Ascendance of a Bookworm

While collecting in the woods, Lutz and I began to make girders.

Girders are wooden frames, so they are relatively easy to make with trees and nails. As hard as it is to cut a tree straight to the same length, it's not that hard to make in itself.

Especially this time, instead of making a large Japanese paper, I will make it a postcard size, so I don't even have to attach a pier to support it.

Let's make a reference to the smaller digits I used in my family medicine class.

"Uh, I'll have it made like this..."

After I showed Lutz the finished form on the tablet, I wrote down the necessary parts.

Lutz looks at it and cuts the tree.

"I have to cut it straight to make it perfect. Ultimately, you can scrape them together."

"It's more troublesome than I thought. Straight..."

Cut a tree and make two rectangular frames so that the inside is rectangular about the size of a postcard.

When two wooden frames are formed, the upper digit and the lower digit, attach a fixing plate to secure the upper digit so that it does not move when the paper is being rinsed. Then, the upper digit was fitted with a handle portion so that it could be held by hand.

"You did it! Lutz, that sounds good!

"Is this good?

"Yeah! I'll pinch a pair between these top and bottom digits, hold this handle like this, and even the fibers while shaking like this, so the shape's fine"

"Shape?

To the seemingly suspicious Lutz, I laid down my digits overlapping and pointed to a slightly rattled and visible gap.

"If possible, suppose I polish it a little bit or sharpen it so that I can't have a gap when I overlap the top and bottom digits, if it's perfect, it's done"

"Perfect!? I don't have the tools to ask my father or my brothers..."

"... tools, can I borrow them?

"I don't know..."

Although the traveler gave up, he now seems to have a tough wind from his parents for Lutz, who has kicked the architectural and woodworking jobs his parents want and decided where to apprentice the merchant himself. It's not a situation where I can say I want you to lend me tools or help me.

It is Lutz's father's word that he only thinks about gold as a merchant, without a cold-blooded man, and that he cannot forgive his own son for wanting to be like that.

Her mother, Aunt Carla, seems to say that she gave up the traveler and looked for a job in the city, so it's still better, but can't she give up another?

No matter how tough the hit is, there's less I can do than Rutz himself says he doesn't want to give up because he paved the way for it himself.

Enough to tell Rutz's hard work somehow when I see Rutz's family, or grab his stomach with a cooking recipe.

The digits were shaped, so worst of all, if you can't try using them, you can decide to sharpen them. Problem is, you're in the wrong place.

I have to make my own scroll like I was wrapping a scripture brush around.

There are bamboo straws and threads of all sizes. That, too, is sturdy yarn. There is no thread that will make us free, and it seems difficult to make bamboo strands out of bamboo.

Even though the postcard size, I can easily predict that it will be very difficult to make it.

"I could make digits today, so I'll start scraping bamboo tomorrow and making bamboo strands. But is rounded bamboo straw easy to make? If you have some thickness or size, can I have a square? What do you think?

"All I can say is make it and you won't know until you try it..."

I still can't use the knife very well, I'm not a big fighter, but I need a number, so I'll have to make it right away.

Fortunately, digit making, which was the goal of the day, went well.

"Mine, then, Lutz. Can you come over here for a second?

On his way home, Otto was called at the gate, and Lutz and the two were invited. If I were the only one, it wouldn't be unusual in the relationship I'm helping at the gate, but it shouldn't have been at all before Lutz was called.

"Me too?

"Yes. To both of you, this. Invitations"

I was handed a board similar to the one I received from Corinna before. Out of the results of my studies, I immediately ascertained the addressee and sender. It was an invitation from Benno to me and Lutz.

"Mr. Benno took me and Lutz?

"What can I do for you?

I didn't think I'd see you until I had the paper, but I don't know what it means to suddenly get an invitation to us who aren't even apprentices yet.

"Tomorrow, that's a lot of sudden calls. I wonder what it is?... maybe not pass without having to make the real thing, or something?

Enough because another person has asked me to give more priority to my in-laws, because I've decided on an apprenticeship, or because I imagine from a piece of information I leaked, because I have a goal to make a product, we pay box, and all the worst goes around my head.

"Yeah!? Are you serious!?

"No, no! That's not it!

I stared at Otto, who denied it as if in a panic.

"Mr. Otto, what do you know?

"... Ah, Benno, who saw Corinna's hair, asked me to dig a root leaf, and for all I know, I talked to Pero, so I need to talk to him about it."

"Isn't this invitation Mr. Otto's fault! Why are you talking to Pero?

"You deserve to brag about Corinna being beautiful, don't you, my husband?

Did you go out of your way to brag about being beautiful in retribution for taking all the nails?

