TYSAFWCG 19

Chapter 19

Some time ago.

Yujin had learned the spell “Robak’s Intermediate Mana Stone Production” from Robak, a mage affiliated with the Kalibore Magic Tower, in exchange for providing him with pure gold.

Mana stones were used in various magical tools such as mana furnaces and ore crushers, so Yujin was able to make great use of them while expanding his metal-processing facilities.

That alone would have been more than enough, but—

[Basics of Artifact Design]

The Kalibore Magic Tower had also sent him another magic book, one that explained artifact design.

‘I don’t remember agreeing to receive something like this…?’

Moreover, it was a book about artifact creation.

Artifacts were tools that allowed magic to be implemented through devices.

Yujin didn’t know exactly how advanced it would be, but one thing was certain—it could become a tool capable of solving many of the problems he was currently facing.

Right away, to create the gas collector needed for producing high-purity sulfuric acid, he would have to make an artifact utilizing the 1st-circle spell Wind.

Furthermore, if he could create artifacts that enabled electrolysis, then instead of personally casting magic every time, he could make use of incompetent alchemists who didn’t even understand electromagnetism. That would be a huge help in running the workshop, which was likely to become much busier.

‘Why would they send me something this valuable?’

For a moment, he even wondered if there was some hidden clause or trap in a contract he didn’t know about.

Just then—thud—a letter slipped out from the magic book.

‘A letter?’

Yujin picked it up and began to read.

[To Yujin Magnus,

Greetings. This is Robak. I wonder if you have been well lately, and whether your studies and work are progressing as you wish. Thanks to your help, my artifact production has been going smoothly.

To be honest, I had no intention of writing a letter. After all, I am but a passerby. However, I thought you might be surprised if I sent a magic book without any explanation, so I decided to write this.

There is no grand reason for sending it. While working on artifacts, I happened to recall how interested you were and how many questions you asked. That led me to think it might be helpful to organize some basic knowledge about artifacts and send it to you.

You may find this to be nothing more than an old man’s rambling, but I believe there will be something useful in it if you read it. I will not drag this out any longer. Please take care of your health.]**

‘…So that’s what it was.’

After reading the letter, Yujin understood the situation.

Robak had simply noticed Yujin’s interest in artifacts and prepared this book for him.

The part about it being “rambling” was likely just his way of saying not to feel burdened.

‘Magic books are quite valuable…’

Even though magic books generally contained “common” spells, most of them were still extremely valuable.

Magic was a power that twisted the laws of the world, and because of that, it was strictly controlled by magic towers and noble families.

It was practically impossible for commoners not affiliated with a magic tower or academy to obtain a magic book through ordinary means. Even nobles needed to be part of prestigious families or affiliated with such institutions to learn magic.

Even Yujin, despite his talent, would have struggled to obtain even a 1st-circle spellbook if he hadn’t been born into the prestigious Magnus family.

So receiving a magic book alone was already valuable, but—

‘Artifact design…’

That made it even more valuable.

Normally, artifact-making techniques were passed down through apprenticeships.

While there were basic training programs, they were usually limited to those intending to join artifact workshops and focused only on simple components like mana stone production.

Design techniques were reserved only for talented disciples chosen as successors.

For Robak to send such knowledge—without any compensation—was nothing short of extraordinary generosity.

‘…Thank you very much, sir.’

Even though Robak said not to feel burdened, Yujin couldn’t just ignore such kindness.

He was too busy to visit in person right now, but—

‘I’ll have to go thank him properly later.’

Yujin made up his mind.

***

After that,

Yujin quickly began studying Basics of Artifact Design.

[The world is woven together by countless flows of mana. What a mage does is intervene in these flows using their own mana, and ultimately distort them according to their will. Artifact design fundamentally begins from this principle.

An artifact is a method of implementing a mage’s interaction with the world through mana outside the body, using tools. Therefore, artifact design also begins here. Specifically…]

The book Robak sent explained not only the fundamental principles and perspectives of artifact design but also its practical methods in a detailed and hands-on manner.

From the basics of implementing magic through mana circuits to the components required for designing such circuits, everything was explained thoroughly.

For Yujin, who had intuition about design but lacked detailed knowledge, this was a tremendous help.

Of course, there were limitations.

‘Up to the 3rd circle… and only the spells I know.’

More advanced designs could likely implement more complex magic, but for now, the limit was 3rd-circle spells—and only those the designer could personally use.

‘Well, that makes sense.’

