Riku led Levi and Erina to the cluster of workshops on the village outskirts. The air vibrated with the sounds of creation – the rhythmic thud of hammers, the whine of spinning wood, and the low murmur of concentrated effort. He approached the nearest group of artisans, their faces smudged with their craft, and with a few concise sentences, explained his need for a temporary workspace and access to their tools in a specific, less-used corner of the largest building. The head artisan, a man whose eyes held the wisdom of countless hours spent shaping materials, simply nodded, gesturing towards the designated area without further inquiry. The other artisans, equally pragmatic and trusting of Riku's intentions, readily cleared the space.
Levi watched this exchange, his usual stoic expression betraying a flicker of surprise. "They just… agreed? That easily? No questions about what you intend to do with their tools and workspace?"
Riku shrugged, already turning his attention to the cleared area. "They trust me. And they know I wouldn't ask unless it was important for the village." He laid out his rough sketches on a sturdy wooden table, his mind already racing with the details of the construction.
Erina, ever efficient, began to organize the available tools, categorizing them based on Riku's initial instructions. She possessed a keen eye for detail and a surprising aptitude for understanding the function of even these rudimentary instruments. Levi, with his inherent need for purpose, began to move heavier pieces of equipment as Riku directed, his movements precise and surprisingly strong despite his compact frame.
With the immediate area now relatively clear of other villagers, Riku gave a subtle mental command, and Igris shimmered into existence, his crimson form a silent sentinel amidst the burgeoning activity. His spectral strength proved invaluable for tasks requiring immense power, effortlessly lifting and positioning components that would have taken the humans considerable effort.
The corner of the workshop became a microcosm of focused creation. The clang of Levi's hammer mingled with Erina's quiet assessments and Igris's silent assistance as Riku orchestrated the construction of his unconventional power source. The air hummed with the blend of ancient craftsmanship and the nascent promise of a technology yet unknown to this world, a testament to the trust of the villagers and the unwavering determination of the man driven by the echoes of a distant past.
Days bled into nights within the bustling corner of the workshop. The rhythmic clang of metal against metal, the whir of improvised machinery, and the low murmur of focused voices became the constant soundtrack of their endeavor. Riku, fueled by his memories of Earth's ingenuity and a burning desire to improve his village's prospects, worked tirelessly, refining his designs and overseeing the construction.
Erina, initially overwhelmed by the sheer physicality of the work and the rudimentary tools, discovered a surprising aptitude for the intricate details. Her sharp eyes caught minute flaws in the assembly, and her logical mind often found more efficient ways to connect components and optimize the flow of energy. She became an invaluable assistant, her elegant hands surprisingly adept at tasks requiring precision rather than brute force.
Levi, ever the pragmatist, approached the project with a grim determination. He applied the same meticulousness and unwavering focus he brought to fighting titans to the assembly of the generator. He moved heavy parts with surprising strength, his spatial awareness allowing him to visualize the final structure and anticipate potential problems. He even began to offer terse but insightful suggestions based on his understanding of structural integrity and the efficient use of space.
Igris remained a silent, watchful presence, his crimson form occasionally lending its immense strength to move unwieldy components or secure vital connections. His otherworldly senses often alerted them to potential structural weaknesses or imbalances that the human eye might miss.
Slowly, painstakingly, the strange contraption began to take shape. A sturdy framework of reinforced timber housed a complex arrangement of gears, wires scavenged from old village equipment, and carefully shaped metal components. At its heart lay the turbine, its blades meticulously crafted to capture the force of the compressed gas from Levi's 3D Maneuver Gear. A system of belts and pulleys, ingeniously designed by Riku and refined by Erina, connected the turbine to a makeshift generator cobbled together from salvaged parts and newly forged elements.
The villagers, initially curious and then increasingly fascinated by the strange project taking form in their workshop, often stopped to observe. They watched in silent wonder as Levi meticulously connected a reinforced hose from his gas cylinder to the turbine intake, the hiss of compressed air a tangible sign of the power they hoped to harness. They saw Erina carefully insulate wires with woven plant fibers and Riku meticulously align the magnets within the generator.
Finally, the day arrived for the initial test. A hush fell over the workshop as Riku gave a series of final instructions, his face etched with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. Levi stood beside his gear, his hand hovering over the release valve. Erina stood slightly back, her expression a mixture of hope and nervous excitement. Igris remained a silent guardian.
"Alright, Levi," Riku said, his voice low but clear. "Just a small burst to start. Let's see if it turns."
Levi nodded, his gaze fixed on Riku. With a hiss of escaping gas, the turbine shuddered, then slowly began to rotate. A collective gasp went through the small group. The movement was rough, uneven, but undeniably there.
Riku made adjustments, tightening belts and realigning gears. "Again, Levi, a little more pressure."
This time, the turbine spun with more vigor, a steady whirring sound filling the workshop. As the generator began to turn more rapidly, a faint but distinct spark jumped between two carefully positioned wires. A collective intake of breath echoed through the room.
"It's… it's working," Erina whispered, her eyes wide with disbelief and a dawning understanding of the potential they had unlocked.
A rare, almost imperceptible, hint of satisfaction touched Levi's grim features. Unlimited gas finally had a purpose beyond evading oversized, grotesque humanoids.
Riku felt a surge of triumph mixed with a profound sense of possibility. The crude contraption before them, born from the memories of a lost world and the unlikely collaboration of its inhabitants and interdimensional travelers, was a testament to ingenuity and the enduring power of hope. The future of their village had just taken its first, electrifying step forward.
