When I woke up this morning, I spent a few minutes in bed, recalling what I found or confirmed during my own status check the previous night.

And while most of them were logical and easy to understand, there was one thing that made me recall Sepyre's apostle explanation. The thing was that my stats and skills grow in a crazy temp when compared with any local. Except for the fight, I did almost the same as the others, but my numbers did increase noticeably, while no one else had shown any increase during my last check at arrival.

_______

So the learning blessing truly means what I thought at first, that skills and stats are not something that will be a limit. Granted, I lacked the experience to use what I acquired, but if the number was several dozens above someone else's, then the result will be as it has to be anyway.

This world had no system like the game systems, which is a minus to understanding what does what and how to use it, but it should be manageable if I spend some time studying and training.

Still, the names are easy to understand, and the descriptions my knowledge provides aren't so far from reality. At least, for [State], I wasn't mistaken. It's related to statecraft and understanding the political system and work indeed.

_______

"With such quick improvement, I should concentrate on gaining both stats and skills at any possible opportunity." Saying it to myself to set the goal, I, at last, climbed out of bed.

***

Kierra and Angelique had woken up earlier, though it wasn't late yet. At least, judging from the faint sunlight that only began entering through the windows, not later than what I would take as the 2nd sun hour.

The former had prepared breakfast even, and I had no choice but to give her a small internal apology. It seems that I am getting used to being pampered, hah.

"You had to go shopping at dawn? Sorry for that." I followed with a voiced apology as she served a plate of fried eggs, bacon, and some chopped vegetables.

"Ah, I did not go far. When we opened the door, a lady was selling fresh eggs on the corner, and I decided to get some." Kierra slightly smiled and pushed the plate closer to me.

Did I say that I like fried eggs for breakfast at some point? And almost immediately recalled that I did mention something about that while we stayed in Churg. So she remembers even that minor mention? Kierra is definitively a mother hen.

"Still, thanks for remembering." Speaking while eating is not bad manners here. But I prefer to avoid spitting food at others, and so, after quickly thanking, I proceeded to eat.

"Reuben's caravan will be leaving at midday today. Do you want to go and send him off?" After eating, I asked both girls.

"Mmm"

"Yes, why would we not?"

Getting an affirmative nod from Kierra and Angelique's half-rebuke, we then agreed to go now to free the remaining day.

***

The gates of the Guild's compound were open, and we immediately saw the 14 wagons standing in the yard.

All the hands had decided to stay in Megvuroz to look for work. And so, except for Reuben, the Churg guards, and the drivers, there were no familiar faces. As neither the girls nor I had interacted with the drivers, we made our way to Reuben.

"Mornin'. Came to see us off?" Reuben noticed us and asked as we approached.

"Yeah. Still, I am surprised to see that except for the drivers and the guards, no one else plans to return to Churg."

"Zelindo offered them to join a few of his leaving traders, so I don't blame them. The pay is better, and they do not have any reason to return either." He explained as his gaze followed the local workers loading the last of the uncovered wagons.

"Hoh, so you pay less?" I half-jokingly asked as I tried to guess the contents of the wagons. Closed barrels and crates only, with no sacks or anything on the open, maybe perishables?

"Kingdom's wages are higher than the ones in Churg indeed. But with the taxes, I think it's the same. But the merchants here contract only a pair of hands per trip, and more work means more pay." Reuben slightly nodded at my question and then explained.

"And they probably want to get closer to the Region capitals, right?" Angelique inclined her head as she asked in confirmation.

"You are right, the bigger cities' wages are higher, and there is rarely a lack of work. Though the living expenses are higher." Reuben smiled at Angelique and then added, "In truth, they are looking for a permanent contract at one of the guild branches, as they do pay more. And Zelindo's folk gave them some leads about Vruz's and Artede's branches looking for people with clear records."

We spent a few minutes chatting before Reuben had to excuse himself as seemingly he had some deal to close before leaving. And after we took a look around, without finding any other people we knew, we three decided to return home as well.

"So, what are your plans for today?" As we entered the reception room (Should I call it a living room as it is?), I asked the girls.

"Mmm, we need to stock on a lot of things, so I was thinking to go take a look at the closer shops. I also want to ask if someone is looking for a day worker." Kierra answered right away as she brushed a strand of hair from her face.

"Got it. Be careful, and if you need help to carry something, please tell me." I did skip the comment that there was no need to look for a job, at least right away, as I feared another clash on the matter. As for her safety, I wasn't so worried. After all, what could be there dangerous in the main street at this hour?

"I will go with her first, and then I want to ask in the Scribe guild if they are accepting apprentices." Angelique explained as soon as I looked at her.

"The Scribes?" I was surprised at her choice. Her stats showed writing and counting at a pretty average level of 9, so I was in the blank for her possible reasons.

