If the experiments I had in mind for today go as I expect, the current technology and methodology for food preservation will change forever. I sent a few messages to Neo about what I had discovered, but he left me on read. He's probably very tired after yesterday's hard work.
As soon as I arrived at the company, I had the meeting with Ibán, where we clarified the syllabus for the physical education classes, scheduling them for the last hour before lunch. As for the subject's content, I had planned for them to teach basic education, about how to defend themselves as well as play. Today they were going to play tag again, and later, tug of war.
Meanwhile, the craftsmen were preparing a manufacturing method for the glass jars. I took advantage of them being busy to give my math class. Then Marte resumed his language lessons, and I was finally able to focus entirely on the experiment.
After leaving the silicone submerged all night, the substance from the white arbume didn't lose its shape. Vinegar didn't affect it. Bleach made it a bit softer and greasier. In conclusion, it could be said that it's a relatively noble material, resistant to water and corrosive liquids. Perfect for sealing glass jars. I also tested whether it left any taste, so I tried the vinegar, and as I expected, the flavor wasn't altered. (That doesn't mean it wasn't disgusting.)
With help from the general services crew, we extracted more sap from the arbume, about two 10-liter buckets for each color. I decided to repeat the acid-base experiment with the other two types of arbume. As for the white one, I ―kidnapped― the head carpenter and explained how I wanted him to make a toroidal shape.
While I was taking care of the saps and maintaining a constant temperature, the carpenter arrived with the wooden pattern I had asked for. I left the cauldrons in the care of the general crew and began the casting process; the blacksmiths were preparing everything and already had several molds for the jars made.
■ ―Let's set that aside for a moment, and I want you all to pay attention. ―
The carpenters also stopped and gathered around; that wasn't my intention, but they helped with their own ideas. I redesigned the jars to include a groove for the silicone gasket, or the toroidal seal. In addition to what was supposed to be a simple modification, I also proposed a glass lid and the fastening method.
― Val ― I don't know if we can melt the steel again. If Neo were here, he could use mana to raise the furnace temperature. ―
■― Why do you need Neo? ―
― Val ― We can't use that much mana. ―
■― Don't worry, I can do it too. ―
― Dome ― One less problem, but how do you plan to do that? ―
― Paco ―I don't think we can pull that off. That closing method, giving the metal that diameter, it's complicated. ―
■― I guess I'll have no choice but to do it by lamination. ―
― Val ― What's this lamination thing? Is it another one of your inventions? ―
I winked at him, and we all went to a pedal lathe, where Jean was going to turn wood. I told him to smooth out a log as much as possible; meanwhile, I sharpened a set of blades on a pedal grinder, sizes 3, 6, 9, 10, 15, 20, and 30 mm.
Then I gave him the new tool, but right then we were called for lunch. Pudiente decided to make fried potatoes with chicken meat. The kids were delighted, even though they had to stop playing.
After lunch, I went back to the workshop with the guys, where I explained to Jean how he should make the grooves, but before even starting I realized that wasn't going to work. Since we haven't made the gears yet, there was no way to give torque to the two cylinders of the rolling mill.
So, I had to make a hard decision: make the best glass jars ever seen in this world, but only a few of them, or make many, even if they had to be fastened some other way.
I tried to contact Neo to ask for his opinion and told him about the problem, but he only replied with a short OK (bro, literally only my father replies with just an ok). I dropped everything and went to find Pudiente; we went to the office, leaving everyone waiting.
― Pudiente ― What's wrong? ―
■― I've got a problem; I won't have time to finish the jars. ―
― Pudiente ― I don't see what the problem is, this ring thing or the metal that closes the jar? ―
■― The toric gasket, I think I'll have it ready today, but that wire—I don't think I'll have it ready this week, I'm missing too many… ―
― Pudiente ― If I'm reading this plan right, the closing system is for… ― He gestured for me to explain why such a strong seal was needed.
