Store Name: Elemental Genius Store
Store Owner: Sun
Item: Fast Flowing Plant Foundation (20,000 credits), Bone of Steel Foundation (24,000 credits)
"I think this is done," muttered Auric while nodding in satisfaction.
"So, this is the shop you're talking about?" Lindwurm frowned. "Why don't you put the space element book there?"
"Not yet. While it's true I don't plan to keep it a secret, I don't plan to reveal everything at the start. Right now, there is no unique element evolution master. If I put them in the store, I will be targeted right away."
"I can't deny that."
"So, I will put the eight elements first and gain enough credibility and reputation before revealing that I can help a unique element avatar evolve."
"That sounds good, but if you're going to hide, shouldn't you do it properly? I mean, the two girls, Ellia and Arina, already know about you."
"That's exactly why this approach is better. This store will take some time to gain traction, right?"
"Since you don't run any advertisements, yes."
"Once this store gains traction, those two will know that this store is mine. But other people will know about it as well. What do you think they will do?"
Lindwurm tilted his head in confusion. "I don't know. Manipulate you?"
"Nope. If you have a treasure that everyone wants but no one else knows about it yet, you will definitely become greedy. And what will you do about it next?"
"I will hide it and keep it away from other people. That means making sure no one can point their finger at you…Ah?!" Lindwurm finally figured out Auric's plan. "You want them to cover up for you for free!"
"Exactly. And this way, I don't owe them any favors for doing it. They do it because they are greedy." Auric grinned.
"Are you a genius?"
"Smarter than most, but anyone who knows a little about business should be able to come up with this strategy."
Lindwurm wanted to call him arrogant, but it wasn't as if he were excessively arrogant. Besides, being too humble would sound like sarcasm as well.
Lindwurm asked, "But are you going to link the store to this place somehow? I mean, why would you put the name 'Sun' as the owner? If you want to be anonymous, shouldn't you just put something random?"
"Not really. Our store is called Night and Day. So, I'm planning to open two stores—the Sun Store and the Moon Store. The Sun Store will sell the gathering techniques, while I still haven't thought about what to sell in the Moon Store yet."
Auric raised two fingers. "First, this store will be more famous because of my name, Auric, rather than the store's name itself. Second, by the time I make up a name for myself, the other stores will most likely gain some traction."
Lindwurm was still confused.
Since Lindwurm didn't say anything, Auric continued, "Then, people will gradually wonder about Sun and Moon and link it to Night and Day. Eventually, it will go back to me. And once it happens…"
"You are trying to build three brands and fuse them into a single brand to make the value explode?"
"Bingo."
Lindwurm dropped his jaw, not expecting Auric to have thought this far. But this approach might be much safer than blindly putting up everything.
"In that case—!" Before Lindwurm could ask another question, Auric's phone started ringing.
Auric hurriedly raised one finger to ask him to shut up for a moment while looking at the unknown number on the phone. He picked it up. "Hello?"
"Hello, I am the head scout of the Grand Magica College, Maya Relesha. Am I speaking to Student Auric?"
"I'm Auric."
"I've been informed about your entry and told to wait until you call, but my curiosity gets the best of me, so I call you first. May I speak to you regarding your admission now?"
Auric frowned. Why would this person call him?
Still, he was curious about what she had to say.
"I'm free right now."
"Since it's already late at night, I will briefly explain it to you. Since you're going to enter the Grand Magica College based on the recommendation of the principal, I'd like to meet you to fill out the rest of your information tomorrow. Will that be okay with you?"
"You don't have my information yet?"
"I apologize. There is no information about you in our database. The school hasn't sent any information as well."
"I see. But I still have to go to school tomorrow for the graduation. How about the day after?"
"If possible, I'd like to finish it tomorrow. If we include you one day before, it's bound to have some problems. Besides, if we come to the school directly, we can also talk with the representative of the school."
Auric thought for a moment before confirming. "All right. Tomorrow will be fine."
"Thank you. We can meet after the graduation ceremony."
"That works for me."
"I understand. In that case, let's talk tomorrow. Thank you for your time today."
"Yes."
Once the call had ended, Lindwurm smiled. "Tomorrow should be the last day for you to go to school, right?"
"Yeah. Graduation on Monday, college registration on Wednesday. I will man the store on the days apart from those two when I have to go to college next week."
"That's good. We are finally opening the store for real!" Lindwurm had become excited since the store was going to open officially.
"Well, let's finish the store preparation first." Auric started managing everything, including the way it would operate and the materials.
…
The next day, Auric attended the graduation as he was supposed to. Unfortunately, even though he got the highest scores in all subjects, he wasn't number one in the school anymore.
That ranking abruptly changed the moment he failed to awaken his avatar. Instead, the one standing on the podium to give the farewell speech was none other than Eric.
Eric himself was the one who had the second rank, so with him showing the most potential as an awakener, it wouldn't be surprising if the principal actually put him forward.
