Chapter 1 1: profession as a Merchant
We watched as the three students left through the mist portal cheerfully. Let's hope they won't need anymore saving.
"Dayama, round up the counsel and meet us at the mansion" I spoke with no emotion.
"Y..yes!". "Ryu explain my situation to the others"
"Yes! Shiori-sama!" He left.
....
Everyone was sitted at a round oval shaped table with me sitted at the end.
"What brings upon this meeting, shiori-sama...?" Lox asked curiously.
"As most of you are unaware by now thanks to ryu. My reason for my very being here, Is due to my brother's abduction."
Whispered could be Heard around the table as I waited patiently for them to shut up. Lacing my fingers together before resting my head on them.
"I've finally gotten a lead, he has been abducted by an organization that call themselves the Crimson cross..." everyone gasped dramatically.
"I'm sure you've all heard of the fairytale about the demon lord but I regret to inform you that it's no fairytale, it's true. They hope to resurrected the demon lord using people they suspect to be descendants of the fallen heroes.. " another set of gasped erupted
I had read some history about this realm in my. Personal library thanks to the power of the mind.
"So you're saying your brother might be one of them?" Haruna asked
"I doubt that's the case. However if my true identity is revealed, I'm afraid not only I but the safety of Ethereal city might be at risk. " I got up and walked over to stare out the window.
"In order to put a stop to their misdeeds, we must lurk in the shadows, watching the chaos unfold and only intervene why necessary...."
"Yes my lady!" The all replied.
"I know the path I'm about to walk on will be a difficult one however someone has to do it, most are unaware of everything and they think the phantoms are the biggest issue" I sighed
"But never the less, we shall remove whatever obstacle stands in our way, without mercy " kuro's eyes glinted as he spoke.
"But what about the no attacking humans rule?" Yamada asked unsure.
"Yamada, were a peaceful kingdom but not stupid. There's a fine line between choosing not to fight and being a coward. If humans want a fight who are we to stop them, but only if it's absolutely necessary, do we fight back " I explained
"We should expand our organization if we hope to succeed!" Ryu suggested, abruptly getting up from his sit.
I nodded in approval.
"We should also strengthen our base of operation! Exclusive recruitment for only the best of the best.!" He spoke right close up, by in my face.
"Um...yeah" I sweatdropped by his invasion of my personal space.
"We would also need status to gain access and information" kuro suggested joining Ryu's invasion of my personal space.
"You're invading my personal bubble with your excitement !" I frowned, they got the hint and sat back down.
"And what would this organization be call, shiori-sama?!" Dayama asked
I smirked, turning to face everyone with a mischievous glint in my eye. I picked up an origami I had purposefully made just for this moment.
💮The white lotus💮
"But, first we'll need funds. I've already thought of a solution to that."
"Which is?" Yamada queried
"becoming a merchant" I replied
"A merchant?" Lox queried
"I have no interest in becoming a knight, adventurer or a mage for some pitiful ass kingdom. With all the unique items in this land, earning money isn't really going to be an issue." I explained.
"The only issue now is my mana aura, lox, can you and your dwarves make something to deal with that?"
"It would be my honor, shiori-sama!" Lox smiled, loving the challenge.
"I would also need new some clothes, since I won't be here for a while. please inform the seamstresses about it" I addressed to kuro.
"Yes, my lady " he bowed slightly.
"As for the kingdom's matter, the counsel would be put in charge, but I would be dropping by from time to time" I said
"Yes, shiori-sama!" Dayama yelled
"Good, let's see how this goes, meeting adjured..." I banged the gavel.
{One week later}
"Ok I'm done making the designs for the new white lotus uniforms." I smiled placing my pencil down before looking at my masterpiece
Knowing if I asked rei or the others, they might noy understand what style I'm going for. I'll still make some changes once I under this worlds sense of fashion then combine it with mine but for now I think I'mgood.
"Master, great designs! can I have a red lotus pattern haori with mine? and also extract the lastest season of samurai clash, pretty please." Ryu smiled, mumbling the last part.
"Hm, I guess a haori won't be bad addition to his - wait a minute.
