🍳🔥🛍️: Market Demonstrations and Pancake Disasters
The morning market was already buzzing by the time Lena and Lixia rolled their cart into place. Wooden stalls lined the cobblestone street, merchants calling out their wares while customers haggled over vegetables, cloth, and trinkets. In the center, Lena set up a makeshift stage — just planks on barrels — with a bright blue banner reading: "MANACOOK 1000™ — COOK LIKE THE FUTURE!"
Lixia plugged the device into a portable mana crystal; it hummed quietly on the table. Her silver hair was tied in a tight ponytail, goggles pushed up on her forehead, and she polished the metal surface like it was a trophy.
"See? Told you this spot was perfect. Everyone walks right past," Lixia beamed.
Lena glanced at the mostly empty space in front of them. "Yeah, perfect. Let's hope someone stops before noon."
She'd spent three days planning — made flyers, asked permission, even convinced Thomas to help carry gear (though he'd left when he saw the crowd was thin). Now she watched people pass without a glance; some only squinted at the strange metal box before moving on.
"Maybe we need to be louder," Lixia suggested, cracking her knuckles.
"No loud shouting — we want professional, not desperate," Lena said quickly.
But Lixia cupped her hands and yelled anyway: "HEY EVERYONE! WANT TO SEE FOOD COOK ITSELF IN SECONDS?! NO FIRE, NO FUSS, NO BURNT FINGERS!"
Several heads turned. Confused looks. An old man with a sack of potatoes shook his head and muttered something about "noble kids playing with toys."
Lena sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Lixia…."
"Relax! I've got this. Watch."
She poured batter onto the ManaCook's flat top. Runes along the edge glowed orange, and within seconds the mixture bubbled and turned golden.
"TA-DA!" Lixia flipped the pancake with a flick of her wrist. It soared through the air — and splattered on the ground a few feet away.
The small crowd let out a collective snort.
"Whoops. Demo version needs a better flip setting. But look — see how evenly it cooked before I messed up?" Lixia remained unflustered.
Lena stepped forward, wiping the mess. "Sorry about that — still working out the kinks. Let me show you how it's supposed to work."
She measured fresh batter, set the dial to yellow (medium heat), and poured slowly. This time the pancake cooked perfectly — golden brown, fluffy in the middle. She slid it onto a plate and held it up.
"Fresh pancake in under two minutes. No open flame, so no risk of burning your stall down. You can prep other food while it cooks."
A young woman in an apron — probably a baker's assistant — stepped closer, eyeing the device. "Is it expensive?"
"Not as much as you'd think. We're offering a special price for the first ten customers — includes one-year warranty and free maintenance checks."
"Maintenance?" A burly merchant crossed his arms. "So it does break?"
"Everything breaks if you don't care for it," Lixia cut in. "But my inventions are built to last! Runs ten hours straight without overheating — unlike those clunky fire stoves. Plus it boils water, fries eggs, even melts chocolate without burning!"
She placed a chocolate bar on a tray inside the unit. Runes shifted to soft green; moments later the chocolate was smooth and melted, no lumps or scorch marks.
"See? Perfect every time! I tested this a hundred times — only three minor explosions during development!"
Lena felt a sweat drop form as the onlookers exchanged worried glances. "Three minor explosions" — I told her to leave that part out.
Still, people began to lean in with genuine interest. The baker's assistant reached out to touch the casing. "It's not even hot?"
"Only the cooking plate gets warm. Outer casing stays cool — safe for children or clumsy adults," Lena explained.
She handed out samples. Skeptical looks faded into surprise.
"This is good," the old potato man admitted, taking a second bite. "Tastes better than my wife's cooking."
"Hey!" a woman nearby laughed. "I'm your wife!"
The crowd chuckled, and suddenly the mood shifted. Questions flew — about price, replacement mana crystals, other devices.
Lixia was in her element, gesturing wildly. "—and the deluxe model has a built-in timer that sings when food's ready! Working on folk songs, but right now it does a nice beep melody—"
Lena watched her friend ramble on, pointing at screws and runes like they were art. Despite the mess-ups, the demonstration was working — three people had already put down deposits.
As Lixia launched into a story about using a prototype to cook soup in the rain ("and only got slightly electrocuted"), Lena shook her head with an exasperated smile.
Seriously… her boasting is really something else. But I guess that's what makes people believe in these crazy inventions of hers.
👴🛡️⚙️: Stubborn Traditionalists and Secret Trials
The Merchant Guild hall was bustling as Lena and Lixia reached the display area. Polished ManaCook 1000™ stoves lined up next to ManaCool 2000™ units, plus newer gadgets like a ManaMassage Chair Pad and a ManaIron that pressed clothes without extreme heat.
