Tray might be a better word — it suited Mark, who had a certain Sebastian-like quality — but the flat, round piece of carved wood could only be described as a tray.
Mark set the items down on the table one by one. Several stacked boards, an ink pot, a pen made from a thin reed-like plant, a slate, a stone stylus, and cloth.
He placed everything down neatly and without a crooked angle, then looked up.
"Right, I'll teach you how to write an order form."
"Please do."
"P-please teach us."
Mark compared me and
"Lutz, can you write?"
"...I can only write my own name."
When we'd been making clay tablets, I'd taught him how to write his name, and apparently he remembered it well. But he looked troubled as he bowed his head, knowing that what was needed here went beyond just his own name.
Hearing this, Mark gave a single "Hmm," picked up the slate, and placed it in front of Lutz.
"You can write your own name? I heard you weren't a merchant's son... I'm surprised. It won't be a problem for the contract. However, learning the basic alphabet is something all apprentices must do. While Mine writes the order form, you can practice the basic alphabet."
It seemed Mark hadn't expected Lutz, who wasn't a merchant's son, to be able to write at all, and had planned to have him learn his name before the contract.
Having changed his plan, Mark wrote about five characters of the basic alphabet on the slate and started having Lutz practice. Was he the apprentices' teaching supervisor? His method and pace seemed extremely practiced.
"Mine, can you write?"
"There may be words I don't know, but if you tell me the words, I can write them."
"Very well."
Mark arranged two boards in front of me.
One was completely blank, and the other already had characters written on it. A sample, presumably. There were words I didn't know, but I could read about seventy percent of it.
"This is what the order form looks like."
Mark pointed to the characters written at the very top and spoke.
Then he taught me the format of the order form. The requester, the items ordered, quantities — once explained, it wasn't all that difficult.
"Now, do you know what tools and materials to order?"
"Yes."
I nodded broadly and started writing, but writing on the bumpy board was harder than I'd expected. The unfamiliar pen made it even worse — it was so frustrating I wanted to give up.
If I'd had my soot pencil, it would have been far easier to write. Sure, it would smudge into a black mess with just a little rub, making it unreadable, but still.
"Ugh, this is hard to write with compared to a stone stylus."
"You're doing quite well for your first time."
Since he was praising me, I got a little motivated and pushed on.
As I was scribbling away, Mark looked at the order form and furrowed his brow slightly.
"...Mine, you've written 'pot,' but what size?"
"Well... I was thinking about the second-largest pot in our house..."
Mark furrowed his brow even further. The look on his face clearly said, "That explanation is useless."
Yeah, you're right. It wouldn't help anyone to know what pot is in our house.
But I didn't know the unit for measuring pot sizes. I didn't think it was centimeters, but what should I say?
"Hey, Lutz. How big is a pot you can fill with water and carry?"
"Huh? Hmm, about this big."
Lutz formed a circle with his arms.
I'd offloaded the explanation onto a child of this world and nailed it — ahem, ahem, asking Lutz, who would be using it the most, turned out to be the right call. Mark immediately pulled out something like a measuring tape and quickly measured the circle Lutz had made.
"How about the depth?"
"Lutz, how deep?"
"This deep."
Mark measured again in an instant.
I'd never had a measuring tape around the house, and up until now, rough estimates had gotten me by. There hadn't been a need to know exact measurements.
But when we were making things ourselves, one thing, but for ordering from elsewhere, vagueness wouldn't cut it.
I clutched my head and let out a small groan, then raised my hand toward Mark.
"...Mark, before I write the order form, could you teach me the units of measurement?"
"Of course."
"Also, I'll need to take measurements when I get home for some of these items before I can order them, so could I borrow a measuring tape?"
I'd need to measure the lengths of the bars I'd already made to build the screen frame.
"Let's order a measuring tape too. We'll need it going forward."
At the prototype stage, I planned to work with paper about the size of a postcard, testing different types of wood and mixing ratios. But once I settled on the best method, I'd need to make much larger paper.
That would naturally require larger tools. A measuring tape was essential.
Borrowing the measuring tape from Mark, I learned how to use it and continued writing the order form.
Steamer, pot, lumber, ash, washtub, screen frame, paper bed, weight stone, flat board. And raw materials — tororo.
I wanted to start papermaking as soon as possible, so I tried to order everything at once, but without the pot, I couldn't determine the steamer's size. And without that, I couldn't figure out the size of the lumber needed to build it.
