274 10-19 Rest at Ains Hale Brand

.........What is going on?

This class, the Second Alchemy Department, is a class for nobles only.

They would have long ago learned my cultivation lessons by now and would normally have a sleepy look on their faces, but today they are all sitting very still.......

Sensee. Do you do your homework?

'What?　Oh, we don't have one today.

All right!　Well then, it's time to get ready for alchemy class next!

""Oh!"

How quick......

You're all more agile than I've ever seen you all!

I can't believe I have to prepare for my alchemy class during recess!

In a normal recess, I'd be drinking tea, chatting away after the chime, ahahahahaha, and when the teacher enters the classroom, I'd be in no hurry to start cleaning up!

Ha!　By the way, I heard that a temporary teacher has been here since yesterday........

Eriodart-sama?　No, no. They couldn't make it so whoever it is can't be there!

What do I need to know?

""It's okay!"

What about the mortar and pestle?

""It's okay!"

"'Do you have any water for me? 'Oh?'

""It's okay!"

I'm not even going to bother checking!

And I can't believe we're all in the front and second row of seats in the middle!

The best part is, I'm already seated and waiting!　Who?

Get me that teacher!

I wish I could have been the kind of teacher that people expect to be waiting for.......

I really wonder what kind of a great teacher he is....

******

Huh.....

I'm bored.

There's nothing to do.

I'm bored to the point of sleepiness.

"Dah-rah!　There is no Negin!

But doesn't the smell of negin smell good?　If it smells green, I still think it's Negin!

'This time the subject is one that can be used in a social setting!　I don't need that greenish smell!

But you can't get it all together if you only collect glamorous smells!　After all, this is the place to be, Negin--

""No Negin!"

More harmony than that!　I need to make up my mind!

Well that's surprisingly serious and smooth.

Oh, it's chiming.

Hey, guys. Time to ring the bell. Break time, break time.

'I'd like a rose...?　But is it still lavender?　Oh, I can't get rid of the citrus!

So let's make up some numbers and narrow it down to a handful of candidates!

You're not listening to me and...

I don't know if I have to go to the bathroom or something later, okay?

No!　I'm just saying.

You're in big trouble.

.........but I won't tell you.

And when I get back and the bell to start class, I'm still working on it.........

It's fine to be fully motivated, but it's also important to take a break........

''Well, we'll split up into groups and go through a review before the end of class to decide on a base!

What do we do now?　I still want the smell of roses all over the place!

'I'd like to give it a clean, refreshing citrus and mint feel...'

More berry sweet and sour!　The sourness that glistens in the sweetness is not only pretty, it represents the strength of a girl!

''Hmph...............................I'll let everyone know. Negin's underlying power........

I don't have a chance.........

But I don't think Negin should do it.........

Wow.........but I didn't expect that class to be so motivated.......

''Brand?''

Yeah. You make it, you brand it!

"''...?''

Huh?　Lack of response....

This is where it gets more exciting, right here?

"What is a brand?

Oh, there?　That's why it wasn't exciting........

Huh?　But isn't it hard to explain a brand in words alone when it comes time to describe it?

''Hmm........added value?　Trust and credibility?　Product specialization...?

'Sense..... Sense was trying to make you make something you don't understand?

'No wait ... hmmm, yes. For example, when you think of Ains Hale, what do you think of?

"Caterpillar Sue!

'Uh ... yeah. Yeah. It's going to happen.'

As much as I hate to admit it, the current specialty of Ains Hale is Caterpillar.

I hate to admit it, but let me explain on that basis.

'As you've just said, caterpillars are a specialty of Ains Hale. Speaking of Caterpillars, Ainshail we're going to do something like that on your scale.

'Our size?　'We're going to make a specialty?'

'A little different. We're going to make something that's unique to you. That will eventually become a brand.

I said why don't we create a brand, but I think it would have been more accurate to say grow a brand.

'Because of us?　But we're not all at the lowest level of alchemy, and we're not all good at it either!　Are you sure you're okay with what we've made?

''Yeah. What you make is what you can do with the foundation of alchemy. And you have weapons that are unique to you.

'Oh I'm so confident!

"You've got a face to rely on.

I'm pretty confident.

"So, what exactly are we going to make?

"Pfft.

"Don't waste it.

'Well then, let's announce it!

"I'm a nervous wreck.

"I'm so excited.

That's ... perfume!

If there's a sound effect, Dane!　And then there would be a sound.

And then there would be a scene ... and a sound.

....Huh?　The reaction hasn't been as good as I thought it would be.

Could it be a generation gap that is out of sync with what I think is the rising point?

The first time I saw it, I thought to myself, "Oh.......it's a perfume.......

