Chapter 117: Shine for Thee

Chapter 117: Shine for Thee

Chapter 117 - Shine for Thee

Kai browsed through the pages of his notebook. The golden pearl rested on the bed beside him, shimmering with its charming hue. Dealing with Reishi required preparation if he wanted to come out on top. The mana treasure was the main attraction, but they had more to discuss.

He would be staying in Sylspring for the foreseeable future, so his plans with the merman had to be revised.

If he doesnt try to sell me on some new partnership in the first thirty seconds, Ill be surprised.

The sneaky fish could be quite persuasive, and Kai revised possible requests and concessions he wrote down. He needed to have a clear goal. Some things were up for debate and others were not. He couldnt let himself get swept up in the excitement to make money and fall for Reishis bribes.

It was impossible to prepare for every eventuality. That didnt mean he shouldnt try. If the merman had his way, Kai would brew potions from morning till dusk for the next three years. Reishi would make it worth his while, but silver could only bring him so far.

On the Baquaire Archipelago, there wasnt much he was interested in buying. The only luxury goods on sale were vanities for rich tourists and officials. If anyone sold useful items, Kai didnt have the connections to get them.

Perhaps it would be different on the mainland, but he had to get there first. Wealth could be lost in an instant, while no one could touch his status and skills.

Kai put the golden pearl into his spatial bag, donned the dark blue vest and pants he used for poshtown and marched outside. No matter what Reishi offered him, he wouldnt be swayed.

Im going out Mom, Ill come back in a few hours.

Okay, sweetie. Remember to stay away from the sailors.

I know, Mom.

The merchant district wasnt far. The rose marble walls and delicate floral decorations of Reishis mansion stood out even among its peers. A reserved opulence that was more luxurious the closer he looked.The initial posting of this chapter occurred via Ñøv€l-B!n.

His distorted face reflected in the shiny gate made Kai self-conscious. He took out his palm-sized mirror to make sure his hair wasn't a total mess, close. He smoothed any unruly lock as best he could.

I need to buy one for the bathroom.

Decent mirrors were an expensive commodity before the Republic began importing them. The natives werent used to considering them everyday items, and few purchased one even if they could afford it.

Master Kai, we were waiting for your arrival. The butler welcomed him in his spotless maroon uniform. Kai hadnt realized when the man had made his way to the gate.

Lead the way, Kai smiled politely as he followed him inside. A new set of blue polished tiles paved the hallways like a stormy sea.

Business must be going well.

The butler opened the door to the reception room for him, standing to the side with a short bow. Reishi sat on a plush velvet sofa scribbling on a large book with a red leather cover.

Oh, Kai, I didnt expect to hear from you so soon, the merman closed the tome and stood up to greet him. "Howre you? Did anything interesting happen?

Kai took a seat while Reishi's curious eyes peeked at the spatial bag at his feet.

My master had to sail back to the mainland, Kai cut straight to the chase.

The mermans attention snapped on him. Do they plan to come back?

No, I dont think they will.

Im sorry, Kai. I The pity in Reishis tone slapped him.

Im not a lost puppy.

Its fine. I knew they were going to leave, Kai schooled his tone to not sound too curt. Id be grateful if you kept this information to yourself, I dont want the Republic to think Im privy to their plans.

Of course, his pointy smile looked unusually sincere. If there is anything you need, just let me know.

Does he mean it? I might be his oldest acquaintance on the archipelago

Kai could never tell what passed in the merfolks mind. Did Reishi think of him as a friend, or did he only like him for his skills? Was he being a cynic? They would have never interacted if it werent for his abilities as an alchemist, though every friendship had to start in some way.

Thank you, I appreciate it.

Whats this fuzzy feeling? I have many friends.

Reishi did always say that a merchant should never break their word as a matter of credibilitynot honesty, to be clear. That meant a lot.

Actually, theres something I need. I dont want to take advantage of you, but you are the only one who can do it Kai leaned forward in his seat with a serious look. Id really need a two-story villa, facing the sea. You can do that, right?

Reishi was speechless. He couldnt find any flaw in his act till Kai burst out laughing.

You should see your face. You looked like you were about to cry over lost money.

Youve gotten more devious than a damned siren. The merman snorted before joining the laugh.

Curiosity began stirring in the merchants gaze. What is it? A rare herb or an ancient relic?

Its neither. Kai smiled mysteriously, sticking his arm inside the bag. His hand found the box where he put the pearl, but he moved with the grueling slowness of a tv presenter.

He delicately took out the plain wooden container. Judging from Reishi's wide eyes, he could sense the mana treasure hidden inside.

My precious, shine for thee!

With a final flair of his wrist, Kai flicked the lid open. The room lit with an iridescent spectacle. The mermans palmed hands stretched toward the bewitching pearl, and Kai had to suppress the urge to slap them away.

Like he was holding a baby, Reishi brought the golden pearl an inch from his flat nose.

Do you want me to leave you alone?

How much for it? The merman broke the stare without putting the treasure back.

Worked like a charm.

I never said I wanted to sell. Who knows how many things I could learn from it if I used it myself.

Reishi gave him a horrified look, clutching it tighter. You want to melt it into your cauldron!

I thought Id try grinding it into fine powder actually. Do you think melting would work better?

The merfolk narrowed his eyes, I know you want to sell it.

With a smirk, Kai dropped the pretense. Only if you offer the right price.

The charming effect was neat to distract people, but that was about it. He didnt have the faintest idea of how to use an orange-tier mana pearl in either enchanting or alchemy. And there was no Dora to ask, using such a treasure to experiment would be a colossal waste.

I can give you 30, no 40 silver mesars.

It was only thanks to Acting that Kai showed no reaction. It was more than double what that official from the Republic offered him.

I knew they were shortchanging me.

Well I dont know, the Republic also seemed interested in buying.

They won't pay you a fair price, Reishi scoffed. Just because its you, I can do 50 silver pieces. You can take them home right now. I swear you wont find a better offer anywhere in the archipelago.

Such a sum wasnt something he could readily dismiss, it would literally double his current funds in the blink of an eye.

Stick to the plan.

I dont really need money right now. And I might get a better price when I go to the mainland from what you said.

The merman grimaced at his mistake, You didnt bring it here just to show off, did you? Tell me what you want.

Lower the weekly potions quota a little, at least for the first year.

For the privilege of purchasing this mana treasure from you?

You dont have to accept it if you dont want to.

Fine, we can agree on twenty-five hours.

Twenty for the first year, and then we can discuss the rest.

Reishi frowned without eyebrows, Youre asking me to invest a lot in you.

Have you ever lost money betting on me? Kai Acted with the utmost confidence.

The merfolks blue lips curved into a smile, I cant say I have. Fine, we have a deal.

With the biggest hurdle out of the way, it was only a matter of bargaining to find a compromise on the fine print. Threatening to keep the shimmering pearl hostage till they reached the final agreement worked wonders to loosen Reishis greedy clutches.

A pleasure as always, Master Kai, the butler opened the gate for him.

Oh, the pleasure was mine, Alfred, Kai left behind the confused butler, whistling a happy tune. Who knows, maybe Mama Clam would make another pearl by the time he went back.

With his fortune reaching a gold mesar, he was properly rich. A notification flashed in the corner of his vision.

*Ding*

Acting has reached lv100! Requisites for skill evolution met, congratulations!