In the winter, the temperature gets colder and it's more difficult than usual to go outside.

　That means I spend most of my day inside the house, and I was feeling a little bored.

　There are various games you can play inside the room, such as Reversi, Jenga, ping-pong, life games and kendama, but they're all things I've been playing a lot lately.

'...Okay, let's make some new toys.

　If you're tired of the fun you've been having, you can make it.

　In these times of year when we don't go outside, how do I pass the time?

　Modern children's games and videos are more old-fashioned, as it's impossible to recreate them in this world.

　When I look back on my memories of my past life, I remember a game I used to play during school breaks.

　Battle pencils.

　A game in which you roll a pencil and use the upward facing side as a random number.

　The design and rules of each manufacturer vary, but in most cases, two people take turns rolling their own pencils, and the winner is decided according to the text on the side of the pencil that comes out.

　It's a relatively inexpensive and practical plaything that can be used as a pencil.

　I have a feeling that this can be easily done by scraping a piece of wood and putting a charcoal or iron core in it.

　In the worst case, I could make it into a hexagonal or pentagonal shape so that it rolls around, without the charcoal or iron core.

　After that, you can design your own pencils, divide them into sections and draw simple illustrations.

Yes, it would work.

　Once that's decided, we'll get to work as soon as possible.

　I took out a large piece of cloth from the subspace using spatial magic and laid it on the carpet.

　Then, the wood is also taken out and cut with the wind blade using wind magic.

　It forms into a hexagon like a pencil, and in the blink of an eye, it becomes a handy pencil.......

''It won't be.''

　In front of me was a long, thin piece of wood with a distorted shape.

　When I tried to roll it on the table, it rolled in a distorted way and stopped unnaturally.

　It was not the hexagon I had in mind, and it rolled in a different way.

　I couldn't enjoy the exhilaration of rolling a pencil in this way.

　It was too difficult to cut by magic, after all.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　I'm sure you'll be able to practice the motivation now, but when will you be able to complete it?

　It's a good idea to ask a professional craftsman to do this rather than spend time practicing magic.

Let's ask Ehrman to do it.

　Magic is useful, sure, but it depends on the time. If it's better to do it by hand, feel free to do it by hand.

　If you decide to do that, let's transfer to Erman's workshop as soon as possible.

　--Huh?　But isn't this a consequence of being out there?　What did it mean to me that I was developing a fun game that didn't require me to go outside, but I ended up having to go outside?

　It was only after I had completely changed my clothes that I realized this.



　◆



　Using the transfer, I came to Ehrman's workshop on the outskirts of the village of Coriat.

'It's cold!'

　It was still cold when I went outside, even if it was only for a moment.

　Normally I would enjoy the sounds and scenery coming from the workshop, but I wanted to get away from the cold as soon as possible, so I ran into the workshop.

　The craftsmen in the workshop were still working today, as woodworking can be done in the winter.

　The sound of wood being worked in the thirsty air echoed pleasantly.

　I look for Ehrman as I greet the craftsmen who have noticed me and are bidding me farewell.

　Then I see him sitting in the center of the workshop, surrounded by something.

　Ehrman is also there, chatting with the craftsmen and working on his hands.

'Hi, Ehrman,'

'Mr. Alfried!　I'm sorry I didn't greet you at the door!　Please, sit here.

　When Ehrman noticed me, he got up hurriedly and gave me a chair.

'No, it's fine. I just walked in here on my own. For that matter, could this be a fire magic tool?

　The thing that has been bothering me since a while ago is what seems to be a magic tool in front of me.

　It's shaped like a cylinder, and a fireball is generated inside, warming the air.

'Ah, yes. I asked the people at the Trierra Trading Company to buy it for me. Because it's unbearable to work inside a cold workshop.''

Oh, so you can afford to buy your own mages?

'It's all thanks to the playthings Master Alfried has come up with. We have throwing targets and kick targets, so I won't have to deal with manual labor in the winter.

　Ehrman, who doesn't grow up, but just favors me in some way.

　As expected of a mature man.

"Huh?　Did we order any additional pitching targets or anything like that?

'Yes, Mr. Nord has asked me to set it up so that the children can play in the exercise area. That and some scaled down ones from the village for them to easily play in the yard.

Heh.

　My dad Nord had such a policy. He's like a politician who wants to build a park in town.

Didn't Mr. Nord tell you about this?

...maybe he heard me.

Maybe...?

　I remember my dad Nord calling out to me a few times while I was lounging in front of the fireplace in the living room.

　I only remember replying appropriately, as I don't listen to him when he talks about small talk when I'm relaxed.

　I think it was probably about whether it was okay to set up for the villagers, or the percentage of people coming into our house.

　It was completely up to Nord Dad, who was dealing with Tory, to talk about that, as he knew the most about it, so I left it completely up to him.

'By the way, how did you get on today?'

Oh, I need you to make a few things for me.

"What?

　When I'm about to get right to the point, Ehrman and the artisans around me shout in surprise.

　Wait a minute. What do you mean by that yeah?

...Is that your new plaything?

Yeah?

　The faces of the craftsmen contorted with despair as they answered Ehrman's question.

　It's a face and atmosphere I've seen somewhere before.

　Yes, this is the face of the company employees who have their hands full with their work, when the one-man president has added more work to their plate.

I'm fine!　This is me, a personal game, not more work for everyone!

'I think that's what they told me when I made Reversi...'

　There's no denying that.

　I didn't think at the time that Reversi would be so widespread.

'I think we'll be okay this time!　And this one shouldn't be too hard to make.

　I declare this, but Ehrman and his craftsmen look at me skeptically. It's as if they're looking at a suspicious pot seller.

''Well let's just hear the story for now.

Uh-huh. Okay.

　I explain the battle pencil to Erman, who looks somewhat wary.

　How it's to be played with and used, and what shape I want it to be in, while recreating it with earth magic.

'So you want me to make a stick in the shape of a hexagon and a pentagon?　Make sure it rolls properly.

'Yes, yes. Five of each would be great.

　I really wish you could put charcoal or iron core inside so that you could write, but it's for your own use and if you can roll it around and play with it, that's fine.

'Surely this would be quick to do as Alfried-sama says. It looks like a good assignment for a newcomer, so may I leave it to you?

Okay. Ehrman will handle it.

　It would be a burden to entrust the work to the nobles to a rookie, but it is the duty of the person in charge to train the craftsmen.

　There will be no problem if you want a rookie to do the job, as Erman will supervise him exactly.

'Lyle, Lou, come here.

"Yes!

　When I agreed, Ehrman called the two young men over.

　A boy with golden hair and a girl with green hair. Their ages would be about fourteen years old.

　The girl called Lou came in front of me, a nobleman, and Ehrman, the master, and was scared. On the other hand, the boy Lyle stood tall and unafraid.

　You can see each other's personalities and it's quite funny.

''I'd like to leave you two in charge of Alfried-sama's business. Would you like to try it?

No, I'll do it!

I'd like to take on the job, but what kind of stuff do you make?

'Yes. We need to know what you do first, or it's hard to give you a concrete answer.

　Hearing Ehrman's words, Luu blushed as he gave a forward reply without asking anything.

　When you accept the job, we need to work out the specifics and conditions first.

　After explaining that, Ehrman once again explained to Rael and Luu what he would be making this time.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea.

Yes, let me do it.

Me too!

Then I'll leave the job to you two.

　As Ehrman said this, Rael and Lou turned to us and bowed their heads.

''It's nice to meet you!''

Yeah, nice to meet you.

　Seeing the two of them for the first time made me feel nostalgic.