Chapter 259 Off to the Merchants? Guild?
(POV: Lumiere)
So, I was almost done with my errands for the day.
I had a chat with a teacher about Elise's issues and we came up with a solution for her social anxiety and low self-esteem.
I even put the plan into action, so that's all sorted.
Now, all that's left is for Ophelia to talk to the university's director about the labyrinth exploration test.
After that, I just need to register with the Merchants' Guild— lots of paperwork and help Lucilia with her interview for potential noble suitors.
I'm really on a roll here, so I'll probably finish everything before evening.
We stood at the grand gates of the university, ready to head through the Dragons' Gate so that we could be transported back to Drakoria, more specifically— Argentia.
"Take your time..." Anastasia told me, sarcastically of course.
I held up a hand. "Sorry... almost done."
I was looking at the Dragon Rune Key.
It's pretty cool.
It was like a key that could open up the Dragons' Gate.
And get this, anyone could use it!
All you gotta do was pour some mana into the key and voila, you're in.
Now, the key was made by Director Takano Ryu, who happened to be from the Dragon race. So, he knew a thing or two about accessing the gate.
What he did was he took some [Dragon Magic] and infused it into the key, making it a key for the Dragons' Gate.
Smart move, if you ask me.
There were only three of these bad boys in the whole university.
Gotta keep it exclusive, you know?
So, in order to exit the university, we had to use it, since it was like having a VIP pass.
I could exit the school with one of Stellaria's portals, but with Anastasia around that wouldn't be possible.
"Do even understand how that key works?"
Anastasia questioned, still impatient.
I chuckled, tapping the key against my palm.
"The Vice Principal said to tap the key on the Gate, and it'll open," I replied.
"Then do it already," Anastasia rolled her eyes.
"Alright, let's do it."
Just as we were about to proceed, Anastasia hesitated.
"Um, by the way, do..."
"Eh?"
"Do you li..."
"I can't get you Anastasia..."
"Do you, uh, like what I'm wearing?" she asked, her cheeks flushing a delicate shade of pink.
"Hm?"
"My dress... How do I look...?"
Perplexed, I examined her attire - a flowing white dress accentuated by a regal purple ribbon around her waist, paired with an elegant silver necklace.
Her sudden inquiry caught me off guard.
"You... lo—"
"PROFESSOR LUMIERE!!"
Before I could complete my sentence, however, Ruri's melodic voice reached my ears.
Racing towards us in a simple yet stylish two-toned black and blue dress, she gasped for breath, her hands resting on her knees.
"Ruri?" I said, "Are you alright?"
After regaining her composure, Ruri explained, "I heard you were leaving the school to run some errands..."
"Hm, yeah." I nodded.
With a determined expression, she closed her eyes for a brief moment, then stood tall, her quivering voice barely crossing a whisper.
"I-I would... I'd like to accompany you!" she confessed, her face radiating a deep shade of red.
I mean, I waited for Anastasia?s early morning classes to end before I could take her with me.
So, Ruri should be no different.
I nodded at Ruri's request, "That's fine with me."
Turning back to Anastasia, I asked, "It's okay if she joins us, right?"
She folded her arms and shifted her gaze to the side, her cheeks puffing up slightly. "Whatever," she muttered.
"O... Okay," I managed to say, though my heart did a little flip at Anastasia's half-hearted response.
Ruri, with a bright smile, hurried to my side.
She seemed genuinely excited to accompany me.
"Alright, time to head out.." I told them.
"So, what sort of errands are we going for, Professor?" Ruri asked, her big blue eyes cute as ever.
With a quick tap of the Dragon Rune Key on the Dragons' Gate, I explained, "I wanted to register with Argentia?s Merchants' Guild."
"Oh, that's neat," Ruri chimed.
"Yes, it's really important if I want to open up a business."
Or actually, promote one.
Winter was approaching, but the Pyroapple plantation and magicubella trees would be prepared in time. By stocking enough during the cold season, we could continue selling even in harsh conditions. This would generate sufficient funds to establish a new plantation and expand our trade lines before summer.
Better affiliations with the guild would make this happen.
"Knowing you, I'm sure you're ready for the test!" Ruri smiled.
"Definitely."
Confusion flashed across Anastasia's face.
"Eh? Test?" she interjected.
It was then that I realized it. "Wait, there's a test?" I blurted out.
Ruri nodded solemnly, her expression turning serious. "Yes, there is," she confirmed. "In fact, my father also pursued a career in the merchant trade, specifically dealing with the sales of wheat balls. He had to take the guild's exams nine times before he finally became a guild validated merchant."
Anastasia's eyes widened a bit. "Wow, were the exams really that difficult?" she marveled. "I can't even imagine having to write an exam nine times. I'd probably just give up after the third try."
Ruri chuckled softly, shaking her head.
"While one can technically be a merchant without the guild's certification, my father's business faced countless failures until he obtained the validation. The guild's certification brings credibility and opportunities that are hard to come by otherwise."
What she said was completely true.
Merchants' Guilds were prominent organizations.
They served as a collective voice for local merchants and played a crucial role in promoting and protecting their interests.
The guild provided a platform for merchants to network and collaborate, fostering a sense of community and cooperation within the business community.
Additionally, the guild offered various services and resources to its members, including access to market research, business development workshops, and advocacy on issues affecting the merchant community.
Joining them would totally help me churn out more of my creations, like my kickass rejuvenation pills.
At first, I didn't even give a damn about teaming up with guilds cause I was raking in cash like a freaking Viscount.
But then, Lucretia goes and "discovers" antibiotics, and suddenly nobody wants my pills anymore.
Now, I'm stuck selling them only to wounded knights and desperate adventurers.
Seriously, it's like my pills are the red-headed stepchild of the medical world.
Maybe Lucretia was doing this to make money, but I was doing it to try and reduce the kingdom?s mortality rate.
With the way she was acting, I wasn't even sure I was interested in talking to her again.
We would've made a great team considering she was an Integrator like me.
"Professor?"
"Professor?"
"Oh, yeah?" I finally responded.
Anastasia stared at me with suspicious eyes. "Why do you always do that."
"Huh? Do what?" I asked.
"That thing where you just stare into the distance and enter deep thoughts..."
"Oh, yes, he does do that," said Ruri.
I did do that a lot, but I suppose narrating was a hobby of mine.
"Anyways, let's get going to Argentia."
"Sure, just casually change the subject," said Anastasia.
Ruri giggled. "I suppose Sensei?s just like that..."
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