I just complained to Otto, and it's true that I got the invitation, and if you want to go into Benno's as an apprentice, this is a subpoena you shouldn't refuse.

"The name is supposed to be inviting you to lunch. Can we have a fancy lunch?

"Ooh! Go! I'm definitely going!

Lutz suddenly got all excited about going. If you let the constantly hungry poor fool around with a sumptuous meal, it's one shot. I'm also a little interested in rich rice.

The invitation naturally specifies the time and place. It says concisely with Benno's store since the 4 bells ring tomorrow.

"... where is Mr. Benno's shop? We don't know, do we?

"First floor of my house"

Otto's house should have been on Corinna's parents' house, his daughter-in-law, in a room his older, separated brother had prepared worried about his cute sister.

I mean, Corinna is Benno's sister, and Otto and Benno's relationship...

"... were you brother-in-law?

"Yes."

Even if what I told Otto was a surprise to Benno, it's not weird. I didn't feel like saying anything anymore.

The next day, me and Lutz went to Benno's shop, dressed as beautifully as possible. After Central Square, the atmosphere becomes more and more luxurious.

Rutz also seemed to have never come from Central Square towards the walls, looking around for a moment.

"Wow, something..."

"Yeah, it's the same city, but it's completely different, isn't it? I was surprised when I went to Mr. Otto's house."

"I guess this much different city means that lunch is totally different and luxurious from ours. Looking forward to it."

To Lutz, who looks forward with an innocent smile, I exhale lightly and advise.

"You should be careful how you eat."

"Hmm?"

"The way you eat, the way you check your manners, you think they'll definitely"

"Ha!? I don't know that!?

Neither do I. I don't know exactly if my manners work here.

There is only one way to deal with it.

"Be careful with your posture, don't be disappointed, try to eat while looking at Mr. Benno and I don't think you'd be so wrong"

"... damn, I'm getting nervous"

The two of us walk hand in hand somehow, anxious not to know what lies ahead.

I arrived in front of Benno's shop just before the bells of 4 rang, and after the bells of 4 rang, so near the store, I had to kill time.

"What are you gonna do?

"Hmm? It's fine from around here, I'd like to see the store. You have no idea what Mr. Benno's shop deals with, how many people work for him, or what his apprenticeship does."

"... so is that"

Collecting information on where I work is common sense to me, but there is no Internet or information magazine here. I can't get information unless I either explore word of mouth rumors or find out with my own eyes.

I originally know the industry's work from the first time my parents work and listen to stories from people who refer me to me to get information about the workplace I go to.

But it seems Benno and Otto are hiding being brother-in-law, I don't know if the information from Otto will really flow. When I went to listen to the traveler, Benno's introduction was also "I knew him when he was a traveler". He didn't explain one job description because he was willing to fail.

If you have the opportunity to see it with your own eyes, I want to make the most of it.

"There aren't many products lined up."

"Compared to the market, there aren't many customers coming in. Are you sure you're making money?

"I think you're making money. The store is so clean, and the employees are nicer and more moving than the surrounding area. Because it's well educated and looks good, I guess I'm dealing with rich people and nobles and such."

Even the likes of the keepers standing in front of the store are wearing better clothes than we are. It's proof that you're doing business with a customer who cares about their appearance.

The world is too different, and for me and Lutz to work, there are going to be many walls to overcome.

Colour n Colour......

4 bells ringing announcing lunch.

At the same time, the store began to close.

"Huh? Huh? It will be closed!?

I pulled Lutz's hand and rushed to Benno's shop. If they're completely closed and people are gone, they don't know what to do.

I hurried to speak to one of the watchmen who tried to pull into the store, showing him the invitation.

"Excuse me! We're getting this invitation from Mr. Benno, can you tell us what to do?

"Oh, you don't have to be so hasty. I'm listening, will you wait a little while before I close the store?"

If I close the store for lunch break, I leave one lunch shift and the employees all leave for lunch.

You didn't have to jump in when you were closing the store, but it seemed like you should have spoken at noon.

After the sassy movement and the store was closed and the employees scattered for lunch, we were led to the back of the store by our brother on the day shift.

Sir, it's a customer.

"Oh, let me in"

When you open the door and let us through, your brother at noon leaves in a gracious manner.

There is a room that you can see at a glance when it is used for business talks, and there are a variety of unfamiliar things lined up on the shelves at the back.

Behind the tree desk where Benno was sitting was a shelf lined with stacked wooden plates and parchment paper.

Could it be a bookshelf!?

I don't have a book, so I have a shelf that is packed with letters, although it would be more correct to call it a file shelf.

With Benno standing up in front of him, he managed to step on his feet, which seemed to flutter over there, and stayed on the spot.