"Mmm, good scribes are coveted everywhere." Probably understanding what I was thinking, she answered plainly.

"Oh, I see. You want the membership." From the title system in the merchant guild, it was easy to understand that the other guilds would have one as well. If, as she says, scribes are looked for, then an official one had far higher chances to be recruited. "If they want a fee or something, don't hesitate to agree, and I will pay."

"Mmm, thanks." Being Kierra's opposite, Angelique did not feel anything strange about accepting money.

"I will be staying here for the day. I plan to do a few things, and I need to prepare and note down everything." Although they did not ask, I did explain them. And then, going over Kierra's refusals, I gave Angelique all my copper. Not a small sum, considering that the six big and three small coins are worth almost three and a half silvers.

***

After seeing the girls off, I walked back to my room. Although my memory was perfect, thanks to Sepyre, using knowledge wasn't so easy, even if you could recall it. Thus, what I said to the girls was true. I wanted to pen all the ideas that looked feasible, as well as what they required.

Until today, I had not even once written with a quill. But it shouldn't be so hard, I think.

I had bought a few feathers along with an ink set, so the first step was to summon them out.

I scraped some powder from the ink block into the inkwell and then added water. I was unsure about the quantity, but after comparing it to the one I had seen before in the basement, I stopped as soon as it was of similar thickness.

Taking one of the feathers, I cut the end diagonally from two sides until it looked akin to the ones I saw in the Guild's office. I used one of the bronze knives I now owned, and I did feel like a scribe doing so, heh.

Each kilo of paper contained about a hundred sheets so I could practice for a while with no worries. And it was good that I did, as the ink wasn't so good as I thought, first too thick and next time too diluted. The feather wasn't cut as it had to as well, and it took me three attempts and a couple of papers to make everything right. I also spent another sheet to find out how to correctly hold, incline, and move to avoid making a mess.

In any case, after something close to an hour, I, at last, was ready.

"Haa, so, let's begin stealing ideas from the MCs in novels to make my life here comfortable!" I encouraged myself with a line, stolen as well, from a novel and immersed my memory.

The [Record] spell had another use, to employ it as to pass one's thoughts to paper, almost unconsciously. Thus, until the last of my ideas was written down, I practically did not do anything but think. Recalling anything feasible from the thousand chapters, Wikipedia pages, and so on that I had read at some point.

"Hmm, seems like a decent amount. Now, what of these things are truly feasible right now?" I murmured as I finished and saw the forty and something pages on the desk's surface.

There was the question of what to choose to do first. The parameters were simple, being just three, what can work, sell, and isn't dangerous to share.

***

[MSG] or Monosodium Glutamate. With the rarity of spices and being the sole owner of the process, it does fit all my parameters. The chemical or contemporary method wasn't something that I could recreate, but the old one? Still, brewing requires space and time, so for now, out.

[Sugar]. The price is high, and they only get it from some plant half a world again. But! I saw a vegetable that resembled the sugar beet, so if I wasn't mistaken, it was feasible. I should run an experiment at home, and if it works, it will be a business possibility for later as space and suppliers would be required. Out as well.

[Metal Wire]. I saw several items from thin metal strands, but they were fairly expensive. The wire serves a lot of uses, including cheaper chainmail production, so it was an awesome idea. Still, the only method I knew required space and a watermill, so for now, out.

[Glass]. It is expensive, and it's not even transparent. I am unsure how, but Azar mentioned that it's by cutting and polishing some mined mineral. Quartz does exist under the name of Crystal, so quartz sand should be possible to find. And if it's so, then there should be no problem with creating a cheaper glass as the other two, lime and washing soda, I already saw. The idea is good but will require space, workers, and suppliers. Hmm, maybe I should bring this up with a partner? Maybe Zelindo? I should ask Gris about making such a deal as she knows him better.

[Printing Press]. Now, this looks feasible with both what I have and can get. At first, it can be a manual one and slowly improve if it goes well. All texts I have seen were handwritten, and while Azar mentioned a spell to copy books, it requires contracting a mage anyway. So a few wood panels, something to apply pressure with, and a few small pieces of wood to carve the letters. I should ask someone local for a nearby carpenter (!).

[Manual Water Pump], and a portable one as well. All the wells, including Megvuroz's ones, use nothing else than a rope and a bucket. But making several of them is the most that I could do by myself, hmm. I wonder, do patents or some intellectual property system exist? I need to ask someone like Zelindo.

[Coffee], or better said dandelion coffee. Hot drinks are limited to nut and herbal teas, and a new flavor could work. I saw dandelions in the field, and a couple of merchants had chicory in the fair. Well, I should try, after finding someone to go and bring me the dandelions, hah.

