The Mentor of the New Era
Section 39 The Ancient Letter
"Hey, Old Carter, how's business today?"
"Oh, it's you, Abel... Not bad, but my shop deals with big items, so it's never as good as your consumables store." Old Carter adjusted his monocle and replied.
"Well, I've brought you some business today," Abel said with a grin.
Old Carter noticed Lanen standing slightly behind and tilted his head to ask, "And this is...?"
"Mr. Lanen Banneret, my business partner." It seemed little Abel was quite pleased with this partnership, as Lanen noticed he always introduced him to everyone.
"Ah, welcome! What can I do for you?" Old Carter immediately switched to business mode.
"I'd like to buy a typewriter."
"Then you've come to the right place, Mr. Banneret. I have the latest models and close ties with suppliers, so I can offer the best after-sales service and accessories." With that, he led Lanen to a sturdy shelf and began introducing each model.
"This one, the Scholz-Glidden Universal Typewriter, a product of Larsen & Sholes, imported from the Arcane Federation. Reliable quality, fast typing speed. The all-black design is elegant and dignified, priced at forty silver coins. It's currently the best-seller, though it's a bit heavy and lacks a shift key or a viewing window to see the typed text."
"This Yost typewriter is the latest product from White & Yost. Seven years ago, this company was the first to adopt the QWERTY keyboard layout to prevent jamming. Its white casing with black keys combines curved surfaces and sharp lines perfectly, priced at eighty-eight silver coins."
"This Hermes 3000 typewriter is Hermes' new release, available in three colors. It features the QWERTY layout, a shift key, and a viewing window. Its cream-colored casing, low profile, and keys are its highlights, with the ability to output text in red, black, or blue. It costs ninety-nine silver coins."
"This Olivetti portable typewriter is Olivetti's flagship product, with a vibrant red casing. It also has a QWERTY keyboard, shift key, and viewing window. It comes with a portable case, turning into a sturdy little suitcase when packed. Ideal for those who travel often, also priced at ninety-nine silver coins."
Four models in total.
Due to the size of Carter's shop, there were no display samples; all four were packed in sturdy boxes with illustrated designs.
Lanen's desire to buy a typewriter stemmed from learning that typed manuscripts were currently the most popular for submissions. Now that he had some spare money, he wanted to practice using a typewriter—a skill not taught at Arcane schools. But deep down, the real reason was his fondness for anything with a keyboard, though he felt a bit embarrassed to admit it.
Lanen examined each model carefully, asking Old Carter about every specification and weighing his options.
He first ruled out the Scholz-Glidden, which seemed outdated. Aside from being heavy and bulky, its double the number of keys compared to the others doomed it to obsolescence. Next, he dismissed the Olivetti, as he didn't have much need for portability.
After much deliberation between the Yost and the Hermes 3000, Lanen reluctantly settled on the expensive Hermes 3000.
"I'll take this one!" Lanen patted the Hermes 3000.
As soon as he spoke, Abel chimed in, "Carter, give him a discount for my sake."
"Hmm... alright, for your sake, I'll give Mr. Banneret a 5% discount. That's the best I can do within my authority," Carter said sincerely, adjusting his monocle again.
Abel nodded in satisfaction, not pushing further—it was a reasonable discount.
After paying the deposit and arranging to pick it up that evening, Lanen thanked Abel outside Carter's Magic Equipment Store.
He glanced at the sky; his leave still had some time left, so there was no rush to return.
Lanen scanned the area for a place to pass the time.
How about the bookstore next door?
With that thought, he walked over decisively.
The bookstore owner wasn't one to move around much.
The owner, an avid reader himself, was always immersed in a book, only looking up when a customer asked for a price or paid. No one dared to steal, as rumors said the owner was a high-level mage with formidable mental strength, having caught several thieves when he first opened the store.
A sign leaning against the wall near the entrance casually listed new arrivals, such as "McCarthy Teaches You Mechanics."
Lanen first stopped at the shelf with exercise books. The library's problem sets no longer satisfied him.
He eventually chose a math workbook for intermediate Arcane schools—he'd already finished the beginner-level content half a year ago and was now previewing advanced material. But without something like "Elina's Notes," his progress wasn't as fast as when he'd breezed through the beginner-level content.
"How much for this one?" he asked.
"Eighty-two copper coins," the owner replied without looking up.
...The rumors about the owner's mental prowess seemed true.
Books were generally expensive. In terms of food, this thin workbook could buy over four pounds of beef. But compared to the two big purchases he'd just made, it was cheap.
His remaining funds gave him confidence. He browsed the magazine section but didn't buy anything.
He then glanced at the two shelves in the farthest corner. Many old books looked interesting, including novels with a fifty-year-old style and outdated school textbooks.
He spotted a first edition of "Mathematical Principles of Magical Philosophy" and pulled it out, raising it to ask, "How much for this one?"
"Two silver coins," the owner said, still not looking up.
"Huh? Why is an old book so expensive?"
"Because the books on that shelf have some antique value, hence the price."
"..."
After checking back in with Mrs. Linus, Lanen returned to his workstation.
As he flipped through his new book, he suddenly found a thin sheet of paper tucked inside the old tome that had cost him two silver coins.
Curious, he carefully unfolded it.
A letter.
The paper was slightly yellowed and brittle.
"To my friend Clown:"
"I've made up my mind about the matter we discussed, though you disagree. I've decided to seal my laboratory, waiting for a destined person to open it or for time to erode the sealing spell's power."
"Though we both saw promise in this new thing called Arcane, at the crossroads, we made different choices—you chose to pursue its wonders, while I chose to explore the vistas it opens."
"Farewell, my dearest friend."
"Ward Skye."
The date was over two hundred years ago.
Huh, seems like a treasure? But 'farewell'—is this a suicide note?