I explained to Mark that the lumber should be about this size and used this way, and we settled on the dimensions and weight. For the ash, I wouldn't know the right amount until I actually made some paper, so I ordered one small bag as a starting point.
No matter what I ordered, I struggled with how to explain it properly.
"Ahhh, this is hard. For the screen frame, I want to bring the bars we already have and talk directly to the craftsman."
"Agreed. For this screen frame matter, that might be better. Even looking at the diagram drawn on the slate, I can't quite understand it."
Mark had thrown his hands up at the screen frame too, but for everything else, I managed to write the order forms.
While I wrestled with the order forms, Lutz had been diligently practicing his writing. He shouldn't have been accustomed to sitting and writing for extended periods, yet his concentration was astonishingly long.
He was nothing like the apprentice soldiers who showed up at the Gate. When it was something he felt he needed, his focus really changed.
But maybe he'd concentrated too hard, because his expression had become somewhat blank, and it was bothering me.
"Well then, since we have time, let's move on to calculations next. Here, we use a calculator."
After a short break, Lutz was taught how to use the calculator.
I didn't know how to use this world's calculator either, so I listened alongside him. It resembled an abacus, I thought as I fiddled with the calculator, and Mark tilted his head in confusion.
"Mine, you do calculations, don't you? The Master mentioned that to me?"
"Actually, I can't use a calculator."
"Then how do you calculate?"
"I use a slate."
Using a stone stylus, I did handwritten calculations and solved the math problems Mark gave me.
He said it was unbelievable that I could do large calculations without a calculator, and somehow I ended up teaching Mark how to do handwritten calculations.
"If you can use a calculator, there's no need to learn 'handwritten calculations.'"
"It's necessary when there's no calculator. Besides, I knew how to use a calculator, but I never understood how the numbers came about. It's truly fascinating."
Watching Mark's satisfied expression during what amounted to an elementary school math lecture gave me a strange feeling.
Things that were obvious to me weren't obvious here. Once again, I realized how remarkable
Maybe I shouldn't spread this kind of knowledge around too freely?
Personally, I thought sharing knowledge was a good thing, but I wasn't sure if it fit with this world's common sense. I might have done something unnecessary.
"It's almost time for the Master to return. I'll prepare the contract magic."
"Contract magic? What's that?"
I couldn't stop my heart from racing at this fantasy-sounding term I'd heard for the first time.
For me, this had been an unhygienic, inconvenient ancient world that only existed in books. Who would have thought it was actually a fantasy world with magic?
Could I use magic too? Reincarnation cheat?!
As I waited for Mark's answer, buzzing with excitement, he gave a small chuckle.
"Magic Power, as you know, is a power only nobility possess."
"...Only nobility?"
"Yes. It's not something we normally see, so it's not something we understand well."
My excitement about living in a world with magic was shattered in an instant.
A power only nobility possess? What was that?
They had both books and magic power — those nobles really had it all.
"Contract magic originally existed to create binding agreements against tyrannical nobles. For that reason, it requires special ink and paper imbued with Magic Power. When you sign with these, the contract becomes magically binding. It becomes a powerful contract that cannot be broken without the consent of all parties."
"Oh, how convenient."
A contract bound by magic that couldn't be arbitrarily broken sounded extremely useful, as long as you weren't planning on violations or tricks.
"It's convenient, but the paper and ink are magical tools, so they're very expensive and rare. They're only used for contracts where significant profit is expected."
I see.
So Simple-chan Rinshan apparently represented a very profitable opportunity.
Consumable daily products really were powerful, after all. Once you ran out, you'd need more, and very few women who had experienced smooth, silky hair would want to go back to the way things were before — especially noble women with money who cared about appearances.
...Had I maybe sold it too cheap?
The thought flitted through my mind for a moment, but greed never ended well.
What we needed was peace of mind, stability, and the means to move forward. I should be satisfied with that.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
He seemed to feel bad about keeping us waiting.
"Have you finished the order forms?"
"I've written all that I can for now."
When I pointed to the stack of boards, Benno murmured, "That's quite a lot."
There would be more once I'd taken the remaining measurements, so I hoped he'd bear with me.
"And Lutz?"
At Benno's question, Mark placed a hand on his chest and replied.
"He could already write his own name from the start, so we spent the rest of the time studying other things. He learns quite quickly, that one."
"I see."
Even with Mark's praise, Lutz merely gave a small nod with a contemplative expression on his face.
