To tell the truth, Olivia wasn't really paying attention to anything unrelated to patching up the ceiling and ideas about what to sell next.
Before she ended up here in this world via kidnappi--ahem, summoning, she just started to learn about how various factories create the products modern people use in daily life.
Like detergents, petroleum, wine, cornstarch, paints--all that stuff. Of course, not in too much detail yet, since Olivia's still in her second year of taking Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering.
But enough to know how it works.
It also helped a lot that Olivia did extensive research about such processes. Especially when it comes to oil and paint.
You really do gain a new perspective and appreciation of things you normally take for granted once you learn how it's made. The time and effort that went through the research, the process, the creation of the equipment...
Wasn't it clear by now?
Olivia is just a girlie who wants to make lives better by inventing and mass-producing something that benefits the majority. While also being the main breadwinner of her family and therefore lightening the burden from her parents.
She has absolutely no desire to become the female John Wick!! Seriously!
Ugh. Olivia doesn't have a death wish, though. She absolutely doesn't want to die from some sort of invisible voodoo.
So.
The only thing she can do at this point is to carry on in her life. Tackle the problems she has one by one.
Starting!! With the ceiling!!
It's kind of funny, to be honest. What a way for her to make a first impression, you know? And anyway, she's trying to fix it. Kind of rude to leave a mess you made for others to clean up after, right?
Which is why she's now here. In this cozy looking stone building with chairs and a counter that could almost be mistaken for the interior of a medieval bar if the wall behind the counter wasn't filled with wall design samples and construction tools.
"Here we are", Caliste announced beside her. "Duke Cecil's craftsmen guild. Should be a quick errand for us."
It's been explained to Olivia before they came here. In this world, there's no such thing as a company or corporation. Instead, there are official groups formed based on talent and merit in this one specific field--together, they're called a guild.
Which was pretty neat to think about. Even other worlds have their own version of Capitalism, huh.
Up ahead was a burly-looking short guy with a fearsome beard adorned with braids. He had goggles on, and he seemed to be working on a little trinket in his hand.
"Meldrom", Caliste walked forward, catching the short guy's attention--as well as the rest of the people already milling about in the place. "We have a problem."
The people around them are now looking at the pair of girls now. Olivia ended up standing there like an idiot.
And, well.
Baby steps, right?
==
So. Good news is that they're willing to get to work right away. Apparently, because a certain person is visiting and willing to help, they'd get the job done in 30 minutes.
Frankly, that's awesome! Making the whole damaged area good as new? In just thirty minutes?
If that can happen back home, then Olivia will never be late for her morning classes ever again.
"You have an apprentice with you right now?", blue eyes blinked rapidly, followed by an eyebrow raise. Caliste looked around. "A new recruit? I hope you notified Duke Cecil first."
"There's no need to. This person isn't under the Duke's authority."
It was then that someone emerged from the back. A lean guy with what Olivia could only describe as an athletic build came in holding an axe with both its blades larger than his torso. He had a playful smirk on his face, eyes a deep crimson--
Wait. Crimson?
...okay, alright, sure. What a nice way to be reminded that this isn't Olivia's world, but a world where dragons exist and rich people can ride like Santa Claus.
"Hello", she decided to greet the newcomer, bowing slightly on instinct. "I'm Olivia A--Cecil. Who might you be?"
The room seemed to freeze. Everyone was staring at her. Even Caliste.
What? What? What is it??
"I'm...Eric", the man said.
At least this guy didn't think it was strange. Even when he was also staring at her weirdly. For some reason.
"Oh, like that prince from the Little Mermaid", Olivia blurted out without thinking.
"...what?"
"Uh. Ignore that. It's nice to meet you", then she smoothly changed the subject. "How soon can you fix the ceiling? Because I feel really bad about the mess I made."
Meldrom and Eric seemed to visibly process that. Then they exchanged looks.
==
Caliste seems to be in a bad mood. "We're going to start you on etiquette lessons first thing tomorrow morning."
Uh. Okay, sure, but. "Why are you mad?"
"This one is not mad, my lady."
"Don't lie, your lips are all pouty. I know a pissed-off face when I see one."
Calisto stopped. Stared at her. "Did you just--"
Olivia blinked back. "Was I not supposed to say that? Uh. Whoops."
She proceeded to walk ahead at a rapid pace. The blonde cook immediately gave chase. "YOU--!!"
Very unladylike of them. Oh, no.
The gentlemen behind them seemed amused, though. At least that's something.
==
It was very interesting to see it all. How magic--it's magic, right? It looks like magic!--wove itself into the craft as they fixed the ceiling.
The whole process almost looked like those couple of videos Olivia saw of tissue weaving itself to cover a wound. But more...refined?
Metal and stone grew and reached for each other, guided by the blue light from Meldrom's hammer. Eric served his role as an excellent support, too, by making sure everything went where it needed to go. His eyes were glowing bright red.
It wasn't clear, what Eric was doing. Probably making the material more sturdy than before?
Regardless, the pair was done in less than twenty minutes.
By the end of it, Meldrom let out a soft chuckle--spotting Olivia still staring at the spot where the hole had been as he came down from the second floor. "My, my, miss. I've never seen a lass as happy as you about this."
She can't stop smiling. She doesn't care, sue her.
It's just!! So amazing, okay!! She's never seen anything like it before!!
--oh. Speaking of which.
"If you two don't mind", she starts, before she loses her nerve about it. "Can I ask you to make another thing?"