A Month Of Construction
"Richi, don't you want to be recognized as the blacksmith of Nova?"
Two men came early at the blacksmith minutes before it open. One came because he wanted to hone his craft more while the other opened the shop for him.
"It's good enough they know my name with my signature on my works. Although I won't try to hide and become a mysterious Smith in District 9. Besides, our neighborhood already saw me a couple of times going back home from the blacksmith."
"That makes sense…"
Brian and Richi were having an idle chatter in their idle time. Bored is a good word to describe what they were feeling now. Although that can only be said true for the case of Brian. The wolf has already picked up his hammer and begun forging.
Not wanting to disturb his employee any further, Brian went back to his house to greet Paia for the new morning.
He was confident to leave the blacksmith alone after it has established a name for people in Soliel. It may not have reached everyone yet, but it was enough to become sustainable until months or even years as long as nothing went wrong.
Just like what the System told him before, it was not his job to stay in one place. Earning money comes along with time, and now he has all of it. The only thing he needs now was directions where he can take more opportunities.
Grabbing the paper he hid yesterday inside their drawer, Brian appraised the item once again.
<Creation Permit (Magic Alchemy Shop)>
<Description: Build a Magic Alchemy Shop in an empty lot. Build time: 1 month>
<Potential: null>
A permit that has the same purpose as the wheel of establishments he was once rewarded with lesser features. Not only does it require much more time to be built, but he also does not have the option to choose the design.
Nevertheless, Brian can still tell it was a good drop from the Gacha because it is truly what he needs.
He tried to erect the shop as he did with the blacksmith, but as he expected, he cannot simply put it anywhere unless he owns the territory. It also made him realize that the shop provided by the magical permit in his hand is much smaller compared to his first shop- Almost half the size of the blacksmith.
The System was quiet for how he should approach it. It didn't provide him any quest after he completed the previous one. Brian also doesn't dare to ask again for a new task since he knows there would be failure conditions.
Although now that he thinks about it, he was not really in a rush or anything. It was true that he still has a world's worth of debt to be paid, but there was no point in thinking that far ahead.
'Maybe without the System's quests, I can progress on my own pace.'
With almost half a thousand gold in his savings, he can buy the land next to his blacksmith. He had the feeling he would be doing it soon so he made sure to budget his money properly in spite of spoiling Paia.
A month of constructing the alchemy shop gives him more than enough time to earn what he used.
"I guess it's time to find something to fix myself."
Carrying the still sleepy Paia in his arms, he can feel his daughter was becoming heavier and heavier. Not that she was becoming obese, but rather her growth spurt is starting to show.
Maybe at the time of her birthday, he will lose the ability to carry Paia on his shoulder like she always wants to.
"500,000 Royal Coins for a Rebirth Potion… It can fix everything wrong with my body, but damn it's so expensive."
The most plausible way he can get it is through Gacha which also cost a 100 Royal Coins- Even that seems impossible because he does not know what it would really drop, and if the potion would drop in the first place.
"What would happen if I cannot carry my daughter when she asks me? Will she hate me? She will surely remember those times I failed her, and she will not talk with me because of it when she grows up…"
A foolishly doting father was imagining things only he can imagine. His mumblings might have woken up Paia fully because the sound of someone sniffing was heard.
"Sniff~ Sniff~ Oh! Are you cooking pancakes father!"
"Yes, my little angel… Go wash your face first then father would be done."
Another peaceful day for the family of two. He left Paia under Raine's care while he plans to go and visit the Association after a while. It was the first step before he can continue expanding Nova Initia.
He met the only familiar face, the demon who entertained him during his last visits. His name was Hutch and supposedly he was from an excommunicated race of demons which is why he was living and working here in Soliel.
Hutch figure and face can be related to your typical demon images in video games where slaughter and madness are the norms. However, none of those themes can be felt when facing Hutch. He was your typical office worker who tries his best in life.
"You're taking another lot in District 9… It should be your blacksmith the rumors are talking about. Maybe I'll visit someday."
"We'll welcome you with open arms if you ever need something."
He and Brian both shook their hands after completing the deal. With the same price as last time, Brian now officially owns two lots in District 9. He can be considered a rich citizen with two properties under his name, but a poor man with all the debt.
"You still won't take the Merchant Exam? According to our law, once you've begun your business for at least a month, it is required for the owners to take it and be named a merchant formally. Or else, we will be forced to stop any of your business activities."
Brian frowned when he heard that. Truthfully, he forgot that it was required in the first place. However, it was not really a problem to take it now because he has his schedule open. So he asked Hutch that he would be taking it now.
... The exam wasn't really that difficult with the knowledge and experience Brian has. Simple written exam that contains mostly of simple arithmetic problems to identify whether those who take it understand what they were doing.
There were also questions regarding rules and regulations a business owner or a merchant like him can and should do. But most of it falls under common senses that he was able to have a perfect score if it was not for the few questions regarding Soliel City's history.
Now that he was a formal merchant of Soliel, he now has the responsibility to pay taxes under their jurisdiction. The trade-off may seem bad for him compared to if he just risks conducting his business without a proper permit, but there were benefits to joining so.
First and most important, Nova Initia will be under certain protection physically and legally as long as they are under the governance of Soliel. He will not have any problems when constructing his alchemy shop and future services to come.
One more benefit was the ability to be named a noble of Soliel as long as his or her effect on the economy is significant. There are ways to distinguish how it works, but that is for another time.
Brian does not really need to worry about anything concerning it just yet. Taxes are paid at the end of every year, and it's still a long way to go before he can be considered as an important man in Soliel City.
Walking back with blooming Dandy Lion on their roadside, Brian took his Association scroll and Alchemy Shop permit. He doesn't need to worry about outsider's eyes questioning his process because this time, the construction will be done in a month's time. Enough to be reasonable under the guise of red cloth made out of magic.
<Construction will be done in 29:23:59>
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