He'd spent half the day studying, so he was probably quite exhausted. Doing unfamiliar things really took a toll.
"Mark probably explained this already, but this is the contract paper and special ink used for contract magic. They're only granted to merchants recognized as purveyors to the nobility."
What Benno produced was an ink pot with an unusual design. The contents looked like ordinary ink at first glance, but apparently they were something entirely different.
As I stared at it with great interest, Benno carefully spread out the contract paper.
"...This looks so expensive and rare — is it really okay to use it?"
"If you don't think the contract is worth its value, you wouldn't use it, so don't worry about it."
...Telling me not to worry about it only made me worry more.
Benno dipped his pen into the ink and wrote out the contract terms in smooth, flowing strokes. The ink wasn't black but blue. I watched intently as his practiced, elegant handwriting filled the page.
《Mine hereby transfers all rights related to Simple-chan Rinshan to Benno.
In exchange, Benno shall cover all costs associated with paper production by Mine and Lutz until the
Mine shall have the right to determine who to make paper with, and Lutz shall have the right to sell the paper.
However, neither shall hold rights regarding pricing or profits.》 Mine read the contract from start to finish, checking that nothing strange had been included.
Under the pretense of verifying the contract, I breathed in the ink's scent to my heart's content.
Ahhh, I wanted to make paper and build books as soon as possible.
"...Was there a problem?"
At Benno's skeptical voice, I snapped back to reality. Benno's suspicious eyes and Lutz's exasperated gaze were both fixed on me. I had a feeling Lutz had noticed me swooning over the ink smell.
"Whoa!? N-no, it's fine! Everything we discussed is written here, so there are no problems."
"...That works for me too."
At Lutz's words, Benno nodded and dipped his pen back in the ink.
Benno wrote his name at the end of the contract.
The pen was offered to me with a turn, and after exchanging a quick glance with Lutz, I took it.
The parchment was slightly softer than the paper I knew. I gently stroked it with my fingertip, savoring the feel, then held the pen ready.
I dipped it lightly into the ink pot, loading it with ink, and felt a slight catch on the pen tip as I wrote my name beneath Benno's. Unlike the order forms I'd written on the board, it was remarkably easy to write.
Writing on paper really did feel better than on a board.
"Here, Lutz."
Lutz pressed his lips together, took the pen tensely, dipped it in ink, and wrote his name.
It was obvious at a glance that he wasn't accustomed to writing yet, but he got it right without any mistakes.
"Then..."
"Wha—!? Benno!?"
Benno suddenly pulled out a knife and cut his own finger.
In front of Lutz and me, who stared in shock, he pressed the welling bead of blood against his own name like a seal, rubbing it in with another finger.
The instant the pressed red blood was absorbed, the blue ink turned black.
This terrifying magic — I hated it!
"Next..."
Benno turned his gaze toward me.
Seeing me go pale with fear at the knife and the dripping red droplet, Lutz let out a sigh and pulled out his own knife.
"Hold out your hand, Mine."
"Eeek!"
I instinctively pulled my hand behind my back.
"You can't do it yourself anyway, right?"
"W-well, no..."
Cutting my own finger scared me, but having someone else do it was equally terrifying.
I hated pain.
"Who was it that decided to make this contract?"
"I-it was me..."
Steel myself. Squeezing my eyes shut, I slowly held my hand out, and Lutz swiftly sliced the little finger of my left hand. A sharp, hot, stinging sensation shot through me as blood welled up and dripped down.
"Dip your thumb in that blood and press it on."
"Nnngh... Hah..."
On the verge of tears, I dipped my thumb in the blood and pressed it hard onto my name. Just like with Benno's, the ink changed color.
While Mark stopped the bleeding on my little finger and wrapped it with cloth, Lutz quickly cut his own finger and pressed his blood seal the same way.
How could he cut himself without any hesitation!? Wasn't he scared!?
The instant Lutz removed his hand, the inked area glowed, and a hole opened and spread as if burning, consuming the contract paper itself until it vanished.
Even though it was happening right before my eyes, it was like watching a movie rendered in CG.
Whoa. Fantasy.
To think I was actually living in a world this fantastical!
Dumbfounded by this extraordinary method of contract signing, I watched the contract disappear — then suddenly came back to myself.
Wait, what about a copy of the contract?
"The contract is now complete. Depending on the severity of a violation, it could cost you your life, so don't break it."
"My life!?"
I jumped at the terrifying words, but Benno just looked down at me with an amused grin.
