章 2: Uncle Donder

Naturally, since Blackhot City was founded by the Coal, Steel, and Iron Federation (CSIF), Blackhot City had a rich commercial atmosphere.

Its commercial areas were naturally located in the best place downtown; it was far away from the production area and in the upper eastern region. The commercial area in Blackhot City was very prosperous. Bulk commodities exchanges were established in the prosperous sections of the commercial region, and any trade volume there would make commoners scared. Rich coal, iron, and steel in Blackhot City made it a prosperous city. There would always be trains that carried the specialties outside of Blackhot City around the clock.

The small grocery store that Klaust worked for was also located in the prosperous commercial area of Blackhot City; however, it was much more remote and shabby compared to the magnificent facades and barracks of the large-scale business groups, free trade bodies, and exchanges.

As the railway station was less than three hundred meters away from the store, its guests were from all walks of life. The store was close to a flea market that was founded spontaneously by local residents and foreign pioneers. It was very noisy every day. From the way they dressed, most people here were in the lower-middle class. People struggled to survive here. The people here hoped to become the very vendor in folk fairy tales who found a special object and became rich of it. Those fairy tales also encouraged groups of uninformed pioneers who traveled from afar to enter the unknown lands west and north of Blackhot City with their chests raised high. Naturally, if one had enough luck and foresight, they could also buy good items here.

When Klaust arrived at the grocery store, Donder, the fat owner, was huddled up on a lounge chair outside the store. He was enjoying the sunset afterglow and peered at the passersby with half-closed eyes. Unless a plump or beautiful woman passed by the grocery store, he wouldn't even slightly move his head. In the event that one passes by, he would always watch them walk off for a long distance.

As usual, Klaust's first task was to clean the store. Next, he had to check and clean the counter. Finally, he would adeptly calculate on an abacus. After a year of practice at the grocery store, Klaust's largest achievement was that he now knew how to use the weird mathematical tool known as the abacus. This was a really practical skill that he had never learned. Klaust always thought that it would be helpful for his development later on in life. The moment he finished bookkeeping, a guest entered. Before the fat Donder sat up, Klaust had already closed his accounting book and started to greet the guest.

"Excuse me, sir. What can I do for you?" asked Klaust. The guest was a 40-odd year man who wore the uniform of porters from the Blackhot Railway Station and smelt of coal ash. Klaust guessed that he was a passerby, as it was the closing time in downtown.

"I'd like to see some white crystals!" said the porter while skimming through the cases containing crystals on the counter. Most of them were common Class-I crystals while there were also some Class-II crystals. White crystals accounted for the highest percentage among all crystals. Some white crystals were natural, while others were artificially created. Compared to the crystals with the same size and quality, double-headed crystals were usually more expensive than single-headed crystals, and natural crystals were much more expensive than artificial crystals, although the latter looked more beautiful. Nevertheless, given the effect, artificial crystals were still poorer than natural ones. It was said that crystals were just used for decoration before the Catastrophe. During that time, people had not known that crystals could be used to help humans cultivate. The usage of crystals had become a common sense that even street vendors knew about. Crystals in this age were a standard strategic material which supported the lives of many.

"Is this all that you have?" the forty-odd year man seemed a little bit disappointed. It seemed that he was not satisfied with these common commodities. Klaust was slightly amazed by his expression since even common Class-I crystals were not cheap for commoners.

"We have something better, but they are more expensive. Do you want to have a look?"

With a smile on his face, the man casually patted his waist pack. Klaust knew what the man meant. He put on a pair of white gloves and took out a more delicate case from a container drawer behind him. Klaust placed it on the counter carefully and opened the case in front of the man. The case contained four white crystals, two of them being double-headed crystals while the rest were single-headed crystals. They were crystal clear with little impurity. However, what was most attractive about the crystal was the hazy and pyramid-like fine sand in each crystal. The two larger two-headed crystals contained the better pyramids. When observed carefully, each side of the pyramid shined mysteriously. It was the divine workmanship between the heaven, the earth, and the natural combination of the energy in the universe. Not only could white pyramid crystals help the user enter meditation quickly, but it also enabled its user to absorb the energy from the universe faster and arouse their physical potential and vitality.

