WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Coughing Baby

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 210: 210

──────

Hwaryeong did not stay long before leaving. The shop was so small that there was not much to see. There was no reason for her to remain when I had so little to show her.

She only told me to contact her anytime I needed help before heading back toward the central district, where the Arcana General Trading Company was located. Help. It was clear she had not said that merely out of politeness.

If I asked for help, she would probably give it to me. But accepting her help would also mean lowering my own value.

This was my territory now. I needed to protect it on my own. Besides, this shop was only a tiny hole-in-the-wall with little to see. What help could I possibly need?

She had already helped me enough. She was busy, yet she had taken the time to come here. There was surely some record somewhere that Hwaryeong had visited this place.

After she left, I sat on the sofa in the reception room and quietly enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere. Isabella, drinking tea across from me, looked at me with a gentle smile.

[Master, you should go back as well. I will take care of this place.]

I could clearly feel Isabella's consideration for me. Dressed so elegantly, she carried the graceful air of a refined young lady.

She was so dignified that I almost felt sorry leaving a small shop like this in her care. Just as her appearance suggested, she was extremely capable. As she said, she would surely keep this shop running well even without me.

Still, I needed to be here for now. I shook my head slightly.

“This shop bears my name. Shouldn't I be the one to welcome its first customer? You have worked very hard to open this place, Isabella, so you should rest for a while.”

I smiled softly as I recalled the sign hanging beside the entrance. My shop. The satisfaction filling my chest made my tree tremble. This was my territory. Why would I go anywhere else?

The tower was considered my area, but it was not a place that belonged only to me. The tower belonged entirely to Professor. That was why I needed to be somewhat careful with everything I did there.

But this shop belonged entirely to me. The feeling of owning everything here made something like affection for the shop bloom in my heart.

I lightly shook my head. I had never expected to feel such deep possessiveness. Once again, I realized that I truly was a mage after all.

[No. I will stay here too. Mira is not around, so I should serve Master properly.]

Isabella walked over with soft steps and quietly poured me some tea. I savored its gentle fragrance and took a sip. Sitting beside me, Isabella quietly looked out the window.

[But is it really all right for us to stay like this? I was going to go out and advertise.]

Isabella wrote with concern. She rested her fingers against her chin, looking puzzled. That was because I had stopped her plan to hand out leaflets for the shop.

I understood why she had wanted to advertise. Several hours had already passed since we opened, but no customers had come. I stared at the flow of people outside the window.

Before long, several people stopped in front of our shop to look at the sign. It was probably because the new shop had caught their interest.

Yet not a single person crossed the threshold. Some considered it for a while, but turned away after seeing that we sold puppets.

Puppets were a niche product. In most cases, using another option was far more efficient than using a puppet. There was a reason puppet street, where puppeteers gathered, was tucked away in one corner of the city.

In that sense, we needed opening promotions or an event, as Isabella said, to attract people. Since we rented puppets for 1 point, many people would surely become interested.

But that was not what I wanted. What was the point of growing so quickly? Expanding too fast was not good either.

If too many people came because they were tempted by the 1-point price, I might be unable to bear the losses and collapse. I could keep making puppets, but managing them was another matter entirely.

I smiled bitterly. Had I not experienced that before? When I gave my first lecture, I sold puppets to the tower students until their numbers eventually exceeded what I could handle. I still remembered it clearly.

Of course, that had later become a stepping stone for advancing my realm, but that had only been luck. Since then, I had thoroughly managed the risks involved with puppets.

This was the same. Rather than expand quickly, I wanted to build a solid foundation and spread through word of mouth. This was business, but it was also meant to further my own growth.

I glanced at the puppet standing in the middle of the shop. Hwaryeong had left without understanding the puppet's price until the very end. One point per month. Even I thought that was absurdly cheap.

But it was the result of much thought. That thought had begun when my territory reached the city. What should I do in the city? That had been my concern at the time.

Of course, remaining in the tower and pursuing growth was one option. The tower was built upon the foundation I had already firmly established.

But the city had its own advantages. It was enormous, and therefore held countless people. There was a reason people flocked to cities. As complicated as they were, many opportunities had accumulated within them.

The same was true for me. In the way I grew, the number of people was the most important thing. I needed to accumulate more information, more magical power, and more magic.

For me, entering the city was not a choice. It was a necessity. How could I simply leave these bundles of experience alone? And the best way to collect them was still to sell puppets.

Then the important question was what kind of puppet I would sell. To find the answer, I did plenty of research by peeking into the shops of the many puppeteers around me.

And I realized something. I could not invade their territories. They had all been around for a long time. Each had already established a firm position in their own field.

Koite used puppets as actors in dreams, while Mauro supplied puppets as exploration tools or ritual sacrifices. They all had their own ways of selling a niche product like puppets.

