Chapter 202
Chapter 202
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 202
Chapter Title: Apprentices' First Rush Job
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I'd slightly turned into a total sucker by blurting out an offer without knowing the market price, landing myself a 66.6% "出血 service," but a verbal contract is still a contract, and a fool's contract is a contract too.
Sure, I'd missed out on a huge profit, but it wasn't a loss either, and I'd made the acquaintance of someone in a fairly high position. At least there was some consolation in that—enough to claim a mental victory with "hey, I still came out ahead."
Without that, I'd have earned the glorious title of "Sucker of the Year."
"Tsk..."
My stomach churned, but the contract was stamped, so it was time to get to work.
The silver lining was that this job didn't require top-tier talent.
Hats and stockings would inevitably need my hands, but scarves, capes, and neckties were simple enough for even a rural housewife who didn't know the first thing about tailoring.
And right on cue, there were three kids practicing against the wall.
"Hmm~ This fabric's in good shape."
The moment I stamped the contract, I laid out the beige tartan fabric Hans Young Lord had sourced for me alongside the pre-drawn three-view sketches. Smiling in satisfaction, I looked at the three kids sitting in front of me.
"Kids, any guess why I called you over?"
"To... to give us something new to practice...?"
"We're still inexperienced, but if you give us homework, we'll do our absolute best."
"I can't do it. I still struggle with making a single pair of pants."
Naturally, they all assumed it was more practice. But their different reactions were kinda cute.
Especially how the most timid one, Elin, was bursting with enthusiasm, while the most upbeat one, Wirgen, lacked any confidence. That contrast was amusing.
"Sorry to disappoint, but it's not new practice material. We'll move to the next stage once summer starts."
"I see."
"Phew~"
"Aww..."
I handed out sheets of paper to the kids, who were a mix of disappointed and relieved.
"Instead, I've brought you some work you can actually handle."
"W-work...?"
Elin's face lit up at the word "work."
"D-does that mean... I can show what I've made to other people now...?"
"Yeah, it's simple stuff, but it'll go straight to the client, not the warehouse."
"Wow...!"
Elin snatched the paper with sparkling eyes and practically shoved her face into it.
Her enthusiasm was a joy to watch.
"Um... Lord Howard Baron."
"Yeah?"
As I watched Elin fondly, Oliver J. Peter called out to me, glancing around cautiously.
"Miss Elin is skilled enough to take on work, but we think we're not quite ready to show ours to anyone."
"And?"
"We believe it would be better to assign this to someone else."
He laid it out as politely as possible, but the conclusion was clear: "We can't do it."
Wirgen nodded along in agreement.
"Tsk..."
Our newbie friends lacked confidence after all that practice-only routine.
They were still in that awkward phase with plenty of rough edges, so it was understandable.
That's why, unlike Elin—who had her desk in the workshop and occasionally helped with support tasks—I was keeping these two focused purely on practice.
"Read the paper first, then we'll talk."
But no matter what, you judge after checking the details.
What atelier turns down a client without even hearing them out?
Anyone who answers before listening is a scammer.
"Yes, sir..."
I tapped the desk lightly, showing a hint of displeasure, and Oliver and Wirgen hurriedly grabbed their papers.
They immediately froze, eyes trembling in shock.
It was the expected reaction.
What I'd planned to assign them were scarves and capes.
"So, what do you think?"
"Sorry for judging without looking..."
Oliver bit his lip and bowed his head deeply.
He'd politely declared "I can't even cut round fabric" without hearing the details. Must sting.
"Just be more careful next time."
He seemed to know exactly what he'd done wrong, so I didn't belabor it.
Kids make mistakes like this as they grow.
"You can handle this level, right?"
"Yes, I think I can make something good enough to show others."
"Me too."
"Elin..."
"I-I can do it too! P-please let me...!"
"Good."
Their expressions and tones were all positive.
With some confidence sparked, it was time for details.
"This is the fabric for the job. It's flannelette—cotton with a raised nap. Red as the base, with blue and white lines forming the check pattern."
Tartan is traditionally wool twill with diagonal weaves, but personally, I wasn't a fan of that diagonal texture.
Checks plus diagonals made my eyes hurt.
So for the sample fabric, I chose plain-weave cotton flannelette mimicking the pattern with its nap.
I planned to send both flannelette and real flannel samples so they could pick what suited them.
"The pattern looks neat yet flashy."
"Nice texture too."
"Urgh... It's pretty, but up close... it hurts my eyes..."
As design students, they all praised the pattern itself.
One suffered the optical illusion of dense checks, but that was a fate all garment makers had to endure.
"It's for adults, but make both men's and women's versions. The group requested these to approve the design."
"Men's and women's..."
Elin's eyes narrowed.
Unlike capes or scarves that just needed sizing, neckties might require entirely different designs.
"C-can I... do a pussy bow and necktie...?"
"That's up to you. A pussy bow is fine, or soften the men's necktie to make it more delicate. Just make it pretty and stylish in your eyes."
Elin sought confirmation, but I deliberately left it open-ended, entrusting it to her.
It might seem too much for a kid with just four months under her belt, but it was time for Elin to tackle such dilemmas.
Design sense builds through personal agonizing—it was necessary, even if tough.
And if she got stuck, she'd ask me or Elizabeth for help, so no real risk to the commission.
"Yes! I'll give it a shot...!"
With my trust, Elin nodded with a determined face, confidence blooming.
"Finish by this afternoon. Think you can?"
"Yes, no problem."
"Not confident, but I'll try."
"I can do it...!"
"Alright, good. Start now, and ask or request help anytime you hit a snag."
"Yes!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
With the three kids on auto-pilot, I returned to my seat and dove straight into hat-making.
Hats have such varied designs that without constraints, you'd agonize until your head split.
But with the check pattern limit, my pencil flew without hesitation.
For a napped check-pattern hat, a newsboy cap was perfect.
As the name suggests, it came from newspaper boys wearing them.
The design caught on for all ages, but the name stuck.
Key features: pizza-slice eight panels, crown button, short forward brim.
Nothing too outlandish.
I liked it personally, but it wasn't the wizardly choice.
Newsboy caps feel young and sharp, lacking gravitas.
Wizards prefer weighty, somber designs like homburgs or silk hats' precursor, the capotain.
So homburg or silk hat might fit better, but checks on those? Meh.
When you have five options, one's gotta be a dud to make choosing easier.
"This'll do for the hat..."
Stockings next... just change the pattern, same as usual.
"Phew... Now just to make 'em."
I sketched the patterns quickly, pinched my nose bridge, and glanced at Elin.
Even on auto, logic glitches happen—gotta monitor.
"Pattern needs to show, so not too thin... there she goes again..."
"Mm."
Elin was on track.
Her mutterings alone revealed she knew what to emphasize.
"Nya...?"
"You're doing great."
"Thank you...?"
I patted Elin's head lightly and headed upstairs.
Oliver J. Peter and Wirgen, working up there, were...
"......"
"......"
eyes gleaming as they drew lines on fabric. Best not disturb.
Nothing beats real work for motivation.
Practice to job, and their drive skyrockets.
"Heh heh..."
Their growth was solid. If this wraps well, move those two to the workshop for light support tasks.