Upon returning home, Alan wasted no time in heading to the basement to start the lathe. Supplying eighty pairs of Magic-Suppressing Handcuffs and Tracking Glasses within three days would not be easy; he had to work at full capacity.
At the same time, now that the company and workshop were established, preparations for the storefront had to begin. Alan went to the first floor, intending to display some Class XX products for retail, but he immediately noticed a problem: the space was simply too large.
The actual area was over two hundred square meters. With the limited variety of goods he currently had, it was impossible to fill it. Furthermore, since several of his products were restricted to Ministry-only sales, the floor would look incredibly sparse and homogeneous. Facing this, Alan decided to adjust the layout.
He built a wall ten meters from the entrance, designating that front section as the main body of the shop. This reduced the floor space to about thirty square meters. Once he added a counter, the area would feel cozy rather than empty. This way, customers would perceive it as a boutique alchemy store; with the right decorations, the atmosphere would feel tasteful and exclusive.
Behind that first partition, he built another wall ten meters further back to serve as a product testing area, as many of his goods required practical demonstrations. As for the remaining space, he could incrementally move the walls back as his business grew and his inventory expanded.
Having made up his mind, Alan began the manual labor. He made a special trip to other shops in Diagon Alley to purchase decor—light fixtures, counters, carpets, shelves, and wall hangings. He also wallpapered both rooms, covering the originally rough stone walls. In one corner of the shop, he placed a few exquisite seating sets and a wine cabinet, creating a reception area for high-end clients.
After two days, the interior was finished, presenting a style that was both mysterious and minimalist. All the furniture, including the counter, periodically shimmered with flickering magical patterns. The counter featured a metal raven decoration that would occasionally spit out a small, firefly-like orb of light. These orbs would float to the ceiling to provide ambient lighting.
These features were purely aesthetic. The magical patterns on the seats served no practical purpose, and the light-spitting raven was merely a temporary decorative prop. He added these flourishes specifically to create a luxury atmosphere, allowing him to place more space between products without the shop looking unfinished.
Once the interior was set, he turned to the signboard. Alan kept it straightforward: he erected a black-and-silver plaque above the main entrance inscribed with "Silver Lightning Alchemy Company" and added his personal crest above it.
With preparations complete, he waited for his permit. Fortunately, Minister Bagnold's efficiency was impressive, and the Ministry's letter arrived three days later. His company was now official.
Over the past two days, a few curious wizards had been peeking through the curtains. Alan had kept the lights off and the door locked, but now he could finally open for business. Sitting at the counter, he gently waved his wand. The furniture and decorations seemed to come alive, a subtle glow flowing over them like a rhythmic breath. The candles, lamps, and the alchemy raven lit up simultaneously. Outside, the signboard crackled as streaks of silvery-white electricity flickered across its surface.
Silver Lightning opened discreetly on an unremarkable day. Shortly after, the shop welcomed its first visitor—though she wasn't exactly a customer.
Aseria had received orders from Director Bianca to collect the first batch of equipment. Before she left, the Director had specifically instructed her to perform a thorough inspection, personally testing each item before the second payment was authorized. Presumably, only such a technically undemanding yet tedious task would be pushed onto her, the department's "pretty face."
Aseria accepted the task gladly. She had developed a strong interest in Alan after the presentation at the Ministry. The young wizard seemed like a treasure trove of innovation. *Should I try to win him over?* she wondered.
Lost in thought, she arrived at the shop and noticed the renovations. She observed the metallic signboard and the unique crest: a sword standing in the center of intersecting lightning bolts. *Is that a family symbol?* she wondered.
She pushed open the glass door, which displayed an "OPEN" sign, and a crisp chime rang out. Alan, experiencing his first moments as a shopkeeper, reacted quickly. He looked up from the counter, debating whether to offer a formal welcome, and saw Aseria.
"Hello, Mr. Wilson. Do you remember me? Today is the day for the delivery of those two alchemy pieces; I'm here to receive them," Aseria said. She explained her purpose while admiring the shop's decor.