I have been searching for a while for a story of someone becoming/studying as a mage or managing as a mage in a party, or living as a mage while managing a shop, a community or something.
The mc does not need to be the lead character(party leader etc) but I want some cleverness in choice and usage of skill and strategy from the mc, friendly characters  as well as important enemies.
Basically I am the kind of guy that enjoys character/skill build creation in rpg's and deck building in ccg/tcg(collectible/trading card games) and I enjoy it when strength lies in refinement, balance and not simply high stats, lvl's or secret arts.

Edit: Might as well add that what your asking is near impossible to find so most of these fit some of your requirements but not nearly all of them.
..Well, one or two do but thats about it.

..I deleted this by mistake so il speed it through, grammar will be given up..All of these have mages, I have a personal hatred for harems and a dislike for romance..and a preference for the grimdark ones. In short, you can find that in most of them.

http://royalroadl.com/fiction/34
http://royalroadl.com/fiction/33
http://royalroadl.com/fiction/6597
Overlord, naturally.
https://www.fictionpress.com/s/2961893/1/Mother-of-Learning
https://baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Mahouka_Koukou_no_Rettousei#Volume_1_-_Enrollment_Chapter_.28I.29
http://royalroadl.com/fiction/25
http://www.wuxiaworld.com/wmw-index/
http://www.princerevolution.org/sunknight-main/sunknight-chapterlist/
http://royalroadl.com/fiction/6957
https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/the-games-we-play-rwby-the-gamer-ryuugi-complete.351105/

---

As a side note, do tell me if you have any fiction like that in mind yourself, id be more than happy to check it out.

---

http://royalroadl.com/fiction/143 Perhaps this one as well..its been awhile.

And il put some extra attention on, "Mother of learning" and, "Warlock of the magus world" the first being focused on skills and strategy, the second being far from the normal wuxias, meaning no harems, some actual realistic thinking and as soon as he begins to study, sword training and any physical focus becomes barely visible. He cant even beat those two realms above him in power..brilliant yet sad that it has to be a rare thing.


No respawn fit most your requirements, btw.

Hi! You can try my novel. (if you have the chance) It's called Lightning Does Strike Twice.

Hope you enjoy it!

Hello there! I think my novel fits your requirements rather well!

It's called Weeping Rhapsody: A Side's Tale. If you have the time, give it a read! Hope you enjoy it!

https://royalroadl.com/fiction/9613