TYSAFWCG 05

 Chapter 5

“…An ore crusher?”

Edgar was greatly shocked after hearing Yujin’s request.

“That’s something blacksmiths use…”

An ore crusher was simply a tool used by blacksmiths to crush ores like iron.

Of course, it wasn’t like only blacksmiths could use certain equipment.

Even furnaces were sometimes used in alchemy workshops for experiments or special potion-making.

But—

“An ore crusher is different.”

It was literally made just to crush ore.

There was almost no use for it in alchemy.

It was needed for making aluminum, but the amount required wasn’t large, so they could just borrow equipment from a nearby smithy.

That was only natural.

Why would an alchemy workshop need something just to break rocks?

Edgar couldn’t understand it.

But—

“Yes. That will become the future of our workshop.”

Yujin spoke with complete confidence.

Seeing that confidence, Edgar became curious instead.

‘He’s the one who created aluminum…’

There had to be a reason behind his certainty.

“…If it’s not rude, may I ask why, Young Master? I don’t understand why an ore crusher is more important than magic cauldrons or enchantment tools…”

“The reason is simple.”

“…And that is…?”

“From now on, our workshop will create many new metals. And for that, we need an ore crusher.”

“…New metals?”

Edgar was shocked.

“Creating new metals isn’t something easy…”

Even if Yujin had created aluminum, such a discovery was not something that happened often.

Relying on that as their main strategy meant either:

• Continuously making discoveries
• Or aluminum selling forever

Neither seemed reliable.

“…Wouldn’t potion-making and enchantments be more stable, Young Master?”

That was the traditional and safe path.

But—

“No, that’s not true, Workshop Master.”

Yujin thought differently.

Before explaining, he asked:

“The potion shop that used to work with us—did they shut down after ending their contract?”

“No. They made a contract with Magnus Workshop No. 35.”

“I see. Then Workshop 35 must also have many enchantment customers, right?”

“…Yes. It’s a large workshop, so they get many customers. Even the alchemists who left our workshop now work there.”

That was also how Edgar had managed to borrow the furnace.

And then—

“That’s exactly why we shouldn’t compete in potions and enchantments.”

“…Can you explain, Young Master?”

“You already know this, but the siblings in the Magnus family don’t get along well.”

“…Yes.”

“And I am not powerful among them.”

That meant—

“If they want to suppress me, they easily can.”

Yujin was one of the weakest in the family.

“And right now, Workshop 35 has already taken over our market. If we try to re-enter that field, do you think they’ll just watch quietly?”

“…They won’t.”

“We’ll probably be blocked before we even start.”

Edgar nodded.

It was true.

They were already behind in both scale and skill.

Facing them head-on would be like throwing an egg at a rock.

“Also, we don’t have the money for a price war.”

Even if they earned some money—

it wasn’t enough to compete.

“So instead of forcing our way in, we should find a different path.”

“…That makes sense.”

If Workshop 35 lowered prices aggressively, Workshop 43 would collapse trying to follow.

Still—

“…But discovering new metals isn’t easy. If we fail…”

Edgar was still worried.

But Yujin shook his head.

“There’s no need to worry. We can make alloys.”

“…Alloys? Like bronze?”

“Exactly.”

New metals were limited.

But—

“Alloys can be made endlessly by combining metals.”

To Yujin—

who had studied materials science—

this world was full of possibilities.

There were very few advanced alloys here.

That meant—

“I can create as many new materials as I want.”

“…Understood, Young Master. I’ll prepare the equipment.”

Edgar was still worried.

But Yujin had already achieved the impossible once.

So—

it was better to trust him.

Meanwhile — Magnus Workshop No. 35

Inside the management room—

Cassian and Raisha were talking.

“Brother, the small furnace has been returned.”

“Well done, Raisha. What about the person who lent it?”

“I already fired him. Someone who helped that half-commoner doesn’t deserve to stay in our workshop.”

“Good. That’s my sister.”

Cassian smiled, patting her head.

“So what should we do with the furnace?”

“…Put it in storage—no, wait.”

A twisted smile appeared on his face.

“A furnace touched by that filthy half-commoner doesn’t belong here.”

“Ouch! Brother!”

“Ah, sorry.”

“Anyway—throw it away.”

“Understood.”

The furnace wasn’t used much anyway.

And for a wealthy workshop like theirs—

it wasn’t a big loss.

“But what was he even trying to do with it?”

Raisha wondered.

“…Who knows? Maybe he wanted to open a blacksmith shop since he can’t run an alchemy workshop.”

They laughed.

“I heard Workshop 43 doesn’t even have proper equipment.”

“Then it’s only a matter of time before they collapse.”

But then—

Cassian narrowed his eyes.

“Still… we can’t just leave them alone.”

“Weeds always grow back.”

“And Father wouldn’t send him there empty-handed.”

Since their workshops were in the same area—

“We should crush him completely before he grows.”

“What do you plan to do?”

“First, lower our prices.”

“Make it impossible for him to even enter the market.”

“How much?”

“Reduce profits as much as possible. Even take losses if needed.”

“…Understood.”

“And also—”

A cruel smile appeared.

“Buy up all magic cauldrons and enchantment tools.”

“Cut off his chance to recover completely.”

“…Perfect plan, Brother!”

Back at Workshop No. 43

After deciding their direction—

Yujin immediately began preparing.

They needed:

• Ore crusher
• Furnace
• Electrolysis cells
• Workshop modifications

The money from the Magic Tower wasn’t enough for everything new.

But—

Edgar used his connections.

• Buying used equipment
• Getting discarded but usable items
• Purchasing unsold inventory cheaply

Thanks to that—

they saved a lot of money.

After days of work—

“…It’s finally done, Young Master.”

The metal refining system was complete.

Unlike a blacksmith—

their process focused on electrolysis.

It included:

• Ore crusher
• Magic cauldron for roasting
• Furnace
• Electrolysis cells
• Transport system

The test results were successful.

They could easily refine aluminum—

and also metals like copper, nickel, and zinc.

“For now… this is enough to run the workshop.”

“Good work, Edgar.”

Yujin was impressed.

Thanks to Edgar—

they didn’t need to take loans.

They even had enough money left to buy magic books.

“…But Young Master, where did you learn all this?”

Edgar was amazed.

The system was:

• Efficient
• Safe
• Well-designed

Even advanced for this world.

“…Ah, well… something like that.”

Yujin smiled awkwardly.

“All that studying to escape graduate school… finally paid off.”

Then—

Yujin noticed something.

“That furnace… isn’t that the one we borrowed from Workshop 35?”

“Yes.”

“Why is it back here?”

“…They threw it away after taking it back. So I checked it and brought it again.”

“…I see. Rich people really waste things…”

Then Edgar remembered something.

“There’s a rumor about Workshop 35.”

“What is it?”

“They bought up all magic cauldrons and enchantment tools.”

“…Why?”

“…I don’t know.”

Yujin thought about it.

“They wouldn’t try to block us… when we’re not even competing there yet…”

That would be ridiculous.

So—

he ignored it.

“Well, it doesn’t matter to us anyway.”

“…Yes, Young Master.”

“We’ve already chosen our path.”

And now—

they would move forward with metals.