The Frugal Mage

Rayven's notes trailed off as he remembered something from his old world… Ink wasn't just dark water with some charcoal powder or soot.

The proper mixture required a binding agent.

"Getting the powder is possible, but it needs something to hold together…" Rayven muttered as he tried to recall the Factory and Museum they had visited during his high school field trip…

Though he could probably just stick with the current ink production, he couldn't help but desire to have a better ink quality as well and ensure that their business would stand out.

After all, people are already used to a quill pen… If the mechanical pen he was thinking of doesn't have other advantages, it may not profit as much as he had expected.

"Was it oil? No… too thick. It'll smear…" Rayven paused for a moment.

"Right… That should work…" Rayven's eyes lit up as he finally recalled something.

Sap…

To be exact, it was the hardened sap of the Acacia Tree.

He remembered it now… Once the hardened sap was powdered, it gave ink its body, kept the pigments suspended, and helped it adhere to paper.

Without it, ink faded, smudged, or dried into useless powder.

Thankfully, Rayven… or perhaps, Yuto was listening to the tour guide at that time.

If he could source this hardened sap or resin from the forests nearby, then mix it with the ink powder and water, he'd have a foundation…

'I hope an acacia tree or something similar exists here.' Rayven thought as he was also unsure about this matter.

He couldn't help but feel excited as he wrote his plans in detail.

In the future, if he could get better materials to make a strong black ink that not only wrote smoothly but also lasted, then he could also create some sort of premium ink…

He would have ink for everyday use for merchants, scribes, and even schools. Then, he would have upgraded it someday to create a premium ink, perhaps for nobles, scholars, and even some contracts, to ensure they're permanent.

"Ink, pens, paper… Each piece feeds into the other…" Rayven muttered to himself as he felt that, as long as he had the money to start this business, he knew that he had the chance to become rich.

In any case, pens were the priority. A decent pen would make everything else valuable.

For that, he needed a craftsman.

Not some master goldsmith who'd sneer at the idea, but someone with a practical mind. Someone willing to try, fail, and try again.

After all, he knew that this wouldn't be a day's work… It would take months for this to be established…

'I guess it's better to stick to someone I know…'

Needless to say, his thoughts turned to Brightforge Smithworks of their family since they were already making basic tools or everyday items.

They weren't creating enchanted blades or ceremonial armor, but they had a reputation for making nails, hinges, buckles, and other essentials in bulk. Exactly the kind of steady, reliable workmanship he could build on.

"Pens… Yes, this could work," He said again, scribbling down the name of the smithy.

Still, pens weren't the only idea swirling in his head.

Soap. The rough gray bars he had seen in the market looked like something scraped from a hearth.

They certainly cleaned as he was able to use them before, but it left the skin dry and raw. If he introduced refined soap that was smoother, scented with herbs or flowers, maybe even pressed or molded into pleasing shapes, the nobles and merchants alike would scramble to buy it.

He also didn't have to worry about his soap-making knowledge since he learned it in Chemistry Class like everyone else. It was also quite easy to remember since the last book he read before he died, 'The Overpowered Alchemist King's Dungeon Harem', had also tackled this subject…

Of course, these necessities may seem like a small business at first, but Rayven believed that once the people realized how convenient they were, it would become a new standard.

"But is that all I can do?" Rayven muttered to himself. It was definitely not the case. He just has to think of something simple that could be very convenient for many people.

Rayven tapped the end of the quill against his parchment, leaving faint ink blots as he thought over the options.

'Food won't work… I don't know enough to revolutionize cooking here, and besides, farmers and bakers already control most of that trade. I'd only get crushed if I meddled in it.'

He leaned back, staring at the ceiling beams as he thought harder.

Clothing?

That was another possibility since they already had access to various types of fabrics.

Everyone wore wool and linen, but the finishing was crude. He remembered modern techniques, finer spinning, even dyes that didn't bleed out after a single wash.

But… 'Nah… I'm too novice for that…'

Without skilled weavers and proper workshops, trying to improve it might be too costly. Training cloth-makers, sourcing better threads, and keeping consistent quality would drain more coin than it earned in the short term.

Then, Rayven considered something that he had a bit of knowledge about.

Glasswork…

Windows were a luxury here, usually reserved for temples or noble halls. But if he could make cheap, clear panes…

As he reached this thought, Rayven shook his head… 'This is impossible…'

It would require skilled glassblowers and steady supplies of sand and lime. Too complicated to start.

He sighed and scratched another note.

Paper lanterns? Candles?

Wax and tallow already existed, but if he could introduce scented candles or lamps with replaceable glass covers, nobles would eat them up. Still, it was more of a side business than a foundation.

Rayven's hand paused over the parchment as another idea struck him.

'Wait… I should just focus on it then…' Rayven mused.

Since he was already making pens, ink, and maybe even paper, it might be better to consider something that could fully make use of that!