HTACS 64

Chapter 64

This is a story from when I lived as Lee Young-jin.

Whenever the holidays came, a surprising number of gift sets would arrive at the orphanage.

Perhaps thanks to the director, who was often called a kind neighbor and was truly a person of character.

Vitamin orange juice, fruit, tuna, toothpaste. Beef was rare to see, but the holiday gifts still made our hearts flutter.

Later, when I worked part-time at a convenience store, the owner hyung once bought me a cooking oil and tuna set as a holiday gift.

And I realized that no matter how you looked at it, the set price was more expensive than buying them individually.

No, it was significantly more expensive.

“Can’t you just buy five cans of tuna and two packs of cooking oil separately?”

When I asked the owner hyung that, he chuckled and looked at me as if I was pathetic.

“…That’s in the realm of logic. Gifts are in the realm of emotion.”

“Pardon?”

“To you, I’m presenting this neatly packaged item. It has its own price and is a premium product. It conveys the intention of ‘I respect you.’ That price includes the packaging cost.”

“……”

“If you try to analyze gifts with logic, you won’t succeed in business.”

“I see. You don’t sell with logic.”

“You get it, hyung.”

“Yeah. I’ve done home shopping and sold everything from children’s storybooks to gift sets.”

“Aha.”

“Anyway, the most important thing when selling gifts is this.”

“What is it?”

“The buyer buys with pride.”

“Oh.”

I see.

—

The parents who followed Patrasche began buying items as if under a spell.

Some of the parents recognized who I was and sent suspicious glances…

“You’re welcome to have a taste before buying.”

“Oh my, really?”

“Yes. Samples are also available.”

Watching Nephti smile brightly and draw in customers, they began to let go of their suspicions.

“Whoa… This is amazing. And this pretzel snack is no joke either.”

“Right? It’s good…”

“Yes, it’s a good potion…”

“It’s a potion. Alcohol is prohibited in Zefflin.”

“Pardon? Ahaha! Yes, that’s right!”

The parent in fine clothes said that, took a sip, had a snack, and nodded.

“By the way, I’m truly surprised. I never expected the former student council president from last year to…”

“Hm. Let’s leave that story there. Right now, I’m just a student running a business. …For atonement, you could say.”

“Ah. I see. …Truly admirable.”

The parent’s eyes sparkled as they nodded.

Atonement, my ass. Did I commit a crime?

But if you want to sell, you have to sell your own story too—that’s the merchant’s way.

“…Senior. As expected, you really are…”

“……”

Why are you getting emotional again?

“Nep. Shut up and work.”

“Y-yess!”

Nephti beamed, and at the same time, a parent came over and quietly asked:

“By the way, President. That sign on the magnificent wolf’s waist earlier… it said it’s good for men…”

“Yeah. It’s amazing.”

“Whoa, so it really has that kind of effect?”

“Yes. This is… not easy to explain.”

“Then give me one drink. And a set of snacks too!”

“Honey, why are you buying snacks?”

“Hey. A drink with this kind of kick needs some salty snacks to go with it, doesn’t it?”

“You know your stuff. A 2-person set is 20,000 lin.”

“Oh my, that’s not too expensive? The shop next door charges 10,000 lin for water and black bread.”

“Fair taste, fair quantity, and fair price. I don’t lie anymore.”

“…I-I see. Yes. I’ll take one too.”

And so the first customer left, followed by a steady stream of customers.

“I’ll take one set too! Is it really that good for men?”

“Of course. It’s a Zefflin secret, isn’t it? 20,000 lin.”

“I-I’ll take two sets!”

“I’ll take three!”

“Me too, please!”

“I’m busy making them—Nephti, handle the payments.”

“Y-yes! Coming!”

Hmm.

Truth be told, I just applied stamina-up enchants to the potions.

Plus a bit of magic resistance. A bit of status resistance. And HP recovery as a base option, along with various other 9-tier buffs.

Since they all enhance bodily functions—unlike magical buffs—they give the feeling of a nutritional supplement, with warmth rising from the core.

