Since the meeting concerned the production designs for several new types of Magic Power Forging Machine Tool, Xu Yi's discussion with Canby and the other dwarves lasted a long time. It continued well past the usual end of the workday, and by the time they finally settled on a preliminary plan and adjourned, Xu Yi stepped out of the workshop to find darkness had fallen.
It was already December, and the bitter cold of deep winter had long since arrived. Naturally, the temperature outside had dropped considerably after nightfall.
Stepping abruptly out of the workshop, which the Magic Air Conditioner had kept pleasantly warm, Xu Yi shivered involuntarily as the cold wind struck him.
The dwarves who came out with him showed no such reaction. Although they were clearly wearing less than he was, every one of them looked full of energy, without the slightest sign of feeling cold.
Canby even rose onto his toes to pat Xu Yi's shoulder and laughed heartily. "President, you humans are too frail. I think you ought to get more exercise instead of always looking like those human mages, as though a gust of wind could blow you away."
Xu Yi glanced with a wry smile at Canby's sturdy body, easily twice as thick as his own, and shook his head. "Forget it. No amount of training could match the natural gifts you dwarves have. I'd be better off going home and putting on a few more layers."
Canby rummaged inside his clothes, pulled out a bottle, and tossed it to Xu Yi.
"Here. There's still half a bottle of good liquor left. A couple of mouthfuls will warm you right up."
Xu Yi caught the bottle and sniffed it. Sure enough, a strong scent of liquor rose from it. He frowned. "Canby, didn't