As expected, much like Klaust when he first saw them, the forty-odd year man didn't want to avert his gaze when he saw the pyramid-based crystal. Class-III crystals were the highest-end commodity in the store; each crystal's market price was more than two gold coins. In Blackhot City, a single gold coin could sustain a family of three for two months.

The price of each crystal was marked beneath it. When the man saw the price of the crystal, he became hesitant and pointed at the single-headed crystal. "Is it possible… for the price to be lowered?"

"218 silver coins is the lowest price we can afford. Our commodities are all marked honestly. Pardon, sir, are you buying this as a present?"

"En? my son will be sixteen next year, and I want to give him a surprise. He's a genius!" saying this, the forty-odd year man smiled with warmth and pride on his face which reminded Klaust of his own father.

"Well, 215 silver coins, and I will gift you a packing case and 100g of crystal sand. This is the lowest price we can provide…" explained Klaust honestly. As the 40-odd year porter might have been introduced by a friend, he might have understood the situation and the reputation of this general store and knew that this was a very fairy price in Blackhot City. Given the bonuses, he agreed instantly.

The man carefully took out his purse from his clothes and paid with two gold coins and fifteen silver coins before he left with the commodities and presents that were well packed by Klaust. A business worth more than two gold coins was big even for the store.

The store's luck might have been used up because besides two loiterers, there was no more business an hour after the man had left.

Klaust sat behind the counter with his hands supporting his jaw as he watched the street outside and thought about the question he want to asked today.

The sun had finally set, and darkness had arrived. The dead fish on the lounge chair moved and twisted as he stood up reluctantly and moved his chair back into the store.

"What is it? If you want to ask something just say it" The Boss said when he realized that the boy is silently looking at him.

"Ummm.... Uncle do you know those mysterious knowledge?"

"Mysterious knowledge? What do you want with it?"

"Umm grow stronger of course. I need to protect Nunally you know"

Uncle Donder keep quiet for a while before sighing deeply. He start walking inside the store, no more than a minute he came back out with a beatiful wooden box with a silver lock on it. He suddenly throw the box at me.

"Here Catch! This is something your father left you. He said it is a gift from your mother before she died"

"From father? why did you have it then?"

"He give this to me before he goes out. He says just in case he can't make it. Alas who think that he really can't make it. Don't ask me why i keep it all this time even though your father already gone for 1 whole year. Mysterious knowledge can only be practiced when you get to 15 years old. Unless you are some crazy rich young master that use some medicine to strenghten yourself before reaching 15"

"So you are saying there is a mysterious knowledge inside this box left by my parent?"

"Well.... actually i don't know either. I can't open it" Said the boss while shrugging his shoulder. Klaust can only rolled his eyes after hearing that.

'Why are you acting as if this is a mysterious knowledge then....'

"You just think i'm acting all high and mighty when i don't know what's inside right?" Said uncle Donder while hitting klaust head

"Ouch... how do you know that?"

"Well.. just take the box and go home before it is too late. You still need to pick up Nunally"

"Ughh Okay then Uncle. See you tomorrow"

Klaust walked away joyfully after saying that while rubbing his head and smiling meaningfuly looking at the box on his hand.

'Haha with this i hope i can get stronger. I wonder what is inside. Mom left this to father?? Maybe there is something for Nunally? Well whatever i'll just think about it after the box is open'

Donder seeing this can only shake his head helplessly. Seiing the kid of his only friend that he make on the town Donder can only sigh deeply.

"I hope your children can make it through the chaos my friend. I wish i can also help them but alas....."

After saying this Donder close his shop door and came inside while feeling a bit complicated.