The Frugal Mage

Although Rayven knew that the rewards were too cheap for him, he was also aware that it was way above the rewards given by Copper-Rank Adventurers.

He knew very well that fifty silver was a fortune for most copper-ranked jobs.

However, for Silver Rank, it was not surprising to earn several gold coins… That was enough to buy equipment that could change an ordinary man's life.

Yet, he also knew the dangers behind each mission. Facing Greater Beasts alone, or even swarms of magical wolves, wasn't something he could afford to do recklessly.

As he stepped back from the board, Rayven had already made a decision…

'If I'm going to keep up, I need speed. I need that movement spell.'

His duel with Cedric had proven his combat ability, but he also knew firsthand how limited he was without proper mobility. Against enemies like the Skitterfangs the Silver-rank teams complained about, or Greater Beasts like the Crimson Bear, standing still would mean death even with his Stone Skin...

After returning to the estate, Rayven swiftly checked his Skill Market.

Thankfully, the discounts were still there.

Skill List:

Spark (Common) – (500) 450 Gold (10% off – New Arrival)

Quick Mend (Common) – 500 Gold

Toughen Skin (Common) – 600 Gold

Gust Step (Common) – (650) 585 Gold (10% off – New Arrival)

Magic Missile I (Uncommon) – 800 Gold

Flame Dart (Uncommon) – 850 Gold

Earthen Grasp (Uncommon) – (900) 910 Gold (10% off – New Arrival)

Currently, Rayven has two offensive Spells. They were Mana Flick and Mana Pulse I. For his support Spells, he had Appraisal I and Detect Mana Source I, and perhaps Telekinesis I, too.

As for his defense, he only had Stone Skin…

"Gust Step…"

The price, even discounted, was steep.

Yet, mobility was no longer optional… It was for his survival.

[ Purchase confirmed. 585 gold coins deducted. ]

[ Current Balance: 560 Gold Coins ]

[ Skill Purchased: Gust Step. ]

[ Gust Step (Common): A sudden burst of wind propels the user forward in a short dash.

Dash Distance: 8 meters.

Cooldown: 2 seconds.

Cost per use: 1 Gold

Type: Movement / Wind Elemental ]

'Well… Now I have both Earth and Wind Element Spells. Should I also get Fireball or some kind of Water Spell?' Rayven mused as he wasn't sure what path he should take as a Mage.

Just like that, Rayven obtained his 7th Spell.

He barely felt anything within his body, but at the very least, he could clearly recall the Spell's capability.

Rayven exhaled as he felt more confident having such a Spell in his arsenal. After all, the 8-meter dash wasn't that short.

Even with the 2-second cooldown, it can be a terrifying spell.

"Good. At least now… I won't just be standing still."

With that done, Rayven closed the Skill Market and left his quarters.

There were other matters to handle before he met this Silver-rank team.

He still needed craftsmen for his mechanical pen… He needed skilled hands who could help refine the tools in his head.

Thankfully, Rennard assisted him with this matter…

Golden Coast Trading had no shortage of artisans, but their specialty wasn't weapon-forging or armor-smithing.

The estate's main workshop barely handles metalwork after all.

Still, they had a few people dedicated to finer, more consistent products, like metal wires, used in trade, traps, and basic mechanical applications.

They weren't earning a lot in this business, but it had a steady income.

Soon, Rayven entered the workshop where he immediately heard the sound of hammers, saws screeching, and gears turning that filled the place.

Then, he spotted Rennard waiting. He was as dependable as ever.

"Master Rayven, I've gathered three of our best craftsmen. None are smiths by trade, but when it comes to handling metal, precision, and consistency, these men are reliable."

The three workers stood in a row.

They looked nothing alike, but each had rough hands and seemed confident with their skills.

Rennard gestured to them one by one.

"This is Bram, a veteran at wire-weaving. His work ensures durability and, lower chance of snapping under tension.

This is Farren, younger but talented in shaping and adjusting the thickness of metal. He has an eye for details most don't notice.

And finally, Aaron. He's been with us the longest. His specialty is reinforcement and splicing…"

'How am I supposed to choose?' Rayven thought, as he had no idea if they could actually make it work.

Still, he couldn't just search for a craftsman outside their shelter. The risk of leaking the idea would be higher.

Rayven studied them carefully, but instead of asking the usual questions like their experience, years in trade, and production speed, he asked them something different. Something direct.

He took out a rough sketch he'd made before… It was the mechanical pen design… This fountain pen used a reservoir or container within the pen and relied on gravity to deliver the ink to its nib…

It was something entirely foreign to their usual line of work… They shouldn't have seen this type of pen either, so he wanted to hear their opinions.

"I want to hear what you think of this. Not as smiths, not as wire-makers… but as craftsmen. How would you approach this?"

"That's a new style of a quill?"

"It's a new type of writing tool."

The three exchanged looks. For a moment, there was hesitation. This wasn't the kind of thing they were ever asked.

But then Bram scratched his beard and leaned closer to the parchment.

"Hmmm… it looks delicate, almost fragile. If you want something like this to last, the reservoir has to be sealed tight, or the ink will dry up. I'd start by making the container from copper or tin, something soft enough to shape but sturdy enough not to dent with use. The nib… is a bit tricky. Needs to be fine but not brittle. I'd say a tempered steel tip... Otherwise, the whole thing will break the first time it's dropped."

Rayven nodded slowly. This was what he needed. That was practical thinking, focused on durability.

Still, the others also had opinions on their own.

Farren, the younger craftsman, studied the sketch curiously. He looked more interested in this thing the longer he studied it.