It's a good deal, so stop complaining about it."

Karin turned her glare on Bolg, which only made him smile wider. After a few moments of contemplation, she turned back to Ethan. "Fine, we have a deal. Now show me what you had in mind."

Ethan borrowed a rough piece of leather and a stick of chalk, quickly sketching a rough design of his idea. Karin nodded and pointed to the drawing. "The sharpening will leave residue, so we'll need a way to disassemble it. Otherwise, the residue will accumulate over time, and we'll need a method to clean it periodically."

Ethan was surprised he hadn't considered that, but Karin's point made perfect sense. He nodded respectfully. "That's a very good point, Karin. How long do you think it will take to create?"

Karin shrugged. "Perhaps a few hours. If you come by in the morning, I'll have it ready."

Ethan extended his hand, and after a brief hesitation, she took it. "Thank you, Karin. I'll see you in the morning then."

That night, he and Bolg ate together, and Bolg shared some stories of his hunting adventures. Ethan was content to listen and nod along, feeling he had done enough talking for the day. Kisa chose not to join them, appearing even more unhappy than before, but Ethan ignored her sour demeanor.

As he prepared for bed, he began the process of learning a spell to sharpen the knife. With no clear starting point, he decided to lie down and ponder it for a while.

He imagined what a blade needed to effectively cut, knowing that there was a scientific explanation behind it all. When a blade encounters resistance while cutting through a material, various forces come into play, allowing the blade to sever the substance efficiently. At the molecular level, these forces involve the disruption of chemical bonds and the rearrangement of atoms.

As the sharp edge of the blade meets the material, it exerts pressure on a small area, primarily through compression. This pressure compresses the molecules, bringing them closer together.

Under compression, the molecular bonds within the material stretch and weaken. The strength of these bonds determines the resistance encountered during cutting. Weaker bonds are easily broken, enabling the blade to move through the material with less effort. In contrast, materials with stronger bonds require more force to overcome their resistance.

Moreover, the shape and geometry of the blade play a crucial role in cutting efficiency. The thin and sharp edge of the blade concentrates the pressure onto a smaller surface area, exerting a greater force per unit area. This concentration of force increases the likelihood of breaking molecular bonds and initiating the separation process.

Ethan was well-versed in these principles, thanks to a teacher at the university who enjoyed explaining the science behind everyday things. He spent hours deep in thought while lying in bed. When the screen he had been waiting for finally popped up, he frowned at it.

Basic enchanting

Cost

New spell learned:

Clean cut

5 essence Point

He had an instinctive understanding that this enchantment wasn't quite what he was searching for, even though it was satisfying to have a new one. "Clean cut" was exactly as it sounded—an enchantment that enhanced a blade's cutting ability, making it easier to slice through materials with a sharper precision. It would undoubtedly prove useful, but it didn't address the issue of the blade's sharpness itself.

His head throbbed, and he reclined on the bed. He had succeeded in creating a new enchantment, just not the right one. It meant he would have to reconsider his approach. However, he decided that the next day would suffice. Right now, he needed sleep, and that old healer could damn well wait.