Part-23

Ben looked astonished. "You really bought one of my toys secondhand??" Such a concept had never occurred to the humble (rookie) craftsman before. In fact, until opening this modest town market shop, Ben never imagined anyone might pay good coin for the little trinkets and playthings he whittled in his spare time. "How much did you pay that young merchant if I may ask?"

"Let's see..." Jade tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I believe I bartered the boy up to around fifty bronze bits for his soldier toy. I suspected such lovely craftwork would be valuable to whoever created it."

"Fifty bronze!!" Ben exclaimed, shooting to his feet in surprise. Why, that was nearly five times what he ever thought to charge parents and children for his carved toys!

Seeing her master's shock, Jade cocked her head quizically. "Is...is that too low a price somehow?" she ventured uncertainly. "For workmanship of this quality, I would expect its creator to ask even a few silver pieces honestly."

Ben barked an incredulous laugh. "Too low she says!" Shaking his head, he looked Jade directly in the eyes. "Let me tell you what I charge for toys of that caliber, my fiery apprentice - "

"At least a full silver coin, I'm guessing?" Jade interrupted, thinking it a conservative estimate. "Perhaps several silvers considering the fine brush detailing?"

"Ten bronze," Ben stated simply.

Jade's gray eyes bugged. "I - I beg your pardon, Master??"

Gently patting her shoulder, Ben repeated with a wry grin, "Just ten bronze coins for whittled figurines of that size and complexity. My standard rate for handcrafted children's toys."

"B-but how could you only ask ten bronze bits??" Jade demanded, outrage on her teacher's behalf creeping into her tone. "Even beginning apprentice artisans charge more per hour of work! Yours should sell for ten silvers apiece if reasonably priced!"

Chuckling, Ben raised his hands placatingly. "You speak truly. When I first started struggling to sell carvings here, I knew nothing of appropriate pricing in this world. I asked only enough to purchase more materials, not valuing my time nor skill appropriately." He sighed. "Later as more customers came, especially poorer families, I chose not to raise prices further so all children might enjoy a little wooden toy now and then."

Jade only shook her head in awe of Ben's humility and generosity. For if she possessed half his expertise, she would surely charge enough earnings to live leisurely rather than scrape by! This astonishing man seemed to undervalue everything - his toys, his time, even his prodigious talent if he practically gave away such quality work! Recalling the desperation that drove her own journey here seeking his mastery, Jade silently resolved to help her wonderfully humble teacher recognize his true worth as an artisan. If word spread about the secondhand value street urchins placed on Ben's creations, sales must surge!

Settling onto a bench beside stacks of woodblocks destined to become charming playthings, Jade smiled fondly at the simple toy soldier who had led her to a breakthrough chance. How many more like her might it inspire? For that potential alone, Ben's craft was priceless. And any artist who could sculpt opportunity and hope from mere wood and paint deserved a richly rewarded future.

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As Ben handed his awestruck new student a beginner's carving knife to start her lessons, Jade promised silently once more that his kindness would return to bless him hundredfold. She would see to it even if she must secure ever cliente within fifty leagues! For this workshop would not languish in obscurity on her watch.

After discussing proper toy pricing and skill valuation with his surprise new apprentice Jade, Ben glanced discreetly at a faint glowing panel only he could see, hovering in the air. This "status screen" was a special ability granted when he returned to his fantasy-like dimension.

System Points: 4085

Required to Activate Shopkeeper System - 915

The greatest barrier to Ben earning artistry points faster was not sales numbers, as popular local demand already kept his workshop busy. Rather, his raw production speed bottlenecked potential profit and subsequent growth. As a solo shop owner, Ben struggled splitting time between carving new toys and hawking his wares to browsers in the city market. If he could devote more hours simply crafting clever playthings, sales would rise exponentially even at low prices. But managing the full woodworking pipeline alone was wearing Ben thin.

