[Your Aura skill has reached level 8!]
Noah spent around five minutes allowing his aura skill to catch up with his mana control level. The energy flowed more smoothly around his body now, creating a protective layer that felt as natural as breathing.
With his daily magical practice nearly complete, Noah considered working on his swordsmanship but decided against it. Checking his inventory revealed that production had accumulated quite nicely during his extended training session.
He had been practising for about four hours, and during that time his premium enhancement items had returned to their official maximum of twelve units each. Meanwhile, his bread had accumulated 32 loaves and his iced tea had reached 16 bottles.
48 items from normal stock plus potentially some premium sales. Good opportunity to open the shop.
With sufficient inventory to serve customers, Noah decided to open his store to the public once again.
The poor people he had helped previously had been healed by his magical bread, but others in similar desperate circumstances had arrived to replace them. Noah decided to continue his charitable efforts, though he wouldn’t jeopardise his shop’s progress or his own advancement.
Noah decided to help people without compromising his business sustainability.
He established a daily policy of giving away five loaves of bread to those who needed healing most desperately. His judgment criteria came from asking the community within the alleyway marketplace.
After being under siege from demon attacks for so long, the poor people had developed remarkable solidarity. Even those who desperately needed healing would often insist that others receive help first if their conditions were more severe.
They represented true community spirit. They look out for each other despite their own needs.
Hence, Noah distributed five loaves of bread as a small charity. In the larger scope of his operations, it represented only 2.5% of his daily production, too insignificant to impact his business or self-improvement while providing meaningful help to those who needed it most.
The recipients proved remarkably understanding and grateful. They thanked him sincerely without demanding more or attempting to exploit his generosity. Once the five charitable loaves were distributed, they all departed quietly to continue their daily struggles as they always had.
They had dignified gratitude. They appreciate help without becoming dependent.
After completing his charitable distribution, Noah began serving paying customers who had arrived seeking his products’ remarkable effects.
He established a strict policy against bulk purchases for new customers. Common sense told him that allowing large quantities could lead to resale at inflated prices, undermining both his pricing structure and customer access.
Prevent price gouging while maintaining fair access for everyone.
The customers naturally couldn’t argue with a viscount’s business policies. Even before his noble elevation, few had dared challenge his shop rules, and his new royal recognition made resistance completely unthinkable.
They purchased their single loaves of bread and departed without complaint. If someone chose to resell their individual purchase at a higher prices, that became the buyer’s responsibility rather than Noah’s concern.
Market forces are beyond my control. I provide fair access—what happens after that isn’t my problem.
Clearly, his shop operated nearly twenty hours daily with consistent pricing. Anyone willing to pay inflated resale prices could simply visit his store directly and purchase at standard rates. It wasn’t like he had no supply; the supply was definitely there.
Availability and fairness eliminate most justification for price manipulation.
Shortly after the regular customers departed, familiar faces appeared at his shop entrance. Kip and Alissa arrived together, accompanied by Valeria.
The cat siblings plus the guild master. entered his shop and greeted him.
"Noah!" Alissa called with obvious enthusiasm. "You are here. We were hoping to find you."
Kip nodded eagerly beside his sister. Both siblings had grown significantly stronger, and Noah was still getting used to the fact that the little cat-boy who was weak and frail was now stronger than him.
Valeria stepped forward. "We’re planning a hunting expedition to keep our combat skills sharp. The demon attacks have decreased lately, but that means we need alternative training opportunities."
Practical training through real combat. Much more effective than simple practice.
"Would you like to join us?" Alissa asked hopefully. "It would be a good experience for your swordsmanship development, and we could just hang out."
Then, as if realising something, she immediately stammered. "O-Of course, if you are busy, you won’t have to worry about it. We can maybe hang out another time if you would like."
Noah considered the invitation carefully. He had sold most of his current stock, and real combat experience would complement his formal training perfectly. The upcoming tournament made practical fighting experience even more valuable.
It would be a good opportunity to go out and explore the human realm monsters.
After thinking it through, Noah realised he had sold enough inventory to justify closing early, and the hunting expedition offered exactly the kind of experience his development needed.
"I’ll come," he decided with a soft nod.
He turned toward Lola, who had been observing the conversation with obvious interest. "Do you want to come with us?"
Lola’s smile carried familiar mischief as she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper that somehow reached only his ears despite Valeria standing mere feet away.
"Of course I want to stay close to my boss," she murmured with amusement. "I couldn’t possibly let you venture out alone with two such beautiful and capable women. What if one of them decided to steal you away from me?"
Her whispered words were most definitely carried with magic, so that even Valeria’s enhanced senses couldn’t detect the conversation, creating an intimate moment within the group setting.
Noah felt his cheeks warm slightly at her deliberately provocative statement, though he tried to maintain professional composure in front of their guests.
She never misses an opportunity to tease. At least she’s consistent.
"Great," he managed, keeping his voice steady despite Lola’s proximity. "Let’s go hunting."
The expedition promised combat experience, skill development, and a chance to hang out with friends.