William approached the place where the employee guided him. Then, the employee began introducing various products, talking about the name of the artisan who made the fountain pen.

William was perplexed, listening to explanations about the nib and feed because he didn’t know anything. He had just used whatever fountain pen was at home.

Was it essential for the nib to be gold or steel? Most items at home seemed to have gold nibs.
“I haven’t tried a steel nib before. Should I give it a go?”

William picked up a simple-looking steel-nibbed fountain pen. The employee then asked, “Will you go with this one?”

“Yes.”

“It seems like you’re getting it as a gift. This product is popular as a practical gift that isn’t too expensive. Would you like to proceed?”

‘I was going to use it myself…’

Before William could say anything, Siod intervened, “It would be perfect for your new secretary.”

“Secretary?”

William looked at Siod in surprise at the unfamiliar term.

“Why are you so surprised? Now that you’ve become a sub-viscount, you should have a secretary.”

“Oh, you’re Lord Siod of the House of Rodante.”

William looked back and forth between the employee and Siod in surprise. When the employee deduced his identity from the brief information and expressed amazement, William was taken aback. The employee smiled and replied, “It’s an honor to meet one of the six major noble houses of the Empire.”

“Working in a place like this, members of major noble houses usually have their connections. Among them, you’re the only one young enough to be called a sub-viscount.”

“Hahaha, if Lord Siod of Rodante bought a fountain pen, the artisan who made it will be pleased. We look forward to stocking items suitable for Lord Siod next time.”

“Oh, sure…”

Feeling bewildered, William left the store with the packaged fountain pen. Carrying the completely asleep Larisa, Siod spoke again.
“That employee probably thought you couldn’t find something you liked, so they chose a gift to give to a servant.”

“I was going to use it myself.”

“The steel used in places like this is usually of low quality, easily corroded, and the writing experience isn’t great. You’ll realize it once you try it. You’ve been enjoying how good things are as if it were natural all this time.”

William felt peculiar. He had thought that the life of nobility was distant, but it seemed not. He felt like he didn’t belong anywhere, floating.

“The reason I brought you out today was to teach you that having discernment is a basic skill of the nobility. Why do you think that is?”

“To not be looked down upon?”

“Right. And there’s one more reason.”

William couldn’t understand at all. When he looked at Siod with questions in his eyes, Siod smiled and said,

“Do you remember the name of the artisan who made that pen earlier?”

“Hmm? No.”

It was vaguely heard, so he couldn’t remember.

“That artisan will be truly delighted. A person like a sub-viscount from Rodante buying their item.”

“…”

“Being in a high position means that for someone, being chosen by you is a dream and a goal. Artisans wait and keep waiting for someone to recognize the value of their items.”

Suddenly, the gift box containing the fountain pen began to feel a bit heavier than before for William.
“How about other merchants? What about the servants? The knights? Do you understand how a trivial choice you make can influence so many people?”

“Well… roughly.”

“Alright. Today was just a taste, and from tomorrow, let’s delve into what being a noble truly means.”

That was the end of the lesson. When William returned home, he unwrapped the gift and dipped the steel-made nib into ink. Then, he took out a smooth piece of paper and wrote some random words.

‘It’s not that great…’

It would have been good if he could have tested it in the store. William thought that if he opened a general store, it would be nice to have test samples for customers.

‘You can only know if it’s good after trying it. How can you choose just by looking?’

If discernment was a basic skill of nobility, he truly lacked confidence. Since he didn’t have many desires and wasn’t greedy for money, he didn’t have the urge to invest and make more money.

But…

‘It’s nice to have someone who recognizes my items.’

William absentmindedly opened and closed the lid of the lamp he made while turning the light on and off. He had made it by crafting the metal to fix the wick with silver, and inscribing a magic circle on the lid to store magic.

While other magicians could simply ignite the wick with magic, William, who couldn’t manipulate magic, needed such a device. And…

‘I wonder if this would sell well among ordinary people?’