Brain bloom

"Okay, I'll take you there. I won't stand on ceremony."

She hummed a song, took Morishi's hand with exceptional joy, and strode forward.

Mori didn't feel any heartache. This was a necessary step in turning a pretty face into a fighting force. After taking her hunting a few times, the investment would be recouped. It would become pure profit in the future; investing in dandelions was a sure-fire way to make money.

……

(There will be a lot of updates tomorrow.)

Yueya's writing style is quite meticulous, so the pacing may be a bit slow, and the content is complex. I apologize to all the readers who are following along.

Volume 1 #051 Shopping Spree (Part 1)

The first shop the two visited was a general store located on the most prominent street in Silvermoon City's commercial district. According to Dandelion, it was a long-established shop in Silvermoon City, named "No Poor People Allowed."

It is indeed a terrible name, widely reviled by the poor (Dandelion says she has cursed it too). But it must be said that this grocery store has a very precise customer base, and has always been popular with the upper-middle class, so business is very good.

Before entering the store—

“I’ve wanted to go in there for ages. It’s proof of being rich, it must feel amazing.” Dandelion coughed and added, “I mean, this store really has a complete selection of things, all kinds of things… it’s our top choice for shopping.”

"...In fact, you've already lost the moment you step into a store like this." Mori looked at the signboard and felt a headache coming on.

"why?"

“If you bite the bullet and go in, proving you’re rich, you’ll definitely have to buy something to further prove you have money. Otherwise, if you go in and don’t buy anything, the shopkeeper will suspect you’re a poor guy pretending to be rich, and your pride won’t allow that…”

Dandelion thought for a moment and had to nod in agreement. But even so, she still pestered Sen Shi to go inside; perhaps that's the mentality of nouveau riche.

The "Poor People Don't Enter" shop has been established in Silvermoon City for decades, witnessing its transformation from a humble beginning to its current prosperity. Although the shop itself may appear small, it boasts a space-level magical warehouse, making it a truly upscale establishment.

Sen was pushed inside by the dandelion.

The store is small, with a complex and slightly oppressive atmosphere.

"Welcome, what would you like to see?" A clear female voice came from inside the store.

"Then let's look at some magical materials, and monster resources as well. It would be best to have a list of goods."

"We have the best goods in Silvermoon City. Just tell us the names, and we have almost everything."

They were greeted by a well-mannered young woman in a long dress, who appeared to be the shop owner. There was also a stern-looking old man with a monocle sitting in a corner, fiddling with a pocket watch, from which angry growls could be heard from time to time.

"Dad, you're scaring the guests. Be quiet."

"Row."

They didn't care and just wanted to get the goods purchased as soon as possible.

The first thing to add is the necessary materials for crafting magic scrolls. Recording advanced magic requires materials that are a considerable expense in themselves, though—insignificant compared to the profit.

While Dandelion was still curious and looking around aimlessly, Mori started talking about business:

"How old is the blood of this blue-tailed, white-horned old ox?"

"...The oldest is twenty years old, are you really going to buy this?"

"I would like to buy fifteen bottles."

"W-So much?" The female shop assistant was a little surprised by the quantity. She looked at the two customers and asked, "So much, what...are you going to do with it?"

"Enier—shut up!" Suddenly, the old man in the shop burst out with a curse. "How many times have I told you? Don't pry into the privacy and thoughts of our customers. We're just here to sell things and do business, nothing more!"

"Dad, you shut up! This thing is used to make high-level magic scrolls, and I have an obligation to find out! What if the person who made it is a highly skilled magician? I want to learn from them."

"You don't understand anything."

Sen Shi had already prepared an excuse to avoid revealing his true abilities, so he calmly interrupted the argument.

"I have no ill intentions in wanting this; it's for a special baptism for newborns. You may not know this, but if we do this, the baby's mental strength will be incredibly strong when they grow up."

Sen Shi silently suppressed a laugh, because when creating a character in the game, this was the introduction to the pay-to-win items. And it was the worst pay-to-win item, which only gave you a slightly larger mana bar after reaching the maximum level, but it was actually completely useless. He had never heard of a max-level mage lacking mana.

Mori's words caught the old man's attention—

"...A true expert."

The old man put down what he was holding, squinted, and walked over. Although he was old and hunched over, the smell of engine oil on him accentuated his tough old face, making him look as rigid as a stone.

"So young, yet she knows this kind of conservative magic technique from a hundred years ago... Anier, go play somewhere else, I'll take care of this guest, I want to talk to her more."

"Dad! Didn't you say we're just selling things, and we don't pry into customers' privacy or investigate their motives?!" Anier glared at him.

“That’s only for bored guests—” he yelled, then said seriously to Mori, “What else do you want? A matte black crystal made of ninety bubbles? If you know what it’s for, I’ll give it to you.”

“I have no use for this, but you insist on giving it to me… Fine, if I make a pen out of that crystal, dip it in umbilical cord blood, and write the parents’ names on the baby’s forehead, it will give the parents… You don’t want me to continue, do you?”

Mori felt a little uncomfortable because it was a disgusting secret technique. She learned about it in a high-level dungeon where the boss would drop his memoirs, which contained this kind of rubbish.

If this is done, the newborn's lifespan becomes the property of the parents.

"Haha, you knew all along."

"Since you're right, then give it to me."

Sen Shi found it quite convenient, since he was going to buy those crystal pens anyway, and it was good to be able to buy everything in one place.

She did buy quite a lot, including some rare level 90 materials and various magical materials for different uses. This wasn't just for making magic scrolls in the future, but also to make a set of equipment for Dandelion.

However, to avoid directly revealing his business objectives, Mori didn't mention the magical materials, only the things that would be used to make the equipment.

