Chapter 186
Chapter 186
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 186
Chapter Title: Lessons with Nadesta
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"Well then... shall we get down to fulfilling the deal properly?"
"Looking forward to working with you."
After wrapping up the tedious paperwork like the contract, I immediately brought an elf named Nadesta to the atelier.
The reason I only brought Nadesta was that the others were hopeless at sewing compared to Marie, making them pointless to take along.
Even their leatherworking skills leaned toward tanning, so there wasn't much worth picking up from them. I just left the rest to amuse themselves as they pleased.
"Nadesta, can you read patterns like this?"
"Unfortunately, we don't draw pictures when making clothes. We drape fabric over the person to check measurements and cut with scissors guided by hand and eye."
"I see."
I tried for an easy win right from the start with the pattern, but it flopped immediately.
If she could read patterns, handing it over would have been the end of it. What a shame.
"Hmm..."
No easy win, so now the question was how to pass this on.
Showing them my method exactly as is? They'd never keep up, 100%.
I measure super precisely, draw detailed patterns tailored to the body's lines. How could they follow without drawing?
That meant guiding them step-by-step with tips while they worked...
At least it was a relief that they measured when making clothes, so it wasn't some nightmare of rough estimates tied off with strings.
If it were, I'd have been lost on how to teach them.
Leather jackets and jeans need a perfect fit for that cool edge, and eyeballing sizes roughly takes more than average skill and experience.
Diverse fits? Welcome. Total chaos? Hard pass.
"You said you check measurements with fabric—how exactly?"
"We cut a large piece, wrap it around the area to check shape and size, then mark with pins or needles and cut accordingly."
"Ah~"
Using fabric to make a body mold and cut from that.
Less measuring, more direct draping.
Reason for the hassle: paper and pens are scarce on the plains, and without systematic patterns, it's intuitive and fabric-efficient.
Perfect.
I loved it.
"In that case, let's make one from start to finish your way."
"Mm... It might not be familiar to you. You sure?"
Nadesta furrowed her brow slightly with concern, but I flashed a confident smile, handed back her words, and pulled out a large piece of fabric.
"Personally, I prefer this method. I use patterns because I can't call people over whenever needed."
"Oh... You like a pretty brute-force approach."
"But effective."
Nothing beats trying it directly on the body.
This way's a pain, sure, but it guarantees a 'perfect fit'.
"For the model, who among you three?"
"Me, please. Can't have useless non-sewers trying it first."
"Ooh..."
Nadesta picked herself without hesitation, slamming the other elves as good-for-nothings.
Grinning while calling them that? They must be tight-knit.
"Got it. Then take off your coat and wear something thin for easy measuring."
"Yes."
I told Nadesta to undress and beckoned Emily.
"What can I help with?"
"Can't measure a woman myself, so just assist there."
"How?"
"Like gift-wrapping: drape fabric to fit the body, mark where it overlaps."
"Yes."
I roughly demonstrated wrapping fabric around Emily's arm, and she nodded, taking the fabric confidently.
"Alright, Nadesta, whenever you're ready... Whoa...?"
"I'm ready."
I turned from Emily to Nadesta, who'd shed her thick coat, and couldn't help freezing at the cognitive dissonance.
Elf's signature stunning face and slender upper body.
And lower body with sharply defined muscles popping out grotesquely.
Thighs thicker than mine, calves with crisp heart-shaped bulges.
"Whoa, shi..."
Facing muscles that could crush me in three seconds even without magic or mana, words failed.
Right—plains elves who rode reindeer across to the capital.
Like pro female cyclists' legs. No proper saddle, just raw reindeer riding? Muscles are inevitable.
Women built like that explain how they compete with the Empire despite numbers.
Plains folk are something else.
"Haha, a bit ugly to imperial eyes?"
Seeing me and Emily wide-eyed at her thighs, Nadesta smiled shyly, twisting her body to half-hide them.
"Not ugly—impressive, that's why. Sorry if it offended."
"No offense taken. I'm unusual even on the plains."
"Aha."
Just Nadesta being exceptionally strong.
Makes sense—genes are mysterious. Like that female weightlifter who beat dopers clean, human monsters pop up.
Plains with their odd racial traits? Higher odds.
"That's talent level."
"Hehe, saying that feels nice secretly."
I showed awe for her natural chiseled muscles, and Nadesta bashfully ducked her head, slyly flexing the legs again.
Enough leg-gazing—time to work.
"Seems ready, so let's start."
"Yes."
_
True to her century-plus life as an elf, Nadesta soaked up my tips like a sponge, swiftly claiming cowboy garb as her own.
"This is denim, for the pants."
"Rough and tough fabric?"
"Yes, picked for that."
"...Fraying bad on cuts, right?"
"Cut generously, finish edges."
The first jeans gave her trouble as denim newbies do, but she adapted fast—no issue.
"For super thick thighs? Young hunters often have legs as wide as waists."
"No choice—widen leg openings to fit thighs. Loose beats sudden taper."
"Aha."
Once adapted, she fired fit questions leisurely.
"Men's leather vests fully closed, women's gap a finger or two—looks best."
"Got it."
"Jackets: women to navel, men just shy of butt."
"Navel too short?"
"Extend if you want, but women's legs look longer, waist higher—that's the pretty fit."
"Understood, noted."
Other pieces used familiar materials, so just sizing and design tips sufficed.
"Hm? For jacket leather, cut like this—not there."
"Uh... Why?"
"This is cow spine, that shoulder. Cut so spine aligns spine, haunch/shoulder on arms/shoulders—stretches with movement. Grain direction varies by part."
Leather handling? She outdid me often, teaching back.
"See grain without touching?"
"Close look shows wrinkles, grain. This runs that way."
"...Yes."
Finding grain from afar like magic. Felt like watching a freak show—in a good way.
I need nose-to-fabric closeness...
Fresh monster after ages—mood boosted.
"Er... That's all I can teach. Rest is hand skills—practice masters them."
Four days in, nothing left to say.
"Huh? Ended too quick...?"
"You grasp quick even simple explanations."
Surprised myself at speed, but obvious: vet learner. Swipe gesture, "Like this." "Aha, got it!"
Not just lip service—she nails it on try.
"Now what...?"
Nadesta eyed me cautiously, lingering like shortchanged.
"Well... Practice once before going?"
"Can I?"
Casual offer, she bit eagerly, keen to practice.
"Materials there—go wild."
"Thank you."
Potential hassle, but I set her up spot and supplies.
Didn't ask, but demos leather mastery? Least I can do.
"Heh heh~"
How to resist vet's flashy skills up close?
Stick by Nadesta days, sponge it all.
Ah, leather's fully cracked now.