Adrian spent the following morning studying his newly acquired knowledge.
He had expected the system to provide information, but the amount of knowledge integrated into his mind was surprising.
It wasn’t simply a collection of formulas.
He understood the reasoning behind several chemical processes, the importance of controlling production conditions and the relationship between manufacturing efficiency and profitability.
He also noticed something else.
His previous knowledge from Earth hadn’t disappeared.
Instead, the system had expanded it.
He could now identify problems in his earlier soap production process that he hadn’t fully understood before.
For example, he had been relying too heavily on estimates when preparing his raw materials.
That was unacceptable for large-scale manufacturing.
If he wanted consistent products, he needed proper measurements.
He also needed to improve workplace safety.
He made a list.
Acquire accurate weighing equipment.
Improve storage conditions.
Separate raw materials from finished products.
Introduce written production records.
Establish quality-control procedures.
Thomas entered the room carrying a wooden container.
“Adrian, where should I put this?”
“Over there.”
Thomas placed it beside the wall.
He noticed the papers scattered across the table.
“What’s all this?”
“Production records.”
“You write too much.”
“That’s because I don’t intend to forget important information.”
Thomas shrugged.
“Whatever you say.”
Adrian looked at him.
“How much did we produce yesterday?”
“Forty pieces.”
“How many were rejected?”
“Three.”
“Why?”
Thomas thought for a moment.
“Two had uneven surfaces. One had a strange smell.”
Adrian nodded.
“Good. Write that down.”
Thomas stared at him.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“But I don’t know how to write properly.”
Adrian paused.
That was another problem.
Literacy.
Most ordinary workers had limited access to formal education.
He would eventually need to establish a training system for his employees.
For now, he decided to teach Thomas basic record-keeping.
It would take time, but the investment would be worthwhile.
Later that afternoon, Adrian visited a local equipment merchant.
He wanted a weighing scale and several measuring instruments.
Unfortunately, the merchant’s prices were considerably higher than expected.
“These are imported instruments,” the merchant explained.
“Imported from where?”
“The southern kingdoms.”
Adrian examined the scale.
Its construction was crude, but the mechanism was understandable.
He could probably build something better himself.
However, manufacturing one would take time.
He purchased the scale and returned to the workshop.
As he entered, he noticed two unfamiliar men standing near the door.
One wore expensive clothing.
The other had a sword at his waist.
The well-dressed man smiled.
“Yes.”
“My name is Lucien Blackthorn.”
Adrian immediately recognized the name from Thomas’s earlier report.
Lucien extended his hand.
“I’ve heard interesting things about your business.”
Adrian shook his hand cautiously.
“Then you’ve heard correctly.”
Lucien laughed.
“Confident. I like that.”
His eyes moved towards the production room.
“May I see your facilities?”
Adrian smiled.
“Not today.”
Lucien’s expression remained pleasant.
“Perhaps another time.”
“Perhaps.”
The merchant studied him for another moment.
Then he left.
Adrian watched the two men disappear down the street.
He had a feeling that this meeting wasn’t accidental.
And he was beginning to understand why Elena had warned him.
⸻
Chapter 10: Knowledge Is Power
Lucien Blackthorn was not an ordinary merchant.
He belonged to one of the wealthier trading families operating in Westbrook.
His family controlled several warehouses, transportation contracts and commercial establishments.
For years, they had dominated the local market for household products.
Lucien was particularly interested in businesses that showed unusual potential.
And Adrian’s soap had attracted his attention.
That evening, Lucien sat inside a private room at his family’s establishment.
Across from him sat an older man.
“What did you discover?”
Lucien poured himself a drink.
“The boy is inexperienced, but his product is good.”
“How good?”
“Better than what we’re currently selling.”
The older man frowned.
“Can we reproduce it?”
“That’s the problem. He refuses to discuss his production methods.”
“Then offer him money.”
“I did.”
“And?”
“He wasn’t interested.”
The older man leaned back.
“Everyone has a price.”
Lucien smiled.
“That’s what I thought.”
Meanwhile, Adrian was unaware of their conversation.
He was busy reviewing the production records.
His first reward had changed his understanding of the business.
He realized that his current operation was too dependent on manual labour and inconsistent processes.
He needed to introduce better equipment.
But before that, he wanted to secure the business.
He discussed the matter with Thomas.
“How many people can we employ?”
Thomas looked confused.
“Employ?”
“Yes. If we expand production, we’ll need more workers.”
“Maybe five?”
“Five?”
Thomas nodded. New chapters come out on g.com first.
“There are several people in town looking for work.”
Adrian considered it.
He could hire more people, but he needed to ensure that the business could afford their wages.
He began preparing a financial projection.
His current weekly sales were promising, but he couldn’t depend entirely on one merchant.
He needed multiple customers.
He also needed to protect his production method.
The knowledge itself was difficult to steal because he hadn’t written everything down.
But physical production records could still reveal important details.
He decided to introduce separate responsibilities.
No single employee would need access to every aspect of production.
It wasn’t perfect security, but it would reduce the risk of losing everything through one betrayal.
Later that evening, Elena visited the workshop.
Adrian was surprised.
“Miss Voss.”
“Adrian.”
She looked around.
“You’ve been busy.”
“Business doesn’t wait.”
Elena smiled.
“My father wants to meet you tomorrow.”
“Does he?”
“Yes. He has an interesting proposal.”
Adrian wiped his hands.
“What kind of proposal?”
“An investment.”
Adrian became interested.
“How much?”
“That depends on what you offer.”
He considered the matter.
An investment could help him expand production significantly.
But accepting money from a powerful merchant family could also create obligations.
“What does your father expect in return?”
Elena smiled.
“That’s what tomorrow’s meeting is for.”
After she left, Adrian returned to his room.
The system interface appeared.
[NEW ACHIEVEMENT DETECTED.]
[Achievement: First Commercial Enterprise.]
[Progress: Completed.]
[Reward: 5 Knowledge Points.]
[Current Knowledge Points: 15.]
[New Task Available.]
[INTERMEDIATE QUEST: Establish a Sustainable Manufacturing Enterprise.]
Requirements:
Employ at least five workers.
Establish two reliable raw-material suppliers.
Maintain profitable production for thirty consecutive days.
Secure at least three independent commercial customers.
Reward:
Intermediate Industrial Management.
Basic Mechanical Design.
20 Knowledge Points.
Adrian read the task carefully.
This was more demanding than the previous one.
But it was also more interesting.
He smiled.
“Five workers, three customers and two suppliers.”
He closed the interface.
Tomorrow, he would meet the head of the Voss family.
And if the man’s proposal was reasonable, Adrian might have found the financial backing he needed.
However, he wasn’t going to surrender ownership of his business.
Not to merchants.
Not to nobles.
And certainly not to a king.
End of Chapter 10.