Chapter 9: New Customer (1/2)
Kadyn pressed the brakes and eyed before him—a man already stood in front of the locked gate of his shop. Kadyn remembered this boy from yesterday, and his name was Hicka. Name with no surname. Just like Kadyn. After all only a few people living in the Lower Town had surnames. It showed status and power and wealth. Kadyn had none of them.
”Ah, you are here.” Hicka's eyes shone, seeing Kadyn on his old, rusty bicycle. He could not wrap his head around. Why would someone like Kadyn want to ride a bicycle? He was the owner of a magic shop. He should move around in cars such as Nercedes, Languare, Mountain Rover, and Jamborghini
Kadyn nodded and smiled at the boy before driving on his cycle towards the close gate.
”But…”
Hicka wanted to warn that the gate was locked, but when Kadyn approached, it opened—Hicka gawped, not understanding what just happened. He saw no remote that Kadyn used or something else. He wondered if the technology really developed so absurdly. He shook his head and headed inside.
Kadyn unbolted the shutter of the main shop and pulled the counter outward before sitting on the chair. ”Hmm, how much time?”
”Five hours.” Hicka thought for a moment and then replied. ”There is a competition in the school. But we need five stars to cast a lowest tier spell. I had three stars before coming here, but after meditating in your shop, I awakened one more. Furthermore I can feel, the fifth star isn't far from awakening.”
Seeing the Hicka's excited face, Kadyn recalled Elora's crestfallen expression. He wondered how many stars she had awakened. ”How many schools are participating in this competition?” he suddenly found himself asking.
Hicka caught Kadyn's question, and his eyes shone. He was eager to curry favour with him. Therefore he enthusiastically explained. ”There are five magic schools in the Lower Town in which our school is second… last in the ranking. The most power…”
”Don't drag it. Just state what is the purpose of the competition?” He interrupted Hicka, seeing the boy was going to narrate the history of the competition.
”Yes, of course,” Hicka said, embarrassed. ”Actually, all schools are competing for a spot.” He gazed at Kadyn and waited for the question.
”Spot? What kind of spot?”
The boy grinned and continued. ”The winner could compete with the schools of Upper Town. That is such an honor.”
Kadyn heard the explanation and lost all the interest he had in this so-called competition. Just competing with the school's of Upper Town was an honor? With this mentality, they could only compete with them their entire life, but never win.
”Thousand Dollars.” He gestured at the boy, and Hicka took out the paper money from his bag before passing on the counter. Kadyn counted and nodded at the man, and Hicka strode towards the meditation room.
Kadyn glanced at the watch and it was 10:45 A.M. He was having a headache because of his beloved sister. She would come in about one hour. He had no idea how he would explain the transformation of the shop to her. He tried to ask for the suggestion from the System, but the arrogant bastard never replied.
Not thinking much about the issue. He headed into his secret room. Yesterday he awakened four magic stars. Two for both summoning and fire. Today he wanted to focus on a single element, fire. He realised that if he wanted to activate his stars faster. He needed to meditate on a single element.