Motion sickness from mana is an official setting in the lore.

This will help prevent that, and that alone makes a clear difference.

“Line up. I’ll sell in order.”

“Yes!”

—

Parents who had bought snacks in small groups settled into their seats and spread out their food.

Soon the students entered, and the announcer’s commentary began.

[We extend our gratitude to all the distinguished guests attending today’s Zefflin Academy Common Department and Knight Department Sports Festival. To begin, we have a greeting from Student Council President Eve von Lohengrin.]

Amid everyone’s applause, Eve stood on the podium with a resolute expression, held the magical sound amplifier in her hand, and opened her mouth.

“I extend my thanks to all the parents and related parties who have graced this occasion today…”

After Eve’s dreadfully boring and stiff speech ended, the announcer took the microphone again.

[I will now share safety-related precautions for the distinguished guests attending today’s event. All Zefflin students have a minimum mana stat of 3, an average of 8, and a maximum of 22. Due to the nature of mana, those with lower mana stats may experience mana sickness. In such cases, safety personnel are on standby—please notify us at any time for immediate assistance…]

Zefflin’s mana sickness.

Mana represents will, and at this sports festival, where countless wills clash with fierce intensity, ordinary people with low mana stats struggle to cope with mana sickness. Especially for those seated close to the field, potions for mana sickness are essential.

But those potions don’t come cheap.

However, a small stir arose among certain groups of parents.

“Oh my…”

“Seems like it’s not that bad this year?”

“How could that be? This year’s student council president has a mana stat of 22… Look at the front row—can’t you see their complexions worsening?”

“But somehow we’re feeling fine.”

“…Come to think of it, do you remember that wolf?”

“Ah, that red one—the kind you’d want to keep at home.”

“No, not that. Well, yes, but… wasn’t there a signboard on that wolf’s waist with various effects listed?”

“Whoa. So this is…”

“Yes. The seller is His Highness Prince Wolfram von Lohengrin himself… so it’s probably not just a Zefflin secret.”

“It’s a recovery drink from the imperial secret.”

“I-I heard he’s selling it cheaply as an act of repentance.”

“…A-hem. Then, that means…”

“We’re drinking a beverage blessed by the imperial family. That’s what it is.”

“And it warms the body… plus it gives you energy.”

“Indeed. Well, well. This is something.”

A small wave of excitement spread among the parents.

“…Come to think of it.”

“Yes?”

“…Do you think we could buy some to take home as gifts after this? If I gift this to other count families as an imperial secret…”

“…Whoa.”

“Hm!”

“Ohhh…”

It wasn’t small at all.

The excitement was merely waiting for an opportunity to spread.

—

*Bang!* *Waaah!* *Uoooo!* *Kyaaaa!*

“Everyone looks like they’re having a blast.”

“Are you not enjoying yourself?”

“…Hehe. I am!”

The hot energy echoing from the stadium beyond the plaza reached our stall—the one farthest from the field.

“Did you want to participate in the sports festival?”

“…I’d be lying if I said no. But I’m enjoying this too. That’s not a bluff—it’s real.”

“I see. Understood.”

Nephti smiled brightly.

Since she’s someone who works hard for tuition and dreams, it’s probably not a lie.

But at the same time, she honestly admits her regrets.

“So, how much have we sold?”

“Hm. We easily cleared 30% just this morning.”

“O-oh. Then…”

“Originally, your job would have been to take a tray and sell among the students.”

“That’s right. …Should I go?”

She already couldn’t participate in the sports festival, and now she has to carry a tray and sell among them too?

That’s not right.

“No. Stay here and watch the shop. That much sales doesn’t matter at all.”

“Yes, Senior!”

“And soon, you won’t have time for petty regrets like that.”

“Pardon?”

“Straighten your uniform a bit.”

“……Pardon?”

You’ll see.

—

The prediction I made to Nephti became reality.

It was now lunchtime during the sports festival.

Normally, parents would sit in groups with packed lunches, blessing their children’s settlement and future well-being—but hundreds of parents were gathered in front of my stall.

