Ascendance of a Bookworm (LN) - Volume 1.2 - Chapter 3

Contract Magic 

Mark, after having the female employee clean up our table, brought in a tray covered with stuff. The word “platter” would be more fitting since he looked so much like a butler, but since it was like a flat circle carved out of wood, the tool was unfortunately less dignified than the carrier. 

In any case, he lined the stuff up on the table: flat boards resting on top of one another for some reason, an ink jar, a pen made of some plant that looked like a thin reed, stone slates, slate pens, and some cloth. There was a wide variety of things, and once everything was placed onto the table with perfect alignment, Mark looked up. 

“Now then. I will teach you how to write supply orders,” he said, then looked at both of us for a second. “Can you write, Lutz?” 

“...The only thing I can write is my name.” It seemed that the lessons I had given Lutz while making clay tablets had stuck in his head. However, he nonetheless lowered his eyes uncomfortably, knowing that a supply order would require more writing than just his name. 

Mark gave a nod and placed a stone slate in front of Lutz. “You can write your own name? I had heard you were not the son of a merchant, so consider me surprised. There will be no issue with the contract. However, all apprentices here learn to read. Let us practice your letters while Myne writes the supply orders.” He must not have expected that Lutz could write his own name. I could guess that his initial plans were to teach Lutz how to do so before Benno returned with the contracts. 

Mark wrote five basic letters on the slate and had Lutz start memorizing them. He looked pretty used to teaching kids and helping them learn. Maybe he was in charge of teaching the apprentices. “Myne, do you know how to write?” 

“There might be some words I don’t know, but if you teach me them, I can write anything.” 

“Then I will teach you how a supply order is written.” Mark placed two boards in front of me. One had nothing written on it and the other was already covered with words. That was probably the example order. It had some words I didn’t know, but I could read about seventy percent of it. 

“These are the letters that form a ‘supply order,’” said Mark, pointing at the letters by the top. He then taught me the format of a supply order. It wasn’t that hard once I learned the words to indicate who was ordering, what they wanted, and how much. “Myne, do you know what tools and materials you need?” 

“Yes, don’t worry.” I gave a firm nod and started writing the supply orders, but it was harder than I expected to write on a board. I wasn’t used to the pen, either, which made writing harder and unpleasant. The soot pen I had made was much easier to use, if you asked me. Though the letters ended up broken and unreadable if you messed up even a little. “Ngggh, this is a lot harder to use than a stone pen.” 

“Compared to most of those writing for the first time, I would say you’re doing quite well.” 

With Mark’s praise giving me a morale boost, I put my all into writing the orders. I scratched away for a bit. Eventually, he took a look at one of the orders and frowned. “Myne, you have pot written here, but how large of a pot do you want?” 

“Ummm... I was thinking a pot about as big as the second-biggest pot at my home.” 

Mark’s brows furrowed deeper. It was written on his face that my explanation was incomprehensible. Well... That makes sense. He doesn’t know how big the pots we own are. But I don’t know what units of measurement are used here. If I can’t use centimeters, how can I describe length objectively? 

“Hey, Lutz. How big of a pot can you carry if it’s full of water?” 

“Huh? Errr, about this big.” Lutz made a circle with his arms. 

Leaving it to a kid native to this world was the right idea, heheh. Asking my helpful partner Lutz for help was the right idea, as Mark immediately took out a tape measure-looking thing and measured Lutz’s arm-circle. 

“And how deep?” 

“Well, Lutz?” 

“About this much.” 

Again, Mark quickly measured Lutz’s arms. I myself lacked a readily available tape measure and thus had managed up until now just going with what felt right to me. Nothing had needed precise measurements. But when it came to requesting work from other people, ambiguity just wouldn’t get the job done, literally. 

I cradled my head and, after a weak groan, held up my hand. “...Mr. Mark, I think you’ll have to teach me the units of measurement before I can write these supply orders. Also, there are some things I need to measure at home before we can proceed. May I borrow that measuring device?” 

“This tape measure? Of course. I will order a new one, considering that it is a tool you need.” 

We wouldn’t be able to make the screen without first measuring the frame that we had already made. Our plan was to make an experimental one about the size of a postcard to test out various types of wood and mixing ratios. Once the results came in and we knew our best recipe, we would make larger paper. Which meant, naturally, that we would need larger tools. A tape measure would be essential. 

I borrowed Mark’s tape measure and began writing supply orders while he instructed me on units of measurement. We needed a steamer, a pot, wood, ashes, a tub, a suketa, a draining bed, weights, and a flat board. Not to mention the wood and tororo. I wanted to write all of those down so we could get started making paper as soon as possible, but I didn’t know how big the steamer needed to be without the pot for reference. Without knowing how big the steamer needed to be, I couldn’t order the right size of wood. 