[Gold Plating]. The main idea I had latched on while I was on earth, and one that looked feasible now as well. Copper and iron exist, and vinegar also does, so it is no problem to create a small battery. Later it can be replaced by a spell or magic item, but for now, even a single volt battery will be enough. The problem would be the liquid gold. But I doubt that no alchemist knows how to dissolve gold. So, tomorrow, I should go and find one.

[Scented Soap]. Not a big business venture, but one that is easy and something I want to do. All the soap here is lye soap with neither scent nor anything else and used for clothes, body, and hair. And if I add aroma, coloring, and some natural oil to make it softer, I will have an item that can turn into a hit. I should search for the ingredients and make my first attempt as soon as possible.

[Shampoo]. On the same note as the previous, the ingredients are not hard to search for, and the item is one that I want and can turn into a probable hit amongst wealthier people. I should search for the ingredients and make my first attempt as soon as possible. The only issue I can face will be the chemical part, but it should be not so hard anyway.

I did write down a few ideas about weapons, explosives, and even the basic concepts behind steam and water-powered implements, but neither of those was something I would randomly share. And, should I even create something like that?

Still, it allowed me to list the things I should look after and buy for the future. Needed or not, I could still find a few other things to use them on.

***

Choosing a couple of the ideas and making the respective notes for the others, I stood up and looked through the window. There appeared to be a couple of hours before sunset. Wait, if that's so, where are the girls?

Thankfully, there was nothing to worry about, as when I walked to the first floor, I saw Kierra and Angelique sitting in the dining room.

"Have you returned for long?"

"Yes, but you looked so concentrated, so we did not disturb you. Are you hungry?" Kierra stood up and moved to the kitchen while asking.

"If you have something prepared, then yes. If not, don't worry, I can get something outside."

"Outside? Oh, a date with Gris, right?" Angelique asked while winking at me.

"Well, if you know, then there is nothing to explain. How did your outing go?"

"We bought most of the things." Angelique pointed to a couple of sacs near the entrance before continuing, "The store's porter will deliver the firewood, coal, and other heavy things later."

"Mmm, and the Guild?"

Angelique only shook her head, but Kierra explained as she returned with a plate of what looked akin to roasted meat and vegetables, "They do not accept women, not to mention ones that did not reach adulthood."

"Their miss. Don't worry, Angelique. I will find something for you. But for now, are you perchance interested in herbs?" I had not even looked at the scrolls that I had gotten from the enchanting witch-like herbalist from Churg. And now that I had some time, why not? And if Angelique joined, then it would be even better.

"Herbs? As in potions?" Angelique's quick, almost to the point of slurring, questioning showed that she got interested indeed.

"Mmm, wanna take a look at some scrolls about them?"

"Yes!" She nodded earnestly.

Dorina's notes were absurdly good, I mean, for something she had jotted down or gathered from what she had. Dozens of herbs, what effects one could reach if mixing them, and even a couple of simple potion recipes. Surprisingly, the recipes were very informative. Although only a common remedy against cold and another one against headaches, they were described to such an extent that even Kierra, who had only overheard, said she felt sure to make one.

"Good, then next time you go out, buy the herbs described. And a small cauldron as well. Let's try to do them." Before she could retract, as she wasn't so interested in the matter, I decided for everyone. As for Angelique, her eyes were gleaming, and it looked as she was ready to rush and search for them right now.

"Mmm, I will look for them." Kierra promised as soon as she saw Angelique's reaction. Then she looked out before saying, "Go wash and change clothes. She will arrive shortly."

***

Housekeeping notes made while bathing.

Spend some time to improve the damn bath and toilet system of the house!

The tub is supposed to be filled with hot water, heated on the kitchen stove, and then hauled here. But I now had several fiery blocks, and six of them were enough to heat and keep the water hot. Still, the only source was a small faucet in the toilet room, so it's still involved hauling.

For now, [Inventory] solved the hauling issue, and [Filter] allowed the water to be clean after using it. Thus, in theory, we could even reuse it forever. Still, I should add a new pipe, and find some half-insulating cover for the blocks, as they were too hot to sit on. And taking them out made the water start cooling very quickly, as the wood of the tub was anything but heat retaining.

As for the toilet system, it was a nightmare directly. The reason was that it had no reservoir and also was a dry one. Thus, one had to unplug the [Cleaning Pipe] for water to flow and scrub with the brush until the stone used as the material was clean. Unyhiegic, tiresome, and the stone was cold even now in what was supposed to be the hot season.

A simple reservoir shouldn't be a problem to find, and the added water force alone should help it flush everything. Bleach existed, so adding it to the reservoir a few times per month should help it keep free of microbes. As for the cold stone seat, no ideas for now.

And I should definitively try to meet with an enchanter and find out how do they add the utility spells to items. A [Filter] spell on each of the two faucets would guarantee potable water.