What, no perfume?

I figured that perfume wouldn't fail because unlike potions, it doesn't require magical powers either........

If perfume isn't good enough, it would be soap or shampoo or rinse, but that one has to have a cleansing effect on it, so the process would be a little more complicated.......

If possible, I'd like to create a brand image with the perfume first, and then move on to the second stage, but....

Hmmm........not really my kind of thing.......

'I suppose some people follow you in social circles, don't they?

'Of course I'll be there!　But basically, she's an older woman than Sensa, and she smells a lot harder and stronger than Sensa, so we have different tastes!''

"If you smell too harsh, you won't look good, and sometimes people won't like you...

Everyone is nodding in agreement.

Apparently it's not as popular as I thought it would be.

Well, that's fine with me.

That's convenient. In other words, you know how to improve the current perfume, right?

Huh?

'As long as it doesn't smell too harsh. Since we know the answer, we just have to satisfy the demand. A scent is one of the five senses that people associate with others. Since we dress up to satisfy our sense of sight, isn't it bad to wear a scent to satisfy our sense of smell?

'Oh, oh?　That being said, it certainly wouldn't be bad if it smelled good in the right way!''

Supply and demand is the key to business. If people like a perfume that doesn't have a bad smell, and it becomes popular, there will be demand for it. If you supply it, you are in business.

'If it's popular...' Oh, we'll use it in our social circles.

That's right. If you guys take the initiative and use a non-nasty perfume, people will be interested in it. They'll care about where you got it. Then.........''

"We'll sell what we've made, and we'll sell it...

'Yes. And the rumors spread. And it's not just an ordinary perfume sold elsewhere, but a special perfume supervised by a nobleman and made by a nobleman. There aren't many people who can meet this requirement.'

That is their weapon.

No matter how many perfume-makers there are in the world, only they can listen to the voices of the people in the field, and even more importantly, only they can visit the field and understand the reactions.

''But there are also nobles who have alchemists.　I don't want that person to imitate...

''No, you guys still have the advantage. That makes you the original owners special. And there are 10 of us in here. I told you.　[You guys], they're going to create a brand. There's no doubt that a product made with the opinions of more nobles is of higher quality in every aspect than one made with the opinions of a single nobleman. And that quality and trust is what you guys represent. In other words, you become a brand.''

But," he said, turning his face into something serious and convincing.

This is the most important part.

The brand is also a proof of trust and credibility. You have to convince people that it's safe because it's made by you. So, we have to go through a rigorous screening process, discussions, and research to make sure that the product has a scent that is approved by 10 people. Don't be swayed by someone else's opinion. But also don't insist on disagreeing with them. Don't judge someone based on their likes and dislikes. You have to value your own opinion, but you must also be a vessel for accepting the other person's opinion.

''I don't want to be so strict.......what if I just can't agree with you and we remain divided?''

Well, of course that happens.

But then he huffs and smiles and says something a little loose at the end.

Well, if there is a disagreement and no matter how much we talk about it, we can't come up with an answer, we can make two of them. You can make the one with the highest rating as the product. It sounds like a difficult thing to say, but be flexible in your thinking, but don't compromise.

"Oh, oh.

But if the partner is a noblewoman, the number is limited, and I don't think it will sell very well. To begin with, you can't raise the price of each item of perfume, and once a customer buys it, it won't sell for a while.

It would be interesting to make a perfume for men and for the public. You can also think about the men's and women's versions. It would be interesting to have a perfume made by each of you with your own name. Of course, if it's your domain, you can sell your own perfume, and you can buy all kinds in the capital!　

Well, I think you need to keep the price down with size and concentration....

It might not be a bad idea to give the aristocrats a sense of luxury by decorating glass bottles with work anyway.

It would be interesting to put it in a paulownia box and give it away as a gift.

"I wonder if an ordinary citizen, not a nobleman, would use perfume...

"Are you going to use our name to sell?

We can sell it. Nobles are the darling of the masses. If there's something near and dear to you, and affordable, I'd like to have it. You can even make a claim that it's a spell for emergencies and celebrations.

'Oh. It's a luxury item, but I don't use it up in one sitting, so in that case, I'll buy it!

And I'll add one more thing.

"You're all ridiculously beautiful women. Of course, I'm sure the women of the world would admire you.

A natural model...?

It shouldn't be because she's the daughter of a nobleman, so why are they all so beautiful?

''Nah, nah, nah!　I've been seduced!'

'This is the art of seducing a man who surrounds himself with six women!　It was too natural!'

'What? Don't make fun of me.

"It was Sense who made a joke!

'Why, why me?　I'm making a face like that!

No, you'll look like that.