"I'm sorry to call you out of the blue. I really need to talk to you."

"What is it?

"Shall we eat first? We'll talk later."

I get to the seat recommended by Benno, taking my gaze away from what looks like the first bookshelf I've ever seen. Lutz also sat next to me with a slightly nervous face.

"I'll have him transported right away."

When Benno rang the bell on his desk three times, the door in the back of the room opened and a woman came in with a basin with a meal on it. Apparently there's a staircase, connected to the second floor.

"Welcome, Mr. Mine and Mr. Lutz. Enjoy it."

I thought it was Benno's wife, but she didn't introduce me to anything, so it could be an employee or a woman working downstairs.

"Thank you," I replied only, looking at the lined dishes.

With just a take-up dish, a fork and a spoon, the number of cutlery was not very different from what we would use, and the knife was only in front of Benno.

All the meals seemed to be set to be partitioned by Benno, the Lord, with salads and meat placed on plates and soups placed.

"Come on, go ahead"

Lutz was trying so hard for him, but when he started eating, he seemed to have blown my advice out of his head, eating quite a bit.

Maybe Lutz should learn some manners too before he starts working.

I took the fork and ate while looking at Benno, but it doesn't seem that unusual manners either. I thought so, but for some reason I am more watched by Benno.

Is something wrong? Could the details bother you differently? and ate in amazement. I meant to eat it not even so nasty, but I don't know what bothered me.

The manners I have learned from this meal are to show that I am full by leaving a little.

I thought it would be rude if I left it, I tried my best to eat it, but when I was taken over, I almost accidentally held my mouth back.

I was expecting a little from a rich dish, but only in large quantities, and the flavor didn't change that much. I guess the cooking method is the same. I didn't expect much. Amount is life! although Lutz seemed very satisfied.

"I think I'm satisfied with my stomach, let's talk"

"Yes."

Mr. Benno started talking about a dark drink that smelled different but was like coffee, while we drank herbal tea.

"First, let me ask you something"

"What is it?

"Why did you rely on Otto?

Seeing frustration and slight anger at Benno's expression and tone, Lutz bowed himself, and I leaned my neck.

"Excuse me. I don't really know what that means. I always depend on Mr. Otto, but when, what are you talking about?

"Otto reported that he accommodated the nail. That's in exchange for the glowing liquid in your hair, isn't it?

"Yes.... did something go wrong? There was only Mr. Otto around me who might be able to accommodate the nails."

Otto accommodates me, and I don't know what Beno means to be angry. Was it a bad idea to give Simple Lincoln to you?

Benno sighed heavily at us, not understanding at all and just leaning his neck.

"In common sense as a merchant, you should have talked to me first."

"To Mr. Benno, is it?

"Yes."

Seeing Benno snort heavily, I know that would be the right thing to do in the common sense of the merchants here, but I'm not convinced.

"But we're not yet apprentices or anything, are we? Because making paper is like an exam, I thought it would be a mistake to talk to Mr. Benno."

"No, if you can make paper, it will be an apprenticeship here and a product to be handled in this store, so I'm the one you talk to the most. Not Otto."

Though I haven't been an apprentice yet, I was promised conditional hiring, so you can assume it's like a boss. I thought papermaking was like an exam, but let's think of it as an extension of my work.

In doing so, the situation in this case is that less than an apprentice has something to do with his job, and he went to talk to an outsider, not his boss. My boss has a rounded face.

"Excuse me. I understand. You meant the decency of your employer, Mr. Benno, or the act of scratching your face. I'll be careful now."

With my understanding and reflection, Benno, after several nods, corrected his posture.

"So, from now on, we're in business. Sourcing the ingredients you need to make paper by making and exchanging lustrous liquids for your hair."

"Huh? Papermaking is an exam to become an apprentice, right? Can I have it sourced?

I thought it was the exam when I had it all myself. If Benno will source the ingredients, it will be a lot easier to make paper.

"You can't make it without tools, you can't measure your strength, and there's no way you can start a new business without a prior investment. But I can't even just assist the unrelated guy in the building. Debt has collateral, but there wouldn't be anything collateral, would there?

Naturally, there's no way that there's anything like collateral for me and Lutz, the children of the poor.

"The information isn't something you can return later, so it's not collateral, is it?

"So in this case, it's not debt, it's buying and selling. I'll buy a way to make it. Instead, I'll prepare everything you need to make paper.... wouldn't that be a bad deal?

"It's certainly not a bad deal."

Requesting tools or conditioning them to purchase raw materials can also lead to leaking information on how to make paper, but I can't prepare one pan. I want this aid so much that my hands can get out of my throat.

