Henry had spent the previous month meticulously preparing for full-scale production of his modified bicycles. He first experimented with Albedo to refine the exact ratio of rubber to slime condensate, ensuring the perfect balance of resilience and flexibility—the very foundation of the bicycle's design. Using that formula, he produced a prototype and put it to the test, riding over jagged rocks and sharp debris to confirm that the tires were fully puncture-proof. Satisfied with the results, he finally felt ready to move forward with mass production.
The factory was situated just outside Springvale, tucked near a small cluster of workshops that Jean had once shown him on a tour.
The entire structure was already in place; all Henry needed now were skilled hands to build the machinery and bring it to life.
After posting a notice at the Adventurers' Guild, Henry had expected it might take months to find capable workers. Fate, however, moved faster than anticipated.
Today marked just over a month since the commission had been posted when a Fontainian ship, making a brief stop in Mondstadt, released a small party of engineers and mechanics into the city to stretch their legs.
While wandering, two of the crew—researchers Allier and Xavier—noticed Henry's notice among the usual postings. The promise of a "new invention" and the challenge of applying their expertise in a factory environment intrigued them, and they quickly persuaded their colleagues to join.
By the time they arrived at Henry's bike shop, their attention was immediately captured by the vehicles on display. None of them had ever seen a bicycle, and the idea of a compact, single-rider carriage with self-propelled wheels seemed almost fantastical. They leaned closer, examining the frames, wheels, and mechanisms, murmuring to one another in quiet fascination as they tried to imagine how such a machine functioned.
The team included researchers Allier and Xavier, alongside experienced mechanics Chalmet, Conjat, and Delerue. Each approached with measured confidence, their eyes sharp and assessing, accustomed to complex clockwork and pneuma-driven devices, yet tinged with genuine curiosity.
"Ah, you must be the team from Fontaine," Henry said with a nod as they approached.
Xavier stepped forward first, extending his hand. "Xavier, from the Fontaine Research Institute. And this is Allier, my colleague," he added, gesturing to the man beside him. Both offered polite handshakes, firm and confident.
Allier inclined his head. "We saw your posting at the Adventurers' Guild. The concept intrigued us, so we came to see it for ourselves."
Xavier leaned closer to the bicycle, studying the chain, gears, and compact frame with practiced precision. "The mechanics here are familiar," he remarked, "yet applying them in this configuration… it's clever. Simple, but effective."
Allier joined him, running a hand lightly along the frame. "Yes. Anyone versed in clockwork and machinery would grasp the principle immediately, yet integrating it as a system like this… that's ingenious. Something we never considered ourselves."
Henry smiled faintly, nodding. "I appreciate that. It takes a sharp eye to recognize the potential in something so… straightforward. Your experience shows clearly."
Henry gestured down the road. "Follow me. The factory in Springvale is where everything will happen."
Upon arriving at the factory, the engineers stepped into the large preexisting workshop, a solid, well-built space with high ceilings and wide doors, clearly designed for industrial work. The main floor was open and empty, ready to accommodate the assembly lines and stations they would construct.
In a separate room, the turbines and capacitors stood silently, massive and industrial, already installed and ready to provide power once connected. The engineers' expressions were calm and professional as their eyes swept over the open factory floor, quietly mapping where each assembly station and the tire production area could fit.
Henry gestured toward the generator room. "These are the heart of the system," he said, leading them inside.
"Coal-fired turbines spin the rotors, producing a continuous electrical current, while capacitors store and regulate the flow. Electro Crystals can supplement or provide backup if demand spikes. The storage and distribution are fully automated—you'll only need to connect the outputs to your machinery."
The engineers stepped closer, their gaze tracing the massive generators with measured scrutiny.
Chalmet leaned slightly forward, running his fingers along the edge of the massive casing, examining the welds and the robust frame. "These… are enormous," he remarked, brow furrowed. "I can see they're meant for heavy-duty work, but what kind of output can they manage? Can they really run continuously?"