You're actually quite beautiful, and you're probably used to being praised, so you're aware of that, right?

"What?　Are you embarrassed by the front?　Hahaha'

''Ugh, you're so annoying!

'Well, anyway. I guess that's all I can explain.

"It's so frustrating...

That would bring it back.

Now that we're talking about something serious, you can't make a mockery of it, okay?

'I'll tell you one thing, though: you need to get your shit together. I'm not going to control you, but you're the one who decides what you want to do. It's up to each of you to decide what you want to do. But if you want to change things. And if you decide you don't want to go along with it, I'll give you all the knowledge and experience I have to help you. That's why you need to think carefully and make your own decision.

At these words, everyone in the class shuts down and starts to think seriously.

It's not like they are discussing the matter with anyone, but silence comes as if they are questioning the core of themselves.

''Do you think Sense will succeed...?''

Would you be relieved if I said I would?　It's easy if you want to make them dream, but there are no absolutes in the world........ I'm just going to make it happen.''

Raz and Clan respond to my untrue and straightforward words with serious eyes.

And the two of them held hands and nodded widely once, talking eye-to-eye without exchanging words.

''........We want to do it!

'Because if it works, we might get our wish!

You wish....

It's a good look, I can clearly see the strong will of a young man with good eyes.

I'm starting to feel like an old man now.....

It's a good look at the eyes of a youngster and say they are good eyes.......but it can't be helped, because they are good eyes that have a core of determination.

''Wow, I want to do it too!　Because.........if this succeeds, I'll be able to marry Mr. Yu from the Knight Department.......''

'Yeah. I know you had a favorite, but it was hard for you, for financial reasons. But if you can earn your own money you might be able to do it. ........me too........

"Me too!　I want to make my own perfume........ And if people are happy with it in their hands, I'll do my best!'

'Well, at least once... I wanted to really devote myself to something.... If I could do it while I was still a student, I'd do it.'

'I know..... I was depressed when I saw the alchemy department and the knightly department and the adventure department working hard, and I thought we were no good.... But now we can prove that we can do it too!''

One after another, I hear people wanting to try it.

Apparently they're all going to participate.

"I'll say it again, there's no such thing as a sure thing, okay?　It's possible you'll fail, get hurt, and never smelt again..... You might be wasting your time. Can you still say you'll do it?''

Here's the anxiety to check and shake things up again.

But..........

'.........I'm anxious about it. But I have more hope than that!

'Yes!　It's an opportunity I've been waiting for!

'If I'm going to do this, I want to get serious about it!

Following Raz and Clan, they each send words and glances that carry strong feelings.

Apparently, no child has such a naive idea.

'Then good!　If you don't understand something, ask me anything you don't understand. Even if it's something I don't understand, I'll ask and I'll try to answer it because my teachers and seniors will know. I'm a temporary instructor, but I'll still consult with you after my teaching period is over.''

I've burned up this much.

You can't just burn it up and be done with it...you can't be irresponsible, can you?

Well, I'll make sure to hit the base firmly during the period, so you won't have to worry too much.

''Sensei!　Does that mean you'll be responsible for me until the end?''

"Hmm?　Ah, well, yes. I want you guys to succeed--'

"All right!　They say Sense is responsible for the whole thing!　If it doesn't work, you can become a live-in apprentice at Sense's house and you'll be safe in the future!

Huh?

No, wait. I never said anything about that!

Live-in apprenticeship...?

I'm going to take care of you?

"Wait, wait, wait, wait. Don't make a fuss. "Don't make a scene!　There!　Why crap!　Yeah!　I'm not gonna do anything!　Not!

"When I say 'until the end', I'm including insurance in case of failure.

'I thought you guys were going to get married if it didn't work out!

........Does this mean that I wasn't prepared for this?

'You made me dream and now I don't want to go back!　At least me and Raz will be with you!'

"No, wait!　You're not going to...

Wendy and the others will never forgive me.........no, no.

They'll forgive us, but all I can see is a future where they'll be looking at us with resignation for a while!

And I also have an apprentice I have to raise up honorably named Miserra.

I think these kids will be fine, but I'm also worried about their awareness of the kingdom's half-elves.......

I mean, Raz and Clan are the daughters of the Marquis family........

Ask Hayato for help........?　No, I can't do anything but bother you!

"Commoners!　You're scamming my daughter!

What a joke the future holds!

Yeah, that's it. That's nothing. It's a no-go for nothing. Let's deny it outright.

"You know what--

''It's just a joke! But if it doesn't work, then maybe....?

You can't go wrong, can you?　The War?

Yeah.... I'm going to make it happen, no matter what. So you guys need to really get into this.

And then.........

Me, I don't have anything to do right now.