The king wanted to say something, but Atramento was not quite finished with his demonstration.

He took a new sheet of paper, added ink to the letters and printed it again.

He then showed the new piece of paper to the king and said, proudly: “As you can see, your Majesty, these two sheets of paper are nearly identical. This process, without changing the letters can be repeated multiple hundred times. But the letters do wear out and must be replaced. The cost of that is, while relevant, considering the number of times they can be used, not too high. What do you think of our creation now?”

The king thought for a moment and answered: “Impressive, certainly impressive. Besides your problem with the ink, how could this printing press be improved upon?”

Jonathan answered: “On one hand, I have not a single clue. On the other hand, I do know how they look like a bit more than 500 years after their original invention. The problem is that the iteration I know is a very complex piece of technology, and I do not know how they created it. What I do know is that most of the development is fairly recent in my world, which basically means that significant parts of the so-called industrial revolution are a prerequisite in developing this very much improved version.”

“Are you unable to create this industrial revolution? Revolution, what a vile word, why call something after it?”

Jonathan laughed and then continued to speak: “First of, revolution only means rapid, abrupt change. And the industrial revolution brought massive changes with it, especially considering how the production of many things was altered, likely forever. And recreating the industrial revolution? I can maybe, and I do want to try, start it, but I cannot go through it far enough to create a modern printer. Or even an electrical grid. Even if I would like to, I know my limits. But maybe I can lead you down the right paths and maybe, just maybe, I will see the first electrical light created in my lifetime. And please do not ask what that means, because that is not important and I would mostly be unable to explain.”

The king considered this and asked, after a while: “How would you continue? What is the next thing you want to bring to my country?”

The king could see some profit with the printing press and massive profits with paper, but he wanted a military advantage.

Something that could help to equip his non-mage armies, a technique to preserve food better and cheaper for example or something that made his peasants farm more food in the summer.

Jonathan saw the greed in the eyes of the king and laughed silently.

He recognized that he did not see the true potential of this invention and began to answer: “I am only a student. I will need to do resear…”

Suddenly a loud, booming voice interrupted him: “Greetings your Majesty. A beautiful day today, no? And my dear pupil, your projects were fascinating to watch, but your magical education should not be ignored.”

The king did not know what to say, and Jonathan also was surprised.

Both waited until the man, whose voice they had heard could be seen, and it was Archmage Tablos.

Before the king could say anything Tablos continued to speak: “I think, your Majesty, it would be best if the summoned continued to train in magic. I can see that this project helped him, but he needs to learn so that no one can take advantage of him, if he does not want that.”

The king thought a bit over this statement, and answered then, wisely: “You are of course correct. Please train him well, and I would like to see him again, soon.”