"As long as you don't break it, you'll be fine. Besides, the guarantee you wanted is now secured, young lady."
"...Thank you very much. I appreciate everything."
In the end, there was no copy of the contract.
After finishing the contract magic and leaving Benno's shop, the sun had dipped considerably. A golden sun tinged with red could be seen slowly sinking below the horizon.
The town at dusk wore a different face than during the day, and I began walking home with just Lutz, the same way we'd come.
"We're later than I thought. Let's hurry home."
The people around us also seemed to be busily heading home, walking with a slightly quicker pace. Riding the wave of those people, I walked alongside Lutz through the twilight streets.
"You must be tired today, huh?"
"...Yeah."
There were still a few order forms I needed to write, but once the ones I'd worked so hard on today were processed and the materials arrived, I could focus entirely on papermaking.
Plus, with the contract magic, Lutz's and my rights were now protected. As long as the paper was finished, we wouldn't be thrown out of the shop.
It had been tough, but I thought it had been a productive day.
"Now all we have to do is make the paper, and we're home free, right, Lutz?"
"...Mm."
Lutz walked beside me with his mouth so shut that his voice was nearly lost in the bustle around us.
Usually Lutz kept me entertained with conversation to distract me from my slow pace, but his responses were sluggish today. It bothered me.
Was he more tired than after going to the forest?
Had he gotten fed up with learning to read and doing calculations?
I looked at Lutz as he walked beside me.
The setting sun made his blond hair glow an almost dazzling shade of red, but Lutz's face, slightly above my line of sight, was shadowed and invisible.
"Hey, Lutz. What's wrong?"
Even when I asked, Lutz didn't answer.
His mouth opened slightly as if about to say something, then shut again, pressed tightly together. He stayed that way, head slightly bowed, walking on in silence.
This was Lutz's natural pace — the one he usually set as my pacemaker. Right now, I'd need to break into a jog to keep up.
This Lutz, so different from his usual self, set off a bad feeling that made my heart stir.
"Wait up, Lutz."
At the Central Plaza, Lutz stopped and turned to the side.
His lips pressed firmly together, his serious eyes locked onto me — Lutz's face was half-lit by the setting sun as it emerged from the shadows.
His mouth opened as if he'd made up his mind, and a slightly hoarse voice came out.
"You... you're Mine, right?"
"Huh?"
A cold sound hissed in the back of my throat. It felt as though someone had seized my heart — for an instant, it seemed as if all the blood in my body had stopped.
The ambient noise around us was drowned out by the ringing in my ears, and the pounding of my blood rushing through me sounded impossibly loud.
"If you're Mine, then... how could you talk like that today?"
"Like what?"
"Your conversation with the Master today. I didn't understand half of it. A Mine who can talk with adults as an equal about things I know nothing about... it's strange."
The ringing in my ears continued.
I swallowed hard and listened to Lutz's words.
"You really are Mine, aren't you?"
At Lutz's probing question, I forced my stinging throat to work.
I pretended not to understand and tilted my head to the side.
"You mean... Lutz, do I look like someone other than Mine to you?"
"...Sorry. I said something weird. ...I was just a little surprised at how you talked to the Master like an equal."
Lutz managed to put something resembling a smile on his face and started walking again.
If I stayed standing there, it would seem strange.
Watching Lutz's back gradually grow smaller ahead of me, I started moving too.
...I'd messed up.
That was what I thought.
Until now, I hadn't interacted with many people. I, with neither the strength nor the stamina, had rarely been of use.
I'd helped
What I'd done with Lutz was limited to digging up clay and carving wood. Regardless of the purpose, everything we'd done was something a child could do — things that would be perfectly normal for a child.
But today, to secure our position without being pushed around by Benno, I'd tried my hardest. I'd tried too hard.
For Lutz, today's me surely hadn't been the frail little sister-like Mine he needed to protect.
Going forward, in the process of making paper, I would inevitably end up dealing with adults more and more. Gathering tools, having things made — proposals and instructions would be required.
My speech and behavior would clearly become less and less childlike, but I couldn't afford to be picky about methods if I wanted to get my hands on paper.
I would drift further and further from the Mine that Lutz knew.
It probably wouldn't be long before Lutz became convinced that I wasn't really Mine.
What would he think when he found out?
What would he do with a non-Mine me?
On this twilight walk home where I couldn't see Lutz's face, I felt I could no longer walk home by his side.