She'd barely finished arranging when five men in dark merchant robes blocked her path. Their leader — an older man with a thick gray beard — crossed his arms.
"You're the Dunham girl peddling these… contraptions?" he grumbled.
Lena sized them up — stiff postures, guild badges, set expressions.
Stubborn traditional types. Good thing I dealt with plenty like this in corporate sales meetings in my past life.
She smiled brightly. "Good morning, sirs! I'm Lena Dunham, and these are revolutionary tools designed to make daily life easier—"
"Revolutionary? Nonsense!" a spectacled man cut in. "Cooking with runes instead of fire? Storing food with 'cryo-mana'? It's all unorthodox claptrap against centuries of tradition!"
"Exactly!" the bearded leader nodded. "We built businesses on proven methods — wood-fired stoves, ice cellars. Why trust glowing metal boxes with our livelihood?"
"I understand, but these are tested, safe, and—" Lena was cut off.
"What did you just say about my inventions?"
Lixia appeared beside her, cheerful grin replaced by a thin, icy smile. The air seemed to drop in temperature, faint blue mana flickering around her fingertips.
The merchants didn't notice. "Unorthodox is putting it mildly! Looks like something cobbled together in a workshop — no respect for how things are done!" the spectacled man scoffed.
Lixia's eyes narrowed, gripping the table edge. Lena could practically see steam rising — she looked ready to unleash something explosive.
Oh no — she's going full inventor mode and might turn them into statues or something.
Lena stepped between them, clapping brightly. "Now, the best way to judge is to try it yourselves, right? I'll even let you borrow them for free a week — no strings. If still useless, bring them back and I'll never bother you again."
The merchants exchanged uncertain glances. The leader sighed. "…Very well. But only to prove you're wasting time."
First — Master Baker Torvin
The portly baker marched to the ManaCook, eyeing it like a beast. "Forty years baking over open flames — no machine can replicate that crust."
He took one home. By the third day, Lena spotted him through his shop window using it on the main counter. When he reported back, he was already scribbling notes.
"The even heat… bottoms turn golden every time," he muttered, not meeting her eyes. "I'll take one… for further inspection."
Second — Fish Merchant Brann
The gruff fish seller wrinkled his nose at the ManaCool. "Fish needs ice from the north! This mana stuff will make it taste metallic!"
He took one to preserve his catch. Two days later he arrived flustered — his usual morning spoiled fish pile was gone.
"Stays colder longer than ice, doesn't melt all over counters," he mumbled, hauling a unit. "Taking it home to check long-term."
Third — Tailor Vance
The tailor poked the ManaIron like it might bite. "Ironing needs careful heat and steam — you can't get that from runes! It'll burn everything!"
He borrowed it to press noble robes. When he returned, he brought three other tailors to look.
"Steam is even, never gets too hot," he admitted. "I'll take two — one for shop, one for home… to evaluate functionality."
Fourth — Innkeeper Gorn
The burly innkeeper scoffed at the massage pad. "Back pain cured by ale and sleep, not buzzing cushions! Fancy nonsense!"
He took one complaining about sore back from hauling barrels. Next day Lena found him napping with the pad on full power.
"…Helps with stiffness after long days," he grumbled, carrying it out. "Taking it to assess properly."
By mid-morning, all five merchants were loading appliances, trying hard not to look thrilled. The bearded leader, Master Merchant Holger, cleared his throat as he lifted a pad.
"Ahem! I shall inspect this chair massager's heterodox design. Don't get ideas — only documenting shortcomings compared to tradition!"
The others chimed in:
"Testing ManaCook's aberrant heat distribution!"
"Checking if ManaCool's nonconformist cooling is practical!"
Lena watched them go, lips twitching into a grin.
Just as planned hehe. Let them tell themselves it's inspection — by next week they'll be bulk ordering.
She turned to Lixia, who watched them leave with a sweat drop rolling down her temple.
"…She really is a merchant at heart. Although… looking a bit shady with those methods," Lixia muttered.
Lena winked and started packing. "Hey, whatever works to make people appreciate your genius." She thought, Besides, that's what we used to do with stubborn traditionalists back in my world.
Lixia's frown softened. "Yeah… yeah, I guess it does."
🔮🛎️👑: Rival Arrivals and Royal Summons
A few days later, the market was packed — busier than ever. A steady stream flowed to their stall; many returned after trial periods, others came by recommendation. Lena juggled orders and brochures when she spotted a hooded figure lingering.