■― The metal seal has to be very strong, to prevent leaks both inward and outward. ―
― Pudiente ― What if we tie it? ―
■― With ropes? ―
― Pudiente ― Yes, is there a problem? ―
■― It would look ugly as hell. ―
― Pudiente ― Then you want something like a rope but not actually a rope. ―
■― Of course, Pudiente, you're a genius. ―
― Pudiente ― If you say so. ― he said proudly. ― Can I know what you just thought of? ―
(Pudiente just gave me an amazing idea. Since we can't make the metal seal yet, and I don't want to use ropes to tie the jar, what if I use rubber bands?)
■― That's it, I've got the solution. ―
― Pudiente ― That's good. Do you need me for anything else? ―
■― No. Why the rush? ―
― Pudiente ― Sena has called every company owner to redo the property deeds. From what I've heard, the printing houses have been a total success, and this morning they decided to redo all the documents. It's not too urgent, but I want to be compliant as soon as possible. Besides, I have to make the new forms to sell during the festival. ―
■― How do you even know all that if you didn't go to the guild today? ―
― Pudiente ― Didn't my father tell you? ― he said, very surprised.
■― No. ―
― Pudiente ― Then we'll have to talk in private. Sorry, Levi, but this is merchant business now. ―
― Levi ― As long as it doesn't affect the safety of the marquess or the city, I don't care. ―
■― Well, you'll tell me later, come on. ― I gestured for Levi to follow me. ― I still have a lot to do today. ―
When we got back to the workshop, I found the craftsmen cleaning up.
■― These guys are something else. ― I said to Levi before clapping my hands to get their attention. ― I know how to continue now. ―
The guys were ready. Everyone was focused on the plan with the seriousness this new kind of machining or as they called it, wood-working method required. Doubts came up, of course, but I solved them as best I could, and their talent made up for my lack of experience.
First, they tied the blade, that is, a metallic cuboid with one of its narrow sides carved into a semicircle. They mounted it on an axis that turned between two supports, connected by a cord to the pedal and the lathe's bow.
The jar mold needed two circular grooves along its base. As for the lid, we had to redesign it completely the previous one was too small to carve in the indentations.
One of the carpenters placed the base mold on the stand. Another, beside him, began to work the pedal at a steady rhythm. When the blade reached the right speed, the first slowly approached until the first wood shavings began to fly. Bit by bit, the mold revealed a perfectly uniform toroidal groove.
We then moved on to the second level this one more dangerous, as the cut had to go deeper into the jar. It required more torque and speed, so I joined the craftsman on the pedal while the other controlled the feed with watchmaker precision.
After almost two hours of total concentration, the result was flawless: we had the jar base and its lid, both with their respective circular grooves.
― Fabián ― Mr. Hunt, where did you learn this method of working wood? ― asked one of the carpenters, wiping the sweat from his forehead. (How do I tell him I saw it in a social-media video while eating?)
■― If you call me "mister" again, I'm not telling you. ― I replied with a half-smile.
― Fabián ― Don't be like that, Mr. Hunt. ―
■― Well, since you keep with the "mister," even less so. ―
If you look at the jar mold, you can see two longitudinal grooves running across the base, like the parallel tunnels of a highway. The lid looks the same.
My idea is simple hold the lid with elastic bands. If I can make a rubber strong enough, the jar will be sealed by pressure.
■― Then you can do the same with the other jars, right? ―
― Everyone ― Yes ―
■― I'm leaving it to you then, I have to go invent the elastic bands. ―
As I was leaving the workshop, Levi walked beside me something unusual, since he usually walks behind me.
― Levi ― What is it you want to invent? ―
■― Wait and see. ―
― Levi ― I suppose I'll have to wait; your inventions never disappoint. ―
■― Thanks. ―
I went back to the arbume treatment station; the workers told me how the experiment had gone. I ordered them to create three I-shaped sheets, meaning thicker on top and thinner in the middle. Basically, I told them how to make tensile test specimens.
With the three specimens nailed from one side, we tied a bucket to each of them. To perform the tensile test, I had to consider a lot of data mainly the dimensions of each one but since they weren't identical, I couldn't make a perfect comparison between them. Still, I didn't want to wait; I wanted to run the test right away.
They began pouring water into the buckets, two beer jugs at a time (standard unit anything but the SI). Gradually, the specimens started to stretch. The one from the white arbume stretched the most, but when the bucket was about half full, it snapped suddenly. The evidence was clear it went through all the expected points of the stress-strain curve. I could see how it reached the elastic limit and then, after adding a bit more water, it broke.
