After some time discussing possible causes for the machine's problem, the conversation naturally began to fade.
Rafael already seemed immersed in thought, looking at the structure of the saw with a different expression, as if new possibilities had appeared.
Augusto noticed this and gave a small smile.
"Well, Rafael," he said. "It seems you've gained a few new ideas to test."
Rafael nodded.
"Yes, sir."
He looked back at the machine.
"I'll check the alignment later today."
Miguel lightly tapped the wood of one of the stacks of boards.
"If anything comes up, let me know."
Rafael confirmed with a gesture.
"Of course."
The three of them then began to say their goodbyes.
But before leaving the shed, Luis paused for a moment and turned back to Rafael.
"I'll come back tomorrow morning."
Rafael blinked, surprised.
"Come back?"
Luis nodded.
"I have a few ideas I'd like to discuss with you."
For a brief moment, everyone was silent.
Miguel raised his eyebrows.
Augusto looked at his son with curiosity.
Rafael, however, recovered quickly and opened an enthusiastic smile.
"Of course, young sir."
He wiped his hands on a cloth covered with sawdust.
"I'll be happy to hear them."
Luis nodded with a small smile.
After that, the three of them left the sawmill.
The Walk Back
The path back to the main house was peaceful.
The sunlight was already higher, illuminating the fields and the dirt roads of the estate.
Some workers passed by with loaded wagons.
Others were tending to the crops.
Miguel explained some details about how the farm operated as they walked.
"Each sector has its own person in charge," he said. "That way we avoid confusion."
Augusto occasionally added observations about production, costs, or trade.
Luis listened carefully to everything.
The farm was practically a small economic system.
Production.
Storage.
Transport.
Maintenance.
Everything needed to function in harmony.
After some time, they finally arrived back at the main house.
Augusto stopped at the entrance.
"Very well."
He looked at Luis.
"Now comes the less exciting part."
Luis raised an eyebrow.
"What part?"
Augusto replied casually:
"The numbers."
Miguel let out a small laugh.
"Accounting books, production records, expenses, sales…"
Augusto concluded:
"If you want to understand how this estate works, you need to know the numbers behind it."
Luis nodded.
"I understand."
Augusto pointed toward the interior of the house.
"Go to the library."
Luis walked through the corridors of the house.
The interior was quiet, cool, and calm after the movement of the farm.
As he walked down the hallway toward the library, he heard light footsteps behind him.
He turned his head.
Teresa was walking along the corridor.
She looked as if she had been waiting for him.
"So…" she said with a small smile, "how was the grand administrative tour?"
Luis smiled.
"Educational."
She stepped closer to him.
"My father said you went to the sawmill."
"We did."
Teresa tilted her head slightly.
"And?"
Luis replied:
"It seems we discovered a possible problem with one of the machines."
She raised her eyebrows.
"We discovered?"
Luis shrugged.
"Perhaps."
Teresa studied his face for a few seconds.
Then she smiled.
"You seem different today."
Luis frowned slightly.
"Different?"
"More… serious."
She crossed her arms thoughtfully.
"As if you're thinking about a thousand things at the same time."
Luis let out a small laugh.
"Maybe I am."
Teresa then stepped beside him.
"Where are you going?"
"The library."
"For what?"
Luis answered simply:
"To read."
Teresa blinked.
"Now?"
Luis nodded.
"I think I need to better understand the world we're living in."
She tilted her head.
"The world?"
Luis walked slowly down the corridor as he spoke.
"Some things seem… different."
He glanced toward one of the windows.
"So I thought it might be a good idea to become better informed."
Teresa began walking beside him.
"About what?"
Luis answered calmly.
"History."
"Politics."
"Economics."
He opened his hands slightly.
"The state of the world."
Teresa thought for a moment.
Then she smiled.
"In that case…"
She pointed toward the library door at the end of the corridor.
"I think I'll stay with you."
Luis looked at her.
"You will?"
Teresa nodded enthusiastically.
"Of course."
She gave a playful smile.
"Someone has to make sure you don't get lost in the middle of piles of books."
Luis laughed.
And the two of them continued walking together down the corridor.
Toward the library.
And perhaps toward the first answers about the world he now needed to live in once again.