Na-Isekai Ako-Chapter 12: Spark

Katherine walked through the lively marketplace, the vibrant energy of the crowds buzzing around her as she made her way to Elseid, the store she had visited once before with Menalipo. That visit had left a lingering impression on her, particularly because of something Zamir had said back then. His words had stayed with her, echoing in her mind ever since.

She had been curious about him then, and the thought of returning to his store had been on her mind for some time. Today, she decided to act on that impulse.

As she entered Elseid, the familiar scent of polished wood and aged leather greeted her. The shop was just as she remembered—shelves brimming with curiosities, trinkets, and odd mechanical devices. It was the kind of place that made you feel as though you were stepping into a world where anything was possible.

Her gaze immediately fell on a table near the back of the store, where small mechanical toys were displayed. They were delicately crafted, moving with a precision that was both graceful and lifelike. Tiny gears and wheels whirred softly as they brought the toys to life. Katherine couldn't help but step closer, her curiosity piqued once again.

These toys reminded her of something from her own world—mechanical devices that used miniature engines to move, similar to the ones she had seen as a child. As she watched them spin and twirl, the thought crossed her mind: Could it be?

Before she could ponder further, she heard a familiar voice from behind her. "Those were made by people, just like you."

Katherine turned, startled, to find Zamir standing there. He looked as calm and collected as ever, his eyes glinting with a knowing look.

Her heart skipped a beat. "Zamir... are you the same as me?" she blurted out, the question slipping from her lips before she could stop it.

Zamir studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "That depends," he replied, his voice calm but carrying an underlying weight. "What do you mean by that?"

Katherine hesitated, feeling a little foolish. "I mean... the machines, the toys—they remind me of things from my world. I don't know how, but... it's like I've seen something similar before."

Zamir's lips curved into a subtle smile, though his eyes remained sharp. "It's not so different here," he said softly. "Not everything is as far apart as you might think."

Katherine frowned, trying to make sense of his words. "But I don't understand. Why would these toys, or... anything in this world, seem so familiar to me?"

He took a step closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "Because," he said quietly, "you're more connected to this world than you realize. The things you're seeing here aren't so foreign. Maybe you're just starting to notice the threads that tie everything together."

Katherine blinked, feeling as though there was more to his words than he was letting on. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, her curiosity piqued again.

Zamir paused for a moment, a glimmer of something unreadable flashing in his eyes. "All in good time," he replied, his tone slightly evasive. "For now, just keep your eyes open. There's more here than meets the eye. And sometimes, you have to look past what's in front of you to see the bigger picture."

Katherine felt a mix of intrigue and confusion as she tried to process his words. What was he trying to tell her? Was there something more to this world, something hidden just beneath the surface? She didn't know, but it seemed like Zamir knew far more than he was letting on.

Her gaze fell back to the toys on the table, the gears still turning, the mechanical creatures still dancing. Something about them seemed to speak to her, as if they held a key to a mystery she was only beginning to understand.

"Thank you, Zamir," she said softly, though the gratitude was mixed with a sense of uncertainty. "I... I think I need to think about this more."

Zamir nodded slightly, his expression still unreadable. "Take your time. The answers are there, but only if you're ready to see them."

Katherine lingered a little longer in the store, her thoughts racing. As much as she wanted to ask him more, she couldn't shake the feeling that Zamir wasn't just a shopkeeper. There was something about him—something about this place—that felt like a puzzle she had only just begun to solve.

Why not use my knowledge of my world? she thought. There were so many things she knew, so many technologies and ideas that could be applied here.

In this strange new world, there was so much potential—so much room for innovation. It wasn't just about observing what was familiar to her; it was about using what she knew to build something new.

As a professional in business back in her world, Katherine felt a surge of confidence. She knew how to market, strategize, and plan. If there was one thing she understood well, it was business.

Food, for example, was a basic necessity. People always needed food, which made it an easy market to tap into. She could easily apply that logic here.

Her gaze shifted to Zamir, who had been quietly watching her from behind the counter. He seemed to understand more than he let on about the intersection of knowledge and technology.

Katherine wondered if he might be the person to talk to about turning her thoughts into reality.

Taking a deep breath, she approached him again, her decision made. "Zamir," she began, "I've been thinking. There's so much I know from my world—things that could be useful here. You've got this shop, and I can see how you're using your knowledge of machines and mechanics to create something special. What if... what if I could do something similar?"

Zamir raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What exactly do you have in mind?"

Katherine paused, organizing her thoughts. "Well, I know how certain technologies work—things that are common in my world but haven't quite reached here yet. I was thinking, maybe I could start something—something small at first, like a shop or business that introduces new ideas to people here."

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Zamir leaned back slightly, his gaze thoughtful. "That's an interesting proposition. But starting a business isn't just about ideas. It's about understanding this world—its rules, its politics. If you don't have that down, you'll be in over your head."

Katherine smiled confidently. "I know it won't be easy, but I've worked in business for years. I understand the basics, and I'm willing to learn the rest. I'll figure it out as I go."

Zamir studied her for a moment, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "You're ambitious, I'll give you that. But you'll need more than just knowledge. You'll need connections, resources, and the right people around you."

Katherine nodded. "I'm prepared to find those. I'll manage."

Zamir gave a small, thoughtful smile. "Alright, then. Just remember, it's not all about what you know. It's about how you navigate the things you don't know. Be careful and make sure you read the room."

Katherine's excitement grew. "I understand. I'll make it work."

Zamir nodded, seeming satisfied with her determination. "Well then, good luck. Let's see where this path takes you."

As Katherine left the store, her thoughts swirled with possibilities. She didn't know exactly where this new venture would lead, but for the first time since arriving in this world, she felt a sense of direction. There was a spark of excitement in her chest, and the future seemed a little bit brighter.

***

Katherine made her way back to the old lady's stall, eager to get some more of the fresh bread and cheese. The smell of the baked goods was comforting, reminding her of simpler times. As she approached, the woman greeted her warmly.

"I'm back again," Katherine said, selecting the same bread and cheese as before. She handed over the coins, then asked, "I've been wondering... how do you get your ingredients? Do you grow them yourself?"

The old lady smiled, clearly pleased by the question. "Ah, well, some of it comes from my garden, especially the herbs I use in the bread," she explained. "But for the rest—like the cheese—I rely on my husband. He's a merchant and travels to the countryside for the best ingredients. He knows the right farmers to trade with."

Katherine's eyes lit up with understanding. "So, you get your supplies from different places through him?"

The kind lady nodded. "Exactly. It's all about finding reliable sources, and my husband's trade connections help keep the quality high. Without him, I couldn't offer what I do here."

Katherine thought for a moment, impressed by the collaboration. "It sounds like a lot of work, but it must be rewarding to have such good ingredients to work with."

"It is," the woman agreed with a smile. "Quality ingredients are the foundation of a good business, and we've been lucky to find the right suppliers."

Katherine took her bread and cheese, feeling inspired. It wasn't just the product, but the connections and trust behind it. After her conversation, she hurried home, eager to start planning for her own business. Ideas were already rushing through her mind.