The Frugal Mage

One of the students looked at the Fountain Pens with interest… They were all incredibly well-made.

Because of that, they couldn't help but think that it was very expensive.

"If that's true, I wouldn't have to borrow quills from the library anymore… Think how much time we'd save during copying exams."

"But… can we even afford one? Look at them… they don't look cheap." The third student added.

Rayven knew that he had to help them decide…

This time, he just let Gene listen. So if they needed to hire someone as a shopkeeper, Gene could easily teach them.

Rayven welcomed the students first.

Just from their entry, he could already sense the different kinds of customers before him… One who wanted to display status, one who cared for practicality, and one who feared the price tag. Each of them, however, was a potential buyer.

"Welcome, gentlemen. Would you like to try one of our Fountain Pens?" Rayven asked smoothly, already preparing parchment for another demonstration.

The three students lingered near the glass case, looking between the polished pens and the parchment set out for demonstrations.

"Please…" Rayven said, uncapping one of the slimmer models. "See for yourself."

He placed the pen in the hands of the practical student first. The boy touched nib to parchment, and sure enough, his jaw dropped as the ink flowed smoothly without blotting.

Just like the first customer, he scribbled a few test words, then grinned in disbelief.

"No dipping…? Not once?" he asked, shaking the pen lightly.

"Not once…" Rayven confirmed. "With a full reservoir, it will last you through hours of copying without pause."

The noble youth leaned forward, and he was obviously impatient. "Let me."

When the pen was passed to him, he wrote his name in large strokes. The line was bold and unbroken, and he was definitely impressed.

"This is leagues beyond quills. In the academy, presentation matters as much as content. With this, my work will be the envy of every examiner." His tone was smug, but he was just filled with genuine excitement.

He looked up at Rayven. "How much for this one?"

"Seven silver for the standard model…" Rayven replied smoothly, already expecting their reactions.

The hesitant student flinched at the price... Seven silver coins were more than a month's expenses for him. But before he could speak, the noble scoffed.

"Cheap, for what it offers." He glanced at his two companions. "If you're smart, you'll get one too. Imagine the time saved during exams. No more broken quills or worrying about the ink pot making a mess."

The practical student nodded, gripping the pen tightly as if unwilling to give it back. "He's right. This would change everything in the library."

Rayven immediately sensed the closing moment and joined in their conversation.

"Knowledge is precious. Losing points in an exam because your quill splattered ink or because you ran out of time dipping would be a tragedy. This tool prevents that. Think of it not as a cost, but an investment in your future."

This time, Gene and the three craftsmen who were hiding at the back couldn't help but feel impressed at Rayven's skills in marketing!

'I guess it's in their blood, huh…' Gene muttered as he believed that the Holt Family was indeed filled with businessmen.

The nobleman also felt that Rayven was telling the truth…

"Three. One for each of us. I'll cover his share… No, I'll cover for both of you today." He smiled as he looked at his two friends.

"You…You don't have to…" the poor student stammered.

"I… How about I pay you in installments instead?" The other student said, since his remaining allowance was already arranged for a book he needed to purchase.

"Alright… I want my classmates to keep up…" The noble student said as his eyes turned to Rayven…

"And in truth, I want everyone in the academy to see these pens. I'll make sure of it. Once professors and students see us writing with them, word will spread faster than parchment burns."

Rayven's smile widened. He bowed slightly. "Then allow me to thank you in advance, young master. Eterna Script will not forget your support."

Soon, Rayven explained how to refill the Fountain Pen's ink and how the free Ink Jar would only be available for three more days. After that, the Ink Jar would no longer be included with the purchase of a Fountain Pen.

Of course, it was just Rayven's strategy to rush his customers to buy them, and he could extend it as a 'promo' or 'due to popular demand' anytime he wanted.

Soon, the purchase was completed, and slowly, Rayven gained some great advertisers in the form of those students…

***

Seven days passed quickly…

The Eterna Script Trading no longer looked bare with so many people going in and out of it.

Each morning, new rows of fountain pens could be seen in the display, and by evening, most were gone.

Word of the strange new writing tool spread like wildfire through the academy district, drawing scholars, apprentices, and clerks who were eager to save time and impress their peers.

Soon enough, their reputation reached beyond curious students and tired scribes.

Minor guilds began sending representatives to make bulk purchases, claiming they were outfitting their copyists.

The city's mercantile offices also quietly took note of how ledger work had suddenly become easier and faster in places where these pens appeared.

Soon, Gene informed Rayven about the sudden interest of the old quill-and-ink traders.

It was normal, and Rayven expected this. However, he was just unsure how they would make their move…

He could only prepare for now…

Within the week, Rayven took note of some suspicious figures entering the shop, buying not one or two pens, but handfuls at once.

They barely glanced at the demonstrations. Some scribbled a few words to confirm function, then paid in full without haggling.

The craftsmen were elated by the sales, thinking their business was simply booming. They all started working hard to create more and more Fountain pens and ink…

Rayven, however, had already suspected that some of these buyers had other motives.