I explained to Mark how much wood we needed and how we would be using it so he could help me through figuring out the ideal weight and size for the lumber. However, I didn’t know how much ash we would need until I tried making paper for myself. For now I just ordered a single small bag’s worth. 

It was so hard to describe so much of what I needed that I was quickly getting overwhelmed. “Ngggh. So, about the screen, I would like to take the frame we’ve already built and see what the craftsman himself has to say.” 

“I see. That might be best for this screen you speak of. I cannot understand what it is even after seeing your illustration on the slate.” 

I somehow managed to write supply orders for everything except the screen, which Mark gave up on. While my battle with the supply orders continued, Lutz was doing his best to learn letters. Despite being entirely unused to sitting down and writing for extended periods of time, his ability to stay focused was really a very impressive display. The apprentice soldiers at the gate couldn’t even compare. People just focused more when they considered their studies important to their life. However, perhaps due to focusing too hard, Lutz’s expression had gone totally blank.

“Now then. We seem to have more time on our hands, so let’s begin learning math. We can use this calculator to, as you would expect, make calculations.” After a brief rest, Mark began teaching Lutz how to use a calculator. I didn’t know how to use the calculators of this world myself, so I was sitting next to him. These sure are like abacuses from Earth, I thought while fiddling with it. 

Soon I noticed Mark looking at me weirdly. “I thought you already knew how to do math, Myne. The young master said as much.” 

“The truth is, I don’t use calculators.” 

“How do you do calculations, then?” 

“I use my stone slate.” 

I pulled out my stone slate and solved math problems suggested by Mark. He was so surprised to see me doing math involving large numbers without a calculator that for some reason, I ended up teaching him how to do written math. 

“Mr. Mark, why do you want to learn written math? Can’t you just use your calculator?” 

“This will be useful for when I lack a calculator. Not to mention that although I know how to use a calculator, I do not understand how it arrives at the answer it does. This is quite interesting.” 

It felt weird seeing Mark end up so interested in a math lecture that could have been aimed at elementary schoolers. The math was basic stuff to me, but not to the people of this world. I was once again reminded of how impressive the Japanese education system really was. 

...Maybe I shouldn’t spread stuff like this carelessly. I personally think sharing knowledge is a good thing, but I have no idea what might end up clashing with the common sense of this world. I might have just done something that I really shouldn’t have. 

“It is almost time for the young master to return. I will prepare the contract magic.” 

“What is contract magic, anyway?” I couldn’t help but feel excited for the first fantasy-esque phrase I was hearing in this world. Up until now this place had been the kind of dirty and inconvenient world I had only ever read about in books. But the whole time, it was actually a fantasy world with stuff like magic. 

Maybe I can use magic too! I excitedly waited for an answer, but Mark just gave a small chuckle. 

“As you know, mana is a power that only nobles have.” 

“...Only nobles?” 

“Indeed. I do not see mana much myself, so I’m afraid I cannot tell you much about it.” 

My excitement for a fantasy world full of magic shattered in an instant. Seriously...? A power that only nobles have? I can’t believe that nobles aren’t just keeping all the books to themselves, they’re hogging all the magic too. What jerks. 

“In the first place, contract magic was devised to restrain oppressive nobles. It therefore requires special paper and ink infused with mana. Through them the contract becomes magically binding in such a way that it cannot be nullified or broken without both parties’ full consent.” 

“Wow, that sounds really useful.” A magically binding contract that couldn’t be broken sounded perfect when dealing with individuals more powerful than yourself. 

“It is useful, but as the paper and ink are as expensive as they are difficult to obtain, contract magic is rarely used unless it involves something expected to bring significant profit.” 

Apparently, Benno expected very great things from my shampoo. It was true that few things were as profitable as consumable goods used on a daily basis. You had to buy more whenever you ran out, which was inevitable, and I could imagine that few women could go back to having dirty hair after getting shampooed once or twice. Especially rich women who were concerned about their appearances. 

The thought that I had undersold myself passed through my mind, but nothing good would come from getting greedy. What we needed was safety, stability, and a foothold for entering the market. There was no reason to be unsatisfied with this agreement. 

“I’m back. Sorry to keep you all waiting. Did you finish the supply orders?” said Benno, speed-walking into the room. He seemed to be concerned about having kept us waiting. 

“I wrote all the ones that I could right now.” I pointed at the stack of boards, and Benno looked at them and murmured “That’s a lot” to himself. 

Well... there’s going to be more when I measure some things, so get ready for that. Please and thank you. 

“How’s Lutz?” said Benno. 

