A few days later.With the Sports Festival less than a week away, the Union was wrapped in a distinctly excited mood.The professors finished their performance evaluations in line with this and greatly reduced the amount of assignments.Each academy also selected representatives to enter the various Sports Festival events, while the remaining students gathered by class to decide on cheering chants—preparations in full swing.On top of that, clubs that had decided to open stalls in the Sports Festival’s vendor zone began bustling into motion.The Alchemy Club I belonged to was among them.Inside the Alchemy Club’s room.I tapped the machine placed at the center of the clubroom with my hand.Clang-.“Th-this is…….”“Yeah, the Carbonated Water Generator.”An alloy-based mechanical device about the size of a kimchi refrigerator. This was—[Carbonated Water Generator (Tentative Name)]Category: Manufacturing ItemGrade: RareA prototype made based on the Carbonated Water Generator blueprint. Since it was crafted by three dwarf brothers of outstanding talent, its performance is assured.Trishi stared blankly at the machine, then suddenly pointed to the metal canisters stacked beside it.“Then what are those canisters? Gas tanks?”“Mana cylinders. They’re consumables, so you have to replace them periodically.”In the sense of replacing cylinders, it’s similar to a household carbonated-water maker in the real world, but I don’t know the exact principle.'This generator is not science but a product of magitech.'I don’t know precisely how this machine operates. I don’t need to.It’s better to think of it as an “OOPArts” made with ancient technology.What matters is…… this works extremely well.“How do you use it?”“Simple. Supply water through the hose.”When I connected a rubber hose from the faucet and attached it to the generator, the Carbonated Water Generator began to run with a low humming noise.“Done?”“Yeah. Bring me a cup.”I took the cup from Trishi, held it to the outlet, and pressed the button.Beep-.When I pressed the button, cool, carbonated water filled with bubbles spurted into the cup.Fssshhhhhh—.“!!”Bubbles rising all the way to the surface of the water. It was unmistakably carbonated water itself.The Alchemy Club members, including Trishi, stared at this scene with their mouths agape.Normally, a mage has to strain to inject air and dissolve carbon dioxide into the water «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» by hand with a spell; that difficult manufacturing process ended with a single button press, so of course they were surprised.Slurp-.After taking a sip of the carbonated water in the cup, I spoke.“For reference, it has a cooling function too. Carbon dioxide dissolves well at low temperatures. Being able to enjoy the carbonated water chilled is a bonus.”Since we’d succeeded in producing carbonated water like this, all we needed was to make syrup and mix it into the carbonated water to complete a soft drink with ease.A revolution in the production process, truly.Trishi, the first to come to her senses, asked,“S-so what do we do with this now? Are we going to sell it in the vendor zone during the Sports Festival?”“Hm.”After a short thought, I suggested another method.“For now, rather than selling carbonated water, it’s better to hand it out free to the athletes in each event to raise brand recognition. A so-called sponsor.”Like PowerXade or GatoXade, that sort of feel.“Sponsor?”“Yeah, you hand out products for free and raise recognition in a big way.”“You’re going to give away this expensive carbonated water for free?!”At Trishi’s overreaction, I shrugged.“It’s not expensive anymore.”The cost of water is effectively free, so aside from replacing mana cylinders, even considering labor, the cost is less than 500 krone per cup.If we distribute outside, we’ll have to pay to manufacture bottles separately, but still.“No, I mean…… if you hand out something that used to go for tens of thousands of krone per cup for free, the value of carbonated water will drop. Wouldn’t it be more profitable to keep the price high at first to rake in cash, then gradually lower it? What about sponsoring and exhibiting in a booth?”“Hmmm.”What Trishi said was fairly reasonable.She probably just wanted to sell for more money, but in that suggestion I picked up on better business viability.'Raising recognition through sponsorship is good, but it’s also necessary to establish a reasonable price range so consumers recognize it as a product that’s ordinarily sold.'A dual-track strategy would be best.“Good. We’ll exhibit at a booth too. I’ll set the price at a fair level. And the items for sponsorship and the items for booth sales need to differ in blend or aroma.”If the free stuff for athletes tastes exactly the same, who would buy it.It’s better to create differentiation—differences in flavor or carbonation intensity.For athlete distribution, we’ll reduce the carbonation level and add ingredients that help electrolyte replenishment like an ion drink, while for sales we’ll load up on carbonation and sugar to make it as tasty as possible.“It’ll take more work since we’re increasing the number of product variants, but I trust you’ll handle it well. You can take all proceeds from the booth.”“Leave it to me!”At the words “take all the proceeds,” Trishi practically jumped.For a moment, it was as if her eyes turned into gold coins.Judging by this passionate reaction, it seems she’ll prepare the exhibit with all her might even if I say nothing.“By the way, did you register a patent for this? The technology could leak.”Smiling broadly, Trishi looked at the generator and asked, and I shook my head.“It’s better not to register a patent.”In any case, the technology used in this Carbonated Water Generator borrows from the Ancient Golden Era—OOPArts.Rather than register a patent and disclose its detailed principles and operation to the world, it’s better to leave it as is.A patent’s validity is ten years; after that, it becomes public.Same with the cola recipe.Even in real history, the mixing ratio for cola was kept strictly secret.“Got it. But are those triplet dwarves who made this guaranteed to keep their mouths shut?”