Isaac approached occasionally to observe, his expression oscillating between skepticism and curiosity.
By around 2 PM, when Ren had processed almost half his skins, the artisan had to admit the results were exceptional.
“Never seen that deep shine,” he commented while examining one of the finished skins. “And the flexibility…”
“It’s because the fibers are perfectly aligned,” Ren explained while immersing another batch. “Like when the Shadow Stalker prepares to sleep. I achieved it using a different fixative proportion and very little Bronze crystal powder, look…”
Isaac paused briefly, interested. “Why does it work with so little powder?”
“Powdered crystal fixative is designed for most skins, which have residual mana,” continued Ren, his knowledge helping him understand, to then explain. “That’s why they use so much powder, to seal the skin with more mana. But here there’s no mana to seal.”
“Interesting theory,” Isaac stroked his beard thoughtfully.
“And eight and a half minutes,” he murmured. “Not ten.”
“Why eight and a half?”
“The base solution is green slime oil, right?” Ren sniffed slightly. The mushrooms had given him the answer to that scent’s owner already. “Shadow Stalker skins have 15% less fat and water than others.”
Isaac looked at him with renewed interest. “Continue.”
“If the solution maintains that pattern,” Ren pointed to a freshly immersed skin, “eight and a half minutes is enough to expel all matter that could rot.”
“Fascinating,” Isaac murmured. “And that makes such a difference?”
“The conductive fibers adapted better,” Ren traced the patterns in the skin. “Like I said… just like when the Shadow Stalker goes to sleep.”
Isaac processed the next skin following Ren’s suggestions. The result was subtly different, more flexible, with an even deeper shine than what Ren achieved, with the old man’s technique the best possible skins were born.
“Well, well,” the artisan nodded appreciatively. “Seems there’s more in that head of yours than just fungi.”
Ren smiled, the mushrooms pulsing cheerfully.
By the end of the day, Ren had processed all his skins using barely a tenth of the materials normally required, and his mixtures never became contaminated. Each piece gleamed with a deep luster, the conductive fibers perfectly preserved in their optimal state.
“You could make a career of this,” Isaac suggested while Ren packed the last skins. “You have talent.”
Ren smiled but shook his head. He had other plans for his future.
While cleaning his workstation, he calculated mentally: the reduced material cost and his own labor meant more profit per skin. And with the improved quality, the selling price would also be higher.
‘Not bad for half a day’s work,’ he thought while carefully storing his production.
♢♢♢♢
The warehouse was quieter when Ren returned.
Most students had already left, leaving only the occasional sound of papers and soft tinkling of crystals.
Ren could have gone to the more experienced lady with burn scars in her hands but decided to return to Jessy.
“You’re back,” Jessy smiled seeing him approach with his package. “How did the processing go?”
Ren carefully laid the skins on the counter. The deep shine immediately caught Jessy’s attention.
“May I?” she asked, extending a hand toward the nearest one.
Ren nodded. The mushrooms in his hair pulsed softly while Jessy examined the first skin.
“Amazing,” she murmured, running her fingers over the surface. “The flexibility is perfect, and this shine…” she held the skin up to the light. “Are you sure this is your first time processing?”
“Isaac helped.”
“This is the best work I’ve seen from Isaac so far, well I haven’t seen too many… Has he been working worse lately?” Jessy continued examining. “The fibers are perfectly ordered. Almost looks like they could start breathing at any moment.”
She pulled out her appraisal manual, this time with professional enthusiasm replacing her earlier nervousness.
“Let’s see… premium quality, exceptional preservation…” her fingers ran through price tables. “How many do you have?”
“Ninety to sell. I’ll keep some.”
Jessy nodded. “Let’s see… at the base price of 450 crystals for premium quality, plus the bonus for perfect fiber preservation…” she made some calculations. “I can offer you 550 for each.”
“I’ll take it,” Ren responded without hesitation.
“Done,” Jessy began counting. “Though I’ll have to bring more from the vault. How many did you say? Ninety?”
“Yes. That’s 49,500 crystals total.”
Jessy blinked at the speed of the calculation. “Let me verify… yes, exact. Give me a moment.”
While Jessy headed to the back of the warehouse, Ren organized the skins in groups of ten. Some of the best quality ones were already set aside for his own experiments.
“Planning to use them to buy something now or want crystals to save?” she asked while completing the paperwork.
“Don’t trouble yourself, I already know what I want to buy, I have enough to begin my cultivation.”
Jessy’s hands paused briefly while counting. “Cultivation?”
“Yes, I have enough to evolve my spore.”
“But…” Jessy continued counting, though more slowly, “wouldn’t it be better…” she stopped, biting her lip.
“Better what?”
“It’s a lot of money,” she continued carefully. “You could… there are other ways to invest it. The materials market always needs intermediaries, and I don’t know how you obtained all this being so young but if you save…”
Ren waited, knowing what was coming.
“It’s just that…” Jessy placed another group of crystals, “with a spor… I mean, that beast doesn’t… even with the best cultivation… well even if you were to follow my advice… The city’s regulations are strict. Without an appropriate rank you won’t be able to establish yourself in the commercial zones or…”
“Operate a business in the inner districts?” Ren completed.
“Exactly. Even with capital, the rank restrictions are somewhat unfair…” Jessy stopped, uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have… Since you can’t even…”
“Can’t even reach Bronze to operate businesses or trade outside school, right?”
Jessy blushed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…”
“Don’t worry,” Ren smiled. “I know the regulations, my father always complained about them. I also know what everyone thinks about my beast… But you’ll be surprised.”
“By the way,” Jessy seemed to remember something while trying to change the subject to hide her rude slip, “did you open the envelope I gave you earlier?”
Ren blinked, surprised by the question. “The envelope?”
“Yes. I gave it to you when you came for the processing materials.”
“Ah, that envelope,” Ren patted his pocket where it still rested, unopened. “Haven’t had time.”
“Must be important,” Jessy insisted. “The messenger who brought it was very specific about delivering it to you… all the windows knew about it.”
Ren nodded, though his mind was already on his next steps. With these crystals he could finally begin his real work.