Side Flam
After finishing our travel reports, monster appraisals, and dismantling requests at the Hunter’s Guild, we proceeded to the Crafter’s Guild.
The reason for our visit was to register myself and Yamato as crafters and to place an order for a new Beast Carriage.
While the crafter registration was straightforward, Fiana would be the primary builder for the Beast Carriage.
However, the new Beast Carriage was designed with a ship-like exterior, and we also needed to have the interior of the Mirror Room adjusted, meaning Fiana would need additional help. Thus, we decided to officially place the request with the Crafter’s Guild.
“That concludes your crafter registration. All the rules and Craft Magic are written in this manual, so please read it when you have time,” Labelna said.
To our surprise, our crafter registration was handled by Grand Crafter’s Master Labelna herself.
“You’ll be placing an order for a Beast Carriage next, won’t you? If that’s the case, it’ll be faster if I handle it myself, rather than going through the reception.”
That certainly made sense.
“But didn’t your Beast Carriage just get completed about a month ago? Why are you requesting a new one so soon?”
“That’s also a troublesome issue, stemming from Prim and my magical aptitude,” I replied.
“Ah, I see. That would indeed be troublesome. In that case, we’ll need to be very selective with our wood. Does that mean we might have to procure Cherry Tree wood?”
There are many types of wood, but very few, even including Cherry Tree, can withstand the magic of Ancient Class users.
Since Cherry Tree wood is not planted in Feel, we would have to procure it from elsewhere. Moreover, it’s harvested in early spring, making it quite difficult to acquire a sufficient quantity for a Beast Carriage at this time of year, which is autumn. However, that particular concern wouldn’t apply this time.
“Regarding that, we’ve already purchased Cherry Tree wood from Memoria. Furthermore, as a reward, I was bestowed a branch from the Divine Tree, so we have no worries about materials.”
“…What did you say? Wait, a branch from the Divine Tree!?”
Labelna seemed unable to comprehend what I had said at first, but when comprehension finally dawned, she was utterly astounded.
Branches from the Divine Tree are only used for repairing Amagi Castle or for Ou Renten Street, and she mentioned that no one had ever been bestowed one before, so her reaction was understandable.
“However, since this will be our first time experimenting with such materials, we’ve decided to create a prototype using regular wood first. Are you listening, Crafter’s Master?” Fiana asked.
“Huh? Oh, ah, sorry, Fiana. I just never imagined you’d be bestowed something like a branch from the Divine Tree. But considering what Yamato and Prim accomplished, it’s only natural, I suppose.”
Labelna seemed to understand, knowing the full extent of Yamato and Prim’s… *ahem*, accomplishments.
“So, you mentioned this is a first for many things. What do you mean by that?”
“It’s still a draft, but this will be the blueprint.”
Fiana presented the preliminary blueprint to Labelna. While the draft was rudimentary, made while Eos was flying from Memoria, it sufficiently conveyed the exterior design and Yamato’s intentions. Thus, we didn’t anticipate major issues.
“This… I see. It truly is unprecedented. This will be too much for woodworking masters alone; we’ll need to call upon shipwrights as well due to its structural complexity.”
“Yes. Furthermore, we’ll need to utilize Connecting effectively. Even with a prototype, we can’t predict how long it will take to complete.”
“Indeed. I understand the intention, but why not simply attach wheels to the hull? Wouldn’t that be simpler?” Labelna suggested.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I understand placing the hull onto a chassis. It would be easier for Dragonian to handle, and it wouldn’t be bad as a ship either. And for use as a Beast Carriage, the deck could be utilized like a Battle Beast Carriage. However, boarding and disembarking would be far too cumbersome.”
That was something we had also considered, but creating entrances for easier access would lead to water ingress when afloat, forcing us to compromise.
“Instead of that, if you have the idea of a separate chassis, why not have a separate hull as well? Of course, while maintaining this shape that’s easy for Dragonian to carry, you could add an anchor to a slightly larger hull for stability.”
It felt like a bolt from the blue.
That’s right. We would be connecting the chassis and hull with Connecting. If we used the hull separately when operating as a ship, and connected it with Connecting, stability would increase. Why hadn’t we thought of this?
“So that’s an option…”
“Haha, it happens. In any case, I understand. I will relay the message to the shipwrights. However, you’ll need to revise the blueprints, so let’s continue this another day.”
“Yes. However, we don’t plan on making significant changes, so the basic design should remain as is.”
Eos’s opinion is also necessary, but indeed, there’s no need to drastically alter the design. While my sister Rebecca and I are the only archers in the Wing Crest, everyone, not just us, can use the Arrow and Lance-type magic that Yamato and Prim compiled. Therefore, even if it’s not a Battle Beast Carriage, the deck should be usable.
“Understood. Then, let’s pause this discussion here for now.”
With that, Labelna turned her gaze to Marina.
“Marina, there’s a directive from Float. The new equipment for the Order, which you designed, has reportedly been very well-received. Naturally, within Feel as well.”
“I’m glad to hear that, but originally it was Yamato’s design from his world, and I merely made minor adjustments?”