“Yeah, they aren’t the type to blab here and there to begin with, and I warned them that if there’s any technology leak, they won’t be able to receive any new contraptions in the future.”If a commoner were involved, they’d sell the Carbonated Water Generator’s tech for immediate gain, but those three are single-minded obsessives mad about invention and development.To them, those trifling funds matter far less than the blueprints I’ll supply going forward—ones that hold the Golden Age’s technology.Even the fact that they made this Carbonated Water Generator with no special compensation proves it.“Then let’s manufacture syrup and mix it with the carbonated water. Are the materials ready?”“O-of course they are.”Trishi pointed to the dyes, sugar, and flavorings placed on one side of the clubroom.In addition, containers to hold the finished beverages and large quantities of glass bottles had been prepared.Indeed, those products were exactly as I’d requested. The item list and the order quantities were accurate.Of course…… I did give her enough money to leave plenty over even after considering the cost of materials, shipping, and labor.“Is there no money left? By my calculation, there should be about four million krone remaining.”“Eek.”Startled, Trishi answered in a trembling voice,N-no, there isn’t. There’s nothing left. I used it all to procure materials. There’s shipping costs and labor, too.”“…….”Very suspicious behavior from Trishi.I rapped the containers holding the ingredients with the back of my hand and then nodded.“Fine.”She’s suffered plenty with money matters thanks to Loen’s back-of-the-head antics; I’ll consider this much a cute indulgence.From the start, as long as the job’s done properly, I won’t interfere if she keeps the change.It means she pounded the pavement that hard to procure supplies at a low price.“Good, but from next time, be sure to bring receipts.”“Ugh.”Errand pay is errand pay, but I still have to check that the goods were procured cleanly through proper transactions.After that, even though Trishi kept grumbling about something, I neatly ignored it and began full-fledged syrup production.If I borrow the effect of the trait [Alchemy], the syrup I make should carry some decent bonus effects.“Trishi. Stop chattering and bring over the blending drums.”“……Yes.”***A bright spring day.Time flowed ceaselessly, and before I knew it, the Sports Festival was just around the corner.Today, the day before the Sports Festival, most lectures were shortened and only morning classes were held.Thanks to that free time, I went to the Ishtal Territory with Ciel to make a preliminary inspection for the Sports Festival.Ishtal, already bustling with more crowds than usual.The formerly barracks-like, desolate streets of Ishtal were filled with colorful national flags, and the roadsides were decorated with gaudy flowers and green roadside trees.Cafés and restaurants thrown open wide were dotted with students chatting in small groups.I looked around and nodded slowly.“The atmosphere isn’t bad.”“Yes, it seems Lady Freya has been preparing diligently. A public notice was sent out a few days ago to request cooperation from every shop in the Ishtal Territory, and during the Sports Festival they’ve prevented practices like profiteering and price hikes.”“Well done. And this idea is decent too.”I held the information pamphlet I’d picked up at a tram stop and examined it this way and that.A pamphlet with a map of Ishtal.It marked places worth seeing within the territory, food streets, and landmarks well, and on the very back there was a space prepared for stamping.“Yes, they distribute the pamphlets at each stop, and if you stamp them upon visiting each store, you can win prizes by lottery.”The purpose seemed to be to vitalize the local commercial district and increase foot traffic within the territory during the Sports Festival.Also, by giving benefits to the students participating in the Sports Festival, they could raise participation rates and shape their image.“It must have cost a fair bit. Any shops worth visiting?”“Ishtal’s food culture isn’t very developed, so personally, nothing catches my eye.”“True.”No matter how tasty army food is, it’s still army food.“Instead, I hear they’re famous for unique preserved foods and high-calorie combat rations handed down by each family.”“…….”“And foods that are good for dieting are in vogue. Dietary regimens for muscle gain are also well developed.”“Aha.”It seems like something people worrying about dieting or those who love bulking up would enjoy.“If there’s anything reasonably edible for the general public…… smoked processed meats and beer are somewhat famous.”“Ho, that does sound tempting.”So it’s not that there’s absolutely nothing to eat.“Let’s stop by later, then. For now, let’s go to the Grand Stadium. Which direction is it?”“Over there—head toward the hot air balloons.”When Ciel pointed to the sky, hot air balloons floated in the blue.Under the balloons, along with fluttering flags, hung signboards with the names of each zone.They must have been placed in advance so students could find their way easily.After wandering here and there with Ciel to sightsee the streets of Ishtal, I followed the balloons and soon arrived at the Grand Stadium where the Sports Festival would be held.A vast basin located at the center of Ishtal.Like any stadium, a broad Grand Stadium spread out, surrounded by tiered concrete steps for seating.Red tracks laid around the Grand Stadium where the neatly manicured green grass lay.Aside from the lack of proper spectator seating and shade structures, it was similar to a typical modern stadium.“Here, move this over here!”“On three—one, two, three—set it down!”Tents, canopies, sound equipment, and stages were being set up here and there across the Grand Stadium.The Grand Stadium was in the middle of rehearsals.In the distance, I could see Freya, the organizing committee members, and the Disciplinary Committee members moving swiftly.Taking in the state of preparations and the locations of each tent, I murmured,“Looks busy.”“Since you’re here, would you like to at least show your face to Lady Freya?”“No need to go that far. I only came to snoop a little.”If I grasp the seat allocation in advance, I can place the supplies airlifted through Sheika in the right places.You could call it a preliminary inspection before slipping things in.Just as I was getting a sense of the layout by looking around the Grand Stadium and was about to head back—Rustle-.Light footsteps behind me. And a familiar lily scent at the tip of my nose.“……Loen, what brings you here?”Freya, who had come nearby at some point, spoke to me.

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