"What do you think of Lutz?

I spoke to Lutz, who was listening silently while sitting next to me. Papermaking is a joint effort between the two of us. I didn't think it was a good idea to decide on my own.

But Lutz lays her eyes down gently and shakes her neck to the side.

"... it's Mine's job to think, isn't it? Just like Mine thought."

"Really?"

If Lutz says so, let's wrap up the story on the best possible terms.

Of course I can focus only on making paper if I say that Benno will undertake the tools up to the purchase of raw materials.

"Let me check. Is the only thing you need a tool? Or can I include raw materials as well?

"I don't mind including raw materials. You're gonna try everything, aren't you? It contains information that Lutz went around asking the lumberjack."

I see, the connection next to the merchant is scary. If an unfamiliar child wandered around and was gathering information, the information seemed to fly quickly.

"How long will that aid last?

"Until the christening ceremony. Until then, I can't be an apprentice. This will take the form of buying what you brought. After deducting the raw material cost and the commission on the sale, you'll get the rest. After the baptism ceremony, the paper will be bought and sold in this shop and 10% of your net income will be put on your salary."

I don't have a problem until the baptism ceremony. Take the paper you can and have it bought. Where the fee has been increased somewhat, my interests can be secured, so no problem.

But after baptism I felt a little uneasy.

I don't mind the profits putting me on the payroll, but what if, when you're fired? Once they are no longer paid, it is possible that neither profits nor payments will be made.

I should have felt that there was a thick wall between common sense here and common sense in our living areas. There is no coverage for ourselves after the production of paper is on track and it is clear that it will generate profits.

"My right to make paper is more than a salary increase. The right to sell paper should belong to Lutz."

"... what do you mean?

"I can do paper, and when I get the real thing, I pay box, and I'm in trouble if something happens. I want insurance to keep me from being thrown out over my immediate profits."

Phew, Beno's eyes gleaming with his chin.

"Well, it's not a bad idea to think about preservation. The child's shallow wisdom is full of holes."

"Ugh... I'll study"

I don't know what this common sense is, so I can't help but squeeze how much wisdom I have and it's the shallow wisdom of a child.

"So, it's all about paper, but you don't claim your rights about liquids that stick out in your hair?

"Yes. I won't when it comes to 'Simple Lincian'. That's what I'm selling to Mr. Benno."

I'm not going to make a claim on something I'm going to sell.

As far as I'm concerned, I've never been over it if the paper circulated, and I just want to make sure that Rutz, who works hard against his family, has the coverage to work as a merchant apprentice.

"Well, fine. Your rights to paper are yours. However, as long as you guys are in this store, we'll do the trading. There is no right to price or profit arrangements. No salary increase either. Is that all right with you?

"Fine. It's just insurance."

Securing a place where you can get paid to work is the most important thing right now. You can make a profit later.

Beginning with the tweezers Benno was watching, I can think of a few dish recipes, beauty products that would be profitable if I got the ingredients.

"Right. Then we're done talking. I leave for the nobleman's mansion at noon. I'll be back in the evening, so you guys can write your purchase orders here by then. Write down everything you need to make paper."

I'm happy with the speed of work, but I've never even written a purchase order at the gate yet.

"... I don't know how to write it?

"Leave the teacher role alone. If I can do it by evening, I'll tell you what's good for the reward."

"A good thing?

"There is a contractual method that I only use when I really want to secure my rights, deal with noble opponents, and large deals with huge profits. You guys who just buy and sell in the market must have never seen it. I'll make sure of your rights, not your promises."

Sure, I wanted it to be a contract, not a word of mouth, but I didn't expect it to come out of Benno.

"... why are you getting so far? Isn't a promise more convenient for Mr. Benno?

Benno laughed niggly after shaking his head.

"I'm making a firm contract to protect my interests with regard to Kanyichan Lincolns. It's hard for you to claim your rights after you start to make a profit as promised. Instead of letting your rights be waived entirely by contract, I'll recognize your rights."

"Thank you"

You want to say that it's mutual that we haven't trusted the person we've only met twice.

If you'll leave it on the contract, we can reassure each other.

Benno appointed one employee as a teacher as his employees returned from lunch break. He was the kind of man who seemed to be the one giving out the butler aura that he would inadvertently want to call Sebastian.

"Marc, it's Mine and Lutz. Show these guys how to write a purchase order. By the time I get back."

"Yes, sir."

Benno prepares to go out while giving various instructions to other employees.

Shortly before I left the room, I looked back and spoke to Marc.

"Oh, yeah. Marc, get ready for contract magic by the time I get back."

Contract magic?

That's what I think it sounded like.

Was this a fantastic world?