"There is nothing left to teach you," Anna sighed.
"I have taught you everything I know."
"Math, I didn't even need to teach you; it's like you have a god-given talent for it. Reading and writing, you mastered in only two months! And then your father and I bought you so many books, and you've read more than 50 books so far. We're going to run out of money at this rate! We're going to have to skip meals now."
"I'm sorry, Thorn, we don't have the money to blossom your talent, but we will work hard to earn it, right, dear?"
"Of course. Thorn already has better reading, writing, and mathematics skills than us. Just a few more years, and I'm sure he'll become successful."
"Anyway, it's time for you to go to sleep, Thorn. It's getting late now." Anna paused the conversation, guided Thorn to his bed, and wished him a good night.
"Good night, Mother," Thorn said.
"Sleep well." Anna walked out of the room and closed the door.
I guess I've learned everything my parents can teach me. I know how to read and write. I got so much information from those books. Now I know basically how this world operates, and about some other things I picked up from those books.
One thing I also learned is the currency used in this world.
I know that there are copper coins, iron coins, silver coins, gold coins, platinum coins, and finally meteorite coins—at least, that's what I know.
I learned that one hundred copper coins are one iron coin, one hundred iron coins are one silver coin, one hundred silver coins are one gold coin, one thousand gold coins are one platinum coin, and ten thousand gold coins are one meteorite coin.
But of course, I also know the value of those coins. You can think that with 3 copper coins you can buy 1 loaf of black dry bread.
And from what I learned, an average commoner's household earns about 70 iron coins a year—around what my family makes.
Now that I've learned everything I needed to, it's time to become a merchant. But one question remains: How?
Well, I need to think of some ideas for new products to create. I think that's the best solution, even more so if I incorporate some modern-world ideas into those products.
In the past seven months, I've had some time to ponder these ideas, and this is what I came up with.
First of all, a toothbrush. It's very easy to make—just some wood and some animal hair attached. Then I thought of making soap. Firstly, that would require some research, and that's not realistic for most families, as they don't have showers like in modern society or don't bathe very often and don't have the option to.
And most of all, why these two options are not viable is because in this world, especially the commoners, they don't realize the idea of hygiene, so they won't spend money just to get themselves a bit more clean. And even if they will, they have no reason to believe my products do such things. Even if I did some marketing and all that stuff, it's just too much work and not worth the return. Hence, I thought of a product that's both modern and will have potential in both the commoner and noble markets.
A perfume.
I think it's a very good product. Firstly, it's not that hard to make—you only need some fragrant plants, some oil, and, of course, some time and a container. It's relatively cheap to make compared to other products. That means I can sell it for affordable prices, like 10 copper a bottle, and over time increase it. And of course, the potential for noble clients and expansion remains. This product will be what helps me start my merchant career.
Let's go to sleep and talk about it to my parents tomorrow.
Thorn woke up, had breakfast, and impatiently called his parents to discuss something.
"Thorn, what's so urgent? We have work to do," Bram annoyingly asked Thorn.
"Father, I know you guys are busy, but this is something very important to me, and I would be delighted if you could listen to my idea."
"Ok, Thorn, but make it quick," Bram remarked.
"Mother, you have always wanted me to become a merchant, right?"
"Yes, what about it, Thorn?"
"I have decided to take my first steps into becoming one—of course with your help, as I wouldn't be able to do it alone."
"Son, we know you are a very smart boy for your age, but becoming a merchant is something that is very complicated even for adults. I think you need to grow up a bit more." Bram tried to explain it gently to Thorn so he wouldn't get disappointed.
"Your father is right, Thorn. Although I do wish for you to become a merchant, I think you should grow up a bit more." Anna, too, like Bram, tried to explain nicely.
"Mother, Father, I understand why you think that, but can you at least hear me out before saying such stuff?"
"Fine, Thorn, go ahead; we'll hear you out." Bram took a sip of his tea, thinking this would just be another normal, casual, everyday conversation with Thorn.
Unbeknownst to them, this would be the conversation that would change their lives.
"So, as a merchant, I don't plan to sell other people's wares. I plan to create my own!" Thorn said this line with great pride to his parents, like some genius inventor—when he was just copying something he already knew.
"So, Thorn, what is your idea exactly?" Anna curiously asked.
"Well, I want to create a product that would make other people smell better. It's cheap, easy to make, and can be easily applied. And this product can be varied to produce various different pleasant smells."
"Thorn, that is a wonderful idea. I think everyone would want that—if it were affordable, of course—especially us ladies. But how in the world would we even produce this product?" Anna asked Thorn a question, with no expectation of an answer whatsoever.
But she would have her expectations blown—together with Bram.