They were experts in their respective fields, so I could not enter their business territory. Nor did I want to. Setting aside the difference in skill, what would be the point of taking food from another puppeteer's table?

I blankly watched the flow of people. It somehow felt like the flow of blood, the sign of life that kept the city active.

Yes, the city was one massive living creature. Perhaps because of that, its ecosystem was already intricately organized. Just as puppeteers had their places, organizations had already settled into nearly every field likely to produce points.

So, if I entered this city, friction with them would be unavoidable. I would have to step into an established order, and they would surely try to stop me. Both they and I would suffer heavy losses.

Did I really need to take that risk to enter the city? While I was considering that, the one who cleared my mind was Koite. They had said it was foolish to steal prey that others had already created.

They said that only by finding paths no one else took could one gain great profits. They themselves were proof of that method.

I could only nod. Dream Theater was a territory no one else could touch. It was the result of fully utilizing Koite's unmatched talent and magic.

So I thought about it too. What was my talent? What was I good at? If I ran a shop, what form would it take?

As I blankly watched the crowd, the sound of a bell brought me back to myself. The shop door had opened. A woman in a slightly shabby robe entered through it.

She looked lively, with freckles scattered across her face. She tilted her head slightly.

“Um, is it all right for me to come in?”

I immediately rose from my seat. Since I had never seen her before, she was likely a customer. I smiled brightly, hurried over, and bowed.

“Of course. Welcome. I am Evron, the owner of this puppet workshop. What brings you here?”

“Uh... I was on my way to the puppet workshop farther inside, but I saw a shop I had never seen before, so I came in.”

Perhaps startled by my eagerness, she scratched her cheek. As she shrank back slightly, I could feel her watching my reaction. She might even leave because she felt pressured.

I stepped back and stroked my chin. The puppet workshop farther inside. I looked her over. Her fingertips were red, so she seemed to have come straight from drawing magic circles somewhere.

The kind of puppet someone like that needed was obvious. She was probably looking for a puppet to use as a ritual sacrifice. Puppets made by puppeteers were less valuable than humans, but they still had value as sacrifices.

Had I not performed an offering ritual during this entrance exam? Judging by her clothing, she was clearly heading to Mauro's workshop. Mauro's puppets were the most suitable for performing rituals.

Then perhaps I should give her some advice. If I did, she might look around our shop with a bit more goodwill. I quietly nodded.

“You seem to be heading to Mauro's shop. In that case, look for puppets Mauro made a month ago. The ones made then should contain the magical power of the full moon. They will probably suit the magic you intend to use.”

The moon was the sun's shadow, so the full moon naturally held complete and abundant magical power. There was nothing more suitable for her to use as a sacrifice.

Besides, that magical power was something I had collected while returning to the university after the exam. Mauro had asked me to do it. Since it came from the moon outside, its effect would surely be even greater.

“Did you figure out what I needed right away?”

Impressed by my advice, her eyes sparkled. I shrugged slightly. Was it not obvious at a glance? Perhaps my relaxed attitude made her trust me a little, because she cautiously looked around.

“Thank you for the advice... But what do you sell here?”

“Would you like to take a look? Since you are our first visitor, I will explain everything properly. Don't worry. I won't pressure you into buying anything.”

I smiled lightly and took a step back. After considering it briefly, she nodded.

“Then I'll have a quick look.”

As she began walking slowly, I naturally guided her. First, I needed to ease the rest of her wariness. I led her into the reception room and had her sit on the sofa.

Isabella was sipping tea when she saw us and gave a gentle smile. The woman met Isabella's eyes, blinked slightly, and visibly relaxed.

I clapped lightly. One of the waiting puppets began to cast magic. It was Perfect Tea. The puppet naturally poured tea and placed it before her.

A sweet fragrance rose from the teacup. She seemed to notice it too, cautiously held the cup, and began savoring the tea. Before long, she blinked.

“This is incredibly good. The fragrance is much clearer than the tea I've had elsewhere.”

“I created this magic myself. Tea made with the magic spread throughout the city is good too, but I have improved this spell again and again over a long time. It is naturally superior to the city's version.”

I smiled as I took a sip of the tea the puppet had poured for me as well. This was one of the spells I trained every day without rest. I tried to present Professor with a new tea every day.

Through that process, my magic continued to develop. Compared to my own magic, the Perfect Tea magic released in the city was like heaven and earth.

Her eyes sparkled as she kept sipping tea. All her tension and wariness had disappeared. I looked her over more closely.

Her awkward movements, the way she focused so intently on a single cup of tea, and the old robe covering her body. She was clearly an unaffiliated wandering mage. Since she had been heading to Mauro's shop, she probably did not have many points either.

