Magic Shop System

Kadyn knew that Babul wasn't powerful enough to hurt her. She must have encountered someone powerful. Someone stronger than Rank 2 mage. 

Cecelia took a deep breath and sat on the bed before replying. "Just when I finished Babul, a rank 3 mage arrived, before I could react, one of his spells landed on me." 

Although she didn't explain further than this, Kadyn knew that she must have fought a hard battle before she escaped. Anyways, Kadyn also didn't go into details of the fight.

"I was careless. Otherwise, he would not have been able to wound me, even if he was rank 3 mage."

Kadyn felt surprised hearing her confident voice. He remembered the red-eyed bat and nodded in understanding. Even he felt a little uneasy whenever he thought about her Elemental Essence. Though he had no idea about its rank it must be higher than the Water Python he had gotten from Jinn.

"Did he see your face?"

"No."

It was silent for a moment. He eyed Cecelia and then said. "Hey, umm, would you like to work for me?"

"Huh?" a bewildered expression appeared on her face. She asked in confusion. "Ain't I working for you?"

"No, not like this," Kadyn shook his head. "Right now, you are doing it because Nefia is with us. You just want to protect her." He looked at her and went on in a serious manner. "But I want you to work for me — if you know what I mean."

Cecelia peered at him and curled her lips. "What can you give me in return?"

"That would depend on what you can do for me," Kadyn replied in a serious tone. He knew that if he had enough Energy Points he would be able to upgrade the shop, and he knew that it was just a matter of time. At that time even Cecelia would feel honoured to be the employee of his shop,

The lady looked at his serious expression and replied. "I don't know from where your confidence comes from, and I don't know why, but I want to believe you. Alright, I will work for you."

A smile appeared on Kadyn's face. "I assure you that it is the best decision of your life you have ever made."

Cecelia didn't say anything and just smiled in return. 

Kadyn waved his hand and a scroll appeared in his grip. He grinned at the lady in front of him and said. "Read it, and if you agree to all the conditions inside the scroll, drop the blood on it."

———

In the early morning, Kadyn looked out of the inn through the window of his room. Red mixed with orange and yellow was about to burst out from the horizon. The people were walking on the streets, shops were opening, and children sprinted on the street as their chuckles resounded in the slightly foggy weather.

Suddenly a bird appeared and sat on his shoulder. Kadyn looked at it but didn't say anything. He had become accustomed to her sudden visits by now. But at this moment there was no fire burning on its white-feathered tiny body.

"What are you going to do now?" it asked when Kadyn didn't speak anything.

"I don't know," Kadyn replied and shook his head. "I just wanted to open a shop and do business, but now, I don't think it will go as smoothly as I thought at first. Though we have killed Babul and the matter has settled for now, but if they could dig a little deeper, it won't be hard to reach us."

"So what do you intend to do?"

"For now," Kadyn looked at the bustling city and took a deep breath, "let's just try to establish our business. We will talk about other things later. If Sweeders and Webney found us, let's just escape. It's never too late to revenge."

After that, the bird vanished. Kadyn thought for a moment and then another figure appeared behind him. 

Hot Rod eyed Kadyn in bewilderment. He didn't know why he was summoned here, as he was about to ask, Kadyn said. "Do you want to become an official employee of the shop?"

Hot Rod trembled at that, an excited look emerged on his worried face. Kadyn turned around and threw the scroll at him. "Read it before dropping the blood."

The man held the scroll with his trembling hands. Then turned towards Kadyn. "I believe you, I don't need to read it." After that, he drops the blood on the scroll. His action caught Kadyn unprepared. Then he opened Hot Rod's window and a pleasant expression appeared on his face.

[Employee Name: Hot Rod]

[Employee Rank: Iron]

[Magus Rank: Rank 1 mage]

[Element: Fire]

[Energy Points: 0]

[Loyalty: 36]

[Evaluation: Good. There is always room for improvement]

Kadyn never thought that Hot Rod's loyalty had reached so high, almost equal to Khrom. If it wasn't for the Energy Points he would have become a Gold Rank Employee already.

He looked at the man in a new light and said with a smile. "Go, forge a few Rank 1 artefacts. The more we can sell your artefacts, the more energy points you will earn, and the more you will be able to learn from the library. Didn't you want to learn the rune and forging technique of the Space Artifact? There are lots of precious runes and forging techniques in the library. Work hard."

After he sent an excited Hot Rod into the shop, a smile appeared on his face. "It would be great if Hot Rod was able to increase his rank." It was the reason he asked him to become an employee. After all, he was almost like a slave to Kadyn for two years, he could make him forge artefacts for two years without giving much in return. However, then Hot Rod would always remain at the Rank 1 mage and artisan. 

That's why after giving some thought Kadyn accepted him as an employee. They were at a place where they could spot Rank 1 mage anywhere. They needed to improve their strength and skills at the same time. Hot had a good chance to become a Rank 2 artisan in a short time if the opportunity was given to him.

Kadyn stretched his hands and twisted his waist and then said.. "It's time to become a Rank 1 mage."