Two months had passed since the war ended, and Felix Mavis had settled into a quiet rhythm at his shop on Market Street. The bustling noises of Eastwell Town had faded into the background, becoming a part of his daily life. Felix had come to appreciate the steady hum of the market— the clatter of carts rolling over cobblestones, the voices of vendors shouting to attract customers, and the chatter of locals walking by. But inside his small shop, away from the noise, it was a different world entirely. Felix's focus was singular: the craft of making talismans.
Every morning, followed the same routine. Felix would open the shutters to let the soft light pour in, illuminating his workbench where tools were neatly arranged, and materials were laid out in front of him. He would take a moment to center himself, gather his thoughts, and begin his work for the day.
Over the past two months, Felix had perfected his craft, and his reputation as a skilled talisman maker was beginning to spread. His Fireball Talismans had become particularly popular, with regular customers stopping by to purchase them. His shop, though small, was slowly becoming a staple for those in need of talismans. But running a business wasn't just about creating items—it also meant managing money, materials, and a steady supply of resources.
Felix had quickly learned the value of currency in Eastwell. The town used a simple system: gold, silver, and bronze coins. Gold was the most valuable, followed by silver, and then bronze. A single gold coin was worth ten silver coins, and a silver coin was worth ten bronze coins. This tiered system made transactions more manageable, whether for a simple purchase or a larger deal.
Felix had grown accustomed to the currency system. He knew how much his materials cost and how much he needed to earn to cover his expenses. Talismans, like the Fireball Talisman, were his main source of income. A Fireball Talisman sold for 10 silver coins, a reasonable price for an offensive tool. The Delayed Fireball, a more complex version of the Fireball Talisman that allowed users to set a delay before it exploded, was a bit more expensive, selling for 15 silver coins. The Warmth Ward, a simple talisman that generated heat when activated, sold for 8 silver coins, making it an affordable item for everyday use. The Minor Barrier Seal, which could block small projectiles, fetched 12 silver coins, and the Pest Control Charm, a talisman designed to ward off small pests, could be sold for 5 silver coins.
Felix had to account for all these prices when deciding what to craft. While the Fireball Talismans were popular, some customers wanted more specialized items, such as the Minor Barrier Seals or Delayed Fireballs. Each type of talisman had its own level of complexity and required different amounts of time to make, so Felix had to plan his work accordingly.
One day, after calculating how many talismans he could sell, Felix decided it was time to restock his materials. He reached for the small pouch of coins that he kept at the corner of his workbench. He had already spent a portion of his earnings on rent and daily expenses, but there was still enough left for him to buy what he needed. With a sense of determination, Felix set out to purchase more supplies.
His first stop was Aldrin's Mystical Goods, a shop known for its rare and exotic ingredients. The shop was tucked between two larger buildings, the air thick with the scent of dried herbs and ancient books. The shelves were filled with glittering crystals, enchanted parchment, and jars of various ingredients. Felix had been visiting Aldrin's shop for months now, and he knew exactly where to find what he needed.
Aldrin, a wiry man with a thick beard and sharp eyes, looked up from his work as Felix entered. "Ah, the Ghost Ink Scholar himself," he said with a knowing grin. "What can I get you today?"
"I need some materials for talisman making," Felix replied. "Ether Crystals, ink, and parchment."
Aldrin rubbed his hands together. "Ether Crystals are in high demand lately. A few people have been buying them up for their own talisman projects. You're in luck—I've still got some. They'll cost you five silver coins each."
Felix sighed inwardly. Five silver coins per crystal was steep, but he knew he had no choice. "I'll take five," he said, counting out the silver coins.
"Good choice," Aldrin said, bagging the crystals. "Now, for the ink. Good-quality ink will set you back three silver coins a bottle, and parchment will be four silver coins for a dozen sheets."
Felix nodded. He had enough to buy what he needed, though the costs were starting to add up. "I'll take two bottles of ink and a dozen sheets of parchment," he said, handing over the silver.
As Felix left Aldrin's shop, he couldn't help but calculate the total cost of his purchases. The Ether Crystals had cost him 25 silver coins, the ink 6 silver coins, and the parchment 4 silver coins, bringing his total to 35 silver coins. With this, he could craft a new batch of Fireball Talismans and a few Minor Barrier Seals.
When Felix returned to his shop, he sat at his workbench and began to work. The Fireball Talismans were the easiest to make, so he started with those. Each one took about an hour to complete. The symbols had to be drawn with precision, and the magical energy infused into the talisman had to be perfectly balanced. By the end of the day, Felix had made five Fireball Talismans. He then moved on to the Minor Barrier Seals, which took longer due to the complexity of the seals involved. By nightfall, he had finished three Minor Barrier Seals.
The next morning, Felix made his way to the Market Square to sell his creations. He priced the Fireball Talismans at 10 silver coins each and the Minor Barrier Seals at 12 silver coins. Within the hour, he had sold four of the Fireball Talismans, two Minor Barrier Seals, and even a Pest Control Charm to a local farmer for 5 silver coins.
As Felix counted his earnings, he felt a sense of satisfaction. Selling the Fireball Talismans and Minor Barrier Seals brought in 60 silver coins. After subtracting the cost of materials—35 silver coins—he had made a net profit of 25 silver coins. This was more than enough to cover his shop rent for the month, with some left over for his daily needs.
Later that afternoon, Rin came by to visit. She leaned against the counter, her usual bright smile lighting up her face. "Looks like things are going well for you," she remarked, glancing at the pile of talismans on the counter.
Felix chuckled, wiping his hands on his apron. "Business is steady. I've sold a few already, but there's still more work to be done."
"Are you managing the business side of things okay?" Rin asked, sitting down at the table by the window. "The currency, the materials… It's a lot to juggle."
Felix nodded, resting his chin in his hand. "It's a challenge. I've got to make sure I cover rent, buy materials, and still make a profit. I can't afford to price things too high, but I can't keep giving away talismans for cheap, either."
Rin smiled sympathetically. "You're doing great, Felix. It's a learning process, but you'll get the hang of it. You're getting better every day."
Felix smiled back, grateful for her support. "Thanks, Rin. It's still a lot to figure out, but I think I'm on the right path."
As evening fell, Felix closed up his shop and sat down for a simple dinner. He thought about the day's work—how far he had come since he first started making talismans. It wasn't just about crafting beautiful objects anymore. It was about managing a business, balancing his earnings, and learning how to navigate the world of currency and trade.
He knew there would be more challenges ahead. Prices would rise, customers might become more demanding, and sometimes he would need to stretch his resources.