Ray then said, "I heard you want to make flying transportation for people. I have some ideas that could help you. But for that, you'll need to invite me to your shop."
"Heh! Boy, I might have no idea about your wristwatch, but you think you can help me by giving ideas related to flying transportation?" asked Rick.
"Is that so? Since you do not believe me, I guess I'll give the idea to Grandfather." Said Ray with a smirk.
William got the hint and quickly said, "Is the idea that great?"
"Yes, I will show you later," said Ray to his grandfather.
"Then you don't need to share anything with him. With your ideas like the wristwatch and flying vehicles, we will be rich," said William.
The people around were watching the scene unfold and believed the wristwatch was made by Diana, not Ray. This is what Rick and William also thought.
But since Ray wanted to see Rick's shop, William was helping Ray.
Ray also figured out what they were thinking, so he stopped saying anything further and sat beside Diana, eating as if the country bumpkins had lost their chances.
Diana, who noticed the disappointed look on Ray's face, wanted to say something. But she saw Ray shake his head.
William also noticed Ray's disappointed expression and gave Rick a glare. Rick only shrugged his shoulders. William could only sigh at his friend's reaction.
After they finished eating, everyone left. Before anyone could go too far, Grandfather William spoke up firmly, "No one is to spread a word about what you saw or heard today—at least not until we've increased production on wristwatches. If this gets out too early, others will find out, and we will all be punished equally."
Everyone nodded in agreement, understanding the seriousness in his tone. After that the other brothers and sisters of Diana went to their own courtyards with their children.
While Ray and Diana followed to the backyard of Ray's grandmother's courtyard. In the backyard, there was a beautiful garden with lots of plants that could help with cultivation.
William also followed them, along with Rick, since they both loved Ray's grandmother's tea.
There was a table where William and Rick were sitting. Diana was helping her mother brew tea.
Meanwhile, Ray brought out a piece of paper and started folding it into something no one could understand. After he finished folding, it turned into a paper plane.
Diana was watching every moment of Ray's movement. She knew he was up to something. Seeing Diana's reaction, Grandmother also looked at Ray. They had finished making tea and served it to Rick and William.
Rick said, "Your tea is the best as always, Brenda."
Brenda ignored him and took her seat along with Diana, because he had ignored her grandson. All of a sudden, she saw something shocking, and looking at her reaction, everyone turned their heads in the direction she was looking—and shared the same shocked expression.
The paper plane flew for a while and then landed on the ground. After that, Ray picked it up, crumpled it, and put it in his pocket.
Then Ray came back and sat down beside Diana as if nothing had happened. Diana chuckled at her son's reaction and giggled even more seeing Rick's expression. The grandparents also started to giggle after hearing Diana's laughter and seeing both of their reactions.
Rick's face turned green with guilt. He now realized what he had done earlier was wrong. Ray had tried to help him, but he had totally ignored him. Now he understood how Ray could have assisted him in his invention. Swallowing his pride, he wanted to say something—but Ray beat him to it.
"Yawn! Mother, I'm tired after the long journey we had. Can we go to your courtyard and rest?" asked Ray, scratching his eyes, pretending to feel sleepy.
Diana, who had been enjoying Ray and Rick's reactions, knew exactly what to do. "You're tired? Okay, let's go. Mom, Dad, we have to go. It seems Ray is tired. We're taking our leave," Diana said to her parents.
The grandparents knew how to play along as well. Grandfather said with an evil grin, "Okay, go. We'll meet in the evening. By that time, Rick will also be gone. Ray, you better show and teach me about that flying paper later."
Grandma said with a smile, "Ray, take care, dear. Come back after taking a rest."
Ray nodded and got up from his chair. Diana also stood and took Ray's hand, preparing to leave.
"Wait! You've proven your point. I was wrong, and I'm sorry. I will invite you to my workshop," said Rick.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I don't understand." Ray replied, highlighting the part where Rick believed he hadn't invented the watch.
"Fine! I believe you, okay? It was you who made it," said Rick.
He had already admitted defeat and apologized, so Ray decided to let it slide and asked, "What do you want to know? I can help you with a few minor details since I'm not an inventor."
"I have created many flying weapons and teleportation formations, but I haven't managed to find a solution for a transportation vehicle," said Rick.
Ray asked, "Isn't teleportation the best and fastest?"
Rick said, "It is, but you need to set up another formation at the destination, and worse, you'll need a lot of crystal stones. Also, teleportation costs vary depending on the location—it requires different amounts of resources."
"How about a carriage system over a beast? Isn't that the most common?" said Ray.
"It is common, but your life depends on the beast and the beast tamer. If the beast gives up or goes out of control, people might lose their lives from that height. Plus, they take breaks every few hours of travel. This takes away a lot of time. That also goes for the beast tamer—if during a war or a fight the tamer dies, the beast won't listen to the customer and could go berserk. That's why I need a flying transportation system that can safely deliver customers or people home," said Rick.
"So, have you tried to study birds and beasts? How do they fly, and how do they land?" asked Ray.
"I have. I've also tried to mimic their wings and more, but every time, it fails during control or landing. I even added wind magic, but there are always problems mid-flight, and the flying transportation gets ruined or destroyed." Rick replied with regret. He felt he was so close, yet he always failed.
Ray smiled. "It is because you are trying too hard. You are making simple things difficult. I have many different flight ideas, but I will give you the easiest solution."
Ray began making runes appear one after another. He revealed a balloon with a basket carrying people, floating in the air. If modern people saw it, they would immediately recognize it as a hot air balloon. Ray then demonstrated how it floated using fire and wind to change direction, eventually landing safely on the ground.
Seeing this, all four of them watched closely, their eyes glowing with hope of changing the world with this invention.
Ray then stopped using his runes, and they began to fade away. They wanted to see more, but Ray didn't let them.
Ray then looked at Rick and said, "I will come to your shop in one month to check. I have given you all the ideas you need to build this thing. I hope you can find all the materials needed and create it. If you succeed, I will give you an even better idea on how to create more flying transportation devices that can carry larger amounts of people."
Hearing that, Rick felt challenged by Ray. He said, "I will finish it in two weeks, just you wait. I will send someone to let you know whether my task is completed or not."
Then he looked at William and said, "I have to take my leave. I got enlightenment seeing this; I have to go and build it right now."
William, knowing his friend well, said, "Go ahead, and if you manage to build it in large amounts, do not forget about Ray and give him his share of the funds after selling each of these things."
Ray also added, "It is called a hot air balloon. So enjoy trying to make one. I will see you when you send someone after you finish it."
Rick nodded and then left.