Ascendance of a Bookworm

“Hey, Myne. Why do you always deposit one small silver coin at the guild every time? Why don’t you just bring all the money home?”

On the way back from the Merchant Guild after getting off the carriage, as we were walking along, Lutz suddenly asked me that.

“You do it too, Lutz.”

“I just copied you because I thought there was some meaning to it. I always thought you brought all your earnings home, so I felt a bit guilty toward the family…”

For commoners living on the edge without much leftover money, the concept of saving is weak. At most, they might save some money in a chest around autumn for winter preparations, but registering with the Merchant Guild and depositing money is unheard of.

Naturally, what the parents do becomes the children’s common sense, so children end up bringing all their wages home and spending everything.

“I save for the next initial expenses.”

“The next initial expenses?”

Lutz tilted his head in confusion, so I explained, using our own experience as an example.

“When we wanted to make paper, we had no tools, no money, and no adults to help. It was really hard even to get a single nail, right?”

“Yeah.”

It wasn’t long ago that we asked Otto for help and got scolded by Benno. Lutz remembered and nodded with a bitter expression.

“Luckily, Benno bought the instructions for ‘Simple-chan Rinshan’ and covered all the initial costs. But gathering all the tools cost a lot of money, you understand, right? Starting anything requires money.”

“Pots, lumber, ash, thread, bamboo crafts… When you think about it, that’s really expensive.”

Recently, as I started visiting various stores for supplies, I began to understand the quality and prices of goods sold in shops rather than stalls. Lutz paled at the cost of the initial investment for making paper.

“That’s why I save. Benno said the initial investment was over since we already made prototypes, right? From now on, if I want to add tools for making paper or start something new, it will cost money. Even if we make a lot of paper and start making books, we’ll need new tools.”

“So, it’s for the next time…”

I carefully observed Lutz’s expression, which seemed partly convinced and partly not.

Lutz actually has a more urgent reason to save money than I do, but I wonder if he’s aware of it or has thought about it.

After a moment of thought, I slowly spoke.

“I don’t want to say this or think about it... but if your parents don’t allow you to become a merchant after the baptism, what will you do? Have you thought about the future?”

Lutz’s face twisted painfully at my question, and he muttered weakly in a low voice.

“…I’m thinking of asking Benno’s master to become a live-in apprentice.”

“Yeah, if you want to be a merchant, that’s your only choice, right? I’m glad you didn’t say you’d give up.”

When I smiled, Lutz exhaled as if relieved. I think it takes considerable resolve to run away from home at this age, and he probably still has doubts.

But Lutz is trying to head in the direction he wants. In that case, you definitely need money upfront.

“But Lutz, think carefully. Even if you run away and become a live-in apprentice, you’ll need living expenses and money to prepare apprentice clothes until you get your first paycheck. Having money you can freely use after running away makes a huge difference.”

“Ah…”

Lutz looked up suddenly.

“Saving your own earned money for yourself isn’t a bad thing. You might feel guilty because everyone contributes all their earnings to the family, but you’re only five days in and already brought home thirteen large copper coins? That’s more than Ralf’s apprentice salary. So, it’s okay.”

“I see… I earned more than Ralf, huh.”

Lutz smiled proudly.

Ralf, just starting as an apprentice, probably earns about eight to ten large copper coins a month, so the amount we earned is quite substantial.

“Thanks, Myne. I really feel relieved now.”

“Good.”

I grinned, and suddenly, Lutz turned his back to me and squatted down right there.