The Frugal Mage

Rayven hadn't even considered bone carvings for casings or using a goldsmith's expertise!

As expected, he was indeed just an ordinary salaryman with only the basic knowledge of business or even marketing.

Still, Gene wasn't done yet as he continued listing what he had in mind.

"Second, we'll need to secure ink production. I'm not unfamiliar with this since we also have a supplier for our current ink…"

He then paused for a moment as he considered a few things in his mind.

"This soot or powder, sap, and stabilizers… We can source them locally, but large-scale production means suppliers. We'll need contracts, perhaps even to set up a workshop dedicated solely to mixing ink."

Rayven tapped his finger on the table. "That's within reach as long as we have the budget right?"

"Yes…" Gene nodded.

"Third, the business itself must be registered with the Guild of Commerce…" Gene added.

"Not the Royal Trade Bureau?" Rayven asked.

"They have a different coverage… Anyway, without proper registration, competitors could copy the design and flood the market with cheap and flawed variants. But if we secure the rights…" He tapped the sketch of the pen barrel. "…then others cannot legally produce it without your approval."

Rayven's eyes lit up as he didn't expect that it existed here… "You're talking about patents."

"Yes," Gene confirmed. "Most inventions, especially those made by mages, are patented. The guild… or the Mage Association handles magical patents, while the Commerce Guild handles mundane ones. Your pen will be handled by the Commerce Guild. It uses no direct enchantments but is still a form of innovation…"

Rayven smiled after thinking about this.

"Interesting. So even here, bureaucracy finds a way to profit."

He said this softly, but it was still heard by the Gene…

Gene chuckled faintly… He didn't expect that the 14-year-old young master of his was actually quite intelligent. He already understood how the world works…

'It seems that it's his own design… Very impressive.' He thought.

Gene then cleared his throat and continued…

"Ahem… It's not just bureaucracy, young master. A registered patent means power. You can license it, charge royalties, or even use it as collateral for loans. Many great merchants started not with land or armies, but with one idea protected by the law."

Rayven absorbed every word. This young man was proving more useful by the second. He was really learning a lot…

"What about production?" Rayven asked.

"For that, we'll need craftsmen. I suggest starting with a single workshop under discreet management. We can't have this design leaked before we get the patent."

"That's true…" Rayven agreed.

"Anyway, once the prototype works, we scale. Again… Secrecy will be crucial until the patent is secured… Leaks could ruin us before we begin." Gene repeated as he wanted to emphasize just how important this matter was.

Gene thought for a moment longer, then added… "We should also consider branding. A name for the pen, something people will remember."

"Ahhh… Now that you said it… I have no idea what to name it yet." Rayven said as he looked at Gene once again, stunned by his view of this matter.

"You can just think of it later…" Gene suggested as he knew that naming the business or the pen itself should be considered for a long time.

"That's true…" Rayven replied.

Then, as expected, Gene wasn't done just yet!

'Ahh… This is serious… I think he's more excited than me…' Rayven thought as he heard Gene's suggestions.

"Well, beyond that, we have to consider the distribution as well. Our Golden Coast Trading can do that, but you have to consider hiring more or letting your uncle cover it. Still, that would be an expense since you will need traveling caravans, or if you want, we can just sell them in many stores we're partnered with…"

"T-that's true…" Rayven said as he thought that Gene was already done…

"Yes… But first, a test market… Once we made the prototypes, we had to sell them or maybe even gift a few to scholars, scribes, and guild officials. Let demand spread by word of mouth."

Of course, Gene didn't stop as he started saying everything that came into his mind.

He was passionate, and Rayven felt that it was a good thing since he definitely had a vision in mind.

'It can be a bit overwhelming if he talks like this to the wrong people, though… Maybe this is why they sent him here alone…' Rayven suddenly thought.

After he finished talking, Rayven finally said, "You're sharper than I expected."

"Young master flatters me…" Gene said with a small bow. "But these are simple truths. If you wish, I can begin drafting the ledgers for expenses, sources, and potential profit margins. The hardened sap that you're looking for was also being used in ceramics as a glazing material. Anyway, once the prototype exists, we can move forward with registration. I can't help you find a craftsman though… You can ask the others for that, young master."

"Mhmm… Uncle Albert and Sir Rennard were right about you. I need you in this project, Gene… Let's work together."

"As you command." Gene said as he was also excited about this.

Rayven finally relaxed, studying the young man. Eighteen, yet already this capable. Perhaps Albert and Rennard hadn't exaggerated at all.

"Good…" Rayven said at last. "Then let's begin. Draw up everything we'll need… I'll provide the funds. Can you start with these 95 gold coins?"

"It should be more than enough since we'll just make a prototype, young master. We can start with that." Gene replied…

"Great… Don't worry. You'll get shares in this business, and we'll be rich together." Rayven said as he knew that this would make him more dedicated to his job.

As expected, Gene's eyes lit up.

"Together, we'll make this pen not just an invention, but a legacy…"

Rayven smiled as he could tell that Gene would really work hard on this project.

With Gene's practicality and his own knowledge, this would definitely be successful...