The Frugal Mage

After confirming that he got what he needed, Rayven returned the manuscript with care. He thanked the weary receptionist before leaving the Restricted Archive.

The faint old wood scent of the library had already clung to his shirt as he stepped out of the building…

He was already getting hungry, but he didn't bother buying food as he wanted to save money. There should be something to eat in the estate's kitchen.

As soon as he returned, a cook found him searching for food, and thankfully, there were still some leftovers he could eat.

After that, he returned to his room and immediately summoned the Skill Market interface.

Skill Market.

Thread (Common) - 500 Gold

Stone Shot (Common) - 550 Gold

Minor Barrier (Common) - 650 Gold

Fireball (Uncommon) - 850 Gold

Mist Shroud (Uncommon) - 900 Gold

Fade Step (Uncommon) - 950 Gold

Whisper Link (Uncommon) - 1,000 Gold

"Whatever… let's just go to Mystic Explorer Path, that's still the safest, and I paid 300 gold for that. It must also be special since the system suggested it." Rayven muttered to himself as he tried to justify his choice.

Rayven's eyes locked on the last skill. Whisper Link.

The description noted that it allowed two or more individuals to share thoughts across distance. It wasn't destructive like Fireball or evasive like Fade Step, but in terms of practicality and business… it was priceless.

He glanced at his balance.

[ Current Balance: 1,789 Gold Coins ]

Without hesitation, Rayven selected Whisper Link.

[ Apply 20% Discount Voucher? ]

"Of course…" he muttered as he rubbed his hands in excitement.

The price instantly dropped from 1,000 to 800 Gold. That was 200 gold coin savings!

He then confirmed the purchase.

[ 800 Gold Coins Deducted ]

[ Purchase Successful ]

[ Whisper Link (Uncommon) acquired. ]

[ Current Balance: 989 Gold Coins ]

Rayven smiled as he was filled with satisfaction... "Perfect… I have eight Spells now… Just two more."

***

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

During that time, Rayven didn't practice using Spells or join any missions in the Adventurers Guild...

He also heard about the appearance of the various organizations locking up the 17th Dungeon.

Well, it could still be accessed, but there wasn't just an entrance fee, there was also a tax on whatever item you had taken out from the Dungeon.

At this time, he just felt that exploring the dungeon was not cost-effective anymore.

With so many powerful figures entering that dungeon, there was no way they'd find hidden treasures anymore.

Because of that, he focused on his business…

"I have to earn more… I still need two more Spells." Rayven muttered as he hoped that his business would soon open.

Rayven stepped into the workshop…

The three craftsmen were hunched over their benches, one carefully fitting nibs into the casings, another one was polishing the barrels, and the last was testing ink flow on parchment strips.

Indeed, they were already at this stage of the production…

On the counter near the window lay the fruits of their month-long effort… There were now rows of Fountain Pens.

Two distinct kinds stood out.

The first was slimmer, light in the hand, with a clean black body designed with subtle silver. It was still designed to be elegant, practical, and made to appeal to scholars or apprentices who valued affordability and simplicity.

The second was thicker, heavier, with gold lines like vines… These looked like heirlooms, built to impress nobles, merchants, or anyone who wanted their writing tool to reflect their wealth.

Rayven picked one up, turning it between his fingers.

The smooth, balanced weight made him smile faintly.

'This… this is the kind of thing no quill could compare to.'

"Everything is ready, Rayven…" Gene said from the corner while brushing ink stains from his hands.

Fatigue could be seen on his face, but also pride.

"The stock is more than enough for our first shop."

Rayven nodded. "Then let's make it official."

***

Two days later, the four of them gathered outside a freshly painted storefront: Eterna Script Trading.

The shop was located on an avenue not far from the city's largest school, where aspiring scholars and scribes passed by daily.

From here, Rayven could see students carrying heavy books under their arms, including merchants in the streets selling paper, inks, and bookbindings.

The spot didn't cost them a lot. Still, they rented this spot from Rayven's uncle Albert, who owned several properties near the academic district.

The location was perfect… With schools and minor guild offices nearby, their pens would be within reach of the very people who needed them most.

The sign above the door had surely gathered some attention since they paid a lot of attention when they made it…

The words Eterna Script were in golden script and it looked classy in Rayven's eyes…

He paused for a moment, staring at the door before unlocking it.

A strange warmth surged in his chest.

He was finally at this stage, and it was very satisfying.

"It's here…" He muttered.

Inside, the shop was simple…

Wooden shelves lined the walls, displaying fountain pens inside glass cases. Ink pots were still there, but it was simply just for refilling inks this time.

After all, cartridges are a lot more difficult to produce. To refill the fountain pen with ink, they still have to use the older method.

Nonetheless, Rayven sat behind the wide counter facing the entrance…

Cling~ Clink~

It wasn't long before the bell above the door chimed.

Their first customer came in!

This was a man in his late thirties who entered, wearing plain scholar's robes already smudged with ink stains.

Rayven smiled after seeing that the man's fingers were permanently darkened by years of dipping quills, and he also had a posture of someone who had spent half his life hunched over parchment…

'This is the real deal…' Rayven thought as he knew that the one in front of him was an expert in terms of pens and inks…

He stopped just inside the door, looking at the cases.

"…What is the name of this writing tool you have?"