EP.127 The General Store Owner is a Treasure Goblin (6)
Thanks to Mister help, I had barely moved up from Class B to Class A when I experienced unimaginable growth.
Shoo-oo-ook-!!
Thud!
‘Hit’
Shoo-oo-ook!
Thud!
‘Hit’
Shoo-shoo-shoo-shook!!!
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
‘Hit.’
The bowstring was drawn and released at such a speed that it was hard to follow with the eyes. At a glance, it seemed like I was just fooling around.
“Are you kidding? All those arrows hit the center?”
The real issue was that the arrows, which flew out in different directions, hit their targets precisely.
“Was she always this good?”
“It’s just because of her equipment.”
“Hey, maybe you should face reality. At this level, you have to acknowledge her skill.”
“Damn.”
“Why do you guys always pick fights with someone like her and end up in trouble? Pathetic.”
The classmate who tried to dismiss my skills as just equipment-based was left speechless by another’s retort. This was the same student who had declared a challenge against me just a few days ago. As I continued to prove my skills in the exams, their anxiety grew uncontrollably.
“She’s hitting everything. And it’s not like her power is weak either. There’s explosive force. At this level, calling her a sharpshooter isn’t an exaggeration.”
“Should I ask her to team up for the Hill Capture Battle? It might be good to stay on her good side.”
“Well, wouldn’t she team up with the friends she usually hangs out with?”
“Really?”
“Of course. She’s with Ariane, Vine, and Fran. That’s practically a perfect party.”
"I should've tried to get closer to Fran earlier. She's a bit intimidating, but she's so nice that she'd probably help if asked."
They don’t know.
That I’m overhearing their entire conversation.
They can’t imagine that this is so easy for me that I can focus on other things.
“Perfect score!”
I easily aced the ability assessment and finished the exam. That’s why I can’t help but adore the weapon Mister personally enhanced for me. Even before, it fit perfectly in my hand, but after the 12th enhancement, I couldn’t bear to part with it.
“Good job.”
“Yeah, you too.”
I politely greeted the exam proctor and put away my bow. Then, I spoke to the girl who had been gossiping about me as I passed by.
“Don’t mess with someone who’s keeping their cool for no reason and end up getting hurt. I might let it slide, but Fran won’t. Even Ariane and I find her scary.”
I wasn’t lying. Ariane had indeed been frightened when she saw Fran emerge covered in blood.
⁂ ⁂ ⁂
“Dun-dun~ Here I come!”
Boom~!
Was it because it had been a while since she last visited the store?
Shine made a grand entrance, drawing a lot of attention as she opened the store door, making playful sound effects with her arms spread wide.
"……."
"……."
The problem was, I wasn't alone in the store.
"Oh? Who are you?"
"…A customer. Lower your arms."
She seemed flustered to see someone unfamiliar in front of her. Her raised arms froze in mid-air. Only then did Shine come to her senses and lower her arms.
"Did I interrupt something?"
"It's fine, come on in."
I thought she came alone, but at my invitation, other kids followed Shine inside, looking around nervously. But they all looked a bit disheveled.
"What happened? Why do you all look so messy?"
"Hehe, it's because of the practical exam."
"Did you come straight here after the exam?"
"Yep. We just finished."
"We're a bit dirty, but Fran healed us, so we're fine."
I knew students would leave the academy to have fun once exams were over, but I didn't expect them to come to the store right away.
"Are you academy students?"
"Yes, we come here often."
"Nice to meet you. I'll be joining the academy as a teacher next year, so we'll see each other soon."
"What! Really? You're going to be a teacher? But we're graduating this year."
"Oh, that's a shame. I would have loved to teach such cute students."
Erintina smiled at Ariane.
"Wow, you're really pretty, ma'am!"
"Thank you."
Ariane looked at Erintina with a dazed expression, as if smitten by her beauty. The other kids were equally entranced by her face.
'It's understandable.'
Even I had a hard time getting used to Erintina's appearance when I first saw her. In fact, it's still hard to get used to the idea of such a beautiful person being alive and moving. She wasn't modeled after an elf for nothing.
