By the second month,
Ray had already seen the results of his efforts—after the grand advertisement, his clothing shops were booming in every city. Chatter, laughter, and the sound of coins clinking flooded the once quiet streets near his stores. He made sure that each shop had a competent manager and at least two dedicated salesmen, their voices echoing cheerfully through aisles of colorful garments.
He even installed crystal-clear CC cameras powered by magic, allowing him to observe the stores from afar. The view shimmered faintly on his wristwatch—a small circular screen of light. His mother shared this access as well; together, they could oversee everything, their eyes calmly watching from a distance like silent guardians.
Only when he saw that the clothing shops were running smoothly did Ray turn his attention to his other investments—the inventors he had funded. He wanted to see how far their progress had come.
Old Man Rick's Workshop
The air inside Rick's workshop smelled faintly of hot metal, oil, and a tinge of smoke. Tools clinked. Prototypes—strange, half-built contraptions with wings, wheels, and copper pipes—were scattered everywhere like fragments of dreams.
Rick, with his grey beard and ever-enthusiastic grin, welcomed Ray with open arms. "Come, come! You must see what we've been up to!" he said, leading him through the maze of inventions.
The first thing Rick proudly presented was a collection of hot air balloons. Some were small and nimble, others massive enough to carry carriages. The sunlight through the workshop's tall glass panes gleamed off their bright fabrics.
He explained that the first type had already been sold to the kingdom, and now, he was preparing to release faster and more advanced versions. These new ones would be expensive—but worth every crystal stone. "Others might copy the first," Rick muttered, his eyes glinting with determination, "but none will match my next creation."
He revealed his newest idea—magic hot air balloons. "These," he said proudly, resting his palm on the glowing blue fabric, "will run on pure mana. Fireproof. Strong. Even if attacked midair, they won't falter."
Ray listened with quiet admiration, his lips curving into a faint smile. The old man's passion was infectious.
The Airplane Project
From there, Rick led him into his second workshop—this one smelled more of parchment and ink than metal. Diagrams filled the walls: wings of various shapes, models of fuselages, and complex rune arrays drawn in chalk.
Rick had been working tirelessly on planes, trying to recreate the image Ray had once shown him. Though many trials had failed, his progress was undeniable. "It's all about weight, thrust, lift, and drag," Rick muttered, his hands stained with graphite as he pointed to the sketches. "I'm close, but I must balance them perfectly."
Ray decided to stay a few days, helping Rick refine his calculations with the assistance of his system. Together, they discussed the subtleties of aerodynamics, landing techniques, and the careful integration of magic. Ray's calm explanations met Rick's fiery curiosity, and the workshop buzzed with the energy of creation.
When Ray finally saw that Rick was moving forward steadily, he left with quiet satisfaction.
Agatha's Greenhouse
Ray's next destination was Agatha's domain—a sprawling greenhouse that shimmered under layers of enchanted glass. The air was warm and fragrant, filled with the scent of herbs, flowers, and faint traces of alchemical smoke.
Although Ray couldn't offer her much advice in plants and alchemy, he still wanted to check on her progress. Agatha greeted him with glowing eyes; she seemed livelier than ever.
"Your ideas have helped me so much, Ray," she said, leading him inside. "I managed to buy a time formation from an auction house! It wasn't cheap, but it's worth it."
The formation pulsed softly beneath the greenhouse floor, bending time itself. The plants within grew at a breathtaking pace—their leaves lush, their fruits bright and fragrant. Combined with the greenhouse effect Ray had taught her, the growth rate had increased tenfold.
Ray couldn't hide his delight. Agatha had achieved visible results faster than any other inventor. Her success radiated through the room like sunlight.
Encouraged, Ray proposed something bold—an experiment in creation itself.
"What if," he said, his voice thoughtful, "you try merging two plants together to create an entirely new species? I call them mutant plants."
Agatha's eyes sparkled. "New plants… hybrids unlike anything before."
Ray nodded, then offered another challenge—to create new alchemy pills alongside his maternal grandmother, Brenda. "If you two can merge your knowledge," he said, "you might open a new era of plants and alchemy."
Excitement filled the air. For days, Ray and Agatha exchanged ideas, reading through countless books from the Richard Kingdom and the Walker Family's library. They filled notebooks with theories, sketches, and wild possibilities.
When he finally left, Agatha stood by the greenhouse door, already lost in thought, her hands brushing over the leaves as if whispering promises to them.
Albert's Ambition
Ray's next visit was to Albert's workshop—though calling it that was an understatement. Albert had bought a vast stretch of land outside Ray's own holdings, the size of a small town. As a noble merchant and wealthy inventor, Albert spared no expense.
When Ray arrived, he saw that Albert had transformed the land: smooth roads now crisscrossed the island, the surface so perfectly even that not a single bump disturbed a carriage's ride. The sunlight shimmered across the paved ground like silver threads.
Albert greeted Ray with a booming laugh and a bear hug so powerful that Ray's vision almost went dark. "Ray, my boy! You've come at last!" he roared, lifting him off the ground. When Albert finally let go, Ray glared up at him, a bead of sweat running down the giant's forehead.
As they walked along the road, Ray couldn't help but admire the craftsmanship. It looked like a racetrack—and that sparked an idea.
"You could turn the structure into a racing track," Ray said with a grin. "Let people bring their beasts and carriages to compete."
Albert's eyes widened, his heart pounding with excitement. "A race…" he murmured. "Why didn't I think of that?"
Then he proudly led Ray to his team's worksite, where they were assembling a truck prototype. Though progress was slow, Albert's enthusiasm was unstoppable. He had even petitioned King Daymond for permission to smooth all major roads in the kingdom—and once he demonstrated his road's comfort, the king granted approval immediately.
Soon, nobles across the realm were funding their own paved routes, all inspired by Albert's work.
Ray stayed for several days, helping Albert's team refine their car and truck designs. The nights were filled with the rhythmic clanging of metal, the smell of oil, and the low hum of invention.
When he finally departed, Albert stood proudly at the gates, his large hands stained with grease and his heart burning with ambition—a man chasing the dream of speed itself.