"Nice try! But no. Now go and take your measurements for your new clothes you sneaky lizard!" I whacked his head with the sketch book like a rolled up newspaper.
.....
"Shiori-sama, what do you think of these?" Rie asked with anticipation as she showed me her new designs for my clothes.
"Much better, I hope to have a lot like these as soon as you can make them" I commented.
" The short ones would be for daily wears whereas the long dress would be formal events, not that I'm planning on throwing parties though..."
"I've already showed the others, theirs by the way" she added, still smiling from my positive review.
"Oh!, that's good" I nodded
I walked into the dwarves workshop as I saw a familiar figure currently cleaning the sweat on his face with a towel.
"Long time no see, Liam" I waved
"Shiori-sama!" He spoke, smiling acknowledging my presence.
"Oh please, shiori is just fine, were friends aren't we?"
"I guess so but your still my queen, so I'll only call you shiori when we're alone..."
"Fair enough, so how's the equipment that I asked for coming along?"
"I just finished the final touches and I think you'll love it." He went over to a shelf and grabbed a small rectangular wooden box. He set the box on a counter before removing the Lid, revealing the a beautiful heart shaped pendent.
"I call it, the Mana draining pendant or MDP For short" he smiled proudly
Not very creative.
"It's beautiful..." I awed
"It's made with aphirite crystals with are commonly used in make anti mana equipment. They are usually used to make handcuffs or collars as it weakens the wearer and prevents mana flow however in your case, it just drains your mana to a substantial amount so as your aura isn't noticable" he explained
"As expected from someone of your skill" I complimentd his work.
"Ho, its nothing special" I flushed. He took the pendent out before gently putting it on my neck.
"How do you feel?" He asked. I felt as if my mana was being sucked by only mildly.
"It works! I can feel the mana draining ." I beamed excitedly.
Now I can go to the human town without starting a panic! I was practically was jumping for joy.
{One week later}
I stood in front of a gathering of citizens of the ethereal city, each one excited as well as sad about our departure.
I stood proudly in my adventurer attire. Which was still the sweater and shorts but I had thigh garters for keeping weapon as well as a cloak...
"What the heck is up with that outfits?!" I pointed at Ryu who was dressed in a samurai outfit.
"I'm dressed as a samurai, it suits my personality and fire lit spirit!" Ryu smirked, posing with his new Kanata in hand.
I sighed before turning to kuro and haru.
"And your outfit looks too formal" I addressed to kuro.
"I prefer my attires that way, not that I would mind wearing something more casual" he replied looking at his outfit as if trying to understand what was wrong with it.
"That's alright, it looks good on you" I complimented. His face lit up as his cheeks were flushed.
"I'll dress in this then!" He said with determination in his eyes.
"Um ok..., and haru, you didn't change your clothes at all?" I asked staring at her pink woolen dress.

"It's comfy" was all she replied back. I nodded
"Alright onwards to the human town!" I pointed in a random direction.
"The closet human inhabitance with a stable finance system is melvia, close to it's main human kingdom, Melvialine." Dayama spoke handing us a map as the goblins placed the last of the merchandise in the carriage.
"Thankyou..., please watch over the kingdom while we're away and if you find out anything strange, report back to me" I order
"Yes ma'am!" "Ok, goodbye now!" I waved away, ryu motioned the horses to move as the carriage begun moving.
Everyone waved back, their figures gradually fading away. I would have had Madara and his pack take us since it would have been faster but that might cause an alarm and unwanted attention.
Ok! Our Next stop, melvia!
{Three days later}
We stopped at the entry gate as the guards there approached us.
"State your business." The spoke plainly
"To trade, is that a problem?" I replied bluntly.
"No most are usually here for buying of goods, train or guild missions so this is unusual, you can go on in " the guards opened the gate for us as I sighed in relief.
No one's pov
As the carriage enters the town, a small girl rag wearing figure watched them from a scouting pillar.
Shiori's pov
I stared at the various shops and stores lined up as well as the beautiful people who were minding their day.
"Look master, an adventurer guild!" Ryu pointed at a direction sign.
"Let's go!" We arrived at the guild building, approaching the counter as a receptionist gazed at us with a smile.
