Status Window Chapter 15 : Presentation

15. Presentation

"The products I'm introducing are these."

Saying that, the first thing I took out was a single pencil. When I handed it over, the staff member examined it with interest.

"This is... wood, isn't it? And there's something inside it."

"The thing inside the wood is called 'lead'."

"Is that so. To make something this thin, doesn't it require difficult technology?"

"I think it's difficult, but the problem can be solved with a skill."

"...I see. So it was made using a skill."

When I mentioned 'skill,' the atmosphere softened just a little. That's proof of how much trust is placed in skills. If I have any trouble, I'll just blame it on the skill.

"So, how do you use this?"

"For this, first you sharpen the tip."

"Please demonstrate."

Borrowing a knife from Dad, I sharpened the tip on the counter. Then, the flat tip transformed into a pointed shape.

"Is that all?"

"Yes, it can be used with just this. Could you give me a sheet of paper?"

"Here you go."

I received a sheet of paper and placed it on the counter.

"Please watch."

Holding the pencil correctly, I pressed it against the paper and drew a single line.

"Wha... a line! Does that mean this has the same function as a pen?"

"It's different from the pens you usually use. With this, you don't need to dip the nib in ink; as long as the lead is exposed, you can write continuously."

"I see... So this 'lead' plays the role of ink."

The staff member touched the lead with his fingertip with interest. Then, let's add that explanation too.

"However, unlike ink, this isn't liquid. The lead itself is black, and by being scraped away little by little through friction, it draws a line."

"Scraped by friction... In other words, the lead decreases every time you use it?"

"That's right. But since it doesn't dry out or spill like ink, it's easy to handle. Plus, if you can't write anymore, you just sharpen it again, and you can use it until the lead is gone."

"I see... With pens, there was the hassle of refilling ink. Also, when the ink runs out, you suddenly can't write anymore. With this, there's no such worry."

While nodding in agreement, the staff member borrowed the pencil to try drawing a line himself.

"...You can write with light pressure. And it's smooth. It looks like even a child could use it."

"Yes. Actually, it's suited for children practicing learning characters. Lines appear even with weak writing pressure, and there are no ink stains or smudges."

"Indeed, that is convenient. By the way, what do you do when this lead runs out? Do you have to buy a new one after all?"

"The lead lasts a long time, and you can write a considerable amount with just one. You simply replace it with a new pencil. There's no worry about it breaking like a pen either."

"In short, this is a writing instrument that can be used for a long time and requires no maintenance."

"Exactly!"

I inadvertently put strength into my voice and puffed out my chest a little.

"Pens are certainly elegant and useful when writing important documents. But pencils can be used casually by anyone and are safe to carry around. Children and the elderly alike can use them in the same way."

"Not only convenient, but safe and highly versatile."

The staff member gazed intently at the pencil while rolling it in his hand.

"Also, there is a tool to erase what you've written. I'll introduce it next, but even if you make a mistake, you can correct it immediately."

"Erase!? Written characters?"

"Yes. This is the tool for erasing."

I took out the other item. A small white rectangle. It looked like nothing more than a white stone. But this was the other invention to stand alongside the pencil: the eraser.

"This is... what is it? It looks like nothing but a white lump."

"If you rub the line written earlier with this part, it disappears."

The staff member's eyes widened. I took the pencil and wrote a few characters on the edge of the paper.

"Are you ready? Please watch here."

Saying that, I pressed the eraser lightly onto the characters and rubbed. Rub, rub, small sounds echoed. Then—

"...Ah!? The line is getting faint... No, it completely disappeared!?"

The staff member leaned forward. He had a look of disbelief on his face. The written characters had vanished without a trace, leaving only the whiteness of the paper.

"As you can see. If you use this, even if you make a mistake, you can correct it immediately. There's no need to use a new sheet of paper."

"It... it's just like magic! There's really nothing left!"

The staff member turned the paper over and held it up to the light to check. But no traces could be seen anywhere. Seeing that, I couldn't help but smile a little triumphantly.

"If you combine the pencil and this eraser, anyone can easily write and correct characters. Whether for practice or records, you can use it as many times as you want."

"...A-amazing. To think there's an idea to erase what was written. This overturns common sense up until now."

Leaking a sigh of admiration, the staff member traced the surface of the paper repeatedly. Then, picking up the pencil once more, he drew a line himself this time and tried rubbing it with the eraser.

"It really disappears...! It's as if nothing was written."

"Since pencil lead is just scraped off, it sits lightly on the surface of the paper. That's why it can be erased."

"I see... The mechanism is completely different from liquid ink. This is revolutionary!"

At the excited voice of the staff member standing up, other people glanced over here. Feeling their gazes, I said with a smile.

"With this pencil and eraser, anyone can learn characters freely. You can write as many times as you want without fearing mistakes."

After falling silent for a moment, the staff member nodded deeply in admiration.

"I think these two will sell!"

"I'm glad! In that case, I have a request..."

"Yes, please say anything!"

"Could you have them used here at the Merchant Guild?"

When I asked with upward-looking eyes, the staff member stood up immediately.

"I will go consider it right away! Please wait a moment!"

Saying that, he disappeared quickly into the back of the building. Fufu, looks like I can expect a good answer.