The first problem with building machines in a medieval world? Nobody knows what you're talking about.
"Why would anyone need a… 'printing press?'" asked Roland, one of the older servants who'd been roped into helping me. "Books are written by scribes. It's tradition."
"Tradition's slow," I replied, waving a piece of charcoal as I sketched the design onto parchment. "This will print books faster. Way faster."
Roland just scratched his head and muttered something about "strange kids."
It wasn't easy convincing people to help with my ideas. Most of the servants either thought I was a harmless eccentric or a demon-child with incomprehensible schemes. But slowly, I managed to gather a small group willing to humor me, and the workshop began taking shape.
A Pressing Matter
The printing press was my first real challenge. Sure, I had the basic concept—movable type, ink, and a rolling press—but getting it to work without modern tools was a nightmare.
Emilia, as always, had her critiques ready when she visited.
"You're overcomplicating it," she said, leaning over the prototype. "Why not use a simpler press mechanism instead of whatever this is?"
"Because," I started, then paused. "Actually, that's… a good point."
She grinned. "Of course it is."
We spent the next few hours brainstorming improvements. Or, more accurately, I brainstormed while she poked holes in all my ideas. I hated to admit it, but she was a fantastic sounding board.
By the end of the day, we'd managed to assemble a crude but functional press. It wasn't perfect—inking the type evenly was still tricky—but it worked.
Strings and Bonds
The string-spinning machine came next, born out of sheer frustration at watching servants painstakingly twist thread by hand. The design was simple—a rotating crank that wound fibers into string—but effective.
Emilia, of course, wanted to test it immediately.
"This is fun!" she said, cranking the handle with a little too much enthusiasm. The machine groaned under the pressure.
"Careful," I warned. "You'll break it."
She stuck her tongue out at me. "It's your fault for making it so fragile."
Despite the bickering, we made a surprisingly good team. By the time her visit ended, we'd not only improved the machine but also come up with a dozen new ideas for future projects.
"You're not so bad," Emilia said as she climbed into her carriage.
"You too," I replied, pretending not to notice the warmth creeping into my cheeks.
Father's Lessons
"You'll have to learn this eventually," Father said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
We sat in his study, surrounded by maps and documents detailing the kingdom's trade routes, noble alliances, and magical ley lines.
"This is the Duchy of Albrecht," he explained, pointing to Emilia's homeland. "It's one of the wealthiest regions, but its leaders have grown complacent. That's why our alliance is so valuable to them."
I nodded, taking mental notes. Father was a strict teacher, but I could tell he was impressed by how quickly I picked up on things.
Over the next few weeks, he drilled me on everything from crop yields to the kingdom's history. It was exhausting, but I couldn't deny the satisfaction of seeing his approval when I got something right.
Elias: The Prodigy Brother
If Father's lessons were strict, Elias was the opposite. My eight-year-old brother treated me like a living doll, smothering me with affection and praise.
"Akio, look what I made!" he exclaimed one afternoon, showing off a glowing orb of fire hovering above his palm.
"Cool," I said, genuinely impressed. Magic was still a mystery to me, and Elias made it look effortless.
He ruffled my hair. "One day, I'll teach you, little brother. You'll be the best mage in the kingdom!"
Despite his overwhelming enthusiasm, I couldn't help but like Elias. He was kind, talented, and fiercely protective. It was hard to imagine anyone disliking him.
Which made Father's eventual decision all the more surprising.
The Decision
"I've made my choice," Father announced at dinner one evening, his voice cutting through the chatter like a blade.
Elias and I both looked up, startled.
"Akio," Father said, his gaze steady. "You will be my heir."
The room fell silent. Even the maids froze mid-step, their eyes darting between us.
Elias was the first to recover. "Father, are you sure?" he asked, his voice calm but tinged with disbelief.
"I am," Father replied. "Your talent for magic is undeniable, Elias, but Akio's mind is… extraordinary. He has the vision to lead this family into a new era."
I stared at him, stunned. Me? The heir?
Elias smiled, though there was a flicker of sadness in his eyes. "If that's what you've decided, Father, then I'll support it."
And just like that, my life became a lot more complicated.
Closing Thoughts
That night, as I lay in bed, my mind raced with possibilities. Heir to the count's estate? It was a responsibility I hadn't asked for, but if it meant more resources to bring my ideas to life… maybe it wasn't so bad.
Besides, with Emilia, Elias, and my growing workshop, I had a feeling things were only just getting started.
Ha guys Gachadevildog here again 3rd chapter was pretty good right please comment if you would like to see more currently no ones read the book yet but you know what they say gotta have hope I'm thinking of going contract with my first book and actually making a few more chapters on it
The master of systems would like some power stones if you would be so kind