There are different kinds of inks used in this continent: On larger scale these ink can be classified into 3 major categories :-
↓ ↓ ↓
Royal/ Nobles' Ink/ Common
Runic Ink Mana Ink/ Natural Ink
Text Book Ink Used daily
Runic Ink: Used to Draw Magical Runes on Wepons/Arrays/ Grimoire
----Royal Ink(Diluted Runic Ink) belongs to only a minor individual and used solely by them on official documents. (Royal identification mark on them using blood)
These are very expensive to make and unique in their own way. Each Kingdom, Empire and Groups belonging to similar level as them (Ex-Archmages Academy, Adventure association, Blacksmith Association — many more) Use these kind of inks to sign , imprint or as stamp-seal official documents.
Mana Ink : Made by mixing natural Ink with mana crystal dust and boiling it.
Used to make runes by students/beginners.
they are similar to Royal Ink, but the quality is far lower. They are used in Nobles' Official documents. (Has the family's identity mark)
Common ink: Used by all in day to day life. Made from special plants/coal/other natural method.
"The Runic and Mana Ink has an identification magic in them. Thus is unique on it own way. It has many more magical features which I guess you don't want to know now right??" Helena asked while introducing various ink to her son.
"No. Thank you mom, can you help collect these three types of ink?" I asked mom with a pityful gaze.
*sigh* sigh*
""Naughty son, who only shows love when he needs something. Oh God! What sin did I commit to have a son who seems to have forgotten his love for his mother!" Helena exclaimed melodramatically, addressing the sky with a mix of frustration and theatrical flair.
Startled by the sudden change in his mom's mood, Zeun was caught off guard. Deep in thought, he realized what his mom said was true.
It had been almost two years, if not more, since he had shown any kind of physical intimacy towards his mom. It had been more than two years since he drank his mom's milk. Thinking this, he blushed a little but soon calmed himself down
Feeling guilty for his mom, he went near her and hugged her. "Don't worry mom I shall alway....No!...I am born to love you Mom. Its just that I was a little caught up in these buisy days with training an all...umm so...hahh....I am sorry mom. I will surely spent some time only for you."
Helen's heart warmed, embracing her son back she wispered in her ear,"I love you too son. But why are you keeping a distance between us? You also don't sleep with mama, Is there something going on in you mind Zeun tell you mommy plz". Helena asked looking into his son's eyes.
Feeling her gaze, Zeun's heart raced as he hugged her again, this time even tighter, "Mom, I need ..." He stopped himself feeling that this wasn't the right thing to say. He wanted to tell his mom that he needs money and power to help his mom cure herself from the curse but he couldn't .
He, more than anyone else, understood the depth of pain she must have endured upon realizing that the curse would thwart her journey to become stronger.
Since that night, his mother underwent a transformation. Though outwardly the same jolly and carefree mom, a discernible fracture lingered within. The calmness in her eyes betrayed the depth of her true pain.
"What do you need son?" Helena asked in her same gentle and loving tone still keeping her son in her embrace.
".....I ..I need to go to school" Zeun blurted out. But inwardly 'What the...! What did I just tell? I don't want to be separated from her...How should she feel?She might be sad.. no no no' I was just going to deny but...
"Oh! You want to go to school...Thats very good but wait until you become eight years old. The you can go to school in Caspara. Is that okay??"
"Yes yes very okay " I nodded vigorously.
"Mom do you have a dragon as mount? If so then I can ride the mount to go to school and return with it too." I said innocently, ofcourse knowing the obvious answer, but....
"A mount you say. Hmm.. although I don't have a dragon but if its a mount then ..... okay now lets go. I shall try to get the ink as soon as possible now go..." she shooed me away before return to her room.
Zeun : "????"
"Also buy some useless papers that will be discarded. The more the better " Zeun shouted from outside.
"Okay. You will get them soon"
For the next few months, Helena purchased various printed materials – exam papers from academies, torn and damaged books, newspapers, and the like – typically discarded by others since recycling wasn't a common practice in their world. Zeun seized this opportunity to gather as much paper as possible because most of the papers were free of cost or minor price of few copper coins at most.
