Early in the morning, a boy with black hair and an endearing face stood in his yard, soaking in the gentle sunlight. Nearby, a lovely woman sat on a wooden chair, cradling an adorable one-year-old child. As someone unfamiliar with paper-making, I pondered my next steps, having only observed the process online.
Observing my hesitation, Mom calmly spoke, "Zeun, I'm not sure about your plans, whether it's a secret method you stumbled upon or an attempt to discover something new. Whatever it is, give it your all, and don't stress about finances. Your father left us with enough gold coins to live comfortably for the next ten years."
Not understanding much about money, I was surprised by the revelation. "It must be a last resort," I speculated. Exhaling slowly, I said, "Thank you, Mom. I was just contemplating experimenting with something."
Her eyes filled with warmth, she reassured, "My dear, Mommy is always with you, watching your back. Don't hesitate to pursue what your heart guides you to do."
I responded with a simple smile before returning my focus to the task at hand.
After shredding the paper bundles, I set one aside for my experiment. Submerging it in water.
Soaking: This helps break down the fibers for easier processing.
I started training for the next few hours before going to the next step.
With the help of Mom's wind magic, I finely mixed the concoction for the next half an hour. The result was astonishingly fine—even surpassing the texture of a mixture grinder. "Perks of being in a magical world, I guess," I mused.
Blending and Refining: This step further breaks down the pulp into a smoother consistency, refining the texture for better-quality recycled paper.
I added cotton throughout the mixture to enhance its strength and texture.
Diluting the mixture in a larger tub while stirring with a wooden pole was a good way to ensure even mixing.
The pulp was spread evenly on a flat wooden board, with a cloth as a layer. Multiple layers were placed in a similar way, as it would take too much time to do it separately. It was then pressed and smoothed with another wooden board, with a stone slab on top and Mom's magic.
Using a huge flat stone slab, Mom removed additional water and compressed the pulp into a coherent sheet.
For the next three days, the pressed papers were allowed to dry completely in the sun.
Upon seeing the results, my mom was utterly stunned. She couldn't resist running her fingers repeatedly over the paper's smooth surface, as if encountering such smoothness for the first time. Her adorable and surprised reaction was quite amusing to witness.
The sound of my chuckle brought her back to reality. She pouted in anger and complained, "Your Mom is proud of her son's discovery; what's so wrong about that?"
Ahemahem. Coughing twice, I replied, "Oh, nothing really. I was just enjoying your adorable expression. You look stunning, Mom."
With a smile on her face, she responded, "No need to butter me up," but her expression revealed that she loved her son's compliment. "But how did you do it?"
Helena asked a seemingly silly question, and her son teasingly replied, "Didn't you see how I made those? I made it like them right before your eyes..."
Realizing her son was teasing, Helena couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed as she continued, "But how did you come up with such a smart idea? I mean, I was clever too, a smart and pretty lady in the Kingdom, you know... Lots of guys liked me. I had suitors all around, and here my 'genius' son is making fun of me! Is this how you treat your smart Mom?" She dramatically put a hand on her forehead, making an exaggerated face, and then, with a sneaky grin, added, "I guess the kingdom couldn't handle two smart heads at once!" They both burst into laughter, turning the teasing moment into a light-hearted joke.
Seeing his Mom being a bit narcissistic, Zeun decided to playfully suppress her pride, saying, "Although I am a genius born from two 'less genius' parents... But, Mom, you know I still love you. So don't worry, no matter how much of a 'Dumb Genius' you are... ahem... I mean, people say, I shall never leave you." He said it with a huge grin.
Mom raised an eyebrow, pretending to be offended. Without missing a beat, she theatrically lunged forward, grabbing Zeun's ears. "You little 'genius' troublemaker! Let's see if those smart brains of yours can handle a Mom's retaliation!" she said, still keeping a playful tone as she pulled his ears.
"Ouch, Mom, sorry... sorry!" Caught off guard, Zeun burst into laughter, attempting a comical escape. He dashed away, but his Mom, determined to teach the 'genius troublemaker' a lesson, expertly chased him down. In the end, Zeun's attempt at evasion failed miserably, and he found himself with a playful but gentle swat from his Mom. They both ended up laughing, turning the whole encounter into a hilarious family moment.
Helena's POV:
I'm genuinely thrilled because it's the first time I've played around with my son. Life with Zeun has always been peaceful due to his mature nature, but today, I truly felt like a mother. I playfully spanked him, teasing him for being a bit naughty and cheeky about his accomplishments.
I'm so proud he discovered something new, and, you know, I'm not that surprised. I'm overflowing with happiness for him and for myself. At the same time, I can't help but feel a bit concerned about the future, thinking about the cruel and dangerous world out there. Yet, in this moment, I cherish being his mother with a mix of pure joy, immense pride, and a hint of worry for what lies ahead.
At the dinner table, I saw my son was absent-minded, playing with his food. I told myself, 'I shouldn't disturb him; he might be thinking about something important.' So, I waited for him to snap out of it.
As if making up his mind, he looked into my eyes with his own ruby-like eyes, glistening, showing firmness and determination in them. I inwardly smiled because I knew this look of his—it's only when he wants something from me he gives me that look.