“His Majesty and the Grand Crafter’s Master are aware of that. However, even with minor adjustments, you were the one who ultimately finalized the design. Therefore, Marina, your promotion to G-S rank has been decided. Your full promotion to G-rank will come after you gain a bit more experience.”
“Eh!?”
Not only Marina, but we were all astonished. Crafter ranks can be advanced through examinations. However, ranks G and above require experience as a crafter, and obtaining the eligibility for the examination itself is quite difficult, as I recall. Ed is P-G rank, but that was a special case due to his development of Alloys, Jade Silver and Blue-Gray Iron, utilizing the new Craft Magic called Melting.
“It shouldn’t be that surprising, should it? You designed equipment for a kingdom’s knightly order and it’s highly praised by those who use it. Moreover, you’ve used materials from high-ranking monsters, so I don’t believe there’s a shortage of experience. Honestly, I wanted to promote you to G-rank, but you were recently promoted to S-rank. It was simply impossible. However, if things go well, you can be officially promoted by the new year.”
“No, no, wait a minute! I understand Ed’s promotion was a special case, and I know he did a lot! But why me too!?”
“For the reasons I stated. The country and the Grand Crafter’s Master acknowledge your achievements, and so do I. Furthermore, this is also a special case, but it’s clearly stated in the regulations. Those who achieve results recognized by the country can be promoted under certain conditions.”
I had no idea such a regulation existed. However, when it comes to results recognized by a country, not just anyone can achieve them, and it’s unclear what exactly would be recognized. Indeed, Marina designed equipment for the Order’s Guild, including the Sky Knight’s gear, and it’s actually being used, so it fits the criteria for “results recognized by the country.”
“Then, what are the conditions?”
“They vary from person to person, but in your case, it’s a recommendation from the Grand Order’s Master and the Grand Crafter’s Master. If you receive recommendations from two Grand Masters, no one can refuse.”
That was understandable. The Grand Crafter’s Master is Ed’s father, but even setting that aside, receiving a recommendation from the Grand Order’s Master might have been sufficient on its own.
“So, with that in mind, Marina, please hand over your license.”
“Eh? Ah, yes.”
Marina, though hesitant, happily handed her Crafter License to Labelna. Her rank remained S-rank, but with an exemption from the G-rank promotion examination, and the possibility of official promotion early next year, there was no reason not to be happy.
“That concludes this matter. Ah, and one more thing, not that it’s related, but Yamato has been granted an exemption from the G-rank and P-rank promotion examinations.”
“Haa!?”
After completing Marina’s promotion procedures, Labelna dropped another bombshell. Yamato, who was suddenly the focus, looked even more surprised than before.
“It’s only natural. Thanks to your suggestion, Melting, Jade Silver, and Blue-Gray Iron were completed. Furthermore, you’ve also demonstrated Stattering and Ee-quipping. These achievements alone are more than sufficient.”
We also understood this. Melting is a Craft Magic demonstrated by Ed, but we heard it was successful due to Yamato’s advice. Besides smelting ingots and alloys, it can also reheat cold food and, when imbued on clothing, provide protection from the cold; its applications are not limited to metals. Jade Silver and Blue-Gray Iron speak for themselves. Furthermore, Stattering can be linked not only with Craft Magic but also with Inn magic, and Ee-quipping allows for instantaneous donning and doffing of not just combat gear but even everyday clothing, making both crucial magics for crafters. Therefore, it could be said that it is only natural for Yamato, who possesses these achievements, to be exempt from the G-rank and P-rank promotion examinations.
“However, you will still need to take the regular examination for S-rank. But once you reach S-rank, you’ll be able to read the study guides for the next rank. Ed is already reading the P-rank guide, and Marina can now read the G-rank guide.”
The study guides contain knowledge and techniques corresponding to each Guild rank, and they aren’t just for examination purposes. Therefore, even after the exams, they become valuable assets. Moreover, it is said that these books use magic that only allows those of the corresponding rank to read them, so individuals below that rank, or non-crafters, cannot read them.
Corresponding rank refers to those who have become eligible to take the promotion examination. Marina is an S-rank crafter but had not yet obtained eligibility for the G-rank promotion examination. Therefore, the study guides she could read were up to S-rank, but once she obtained examination eligibility, she could purchase the G-rank study guide for the examination. Furthermore, in Marina’s case, she’s being promoted to G-S rank and is exempt from the promotion examination, allowing her to purchase study guides that she couldn’t before.
“Flam, you study diligently. That’s correct. However, using techniques two ranks above your current one will be problematic. So, once Yamato is promoted to S-rank, he will be G-S rank, and upon promotion to G-rank, he will be P-G rank.”
So that’s how it will be. Yamato is currently an M-rank Hunter, O-rank Order, and T-rank Crafter. However, if he simply reaches S-rank Crafter, he is promised promotion to P-rank Crafter through gaining experience. Of course, gaining experience is not easy, but as an Ancient Human, Yamato has more time than a normal crafter. Therefore, eventually, he will possess experience commensurate with his rank. I too have become a T-rank crafter, but I must diligently gain experience so as not to be outdone by Yamato.