Mark answered after placing a hand on his chest. “As he could already write his own name, I spent this time teaching him various other things. He is quite the fast learner,” he said, but despite being praised, Lutz just gave a small nod like he was stuck thinking about something. He was probably pretty tired from studying for half of an entire day. Doing things you weren’t familiar with could be very tiring. 

“I’m sure Mark explained this, but the contract magic we’re about to use involves special paper and ink. Only merchants recognized as dealing with nobles are allowed to use them.” Benno took out an ink jar with an odd-looking design. Its contents looked like normal ink at first glance, but apparently it was very different. He spread out the contract paper in front of me as I bubbled with curiosity. 

“...You don’t mind using something this rare and expensive on us?” 

“Don’t worry about it. I wouldn’t use this if I didn’t think it was worth it.” 

I mean... Say “don’t worry about it” all you want, I’m still going to worry. 

Benno dipped a pen into the jar and smoothly wrote out the contents of the contract. The ink was actually blue, not black. I stared at Benno’s elegant letters, which indicated at a glance that he was very used to writing. 

The contents of the contract were thus: “Myne fully surrenders all rights to the ‘simple all-in-one shampoo’ to Benno. In return, Benno will bear all costs related to Myne and Lutz’s paper-making from the date of signing until their baptism. Myne will have the right to decide who will be making the paper, but Lutz has the right to sell the paper. However, neither of them have the right to decide how to price the paper, nor will they receive a percentage of the profits earned from paper.” 

I read the contract from top to bottom very carefully. The noble cause of ensuring the contract was written as agreed upon gave me the opportunity to fill my lungs with the smell of ink. Aaaah... I really want to make paper fast so I can get to making books. 

“Myne. There a problem or something?” asked Benno, confused. I shot back to my senses. Benno was shooting me a suspicious look and Lutz an exasperated one. I got the feeling that Lutz noticed how I had just been enraptured by the smell of ink. 

“Bwuh?! It’s fine! The contract has our exact agreement written on it, there’s no problems at all.” 

“...I’m okay with it too,” said Lutz. 

Benno nodded at him and dipped the pen in ink again, then signed his name at the bottom of the contract. He then held out the pen with a flourish and I took it from him after a subtle glance at Lutz. 

I stroked the contract parchment — which was much softer than the paper I knew — to fully appreciate its tantalizing texture before readying the pen. I dipped it smoothly into the jar to cover its tip with fresh ink and carefully wrote my name beneath Benno’s, feeling the scritchy tip run along the paper. Unlike the boards I had written the supply orders on, parchment was very easy to write on. Mhm. Paper is definitely superior to boards here. 

“Here, Lutz.” 

Lutz, whose lips were squeezed tight with nervousness, took the pen, dipped it in the jar, and wrote his own name. His poor handwriting confirmed his lack of experience, but he managed to write his name properly without any errors. 

“Good. Next step,” said Benno before suddenly brandishing a knife and pricking his own finger. 

“Gyaaah?! Mr. Benno?!” As Lutz and I recoiled with surprise, Benno rubbed the swelling blood with another finger and pressed it against his signature like stamping a blood seal. The blue ink absorbed the red blood and turned black. 

“Your turn.” 

...No thanks! This magic’s just scary! 

Benno looked at me, but on pure instinct I shook my head rapidly. Lutz, noticing that the blood dripping from Benno’s knife and finger was scaring me, took out his knife with a sigh. 

“Stick out your hand, Myne.” 

“Eek!” I reflexively held my hands close to me. The idea of cutting myself scared me, but so did the idea of someone else cutting me. It looked like it really hurt. 

“You’re the one who agreed to this contract, yeah? We gotta do this and no way are you cutting yourself. I’ll do it for you, so stick your hand out.” 

“O-Okay...” I steeled my resolve and timidly held my hand out with my eyes squeezed tight. Lutz pricked my left pinky. It heated up and tingled with pain as blood dripped out of it. 

“Put that blood on your thumb and press it against your signature.” 

“Bwuuuh... Hyah!” Holding back tears, I put blood on my thumb and stamped my name. The ink turned black, just like the ink of Benno’s signature did. While Mark stopped the bleeding and wrapped my finger with cloth, Lutz got right to work cutting his finger and stamping his signature as well. Um... Why didn’t he hesitate?! Isn’t he scared? 

The moment Lutz pulled his hand back, the ink on the contract shined, then began to disappear from the paper, leaving holes behind like spots of fire until eventually the entire contract was gone. It all happened before my eyes, but it felt like I was watching a CGI movie. Wooow... Fantasy indeed. I can’t believe this really is a fantasy world! 