“Line up single file. Then turn to the side and face this way. Yes. Three rows of ten. If you’re late, I won’t sell to you. Those in front, sit down. You don’t need to be perfectly aligned. Space yourselves out so you can see me.”

I gathered the parents before me and neatly directed them to take positions like a military formation.

“I don’t plan to explain hastily. Nor do I plan to explain slowly. If you still wish to buy after hearing me out, I’ll sell to you quickly in order, so you can return to your children. I’ll explain and sell in order. This has nothing to do with rank.”

Some who appeared to be nobles among them looked slightly uncomfortable—but what, do you think you’re above me?

Anyway, the explanation began.

“Everyone gathered here wants to buy more of the potions I made, right? But since so many of you came, I’ve had you line up—I ask for your understanding. These potions are a Zefflin secret. Potions guaranteed by me, Wolfram. They’re a comprehensive nutritional supplement that aids HP recovery and cures various status ailments.”

*Ooh.* The audience nodded.

“We sell a maximum of 4 sets per person. The price per set is 129,800 lin. A reasonable price for a reasonable product.”

“Hmm.”

“First, you can see the product. Nephti.”

A sigh seemed to escape at the thought that it might be a bit expensive—but when I instructed Nephti to remove the black cloth covering the gift sets, those sighs turned to admiration.

One was a closed box. The other was a box with the contents revealed.

The closed box was a sturdy-looking red rectangle, with gold lettering reading “Secret Potion.” Gold patterns adorned the four corners, further emphasizing its nobility.

Looking at the open box, the contents were five potions in luxurious bottles, wrapped in what was clearly high-quality cloth.

“And if you purchase now, you’ll receive these mini potions as a bonus. Even if you give the main set as a gift, these can be lightly sampled or gifted as well.”

“…O-oh. Ohhh…”

Everyone was focused on me.

Even without activating Imperial Bloodline, they were captivated by what I was selling.

Frankly, I’ve been relying a bit too much on Imperial Bloodline—so I wanted to see how far I could go without it—

“Now, line up with cash or cards ready. Maximum 4 sets per person. We’ll stamp the back of your hand along with the mini potions, so no unauthorized additional purchases. Please note this.”

“2 sets, please.”

“I’ll take 1 set.”

“3 sets, please.”

“Excuse me, I’d like to inquire about wholesale distribution.”

“We don’t do that.”

“…I see. 4 sets, please.”

And so.

All sold out.

All of it during lunch. Completely gone.

The potion sets I poured my whole soul into making sold like crazy.

We began a late lunch.

We quickly closed up shop, sat roughly in a nearby garden, and quenched our thirst with Magical Sweets and leftover potions.

While eating, Nephti scooted over on her bottom and sidled up to me.

“Um, Senior. Senior.”

“What.”

“How many sets did we sell? It seemed like we sold a lot.”

“200 sets. Completely sold out.”

“Pardon?”

“……Th-then, that means how much do I… I mean.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not skimming off you.”

“Ah, yes. I trust you on that. But, um, 200 sets means… 26 million lin, doesn’t it?”

“About that.”

“…My daily wage on-site is 100,000 lin. That’s 260 days’ worth. And we did that in just lunchtime.”

“You have to consider the cost, too.”

“Wh-what’s the cost?”

“……”

I didn’t answer.

How could I say it was only 20,000 lin?

When I stayed silent, Nephti stared at me and asked.

“…But how did you come up with that sales strategy? It was such a well-calculated plan, wasn’t it?”

“Trade secret.”

“S-Senior and I have been through life-and-death adventures together, though…”

“Still, it’s hard to teach everything to a part-timer.”

“Ugh.”

I didn’t answer. Nephti puffed out her cheeks at me. But no means no.

“I’ve staked my life on this convenience store. I can’t teach it lightly. Understand?”

“Then I’ll stake mine too.”

“What?”

“Later, I want to build your second convenience store, Senior.”

Eyes without a hint of deceit.

Nephti was looking at me, asking for the position of manager of the second store.

That’s what she was saying.