Was her realm somewhere between Sapling and Young Tree? She was likely an ordinary lower-floor mage who spent each day walking around to sign up for lectures. And people like her were exactly what I wanted most.

“You asked earlier what I sell. What I sell is this kind of puppet before you.”

I lightly patted the puppet standing beside us. As if responding to my hand, it bowed its head slightly. She stared at it, looking somewhat puzzled.

“Um... What kind of puppet is this?”

She asked cautiously. I could understand the question. I looked up slightly at the puppet. It looked like nothing more than a smoothly carved wooden doll and did not seem particularly special.

The magical power inside it was so weak that it could be compared to weeds, and it was naturally too weak to fight even a single low-grade magical beast. Compared to the puppets sold by other puppeteers, it was only natural that it seemed lacking.

But this was the culmination of my thoughts. What should I sell? This puppet was what I made after considering that question.

“It handles chores. Like how it just poured your tea.”

But she only tilted her head as if she did not understand. It seemed I needed to show more of what it could do. I snapped my fingers lightly.

Receiving my signal, the puppet bowed and approached her. She looked at it and began to show a hint of caution. I waved my hand at her.

“You don't need to be nervous. It is only going to massage your body with magical power for a moment.”

She stopped being wary after hearing me. But her body was still stiff with tension. The puppet gently placed a hand on her shoulder and slowly began using magic.

Her face immediately relaxed. It repeatedly stiffened her body with lightning magic, then used vibrations to forcibly loosen her muscles. Through that process, all her fatigue was released in an instant.

As the woman's face grew noticeably more refreshed, I approached her and spoke in a low voice.

“If you invest only 1 point per month, you can carry a puppet like this around with you. Its functions are listed here.”

I took out a catalog and floated it before her. She looked over it blankly. There were quite a variety of functions written inside. She turned to look at me.

“Are you selling this puppet?”

“Yes. This puppet is our shop's only product, a puppet that serves you.”

The puppet held no power. Its magical power was weak, and it had no strength. In sacrificing all that, I focused on the magic it contained.

Perfect Tea, Perfect Laundry Magic, Perfect Cooking Magic, and more. The so-called perfect magic spells I had developed and applied.

Koite created his own territory by combining his talent with puppets. So I needed to build my shop in the same way. And I knew my own talent very well.

Did Professor not tell me when I came to the university? Professor said that supporting others was my true talent.

As Professor said, it was my unique talent, one that differed from everyone else's. It was how I had even entered the university. And this puppet was made by filling it with those spells.

With a pleased expression, I stroked the puppet. In some ways, it could be called my clone. It contained all the magic I had created while serving Professor.

I glanced at the woman. Mages were creatures who valued their personal territory. Being wary and suspicious of others was part of their basic nature.

What would the lives of such people be like? Naturally, they managed everything themselves. They were always busy because of it. This puppet was made to support those solitary mages.

The city already had a complete ecosystem. All sorts of organizations were sucking up points, so it was difficult to find an empty field. So I changed my thinking. I would create a new field myself.

The things mages did alone, but found annoying. I wanted to make a product out of those ambiguous areas. I was turning a mage's inconveniences into merchandise.

That was why I had set up shop down here. Upper-floor mages could command their own subordinates. Unlike them, lower-floor mages did not have that kind of leeway.

So this puppet would provide them with comfort. I would receive points for it. It was an ending where everyone was happy.

“...But why is it priced like that?”

The woman narrowed her eyes. I could feel faint suspicion in them. Well, it was only natural. Letting someone use this puppet for just 1 point would only bring me losses. It made sense for her to suspect a trap.

“You don't need to worry. This is merely a puppet that obeys its owner's commands. If it causes any inconvenience, I will take responsibility and compensate you. Besides, it has been approved by the trading company, so please rest assured.”

I pointed to the permit hanging on the wall. It was proof that the Arcana General Trading Company guaranteed my activities in Stalactite City. It was something one could not obtain without connections to the trading company.

That was why it was difficult to see at this very bottom floor. The same was likely true even on the upper floors. I had not handed this exam over to them for nothing.

After seeing it, the woman looked somewhat relieved. Then she blankly sipped tea while receiving the puppet's massage. She seemed quite pleased with its service.

I lightly sent a signal to the puppet. It stopped moving and slowly stepped back. I gave the slightly startled woman a small bow.

“What you have received so far was a trial version. For the rest, rent a puppet and try using it yourself. I am confident you will be more satisfied than you were with this one. This is only a prototype displayed as an example.”

She began considering it. Before long, she nodded slightly.

“Then I'll rent one. One point a month shouldn't be a problem.”

I had succeeded in attracting my first customer. Smiling, I pulled out a fresh sheet of paper and handed it to her. She frowned slightly when she saw it.