The faint spark blossomed into a steady current, thin wires glowing with a soft, nascent light. A cheer, hesitant at first but quickly gaining volume, erupted from the small group in the workshop. The villagers who had gathered to witness the test looked on in stunned amazement, their faces illuminated by the unexpected glow.
Riku, despite the elation bubbling within him, remained focused. This was just the beginning. The power output was minimal, enough to produce a few weak sparks and a barely noticeable hum from a small, improvised lightbulb he had rigged up. But it was proof of concept, a tangible demonstration of the potential they had unlocked.
"Alright, alright," he called out, his voice filled with a quiet excitement. "This is just the start. We need to refine the design, improve the efficiency, and figure out how to distribute this power throughout the village."
Levi, ever practical, stepped forward. "More gas, Dola? Let's see what this thing can really do."
Riku nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "Easy does it, Levi. We don't want to overload the system just yet." He directed Levi to gradually increase the pressure of the gas flowing into the turbine.
As the turbine spun faster, the small lightbulb glowed brighter, casting stronger shadows across the workshop. The hum of the generator intensified, a steady thrumming that resonated with the newfound energy. The villagers watched, their initial skepticism melting away, replaced by a wide-eyed wonder at the seemingly magical force being generated before them.
Erina, her initial shock replaced by a keen intellectual curiosity, began to examine the generator closely, her fingers tracing the connections and components. "The efficiency could be improved by optimizing the blade design," she mused aloud, her mind already racing with potential enhancements. "And the transfer of energy… we need a more reliable system than these simple wires."
Riku beamed at her. "Exactly! This is where your expertise comes in, Erina. Your knowledge of… well, of intricate systems will be invaluable in scaling this up."
Over the next few days, the workshop remained the center of activity. Riku, Levi, and Erina worked tirelessly, fueled by a shared sense of purpose and the tangible results of their initial success. Erina, drawing on her sharp intellect and a surprising understanding of physics principles gleaned from her previous world, designed more efficient turbines and a rudimentary system of insulated wiring to distribute the electricity. Levi, with his unparalleled spatial reasoning and meticulous attention to detail, oversaw the construction and installation of these improvements, ensuring structural integrity and efficient energy transfer. Igris continued to provide his silent strength, moving heavy components and offering his unique perspective on potential weaknesses.
Slowly, the village began to experience the transformative power of their fuel-less electricity. The main thoroughfare was illuminated by strings of softly glowing bulbs, chasing away the oppressive darkness of the night and allowing villagers to move safely after sunset. The communal workshop was now brightly lit, extending working hours and improving productivity. Simple tools were rigged to run on the newfound power, easing the burden of manual labor.
The change was gradual but undeniable. The village, once reliant on the fickle light of torches and the strenuous effort of manual labor, was slowly stepping into a new era, powered by the ingenuity of a man from another world, the unwavering force of humanity's strongest soldier, and the sharp intellect of a culinary genius. The hum of the electricity generator had become the new heartbeat of the village, a constant reminder of their resilience and the boundless potential of collaboration.
The soft glow of electric lights now illuminated the faces of the villagers as they went about their evening tasks, a testament to Riku's ingenuity. Levi, observing the steady hum of the generator and the efficiency of the rudimentary electrical grid they had established, let out a low whistle.
"Beyond genius, Dola," Levi stated flatly, his gaze sharp as he watched a villager effortlessly operate a powered loom. "That schematic you drew up, the way you understood principles that no one here even knew existed… and then adapted scavenged junk into a working power source. Erwin would have given his left arm for someone with your intellect." A rare note of genuine respect colored his typically blunt tone.
Riku merely shrugged, a faint smile touching his lips. The praise was appreciated, but his mind was already elsewhere. The date, he realized with a jolt, was rapidly approaching a significant anniversary from his past life. Tomorrow. Tomorrow was the day he had first encountered Shuvi. A wave of longing, sharp and unexpected, washed over him. He couldn't let the chance to see her again slip away.
Later that evening, under the soft glow of the village's new lights, Riku slipped into his small hut, the familiar scent of wood and earth enclosing him. Once inside, he closed the door and with a silent thought, Igris materialized before him, his crimson armor gleaming faintly in the dim light.
"Igris," Riku said, his voice low, "we are going on a trip. Just the two of us."
Igris remained silent, his helmeted gaze unwavering, awaiting his command.
"We are going to the old elven base," Riku continued, his gaze distant, focused on a memory. "There is someone… someone I need to see there." He didn't elaborate, the personal nature of his quest preventing him from fully explaining even to his loyal shadow knight.
News of Riku's impending departure spread quickly through the small community. When he informed Levi and Erina of his plans to travel to the old elven base with only Igris, both protested vehemently.
"Going alone to a place known for ancient dangers?" Levi scoffed, his arms crossed. "That's just idiotic, even for you, Dola. I'm coming with you. Someone needs to make sure you don't get yourself killed on some sentimental fool's errand."
Erina, her brow furrowed with concern, echoed Levi's sentiment. "It's too risky, Riku. We don't know what's out there. Please, let me come too. Perhaps my… analytical skills could be of some use."
Levi shot Erina a dismissive glance. "Analytical skills? What are you going to do, critique the monster's table manners? You'd be useless out there, Blondie. Stick to your calculations and let the professionals handle this." He turned back to Riku, his gaze firm. "I'm going. End of discussion." His protective instincts, honed in a world of constant threat, had kicked in. He might not understand Riku's reasons, but he wouldn't let him walk into potential danger alone.