The Frugal Mage

Rayven rolled up his sketches and notes and gave them to Gene. They weren't his original copy anyway.

After that, Rayven also gave the 95 gold coins to him, so he could start forming connections with relevant suppliers, before Rayven finally stepped out of the archives room.

It was a fruitful conversation. He knew that Gene would work quite a lot on this, so he must give him a decent share, and it must be in writing…

Gene was sharp, diligent, and already thinking five steps ahead.

'If I treat him like an ordinary clerk, I'll lose him sooner or later…' Rayven thought…

'But if I make him a true partner… he'll fight for this as though his own blood were in it.'

The thought of shares came to him then.

In his old world, partnership wasn't just about wages. It was about ownership, about giving someone a stake in the future. It created loyalty deeper than pay, because the success of the whole became the success of the individual.

But how much was fair?

Rayven weighed the matter carefully.

The idea, the capital, the broader vision… all of it came from him. After all, he would still expand to newspapers, paper production, soap, and many others.

Without him, there would be no innovation to start with. That much was undeniable.

Yet Gene wasn't just a helper. He was the structure that would hold the house together, the hands that would draft contracts, balance ledgers, and keep competitors from stealing their work.

'Five percent would be safe,' he mused as he the courtyard.

'Enough to bind him, but not enough for him to feel like a partner. But… is ten percent too much? That still sounds fair. It's recognition of his worth, but still keeps the business firmly in my hands.'

He couldn't decide yet.

Rayven stopped by the fountain at the center of the estate, letting the sound of running water mask his thoughts.

'If he proves himself… I can probably even increase that. Maybe even fifteen in time. That way, his ambition won't turn outward, but will stay here, tied to me.'

Of course, this was assuming that Gene would do really well and earn his trust. For now, it shouldn't be a problem to start low.

Rayven then shook his head…

He wasn't worried about betrayal, not from Gene. But he knew the hearts of men, greed grew quickly when talent was left unrewarded. Better to secure Gene's loyalty now than regret later.

'Yes… ten percent for now. If he earns more, I'll give it. That way, he'll know his future rises with mine.'

With that decision made, Rayven felt better... The plan was no longer just sketches on parchment, it was becoming a true venture.

'Now… all that remains is the craftsman… Right, there's also the name of it.' Rayven thought as he considered his options.

'A name… if Gene is right, branding will matter. What should I even call this thing?'

He mulled it over, recalling the pens from his past life.

'Let's not make it difficult… Yes… Just call it a Fountain Pen.'

The name carried some sense, even if no one here understood its origin.

After all, the reason was simple… Unlike the dip pens used in this world, his design had a continuous flow of ink, as though it poured from a spring. That was enough to justify the name.

Well, Rayven believed that it was also called a Fountain Pen in his previous life because of that same reason.

Now, only one problem remained… The craftsman.

'I need someone who can handle delicate mechanisms. There isn't really anyone here in Golden Coast… Should I wait for my elder brother once he arrives? Or should I just ask Uncle Albert again?'

The thought lingered, but no matter which path he chose, he knew he couldn't delay for long. The sooner the prototype was made, the sooner they could secure their rights.

***

Meanwhile, back in the archives, Gene remained seated at the table, staring at the sketches his young master had left behind.

'This is really impressive… He really does have vision… Did he get some sort of prophecy after his near-death experience?' He mused.

Gene shook his head to erase his random thoughts. Then, without wasting another moment, he quickly finished the ledger he had been working on earlier. Once the last number was neatly copied, he pulled out fresh sheets of parchment and began drafting.

Contracts…

He knew exactly what would be needed in the near future. They would be agreements for suppliers of the black powder or soot and pigments, contracts for steady shipments of hardened sap, and clauses to bind distributors to their terms.

He even considered adding clauses for licensing, in case the pen business expanded faster than expected…

His quill moved swiftly as he wrote everything…

'If we prepare all of this now, once the prototype succeeds, everything will flow smoothly. No delays, no loopholes. The young master only needs to focus on funding and vision. The rest… I will handle it…'

Gene dipped his quill again and continued writing, page after page…

***

Rayven had just stepped out of the estate's courtyard, still turning over the question of a trustworthy craftsman, when a familiar voice called out behind him.

"Young master, Rayven!"

He turned and saw Calder, the nineteen-year-old escort warrior, striding toward him.

"What is it, Calder?" Rayven asked.

The man stopped a few paces away and bowed slightly out of habit.

"A messenger came just now. From the Adventurer's Guild. You've been summoned… by the Guildmaster himself."

Rayven froze. "The… Guildmaster?"

Calder nodded. "Yes. The messenger was quite clear… Your presence is expected without delay. They wouldn't say more, only that it was important."

Rayven's mind raced.

The Guildmaster? He had never once crossed paths with that figure.

In fact, he had barely spoken more than a few words to ordinary guild officials. He was still only a copper-rank adventurer, a newcomer in every sense. For the Guildmaster to summon him directly… what could it mean?