After about five minutes, Jin finally snapped back to his senses, just as Sion had predicted.
"...Ah! My apologies, Lady Hilde."
Jin bowed his head repeatedly in contrition to Empress Emerita Hilde.
"I completely lost myself in thought."
However, Empress Emerita Hilde simply laughed it off with good grace.
"It is quite all right. Watching you think so intently about something was fascinating, Jin-kun."
"...I am humbled."
"So, what did you come up with?"
Looking thoroughly intrigued, Empress Emerita Hilde listened as Jin began his explanation.
"Well, regarding this bone..."
Jin held out the small bone in his hand.
"The primary component of bone in most living organisms is calcium phosphate, and the same holds true for the Sham Dragon. In the Sham Dragon's case, however, it appears to be reinforced with organic matter and magical power."
"I see. That makes sense."
"Now, Sion mentioned that they heat-treat the bone before using it, but another possible application occurred to me."
"And what might that be?"
"Like this....'Purely.' 'Crystallization.'"
Isolating the primary component of calcium phosphate while stripping away all other elements, he proceeded to crystallize it.
The resulting calcium phosphate formed a transparent, hexagonal prism.
"My, how lovely."
Yet Jin wore a dissatisfied grimace.
"Well, yes, a clear crystal is nice enough, but..."
"Is something amiss?"
Jin nodded.
"Yes, the color..."
Calcium phosphate was also known as "apatite" or "hydroxyapatite," with its mineralogical name simply being "apatite."
Because the impurities trapped within could produce a wide variety of colors, it was popular as a mineral specimen.
With a Mohs hardness of 5, it was relatively soft and scratched easily, making it a gemstone rarely set into jewelry; even so, it remained a favorite among mineral collectors.
The most sought-after variety boasted a deep, blue-green hue reminiscent of the ocean depths, which was precisely the color Jin had hoped to produce.
"I see. So it could be fashioned into collector's items....Sion-san, do you think this could serve as a specialty product of the Nord Federation?"
"Ah, y-yes, I believe it could!"
As expected of Empress Emerita Hilde, she instantly deduced that this could sustain a viable industry and offered her counsel to Sion.
As an aside, the experience Sion accumulated through moments like these would later serve her well when managing domestic affairs as the wife of the All-Creation Clan Chief.
"Jin-kun, why not conduct some research on how to bring out those colors?"
"Yes, that's precisely what I plan to do."
Jin felt a spark of satisfaction, realizing he had just stumbled upon another topic Saki would love to sink her teeth into.
"Now then, let's try making something."
Jin set to work shaping the newly formed calcium phosphate crystal.
"'Forming.'"
"Ah?!"
Flora let out a startled cry. Having witnessed Jin's full-scale magi-craft at point-blank range, her reaction was only natural.
The others, being well accustomed to the sight, remained entirely unfazed. Well, save for one...
"It has been so long since I last saw Jin-shama's craft in action!"
Marikka, on the other hand, was practically bouncing with excitement.
What Jin had sculpted was a delicate, translucent cherry blossom.
"Now, as for the metal fitting..."
Using Forming on a brass nail rolling around in the back of the shelf, he shaped a fastening pin, completing a tie pin.
Naturally, aside from holding a necktie in place, it could easily serve as a brooch.
"My... as breathtaking as ever."
"It's beautiful..."
At the center of the translucent petals sat the brass pin, its golden sheen creating a striking contrast.
"If you were to make pieces like this, Marikka, the added value would be even higher."
"Ah, y-yes, you're right!"
"I ended up making it into a brooch this time, but since it's a soft stone that scratches easily, ornamental figurines might be a better choice than wearable accessories."
Empress Emerita Hilde nodded in firm agreement.
"Precisely. 'Added value' makes a world of difference. Rather than simply selling raw materials, infusing them with unique value that no one else can imitate will turn them into true specialty goods."
With such sound advice offered, Sion engraved the words deeply into her heart and bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Jin. Thank you very much, Lady Hilde."
"I'm not particularly good at design, so I'll leave that side of things to you, Marikka."
When Jin said that, Sion chimed in with a gentle smile.
"Ah, you don't need to worry about that. Marikka has taken on disciples now and is teaching them all sorts of things. I'm sure some of them have a real flair for design."
It appeared Marikka was widely recognized as the foremost authority on magi-craft. Jin could not help but feel a quiet swell of pride.
Hearing that, Empress Emerita Hilde remarked with a smile,
"If they are Marikka-san's disciples, that would make them your grand-disciples, wouldn't it, Jin-kun?"
"Ah, I suppose it would."
Jin nodded along with the Empress Emerita's words.
"Still, disciples, huh... You've truly grown, Marikka."
Hearing that she was guiding disciples—or rather, students—Jin felt genuinely delighted by Marikka's growth.
"W-Well, it really hasn't moved beyond the scope of a hobby workshop just yet..."
Marikka spoke, her cheeks flushing red.
"We are only at the stage where I provide a bit of guidance to enthusiastic people while making various useful little trinkets."
Jin imagined it was essentially akin to a casual hobby club.
"Yeah, but I think starting small like that is a great thing."
Jin added that trying to teach advanced concepts right out of the gate was impossible anyway, and once Marikka's direct disciples were properly trained, educating the next generation would become far easier.
"That may be true... I'll do my best to instruct them."
Empress Emerita Hilde, who had been listening to their exchange, spoke up.
"Marikka-san, would it be possible for me to tour your workshop?"
It seemed her curiosity regarding the Northern People's craftsmanship had been thoroughly piqued.
"Uh, umm..."
Uncertain of how to answer, Marikka cast a hesitant glance toward Sion.
"Why not? Since it hasn't gone beyond the level of a hobby just yet."
Were it a major state enterprise like the Factory, packed with vital state secrets and strictly guarded techniques, permitting a visit on a whim would be out of the question. However, the current Marikka workshop was still in its infancy.
Sion added that, on the contrary, they might even receive valuable insight from Jin and Empress Emerita Hilde. Reassured by this, Marikka beamed.
"Yes! In that case, allow me to show you the way."
And so, Jin, Empress Emerita Hilde, Flora, Reiko, Sion, Marikka, and the Five-Colored Golem Maids all set off together toward the Marikka workshop.