Honestly, I'm very disappointed at this because he rarely asks me anything, and I don't have any chance to pamper my own child. How can a mother like me tolerate this situation? Whenever he asks for something, I do my best to pamper him. It brings me joy... hehe... 'I finally will get to pamper him,' I thought in my mind with a satisfied grin.
"Mom, how much gold coin do you have?" Zeun asked his mother.
"Sigh, gold coins once more. Why not something more adventurous, like a magical dragon or a magic wand? Come on, sweetheart, let's add a dash of excitement to your wish list! Your age is for wild dreams and playful wonders, not just worrying about gold coins...." She continued on and on with her childish nagging.
Zeun wore a peculiar expression, absorbing his Mom's words. His emotions were a tangled web, indescribable yet preventing any retort, fearing the consequences of crossing his mother's stern demeanor. Inwardly, he sighed, caught between confusion and caution.
'Weren't you and Aunt the ones who claimed you couldn't afford things for even a year? Now, you're playing the part of the Queen with all her wealth. Quite the change... huh??,' he scoffed inwardly, his skepticism palpable, not daring to be loud 'cause he knew the embarrassing butt smacking he would get if he spoke his mind.
"Mom, are you absolutely certain we have enough money for ten years? I'm planning to build a substantial business empire with a grand building," Zeun inquired with a serious tone and a skeptical look, signaling his intent to steer the conversation towards more practical matters and away from his mother's playful antics.
Helena's expression shifted to seriousness as she responded to her son's ambitious plans, her tone matching the gravity of the situation. "Son, what you're envisioning is no mere plaything. It involves the lives of many, most crucially your own. A grand move like that would attract the attention of our adversaries, putting us in significant jeopardy. We lack both the astronomical funds you dream of and the power to secure our business. However, one thing is certain—I won't allow your life to be at risk. Reflect on it, my son. ...."
Helena was a bit upset as she debated, 'Was it too much that I told him those and stopped his dream? No! Zeun is not strong now; his dream about business can be pursued later too. He is just a mere ant before true powerhouses, and I too am incapable of supporting him.' A sense of bitterness welled up in Helena's heart as she found herself incompetent as a mother.
For the next few days, the house was a little too quiet. Zeun, as usual, woke up and followed his routine of exercise and mana accumulation. The only thing that varied was his time spent researching various inks used on this continent for writing.
Zeun, not in a rush to resell the papers, took his time engaging in discussions about various topics with his Mom.
When he requested his Mom to procure all kinds of ink found in the Empire, Zeun encountered a plethora of new things. Helena, fretful that her only son might be upset with her, felt a surge of joy when he approached her with the peculiar request about 'ink.' In response, a puzzled Helena explained and detailed the various inks accessible to commoners, nobles, and royals.
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END OF CHAPTER
THANKS FOR READING
EXP.. ND ELAB... ASS USUAL ;-)
Discipline and Pacing: Zeun's decision to intersperse his experiments with his usual training routine ("I started training for the next few hours before going to the next step") demonstrates his discipline and his commitment to his overall goal of getting stronger.
Helena's Trust and Support: Helena's unwavering faith in Zeun, regardless of whether his idea is "a secret method" or an "attempt to discover something new," is deeply supportive. Her statement, "Mommy is always with you, watching your back. Don't hesitate to pursue what your heart guides you to do," is a powerful affirmation that could greatly impact Zeun's confidence and freedom to experiment.
Financial Reassurance: Helena's revelation that their father left them enough gold to live comfortably for "ten years" is a game-changer. This significantly reduces the immediate, desperate financial pressure on Zeun, allowing him to pursue his paper-making venture not out of dire necessity, but out of ambition and a desire to improve their circumstances. It also subtly hints at the father's foresight or wealth.
Helena's Personality: We see a more light-hearted and vain side of Helena. Her exaggerated expressions and boasting about her past popularity and intelligence are endearing. This humanizes her further, especially given the hidden burdens she carries regarding her curse. It also reinforces her past status as a powerful Archmage with a certain renown.
Zeun's Playful Intelligence: Zeun's witty, slightly insulting, yet ultimately loving reply ("Dumb Genius") demonstrates his cleverness and his comfort in teasing his mother. It's a continuation of his adult mind playfully interacting with his child-like exterior, showing their strong bond. His assurance of "never leaving" her, even amidst the banter, hints at his deeper commitment and perhaps his unconscious knowledge of her vulnerability.
Dramatic Irony Maintained: Zeun's playful jab at Helena being "less genius" is steeped in dramatic irony, as the reader knows she was once an Archmage, a level of genius far beyond what Zeun currently comprehends. This adds another layer to their interaction.
Helena's Internal Conflict & Bitterness: Her internal monologue is incredibly poignant. She questions whether she's stifling his dreams but quickly rationalizes it based on his current weakness ("a mere ant before true powerhouses") and her own "incompetence as a mother" due to her diminished power. This reveals the immense psychological toll of her reduced rank and the curse, fueling her self-reproach and bitterness. The gap between her past self (an Archmage) and her current capabilities is a source of profound anguish for her.