"You want to make a magician's robe? And... a sage's spellbook?" Upon hearing this, the old man instantly saw through what Sen Shi was up to, but his expression was very strange.

"These aren't contraband items, are they? You don't need to stare at me like that."

"I don't care about contraband, I have plenty for sale here. I just find it incredible... which master would want these materials? And... they have another use..."

His intriguing gaze kept sweeping over Sen Shi, which made Dandelion a little annoyed. She regretted coming here; being bothered by this old man was no joke, and who knew how long this nagging would go on…

Mori felt the same way: "Am I violating Silvermoon City's laws by buying these things?"

"Yes, it's possible it violates the rules. Let me be frank, some of the things you buy can be modified and turned into vicious conservatism that only conservative mages would use. I don't want anything to happen in Silvermoon City—especially if it comes from my shop."

Volume 1 #052 Shopping Spree (Part 2)

The other party's concerns were indeed valid. Mori also knew that the things she bought could potentially be made into powerful magical artifacts—although that would be putting the cart before the horse.

"In fact, I wouldn't use them for anything bad—"

Just as Sen was about to continue explaining, Dandelion, who had been silently listening to the conversation, came over and resolved the issue in the way the residents of Silvermoon City did. She took out a strangely shaped feather from her pocket and waved it in front of the old man's eyes.

"We are residents of Silvermoon City, don't be so nervous."

"Oh... a noble permanent residence permit? Well, my worries were unnecessary." The old man's eyes lit up, and he immediately dropped his old-fashioned and aggressive attitude, turning into an ordinary old man doing business.

It wasn't until Dandelion explained it afterward that Senshi learned that the residents of Silvermoon City, regardless of age or gender, were highly loyal and consciously guarded against outsiders causing trouble. Therefore, merchants were cautious in their business dealings and naturally avoided harming Silvermoon City.

However, that's all there is to it.

If someone buys something and goes to cause trouble outside Silvermoon City, even instigating war or massacres, no one will care. So, when dealing with their own people, they'll sell even the most dangerous items if the price is right.

For example, right now.

"Do you need anything else? I have almost everything here. But if that's all, it's a total of twenty-two gold coins, and I won't charge you for the transaction tax and any change."

"...So expensive."

Dandelion blurted out the answer almost without thinking, her heart aching. She didn't know the price, but she was just shocked that so much money would be spent in one go.

"This is already a good price. I guarantee it with my reputation." The old man wasn't angry. Instead, he waved for his daughter to get the goods. He was sure that this customer would understand that the price he offered was already very cheap.

Mori placed the twenty-two gold coins on the table, her expression indifferent. However, she felt a pang of unease. She hadn't expected the goods here to be so complete; she'd bought everything she wanted without even checking the prices…

I don't know if I overpaid or got a good deal.

"Don't you want anything else?" the old man asked again, casually taking the money.

"No matter what happens, I will come again."

"Okay, I'll remember you're good customers. Next time you come, just call out 'Old Man Fultz' in the shop, and I'll appear." He gave an approving smile, looking rather kind.

Afterwards, old man Fultz and his daughter rummaged through several warehouses and brought out a pile of things—things that had been gathering dust for who knows how many years, piled up in a thick layer. But old man Fultz casually raised his withered finger, summoned a gust of wind, and blew all the dust up.

The dust danced in old man Fultz's hands, as if it had come to life.

“Aniel.”

"okay."

Anier opened the lid on the floor, and old man Fultz pressed his fingers down heavily, as if playing the last note of a piano.

In an instant, the dust was blown in—nothing flew around or leaked out, and the goods were naturally brand new. The whole process was skillful and natural, but Sen Shi and Dandelion both knew very well how much mental strength it required to do this.

Those who run shops in Silvermoon City are indeed not to be trifled with.

……

After they inventoried the goods and left satisfied with everything, all that remained to be bought were some magical materials. These weren't difficult to acquire, but they would need a relatively large quantity, especially the glass bottles.

She decided to make some potent mana potions herself, since there were two mana-intensive households in her family, and she could never have too many. Buying them outside wasn't cost-effective, so she had to carefully budget every penny.

"Let me see... If we're going to buy magic materials wholesale, it might be more cost-effective to place an order directly with a large trading company," Dandelion suggested.

"Okay, let's go then."

"Senshi, I have an idea." However, Dandelion hesitated to lead the way and whispered, "Don't be angry, why don't you go back first?"

Sen Shi wasn't someone who was clueless about social etiquette or lacked tact. Thinking that Dandelion might be going to buy some personal items, he didn't want to put Dandelion in a difficult position.

"Since it's inconvenient for me to come with you, I'll just go shopping at the market by myself. You can go do your own thing."

"No, no, how should I put it... you'll definitely have important things to do when you get back, right? I think that should be the priority." She hesitated, her attitude strange.

"Are you worried about your magic staff drying at home getting stolen? Don't worry, Fufu is watching the house. Or do you want me to help you grow grapes? I know how to make wine, but farming... well, not all Four Seasons people are good at that."

"No! Okay—I'll just say it!"

Suddenly, the dandelion abandoned her shyness and displayed the dignity befitting a princess.

"I'm really looking forward to the robe you'll make for me. I'm just here to urge you to hurry back and make it for me. Haven't we already bought all the materials?"

Sen was momentarily stunned, not expecting that the dandelion was urging him to do this.

Dandelion blushed slightly, but still crossed her arms, looking like she was saying, "Hurry back and make me some clothes to wear." She had been too shy to speak up before, but couldn't help saying it anyway. Sen Shi thought it was similar to a child pestering an adult for money to spend on mobile games.