"Thank you for these three years." Eric politely bowed as the applause filled the hall.
Auric calmly clapped his hands, as he had no grudge with Eric.
Still, people couldn't help but whisper about him.
"Isn't Auric the one with the highest overall score?"
"Shhh. You know Auric doesn't even have an avatar, so the school won't let him stand there, or else they will lose face."
"Poor Auric. Being mistreated like this."
"What can he do? He can't do anything. If he protests, he will end up getting bullied."
Eric was standing in front of him with a proud expression. "Look who is the 'A' now. I'll be going to Grand Magica College, and the gap between us will only become larger and larger after that."
Auric just smiled before pointing to Eric's seat next to him. "Why don't you sit down? The teachers are glaring at you. That woman from the Grand Magica College is about to speak."
"!!!" Eric panicked and looked around. He couldn't make a negative impression, so he hurriedly sat down.
"Pfft. I guess even if Auric has fallen, he still pretty much controls the pace between the two." A few students giggled.
"Thank you for all your hard work for the past three years, students." The principal was a man in his fifties. Despite his age, he was still wearing a suit that matched his fit body, making him look younger than his actual age. "Today, we have the opportunity to be graced by the presence of Professor Maya Relesha, the vice dean of the elemental faculty. Let's give her a round of warm applause."
'That's not how she introduced herself yesterday though,' added Auric.
"Thank you. I'm also honored to be able to come to this school. I can see many people with bright potential, so I won't take much of your time and say a few words. For those who couldn't enter the Grand Magica College, don't give up. No one knows what kind of opportunity you will encounter in the future."
Some students who felt regretful for failing actually raised their heads, thinking there might still be a chance for them even if they didn't get into the Grand Magica College.
"For those who are coming to my college, I'll be waiting for you once you arrive next week." Maya nodded and took a step back, followed by another round of applause for the group.
"Thank you, Professor Maya. The graduation ceremony is now over. Students, never give up, and I'm sure you will be able to achieve your goal in life." The principal gave a brief closing speech as the music started playing.
Since everything was out of the way, Eric couldn't help but stand back up and say, "I'm not going to lose to you anymore. Do you hear me?"
"Who knows about that?" Auric patted Eric's shoulder. "Anyway, I know how hard you've studied this whole time. That result came from your hard work."
Eric wanted to keep berating Auric, but Auric didn't play according to the script. If he had just shown a bit of anger after all this provocation, he would have had the opportunity to strike him down.
But Auric kept praising him without showing any weakness, so he couldn't hit him where it hurt.
"Well, see you soon." Auric gently pushed him back so that he could walk away.
However, Eric couldn't simply let it go. He turned around and grabbed Auric's shoulder. "Wait!"
Auric tilted his head in confusion. Eric looked like he wanted to say something, but his gaze was somehow not on him.
"Hmm?" Auric followed his gaze and found the principal and Maya coming towards them.
"Professor Maya. This young man is our best student, Eric Dabood. To think that you would like to meet him before the registration. I guess our Eric is much more talented than I originally thought." The principal was smiling from ear to ear, proud of his students.
Eric hurriedly pushed Auric to the side and bowed politely to Maya. "Hello, Professor Maya."
"You have bright potential. Keep working hard." Maya nodded gracefully. "However, he's not the one I'm planning to meet."
"Pardon?" The principal blinked a few times. If not Eric, then who? There was no one more brilliant than Eric, at least by Grand Magica College's standards.
"Hello, Student Auric. We've finally met. Should we talk about your admission to our college?"
"What?" The principal and Eric dropped their jaws in disbelief.
Eric never thought Auric would have such an opportunity. He said in disbelief, "How is that possible? Auric doesn't even have an avatar. How can he be accepted by Grand Magica College?"
The principal smiled wryly. "Professor Maya. Perhaps you are mistaken…"
Maya was smiling playfully as if she understood what was going on. "I guess the person himself is quite humble."
Auric smiled back helplessly. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Shall we talk about your admission now?" Maya turned to the principal. "I'd like to request his file for admission."
"This…" The principal was speechless. He tried his best to regain his composure and hurriedly gestured for them to follow. "This way. Let me escort you to my office."
"Let's go." Maya nodded to Auric.
Auric didn't know how much Maya actually knew to act like this, so he just followed her, leaving the stunned Eric behind.
"Pfft."
"Look at that Eric. Even the principal."
"But how did he even enter the Grand Magica College, though?"
"I don't know. Maybe he was pulling some strings?"
"But who actually managed to do such a thing?"
"Or the Grand Magica College might have found a talent that no one has ever seen before? After all, he's our Auric."
"Still, poor Eric. He didn't even realize that the person he was trying to look down on ended up going to the same college and even had such a famous person coming for him directly."
"Once again, Auric won."
"Hahahaha."
While the students were laughing at Eric in the hall, the principal received the shock of his life.
With his mouth and eyes wide open, he slammed his hands on the table. "W-What did you say? Master… Auric?"