Chapter 46: Chapter 46 : The Appraisal Shop

Zeres clicked his tongue, the sound of heartbeat and the scent of fresh blood became more vivid again.

It was always like this. As if all his senses were being enhanced every night.

His ears twitched from the sound of heart beating way too fast from the normal rhythm he had grown accustomed to.

"What do I do now? I might be expelled, my flag points were low! " the students frantic shoutings made Zeres’ head turn.

It was already night. Yet some of the students were still there, their shoulders tense, some were biting their own finger.

’Ohh right, I almost forgot.’ Zeres shook his head. Most of them were the commoners who have barely managed to enter the academy, and now they were worrying about being expelled.

’Well, competition here is indeed harsh. Had I been transmigrated as a human, I might just struggle like them.’ Zeres looked at them one last time before he turned around.

Entering the Academy as a commoner was indeed a blessing, you won’t have to worry for the tuition—of the first semester that is; on the second semester, that’s when you’ll have to pay for your own tuition be it commoner or noble alike.

"I need money" he grumbled, then he stepped inside of the cabin.

He just went on the canteen, ordering a beef meat and an expensive soft bread.

"Seriously, can’t even have one tasty bread without it being expensive." A breath escaped through his mouth while he tear off the bread inside his assigned cabin.

"Time had really passed huh" munching on the bread, Zeres’ head snapped towards the window of his cabin.

The stars shone brightly, as if etching it into his mind that he now existed on a story he used to know from pages.

"I need to resolve myself" From now on, students will die from the actions of the apostles. Countless terrorist act will happen within the academy.

He wasn’t some kind of guy who had a righteous disposition nor some kind of hero people needed in a time of crisis.

The protagonist of this world could do that. As for him, he’ll just act on the sideline.

’No matter what happen from today onwards, I won’t interfere with the plot.’ His fists clenched.

’It’s better to have a leverage in what will happen.’ A sigh came out from his mouth.

The problem was that the story itself was revised, his knowledge about this world was abysmal.

"Change of plans, I’ll have to do anything to protect the main characters." He mumbled, his fingers tapping the polished wooden table.

"Guess I’ll just have to take it easy for now. After all, the first act will begin when a Blightland expedition was taking place." He leaned against his chair.

"Still, I can’t get complacent. There’s a chance that the first act had changed. "

"Haaa, this is troublesome" sighing on last time, he threw himself into his soft bed.

"No matter what comes my way, I’ll just have to survive so I could go back."

______________

"What is it? " a man with a finely trimmed beard shifted nervously on his seat.

His eyes sparkling with excitement as he gaze at a boy with Auburn hair scanning the item he had requested to be appraised.

"Congratulations sir, it’s a silver-rank artifact. But it’s abilities can be compared to the gold-rank artifact ones." The boy smiled sweetly at the man.

"Are you really sure you won’t accept me as your father?" The man asked. The kid before him was so adorable that he wanted to adopt him.

"Come on honey, the boy will be uncomfortable if you keep on asking that question." A woman nudged him at his side.

The woman wore a finely embroidered dress, intricate designs adorned the sleeves and a veiled hat covering her face.

"Okay" the man nodded weakly.

"Boy, are you sure this is free? You told us that we just have to grant one request of yours right? " the woman asked, her sweet voice drifted across the silent shop.

"Yes madam" Ryu nodded.

"Then what is your request? " she asked.

Ryu shifted slightly, then he met her gaze head-on.

"We just wanted you madam and sir to tell people of your esteemed level on how efficient we work here."

The woman tilted her head to the side, the veil still covering her face. "Very well, you want connections? We’ll give it to you. In return, this shop will always prioritize our request for appraisals." The woman extended her gloved hands.

"Thank you very much dear customer! " Ryu beamed, his adorable eyes twinkling. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

The woman’s shoulder trembled slightly, before her hands sprang up to pull Ryu. She hugged him tightly.

"Ughh, it pains me that I could not adopt a child as adorable as you." The woman sniffed, still not letting go of Ryu.

"You said you have a guardian right? They must be so thankful that they have a kid as adorable as you!" The man joined them in their embrace.

’This is the third time already’ Ryndol sighed. Three customers had fallen on Ryu’s charm and clever words—even he was surprised. Now he knew why Zeres took in a child like him and made him in-charge of their business.

"We’ll come again! " the couple waved at Ryu on the gate before they boarded a carriage bearing a family’s insignia.

"You’re really good at this." Ryndol laughed, his arms crossed as he leaned back on the side of the door. A bow was hanging behind him.

"Still, to think he’ll let me use an artifact of this caliber." His lips tugged upwards unconsciously. His life inside that damned black market was hell, they wouldn’t let him absorb any mana—even food was a luxury; yet here, he got to enjoy those things without anything preventing him from doing so.

"You’ll need to get used to this uncle Ryndol, more customers will be charmed by me as our business grow." Ryu said proudly, puffing his chest out, he then went outside the counter.

"Would you like a coffee? " he asked.

"A strong one." Ryndol answered, his long green hair fluttering behind him as he stared at the street of the Helva district.