"What subject will you be teaching?"
Fran seemed interested in Erintina and asked.
"I'll be teaching magic-related subjects."
"Oh."
"Hey, Vine takes magic classes."
"Really? What a pity~ I would have doted on you if you were my student."
"But why are you here, ma'am?"
"Since I'm at a store, I'm here to buy something, of course. I heard from someone that the owner here has some great items."
"Oh~ Most people don't know there's a store here because it's in such a remote location."
The kids all stared at Erintina, not in response to her words, but because of her face.
"Alright, alright, stop staring. Go play."
"Yes!"
"Okay~"
I know that even girls like looking at pretty people. Because Erintina was so stunning, the kids couldn't easily shake off their interest in her. But when I gave them a stern look, they settled down and started chatting among themselves as usual. Erintina watched them with curiosity.
“Do the kids often visit and play here? They seem very comfortable.”
“They usually do. They say they find it relaxing here.”
“Interesting.”
Her eyes sparkled as she spoke.
“Shall we continue our conversation another time?”
“Before that, aren’t you going to look at the items?”
“Can I see them now?”
“Of course. It wouldn’t make sense for a merchant not to show their goods.”
The reason Erintina was here was largely thanks to Rebecca’s help. Erintina, who was set to join the academy as a new teacher next year, had somehow formed a connection with Rebecca, who had recommended my store to her. It happened when she was seeking advice on where to get supplies for her classes.
‘Thanks to that, things became easier for me.’
When Erintina visited the store, I immediately asked if she was interested in purchasing some good items. Just as I was persuading her to take a look, the kids barged in.
‘I can’t let her leave without ensuring she’ll come back.’
I needed to give Erintina a reason to return to the store. And I had a way to do just that.
“Could you wait here for a moment?”
“Of course.”
Erintina, who could handle all four elemental spirits, was a versatile asset to any party. Although she was currently working as a teacher, she would eventually choose to rejoin the military for some reason. The unique equipment I intended to sell her was an artifact with a dormant ancient spirit.
The kids, realizing I was busy, lowered their voices and played among themselves. After confirming they were behaving, I went to the storage room to retrieve the artifact.
“Hmm.”
Once she sees this, she’ll definitely want to buy it. No one has ever reacted differently. Instead of just handing it over, I thought it would look more impressive in a fancy package, so I took out a box. I wrapped the artifact in luxurious silk, placed it in the box, and closed the lid.
“Here it is.”
I carefully placed the box on the table after returning from the storage room. I knew the kids were watching, but I ignored them.
“May I open it?”
“Of course.”
“If I don’t like it, I won’t buy it. Is that okay?”
“Of course. But I doubt you’ll refuse once you see it. I don’t think Erintina would fail to recognize its value.”
“Are you implying that if I don’t like it, I have no taste?”
“I’m just confident in the item.”
“Hmm~”
Erintina, intrigued by my confidence, opened the box. As she unwrapped the luxurious silk, the artifact was finally revealed.
“!!!”
Her eyes sparkled for a moment.
‘Of course, seeing her unique equipment would surprise her.’
Still, she had the smallest reaction among those who had seen unique equipment before. Though she appeared to be in her early twenties, she was actually in her mid-thirties. Thanks to that, she showed mature composure instead of overreacting.
“What do you think?”
“It holds a mysterious power. Is it an artifact?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Are you aware that most items like this end up gathering dust in family vaults?”
“I’m aware that most meet that fate because people don’t know how to use them.”
“Do you still think I’ll buy this item?”
“Absolutely.”
Unlike the naive kids, Erintina was a challenging opponent. Despite seeing the unique equipment, she maintained her composure and was even negotiating with me. The kids, finding the situation interesting, were now openly watching.
“I know how to use this artifact.”
“…That’s quite surprising. Would you tell me how to use it if I bought it?”
Erintina seemed curious about my intentions, staring at me intently, almost as if she were trying to charm me.
“Of course. I intend to include that information in the price.”
“You’re quite the businessman. How did you know I’d be interested in this item?”
“I’m good at reading people. As soon as I saw you, I was sure this item would suit you perfectly.”