---------------
Two years passed by Zeun has grown a little taller than before but still cute as a eight years old child. He would soon be going to attend a Kindergarten School in Caspara City (That was his initial plan)
"Son, I don't get it. Why are you collecting these useless papers? All my storage items are full because of you junks" Complained Helena.
"Its all right mom.... umm... please bear with it for a few more days.. and ummm.... just take all necessary items in one storage ring and pass the rest to me. "Zeun said a bit hesitant...
"aa-and...umm... mom.. What is the total expenditure for collecting those discarded paper bundles? and .... um.. how much gold coins are left?"Zeun asked, lowering his head, feeling guilty and worried about how much money was wasted.
"Ha ha ... don't worry about that. The expenditure was on transport total worth a hundred gold coins. Don't worry about it. We still have more than 50 gold coins." Helena said."These is the transportation fee for the next 2-3years.. I paid them in advance since the head of merchant association is a good friend of mine."
1 Platinum Coin = 100 Gold Coins
1 GC = 100 Silver coin
1 SC = 100 Copper Coin
1 CC = 100 iron tales
1 sack of rice cost 2~4 Coppers. Which was enough for a family of 3-4 (commoners) to live with full stomach for more than a month.
"Hmm... there is approximately 4 tons of paper in each of these rings" I muttered to myself "..also the 5th ring seems a bit smaller."
'So now I need to find any runic parchment or runic ink...then I can conclude my decuction with proof .'
Zeun discovered that standard ink has minimal impact on recycled paper, while Mana Ink papers tend to develop a slight oiliness from mana crystal dust during the recycling process. Consequently, natural ink struggles to adhere to the paper, creating a sensation reminiscent of writing with fountain pen ink on laminated paper.
He concludes that same phenomenon to happen with runic parchment or page. But unfortunately, not a single runic paper or writting was found among these tons of discarded paper.
*sigh*
" I guess I underestimated ruinic inks' value. Since making normal recycled paper is settled and can be mass produced without any problem. All I need now is to do various experiments with 'Mana Papers' and study its results — yes I named the laminated papers as mana papers for its simplicity."
A week later, within an inn in Caspara City, the lament of a child echoed. "Mom! I don't want to go to school anymore. It's dull, and everything the teacher covers, I've already mastered. The students act like robots, endlessly training without any study or play. I believe it's more worthwhile to spend time with you until my awakening ceremony. That way, I can enhance my skills and make more discoveries, especially about paper."
Observing her son's tantrums, Helena sighed. "Okay, fine. You can continue your practice as usual. I sense that you might reach your body's mana capacity limit within a year. Once you hit that limit, follow the instructions in this grimoire to form a magic circle in your gland."
Zeun eagerly accepted the grimoire from his mom, curiosity sparkling in his eyes as he read the title, 'First Magic Circle Formation.' His eyes lit up with joy, and in his excitement, he couldn't resist hugging his mom and planting a grateful kiss on her cheek. "Thank you, Mom. You're the best!" he exclaimed, his love for her shining as brightly as the magic in the pages of the book.
While deeply engrossed in his studies and meditation, Zeun requests his mom to discreetly sell 10 bundles of recycled papers each week, aiming to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
The modest house they rented on Caspara's outskirts transformed into an unexpected paper auction hub. Influential officials and nobles began competing for each paper bundle, driving prices to an astonishing 6 to 8 golds per bundle. This unexpected turn of events resulted in a weekly income of approximately 80 golds.
Immersed in his routine of study and meditation, Zeun remained oblivious to the fact that his humble paper business had stirred up the entire noble faction in the Voldamort kingdom. Unbeknownst to him, even the royals had taken notice.
As trouble loomed on the horizon, the question arose: How would Zeun navigate the impending challenges? Let's find out...
-----Guys I need Power Stones - Bonus chaps on reaching 100 PS-----