Why was she reacting that way? Puzzled, I looked at the paper myself. Then I realized I had handed her something else. It was filled with puppet functions and all kinds of point prices.

I gave a small cough and took the paper back. Then I pulled out another sheet and checked its contents again. Yes, this one was correct.

“These are the precautions for using the puppet.”

I handed the paper to her. She received it and slowly read through what it said. Soon, she nodded.

“Hmm, this should be fine.”

Of course it would. It only contained miscellaneous information, such as how it could be used for about three hours a day and how it had a shrinking function for easy carrying anywhere.

Other than the fact that there would be a charge if the puppet was damaged, it contained no onerous clauses at all. When she showed her agreement, I gave Isabella a look.

Receiving my signal, Isabella headed deeper into the shop. She returned carrying several sheets of paper and placed them before the woman.

“Then could you fill these out?”

“What are these?”

“The puppet will move only for you. That means we must give you a puppet customized for you. This is a questionnaire for that purpose.”

The woman looked over the papers. There was nothing particularly unusual inside. Most of the questions asked about preferences and simple personal information, such as favorite foods or boundaries it should not cross.

After confirming that, she quietly began filling in the answers. I glanced down at the paper. Repo. So that was her name. I quietly nodded.

Since she was my first customer, I needed to remember her name well. She was also my first test subject.

I smiled slightly and waited for her to finish. Before long, Repo completed the questionnaire and handed it to me. After checking it, I bowed to her.

“Please wait a moment. I will bring you a puppet that suits you.”

I headed deeper into the shop and opened a small side door. A warehouse filled with identical-looking puppets came into view. I quietly closed my eyes and sent my will toward them.

Then shining stars began responding to me. I sent them the contents of Repo's questionnaire. I was asking who wanted to take this assignment.

Soon, I felt several responses. I selected one of the puppets that expressed its belief that it would suit the woman named Repo, then sent it the will to step forward. It slipped out from among the puppets and stood before me.

I activated the magic built into it and shrank it to a small size that fit in my palm. Holding the smooth wooden puppet in my hand, I left the warehouse.

Then I put it into a case and carefully handed it to Repo, who was drinking tea. She accepted the puppet and sent magical power through it to examine its structure. She seemed to be checking whether anything was wrong with it.

There would be nothing suspicious. With that confidence, I watched Repo. She seemed to realize the same thing, because she soon nodded and stood up.

“Thank you. Then I'll be going now.”

“No, I should be the one thanking you. I hope you have a good day.”

Repo held the puppet case to her chest and left the shop. I watched her slowly merge into the flow of people and head toward the outskirts of the city.

She was surely going to Mauro, her original destination. I watched her departing back with satisfaction.

[Will she come back?]

“She will. I believe in mages.”

Isabella approached me, narrowed her eyes, and stared at Repo's back. Unlike me, she still did not seem convinced. I lightly shrugged, sat down, and quietly drank tea.

From here on, time would prove it. And time passed.

After that, I traveled back and forth between the city and the tower. Since I had no lectures, I spent nearly all my time in the city except when I was serving Professor.

And during that time, people occasionally came to visit the shop. Of course, not many rented puppets.

Some were suspicious of the 1-point price, while others felt uncomfortable about filling out a questionnaire and left. But that could not be helped. It was simply something time needed to solve.

A few days passed. I was talking with Isabella in the quiet shop when I heard the door open. Someone had arrived.

I turned slightly to see the visitor and smiled brightly. A very familiar woman had entered the shop. It was Repo, the woman with striking freckles.

“It's been a while. What brings you here?”

Repo was fidgeting with the puppet case in her arms. She looked down at it with hesitation before shaking her head. Then she opened her mouth uncertainly.

“I would like to make an additional payment for this puppet. I want to increase its active time.”

“Ah, I see. Come this way, and we can discuss it.”

I led her to the reception room and took out the catalog from my clothes. It was the paper listing the puppet's various functions, the one I had mistakenly shown her before.

But unlike before, Repo did not show much reluctance. If anything, I could only sense deep interest from her. I narrowed my eyes and looked at her.

My puppet had greatly reduced Repo's inconveniences. But it was only temporary. Just three hours. It was long in one sense, but short when looking at an entire day.

When something you had becomes unavailable, its absence feels even more inconvenient. People were creatures who sought comfort. It could also be called desire.

“Hmm, 50 points for twelve hours...”

And mages displayed that desire even more strongly. Could someone like that truly endure inconvenience? I did not think so. Just as I expected, Repo had returned to my shop after only a few days.

I nodded as I watched Repo consider it. I was not the one who set the cost of comfort. The price of comfort would be whatever she chose.

Leaving the choice to the customer. That was going to be our shop's motto. One point per month was the foundation and the spark that would make it possible.

Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried