Chapter 453: With Enough Food and Clothing (2/2)
Jin bit at the words that Saki had leaked so casually.
“Saki, that’s it!”
“Huh?”
“What if we could make artificial Magi Crystals?”
“What did you say?”
Even to an alchemist like Saki, Jin’s suggestion sounded preposterous.
Whether it’s food or anything else, you have to use energy in order to get started.
Even on modern Earth, the energy problem was pressing. Rising gasoline and electricity prices were painful expenses for the general public.
“But this world has Ether…”
Perpetual motion is impossible, but the concept of “free mechanism” was possible. That would be the combination of the Ether Converter and Mana Driver that Reiko and the others have built in.
It could be said that it was a clean energy source that converted Ether that already existed in the air into energy.
However, there were various problems with spreading it to the general public in its current state. There was the possibility that it could be used for military purposes, and it could be even more problematic if it was misused.
“Would it be possible to use Magi Crystals just as we’d use a battery?”
That idea was stuck on Jin’s mind.
“Well, if it could be done, it would be revolutionary…”
“Jin, do you know what a Magi Crystal is to begin with?
Elsa was right. It’s impossible to make something if you don’t understand what it is that you’re trying to make.
“I know it’s a mineral that contains Mana.”
“That would be a start. But it’s still quite impressive!”
“Jin, if that were something that could be manufactured… it would be great if it was inexpensive! It might change the way we live our lives!”
Berthie also showed her approval of Jin’s idea.
“Okay, should we start researching tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I can’t wait!”
That was the end of that day’s meeting, and Jin set about to unveil a new food.
“Well, what could it be?”
“Uhuhu, I can’t wait!”
Berthie and Saki were also excited about their expectations.
“Big broootheeer!”
“Ah, here you are.”
It was Hanna’s voice. Most of the children in Kaina village had arrived as well. Jin could also see Barbara and Eric. There were some villagers who were there as well, so it seemed that a total of about 40 people had gathered.
They had all assembled at the hall on the first floor.
“What are you going to treat us to today, Mr. Jin?”
Barbara asked, sounding like she was really looking forward to it.
“Well, you’re about to see for yourself… Look.”
Barrow, Belle, and the golem maids appeared carrying something white on their trays.
“Huh?”
Everyone stared in wonder at what was being served to them.
“Well, why don’t you all give it a try before saying anything?”
Each of them scooped some of it from their crystal bowls with a silver spoon, and then brought it into their mouth.
“It’s cold!”
“It’s sweet!”
“It’s so yummy!”
It was shaved ice. Sprinkled with citran juice, it was cold, sweet and sour, and had a very summery taste.
It was made by freezing water with ice magic and carving it with a shaved ice machine made with Elsa’s help.
“If you eat too much, it’s going to ruin your stomach. You shouldn’t have more than 2 cups of it per day. And the interval between the 1st and 2nd cups should be at least 3 hours, just to be safe.”
Jin had started selling shaved ice at Nidou Castle at a cheap price of 10 Tolls (about 100 yen) per cup.
It was typical of Jin to have taken proper measures to prevent stomach sickness.
The shaved ice would become very popular, and this idea and the shaved ice machine would be later sold to the Raglan Firm in the capital city of Alban for a price of 100,000 Tolls.
However, In Alban, they wouldn’t have that restriction of no more than two cups a day, so it was later said that there were a lot of cases of upset stomach after having eaten too much of it…