"Welcome to melvian adventurer's Guild" she spoke with a peppy voice.
"Would you like to register with our guild, you look really suspicious thou" she smiled, staring at me intently.
Damn, this girl has no filter. I deadpanned.
"This woman is a novice merchant, as well as intelligent" kuro glared protectively
"If you dislike our company we'll kindly register elsewhere " Ryu added with a similar expression.
"She didn't asked to be born with such features, so keep your Baseless opinions to yourself " Haru added
Damn, even haru?!
"Hello," I smiled calmly. The girl chuckled nervously before speaking again.
"We offer different jobs for adventurers, jobs are ranked from difficulty. Everyone starts at E rank. Completing jobs increases your rank by one (1)" She explained
"So we can only take jobs from E ranked?" Kuro asked curiously.
" Well Sometimes, people can request for certain adventurers. once the job is completed, you receive the reward but your rank doesn't increase" she replied
"If you're a novice merchant, than I believe you'd be more interested in joining the merchant guild." She said to me
There's a merchant guild?!
"Unfortunately, you can only register at the main guild in Melvialine" she added.
My shoulders slumped. Damn.
"Okay let's begun. First place your hand on the crystal and it would read your stats..." She said gesturing to a device. I placed my hand on the crystal as it began to glow brightly.
After a moment, the pen under it started scribbling down.
DING! It was done as the card came out of a slot.
"Let's see, wow! Your intelligence is exceptionally high and your luck is slightly above average" she smiled handing my card.
We left to set up our shop. People gathered a lot as our fresh produce was displayed,.
{Location: inn}

"You would want to park your carriage here and rent a two bed room, correct?" The clerk asked
"That's right" "ok then that would by 5 god coins please" he said.
5 gold huh...
1 bronze coin -- 100 yen
1 copper coin -- 10 bronze coins
1 silver coin-- 10 copper coins
1 gold coin -- 10 silver coins
So that's... 500,000 yen?! That's too much!
"Maybe we can negotiate the price down a bit ..." Ryu smiled
"Sorry but no, were the best in the town."
Now the dudes just bragging.
"I see, then it would be such a shame if this place were to get, wrecked!" Ryu stamped his foot hard against the floor as the wooden flooring broke like crackers
"Ahhh! Please! Have mercy! 2 gold coins finally price!" The guy was practically on his knees begging.
"Pleasure doing business with you!" Ryu smiled like didn't just threatened to destroy this place
....
"Finally, I can relax..." I sighed in relief as I sat on a bed.
"Inn Price aside, the materials that can only be purchased in this town are unusually high" kuro pointed out as he sat on the lounge seat.
"Even something as simple as water cost a few copper coins" I held up to examine the water in a glass bottle.
"Sounds fishy!" Ryu beamed
"Why are you so excited?"
"When one finds evil in the world, they slay it was to make a greater future!"
"This isn't tensha era thou." I deadpanned at his samurai obsession.
"I think it's time to go get some dinner" I stood up, drapping my cloak over my shoulders.
"Dinner!" Haru and kuro squealed with delight.
"As for you, Ryu, you'll be watching the goods"
"What?!" "We were being followed..." I stated bluntly.
"Tch, so you did notice " he crossed his arms.
" They seemed to have started after we left the guild, I believe in this world, merchants are considered easy targets. Plus the fact that you said I was a novice only boosts their confidence" I spat out the fact .
"But what about dinner?" He whined
"There's plenty of food in the carriage."
His eyes twinkled "thankyou master!" He beamed
"You better not eat our whole stock, alright!" I sent him a glance.
Ryu's pov
I was eating a pressimon as I sat, looking around for anything or anyone who would try to steal our goods.
"Master is really such a nice person after all..." I smiled at the thought.
Just then i sensed, figures in the shadows.
"So they did show up." I frowned pressing my thumb on the hilt of my katana.
Shiori's pov
We were walking back from a restaurant, kuro clutching onto my arm as a lover would.
"Dinner with master, it was lovely" he mused dreamily,
"I'm here too..." haru said, staring at kuro.
"Um excuse me..." A tiny voice called as we turned around.
"A little girl?..." I blinked