Henry nodded. "Yes. They're capable of producing continuous electro energy on a large scale, even without supplemental crystals. Once connected, they'll reliably power all your machinery without interruption. My role here is simply to guide the wiring and integration; the rest—designing, building, and fine-tuning the assembly lines and tire production stations—is entirely in your capable hands."
--
For several days, the Fontainian team worked with precise coordination. Steel frames were bolted into place, gears aligned, and conveyor belts stretched across the factory floor with careful attention to tension.
Actuated mechanisms were installed at each station, calibrated to assemble bicycle frames and components without interference. Allier and Xavier occasionally paused to simulate the workflow and verify throughput, ensuring the machinery could maintain the production speed Henry envisioned.
"Chalmet, double-check the alignment here," Xavier instructed. "Even a fraction off in torque could affect assembly downstream."
Chalmet adjusted a lever and nodded. "Sensors recalibrated. Should be stable now."
Next, the engineers turned their attention to the tire-production station. Drawing from their expertise in clockwork and pneuma-ousia powered mechanisms, they constructed a reinforced platform with hoppers and automated mixers designed to combine the rubber and slime condensate in the exact proportions Henry had determined.
Henry supervised, demonstrating how to safely tap into the hybrid electricity system, but the mechanics themselves designed, assembled, and calibrated the station. Every lever, chute, and mixer arm was aligned with professional precision.
By the fourth day, the factory hummed with synchronized motion. The coal-powered turbines drove the generators, supplying a steady flow of electricity, while capacitors ensured smooth operation during minor fluctuations or transient spikes. Belts and actuators moved with precise, reliable timing, and the engineers checked sensors, adjusted pressures, and verified that every station performed exactly as intended.
"Allier, if we shorten the molding cycle by a second," Xavier whispered, "we could reduce stress on the actuators without lowering throughput."
"Agreed," Allier replied. "Simulate it first, then implement."
Henry observed quietly, occasionally nodding in approval. The engineers were capable, confident, and entirely self-sufficient.
By the end of the week, the first batch of modified bicycles rolled off the line. Frames were flawless, gears aligned, and tires were uniform, resilient, and puncture-proof. Mechanics ran multiple test cycles, confirming the stations operated smoothly.
"Integration with your hybrid power system is impressive," Conjat said, wiping his hands on a cloth. "We're used to pneuma, ousia, and even water-driven mechanisms, but this continuous energy supply running everything in sync… it's clever."
Henry had to pay a hefty mora to the team—a sum he would rather not mention—but he reminded himself that the profits from the factory would far outweigh the expense.
Soon, the time had come for the Fontainians to return.
Some of the mechanics chose to remain in Mondstadt, assisting with maintenance and overseeing the factory's long-term operation.
Before the rest departed, Henry prepared a formal document outlining the factory workflow, machinery design, and operational procedures, emphasizing that these details were confidential to protect the innovative processes he had developed.
Each mechanic and researcher read it carefully and signed, acknowledging that while they could operate the machines safely, the knowledge of how the system worked and was integrated could not leave the factory without Henry's approval.
As they made their farewells, the researchers requested that Henry promise to share the knowledge of the system with them in Fontaine one day, once he had the opportunity to visit.
Henry agreed with a quiet nod. It was a practical compromise: the system would remain secure for now, yet he knew that even without his direct guidance, the team could replicate and refine the setup themselves—it would only take them a few years.
Still, It was a quiet victory: the first industrial-scale, coal-powered electricity setup—augmented optionally by Electro Crystals—was fully integrated into Teyvat, and Henry could finally step back, confident that the foundation of his operation was solid.
Satisfied, Henry left the factory and neared Mondstadt, heading toward the Good Hunter for a meal. Approaching the Adventurers' Guild, his eyes caught a familiar figure—the girl's purple outfit and cat-like ears made her instantly recognizable.
"Keqing."
---
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