Christopher Veyron pulled his cloak tighter, watching from the shadows. He observed how Lena demonstrated, chatted, remembered names, and turned skeptics into buyers. He'd compared her methods to his family's traditional way — waiting for customers instead of attracting them.
This is nothing like what Father taught me. My methods are completely outdated.
Something stirred in him — frustration, admiration, fierce determination. He pushed through the crowd and approached as Lena finished with a family buying a ManaCool.
She turned with her usual bright smile. "Welcome! Would you like to try some of our—"
"LENA DUNHAM!"
Christopher threw back his hood, brown eyes blazing. "From now on… you're my rival!"
Lena blinked, brochure halfway in the air. "Eh?"
Before she could reply, he spun and vanished into the crowd.
"Wait — hold on!" Lena scanned the crowd but he was gone. She sighed. "What was that about?"
"Fufu~" Lixia chimed in behind the table. "Looks like you'll have more people drawn to you now~"
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing nothing! We should get back — there's a line forming!"
Lena nodded, but a thought nagged. Hmm… that boy looks familiar. Did I see him at the guild?
Her train of thought was cut short by a loud BOOOOM from the back, followed by light blue smoke.
Lena facepalmed. Recognizable sign — Lixia tinkering again.
"Lixia… what did you do this time?"
A Week Later — Dunham Manor
The morning post arrived — not invoices, but a sealed envelope bearing the royal crest in gold wax. James Dunham broke the seal at his desk, Amelia beside him.
To Baron James Dunham of the Northern Territories,
We are aware of the remarkable innovations by your daughter Lena Dunham and associate Lixia. Reports of "ManaCook" and related devices have reached the royal household; several nobles praise their ingenuity.
We formally request you bring these inventions to the Capital for a demonstration before the King and council. Such advancements could greatly benefit the nation, and we wish to discuss potential royal patronage.
Please respond at your earliest convenience.
Signed, Lord Marcus Thorne, Royal Advisor to the Crown.
James read twice before setting it down. Amelia rested a hand on his shoulder. "It's a great honor. The royal family doesn't seek out merchants this young often."
"I know," James replied thoughtfully. He picked up his quill. "But Lena is only twelve. Thrusting her into court now… too much politics and scheming. She's not ready."
He began to write:
To Lord Marcus Thorne, Royal Advisor to the Crown,
We are deeply honored by your gracious request and recognition of Lena and Lixia's work.
However, we must politely decline to present at this time. Lena remains twelve, and we believe she would benefit from further experience before undertaking such a significant demonstration.
We commit to bringing these innovations when Lena reaches fifteen. Until then, we will refine and expand our work to meet royal standards.
With deepest respect,
Baron James Dunham.
He sealed the letter and called for the steward to send it. As the man left, Amelia poured tea.
"Lena will be disappointed at first."
"Perhaps. But she'll understand. The Capital isn't ready for her yet — and she isn't ready for the Capital. Three years will give her time to build a solid foundation."
Down in the kitchen, Lena was finishing inventory when the steward found her.
"Miss Lena, a royal letter arrived requesting a demonstration. Your father declined — he says you'll go when you're fifteen."
Lena paused with pen over the ledger, then smiled and kept writing. "He's right. Three years… plenty of time to make sure everything's perfect."
Lixia, tinkering with a ManaBlender prototype nearby, looked up. "Fifteen? That's ages away!"
"Plenty of time to make them even better," Lena replied. "And make sure we're not just another novelty they forget in a month."
She glanced toward the Capital, determination in her eyes. Three years. I'll use every single day so when we do go, we'll leave our mark.
Later, Lena leaned against the kitchen windowsill watching gardeners trim hedges. Sunlight fell across the floor; in the distance, Thomas argued with a stable boy.
Although demonstrating in front of the royal family is completely unnerving… Thank God Father refused.
She sighed in relief and closed her eyes. The thought of standing before the King and council — all eyes judging her and her inventions — made her tense up.
She straightened and ran a hand through her hair. Did I change too much already?
She thought back to waking in this world — small, scared, clinging to memories of her past life. Now she ran a growing business, challenged traditional merchants, caught royal attention.
Forget it. No point overthinking. Let's just keep a low profile for the next few years — build reputation and solid ground before stepping into the spotlight.
She turned back to the table where Lixia sketched designs for a new Mana-powered clothes dryer.
"Any progress on that prototype?"
Lixia didn't look up, pencil moving fast. "Almost! Just need to keep mana flow consistent without making it rattle like a carriage on cobblestones!"
Lena smiled and sorted through scattered tools, earlier worries fading. Low profile or not — she still had work to do. ✨🛠️📈