For a bit I stood there staring at where the contract used to be, stunned, before suddenly coming back to my senses. How would we get personal copies of the contract now? It had burned and disappeared. 

“The contract’s complete. Breaking the contract will put your lives at risk, so don’t even think about pulling anything funny.” 

“Our lives?!” I jumped in shock and fear, but Benno just looked down at me with an amused grin. 

“Just don’t break the contract and you’ll be fine. Congratulations, you’ve got the insurance you wanted.” 

“...Thank you very much. We appreciate your assistance.” In the end, we did not receive a copy of the contract.

When we left Benno’s store with the contract magic completed, we saw that the day was almost over, as shown by the gently setting orange sun. Lutz and I began walking together just as we had on the way here, surrounded this time by the evening city and all its peculiarities. 

“That took longer than I thought. Let’s hurry home.” The people around us were hurrying home too, making it feel like everyone was walking faster than normal. I rode the wave of people with Lutz walking by my side. 

“A lot sure happened today, huh? You must be tired.” 

“...Yeah.” I still had a lot of supply orders to modify and write, but once all of them were delivered and the materials arrived, we could focus on making paper. Not to mention that the contract magic guaranteed our rights, which protected us against Benno kicking us out of the shop after we delivered the paper. Today took a lot out of me, but it was a fruitful day. “Now all we have to do is make the paper and we’ll be in the clear, Lutz.” 

“...Yup.” Lutz was so barely audible that his voice came close to disappearing amid the footsteps of those around us before I could hear it. His curt replies worried me, since normally he went out of his way to walk at my pace and talk. 

...Did this tire him out more than the forest? Maybe he hates writing and math now? I looked at Lutz as he walked beside me. His golden hair was lit up by the evening sun and seemed almost red in the light, but that also covered his face in shadows such that I couldn’t see his expression. 

“Hey, Lutz. What’s wrong?” I asked, but received no reply. 

Lutz opened his mouth a little as if he wanted to say something, but then shut it tightly. He kept on walking in silence, thinking about something. His pace was fast, probably how fast he walked when not regulating to my pace. I had to jog a little to keep up with him. He was acting so weird that my heart stirred with anxious, worried feelings. 

“Wait, Lutz.” 

He stopped in the plaza and turned to look at me. His lips were squeezed tightly shut and his eyes were serious. He looked me in the eyes with the evening sun lighting half his face. 

Once he steeled his resolve, he opened his mouth and a somewhat raspy voice came out. “You... You are Myne, right?” 

My throat clenched. It felt as if something had grabbed my heart and briefly stopped all the blood in my body. The stir of the crowd around me faded away and I could hear the sound of rushing blood echoing through my ears. 

“If you’re Myne... How did you talk to him like that?” 

“What?” 

“How’d you talk to Benno like that? I couldn’t understand half of what you two were saying. You know so much about things I don’t. You can talk to adults on equal footing. And that’s... that’s not Myne. That’s weird.” 

My blood kept pumping. I swallowed hard, listening to Lutz. 

“You’re definitely Myne, right? Right?” 

The desperation in Lutz’s voice forced my dry throat to move. I played dumb and tilted my head in confusion. “That’s... Who else could I be but Myne, Lutz?” 

“...Sorry. I’m being dumb. It was just... really surprising to see you talk with an adult like that.” Lutz forced something like a smile onto his face and started walking. 

I’d look weird if I didn’t walk too. For a second I watched Lutz’s back shrink as he got further away from me, then I started after him. ...I really, really messed up. 

I hadn’t interacted with many people from this world. My lack of strength and stamina made me useless to just about everyone. I managed to help Otto at the gate, but to him I was definitely just a kid that was a little better at math than other people, and in any case, other kids didn’t see me interacting with him. On top of that, all I had done with Lutz was dig up clay and cut branches. Regardless of my goal, I had basically been doing things that any kid might do. 

But today, in order to hold my ground against Benno’s calculated merchant conniving, I had put my all into negotiating with him. I had put too much of myself out there. From Lutz’s perspective, I had definitely just been a weak little girl that he felt responsible for protecting. A little sister, even. But not anymore. 

From now on, we would be interacting with adults a lot more as a matter of necessity. We’d have to give instructions to the craftsmen so they could make our tools, for instance. I would be acting less and less like a child. That said, I had no other choice if I wanted to get my hands on paper. 

With each passing day I would get even further from the Myne that Lutz knew. I spent so much time around him that it probably wouldn’t be very long before he was dead confident that I wasn’t Myne. What would he do if he learned my secret, I wonder? How would he react to learning I was someone else in Myne’s body? 

On the way home, I couldn’t bear to walk next to Lutz, whose face was still shrouded in the evening shadows.