The experiment concluded how much weight each sap could withstand. The white one held a bit more than half a bucket of water. With the gray and black ones, something similar happened, though with different amounts of water and elongation. The gray arbume sap stretched less than the white one but more than the black, and it held almost a full bucket of water. The treated black arbume sap held nearly two buckets but barely stretched at all.
Then, in three other cauldrons, we mixed the saps in 50-50 ratios, creating new materials or at least that's what I wanted to say but the white and black arbume didn't mix well at all. I think I didn't hit the exact temperature or pressure, but for now, I don't have many options. I had no choice but to use the other two mixtures, gray-black and white gray. We repeated the experiment with those specimens, but it didn't go as I expected. The white-gray mix turned out more elastic than gray but less than white, and the gray-black mix stretched much more than black, though it held less weight.
The workers had to leave since their shift was over, and in the end, I stayed only with Pudiente, Levi, and the guards. Alone now, and out of sheer frustration, I decided to test new proportions 25%-75% gray-black and vice versa.
One of the guards helped while the other stood watch. Night had already fallen, but the experiment paid off: the 25% gray and 75% black mixture gave us a strong elastic strip. Pudiente suggested testing again with vinegar and bleach, but before leaving the specimen aside, I tried shaping the leftover material by pouring the mix into the toroidal metal mold. I left it to cool at room temperature while we cleaned up. Before heading out, we left the two halves of the specimen submerged in vinegar and bleach.
When I got home, no one was there, and since I don't have keys, I couldn't get in. I slipped a note under the door in case someone came back. (Big mistake. :v I could have flown and entered the courtyard from above, but letting Levi know I can fly is not an option.) I decided to go to Durman's house. (I don't really have anywhere else to go.) On the way there, I ran into Astrid, who was coming back from the university. She told me that on his way home, Neo planned to build two more printing presses for the university.
― Astrid ― Well, my dearest son-in-law, I'll keep one for my research department, and the other will go to the director. ―
■― Have you used it yet? ―
― Astrid ― Yes, but not alone; I have better things to do with my mana. ―
■― What do you mean, mana? ―
― Astrid ― Darling, I don't have enough natural strength to move everything by myself, and I'm not wasting my mana moving it when I have dozens of researchers under my command. ―
■― Seen that way, it makes sense. ― (Those who can, can. Those who can't A.) ― And do you know where Neo or Selene or Sena might be? ―
― Astrid ― No, the last time I saw Neo was tonight when I asked him to make the printing presses. And your ladies, I haven't seen them since the other day. ―
■― Well, I don't know what to do then, I can't get into the house after all. ―
― Levi ― You can sleep at my place if you want. ―
■― No way, I'd rather sleep at the company or go to an inn. ―
― Astrid ― Don't be silly, come to our house and sleep there. ―
■― Really, it's not necessary. ―
― Astrid ― If my son-in-law's brother needs help, how could I not give it to him? Isn't that what your God teaches? ―
■― Yes, but really, it's fine. I'm sure if I go to the guild, I'll find Sena or Selene. ―
― Levi ― Mmm ― He gave me a strange look.
― Astrid ― If you don't find them, come back and stay the night, all right? ―
■― If I don't find them, I'll be back soon. ―
We finally got to her house and dropped her off at the door, where the servants welcomed her. As for Levi and me, we went to the merchants' guild. A somewhat grumpy girl greeted us, but when I said my name, her face changed instantly. (Relax, I'm not that important... yet.) She led us to the printing room. (Just as I expected, I found the "Lost Ones" playing with the printing presses—well, "working.")
Hemer was helping them while Selene and Sena were deeply focused, talking and planning new documents. Poor Lisa had fallen asleep in a corner, covered with her brother's jacket.
■― Don't you ever take a break? ― I said, giving Hemer a pat on the back.