Since artifact design was essentially about replicating how a mage interacts with the world, it was natural that one could only implement interactions they personally understood.

Still, compared to circuit design from his previous life, this was much simpler.

Back then, he had to intellectually understand how machines worked.

Here, he only needed to translate something he could physically sense into a design.

‘Alright, then…’

What Yujin needed was to capture sulfur dioxide generated during nickel production, convert it into high-purity sulfuric acid, and use it in electrolysis.

To do that, he needed to collect sulfur dioxide gas—and the best way was to create a pressure difference so the gas would naturally flow into a collection chamber and react with catalysts.

The 1st-circle spell Wind created airflow through pressure differences.

With a slight modification of its principle, it could become a “pressure-difference-generating” spell.

And with his current knowledge, that was more than enough.

‘Since Wind creates pressure differences between two points, I’ll need two artifacts interacting with feedback… and for mana transmission, I’ll need these components…’

Using what he had learned, Yujin quickly drafted the blueprint.

“Workshop Master Edgar, I need these materials for expanding the facility. First…”

Following the design, he gathered materials and successfully created the artifact.

He immediately tested it.

‘Good. It works exactly as intended.’

Just as planned, it created a controlled airflow using pressure differences.

Using this, he successfully dissolved sulfur dioxide into sulfuric acid during the roasting process—producing high-purity sulfuric acid.

“…Sulfuric acid can reach this level of purity?”

Edgar was astonished after seeing the final result.

The reactions were far cleaner compared to ordinary sulfuric acid.

He had used sulfuric acid before in potion-making, but impurities always made the results messy and required additional processing.

But this high-purity sulfuric acid—

It could even be used to create high-grade potions.

“How in the world did you make something like this? Where did you even learn this…?”

Using toxic gas instead of purifying it—and producing something like this—felt more magical than magic itself.

“Well… I just thought about it, and it seemed possible.”

Yujin couldn’t exactly say he learned it in his previous life.

‘Just by thinking about it…?!’

Edgar was deeply impressed.

“Honestly, it’s not that complicated.”

‘…Not complicated?’

Just how talented was he?

Edgar was once again stunned—but didn’t show it.

Reacting every time would only make things awkward.

“I see… But I heard you plan to make rust-proof steel with this…”

Edgar still had doubts.

Rust-proof steel sounded like something out of legend—like adamant.

Steel was one of humanity’s oldest and most common metals.

If it truly didn’t rust, it would revolutionize the world.

‘Could such a breakthrough really be easy?’

But—

“Yes. You’ll be able to see it for yourself soon.”

Yujin answered confidently.

“…I understand.”

Thinking about it, Yujin had already achieved the impossible many times.

Aluminum. Pure gold. And now this.

If anyone could do it, it was him.

“Workshop Master, I think this equipment needs adjustment. Could you come here?”

“Of course!”

To make it happen, everyone would have to work even harder.

***

Although the high-purity sulfuric acid problem was solved thanks to Robak’s book, that didn’t mean everything was done.

Refining chromium, nickel, and molybdenum from ore was still complex.

Even if manageable, these processes involved extreme heat and strong acids—any malfunction could endanger the entire workshop.

The alloying process at high temperatures also required precise mixing.

So Yujin conducted multiple trial runs, stabilizing the process and introducing new tools where needed.

After working tirelessly—

“…It’s finally done.”

Just days before the competitive bid,

Magnus Workshop 43 completed the stainless steel pipes.

“…So this is rust-proof steel.”

Edgar murmured.

At a glance, it didn’t look much different from ordinary steel.

But somehow, it felt smoother… more refined.

Like it would never decay.

“But, young master—what is this steel called?”

“The name? There’s only one answer.”

Yujin replied simply.

“Stainless steel.”

“…Stainless steel.”

A name that meant exactly what it was.

“Indeed… there couldn’t be a clearer name.”

***

Even after creating it, they didn’t stop.

They continued refining the quality.

This bid would determine the workshop’s fate.

There could be no flaws.

‘If only I had more magic…’

Budget and limitations prevented him from learning more advanced spells.

But Yujin had never lived a life of abundance.

The only thing he could rely on was effort.

After giving it everything—

“…Finally.”

Yujin and the members of Magnus Workshop 43 completed a perfect stainless steel pipe.

A simple-looking object—

Yet more valuable than anything in this world.

And it was—

Their unbeatable card for the upcoming bid.

***

A few days later,

The competitive bidding began.