Part-24

Glancing over at Jade, who peered curiously at his various chisels and blades for shaping wood, Ben was struck by inspiration. Having an eager apprentice around could solve his bottleneck woes! "It is fortuitous you arrived when you did, Jade," Ben remarked. "With an extra pair of hands helping produce my carved toys, I can better focus my efforts sculpting more intricate and popular pieces."

Gesturing his new student over, he outlined her role. "While I create a custom trinket box for a client this morning, could you manage the storefront and sell my standard figurines and tops to any interested customers?"

Jade's gray eyes lit up eagerly. "I would be delighted! This will grant me opportunity to interact with regular patrons and understand your typical wares." Cracking her knuckles, she added slyly, "And if my feminine wiles happen attract more curious shoppers, well, I shall consider that my first lesson in boosting economic success around here!"

Ben laughed aloud at his plucky apprentice's cunning ploy. She certainly was a fast study when it came to leveraging advantages! "Then let us begin. I shall craft new wares behind the scenes whilst you charm customers."

Soon Ben was seated at his workbench, engrossed in sawing and hollowing out sections of oak wood to assemble the custom box frame he promised alluring Miranda the day prior. The soft sounds of Jade chatting animatedly with browsers and children soothed his concentration. Now and then he overheard a delighted child or flustered gentleman patron exclaiming over 'the nice new lady' selling toys outside. Clearly Jade's presence and exposure drew fresh interest to his humble stand - Ben made a mental note to offer the sly girl a small percentage of sales commission as bonus!

Nearly an hour passed enjoyably this way until Ben detected a familiar gentle voice speaking with Jade - Miranda had returned for her box! Catching his breath involuntarily, Ben peeked through the workshop curtain to see Miranda gracefully guiding along a small tow-haired girl who clung shyly to her skirts. His heart pattered faster realizing this must be her daughter she described. Not wanting to keep the radiant woman waiting, Ben put down his carving tools and hurried outside to greet Miranda and her little charge properly.

All his practiced words of welcome died on his lips momentarily, however, when Miranda turned from conversing with Jade and spotted him. The glow of sincere pleasure lighting her features left him temporarily speechless. "Why Mr. Ben, how wonderful to see you again!" Miranda greeted warmly. "I see you have taken on a lovely apprentice already - how fortunate!"

As Miranda glanced down fondly at her miniature shadow, she added, "And I am equally fortunate this morning to introduce you to my pride and joy. Come out and say hello, darling!" Gently she coaxed forward the flaxen-haired girl who offered Ben a dimpled smile so reminiscent of her mother. "This is my daughter Lily. The one for whom you so kindly crafted those special toys yesterday, remember?"

Gazing into little Lily's familiar sky-blue eyes as she clung to her mother's hand, Ben felt his heart constrict with sudden sweet emotion. Bending to one knee before the child, he took her tiny hand gently in his own and smiled. "Well met, Miss Lily! Did you like the toys I made for you?" From the corner of his eye, Ben noticed Miranda watching the exchange with quiet affection - an expression mirrored by Jade. Despite past relationships, never before had he felt this sheer sense of purpose and belonging than here in this humble village workshop, changing lives for the better toy by wooden toy.

As Ben introduced himself gently to little Lily, he noticed Madame Miranda gazing thoughtfully at his new apprentice who stood nearby. "Pardon me, Miss, but have we met before?" Miranda inquired politely. "You look familiar for some reason."

Jade dipped into a slight curtsy before the elegant woman and replied respectfully, "I believe you spotted me some months past at a spring ball held by Duke Lumen, my lady. I am Jade Salazar, daughter of Viscount Rizvan Salazar from the capital."

"Ah, but of course!" Miranda exclaimed, delicate brows rising. "The Viscount's daring runaway heiress - your disappearance was fodder for gossip amongst nobility for weeks." Leaning closer she added knowingly, "Yet here I find you, apprentice to a charming village toy artisan. How very...intriguing."