― Hemer ― We've got printing to do. ―
― Selene ― Darling, don't bother him, he's working. ―
■― Seems like you finally remember me, I can't get into the house if no one's home. ―
― Sena ― That's right, you don't have keys. ―
■― Since we're all here, how about we all go out for dinner? ― I remembered Levi. ― Levi, if you want, we can swing by your house to pick up your wife and you can all join us. I'll pay for everything. ―
― Levi ― Sounds like a good idea. ―
― Sena ― You're supposed to be keeping an eye on Hunt. ―
― Levi ― Yeah… but if I happen to meet my wife and son on the way, and they follow me… ―
■― Stop justifying yourself, let's just go get them. ―
In the end, everyone agreed. I wanted to go back to the restaurant where I'd had dinner with Selene, but we made a detour to pick up Levi's family. They lived in a fairly large three-story building. His home was on the first floor. Just as I expected from a medieval society, the rich live on the lower floors while the poor live on the top ones—a "tradition" that, once we invent the elevator, will probably fix itself.
Levi's wife took a bit to get their five-year-old ready and come out. Meanwhile, Sena told me how their day had gone and how the printing press was changing their lives. Before long, I met the most playful and shameless kid I've ever known. Somehow, I ended up carrying the child on my shoulders as we walked through the city on our way to the restaurant.
At the reception, the butlers led us to a private room, since we were accompanied by my sister-in-law—or rather, the guild master of the merchants.
Selene and I tried to sit on one side of the table, Levi and his wife on the other, and Sena at the head, but Levi's son had other plans; in the end, he wanted to be as close to me as possible. Hemer and Lisa sat next to Sena.
I ended up "having dinner"—or playing, which was basically the same thing—with him the whole time. While Sena caught up with Levi's wife, I was busy making airplane noises and flying the kid around. (At that moment, I didn't realize these people don't even know what an airplane is—but whatever.)
The little one got so tired from playing that he finally fell asleep in his mother's arms. After I quickly finished my dessert, dinner came to an end, and when I got ready to pay, Levi tried to contribute, but I refused.
■― I told you it's my treat. Don't make me go back on my word. ―
― Levi ― Come on, the kid's been bothering you all dinner, it's the least I can do. ―
■― Your kid's no bother. You've no idea how my little sisters were when they were his age. ―
― Levi ― Are you all, right? ― He offered me a handkerchief.
■― Yeah, sorry, I just… ―
― Levi ― I didn't mean to… ―
■― Don't worry, it's nothing. I just didn't expect it myself… They'd be eighteen now. ―
― Levi ― Natural disasters do that… it's not your fault. ―
Tears slipped out before I even realized it. I hadn't expected to react that way much less actually cry. (Damn, I really do miss them.)
■― Give me a second, I'll pay, and we'll go. I think that's enough for today. ―
― Levi ― All right. ―
We walked Levi and his family home, then went to get the guards. Lisa was half-asleep as she walked, and Hemer wouldn't stop thanking me for inviting him to dinner. (As if he doesn't make me breakfast and dinner every day already.)
In the end, we said goodbye to Levi, and the guards came in to "watch over me," just as Neo had written they stayed in the dining room.
I went straight to bed, exhausted from the day's work, but mostly from the ache of remembering my sisters.
― Selene ― I want one too. ―
■― One what? ―
― Selene ― One of those that cry and call you "mama." ―
■― You won't have to ask me twice. ―
― Selene ― You forget that in this world we can't conceive until winter. ―
■― Ahhh. ―
― Selene ― Now that you seem less serious, tell me what happened earlier. ―
■― I don't know. I remembered my sisters and just couldn't stop the tears. ― I said with a cracked voice, a tear in my eye.
― Selene ― Come here, don't hold it in. ―
I cried for a while, wrapped in her arms. And when I finally stopped, we lay down together.
― Selene ― From what you told me, you all arrived in this world at twenty-two, right? ―
■― Yeah. We weren't kids, but we weren't really adults either. In our world especially in the country we lived in at twenty-two, you're still just a kid. To suddenly wake up in that forest… and after years of danger until we built the subdimension… I guess I've only just now realized that I'll never see my family again. ―
― Selene ― Don't cry anymore, or I'll start too. ―
I don't remember much after that. I just know I fell asleep in her arms, crying, remembering my sisters, my parents, my life on Earth missing them all terribly.