Chapter 65

<064. Ssomssom Street Stall (2)>

This is a story from when I was living as Lee Youngjin.

During holidays, more gift sets came to the orphanage than expected.

Perhaps it was thanks to the director, who was often praised for being a kind neighbor and was indeed a person of high moral character.

From vitamin orange juice to fruit, canned tuna, and toothpaste. Although it was rare to see beef, the holiday gifts still made us excited.

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

And no matter how I thought about it, I could tell that it was more expensive than buying them individually.

No, it was much more expensive.

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

When I asked the owner that, he chuckled and looked at me with a pitying gaze.

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

“Huh?”

“You will receive a neatly arranged set of items from me. It has its own price and is a high-end product. The price includes the intention that I respect you. It’s called a setting fee.”

“...”

“You can’t do business if you measure gifts by logic.”

“So, it’s not about selling logically.”

“You understand well, kid.”

“Yeah. I’ve tried home shopping and sold everything from children’s fairy tale books to gift sets.”

“Ah.”

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

“What is it?”

“The buyer feels like they’re buying face.”

“Oh.”

That’s right.

***

The parents who followed Partas began to buy things as if they were under a spell.

Among the parents, some who knew who I was gave me suspicious looks, but...

“You can try a sample before you buy.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, you can try a sample.”

Nephti smiled and began to gather customers, and soon the suspicion was gone.

“Wow... This is amazing. Hmm. These pretzels are no joke either.”

“Right? They’re good...”

“Yes, they’re good...”

“Potions, not alcohol. Jefrin has a no-alcohol policy.”

“Huh? Ahaha! Yes, that’s right!”

A parent dressed in fine clothes said this, took a sip, and ate a snack, then nodded.

“But I’m really surprised. I didn’t expect that the former student council president...”

“Hmm. Let’s not talk about that. I’m just a student selling things now... for atonement.”

“Oh. I see. ...You’re really impressive.”

The parent nodded, his eyes shining.

Atonement my ass. Did I do something wrong?

But if I can sell, I have to sell my own story too, right?

“...Senior. As expected, you...”

“...”

Why are you so moved?

“Hey. Shut up and get back to work.”

“Yes, yes sir!”

Nephti smiled, and at the same time, a parent came over and quietly asked.

“But, Mr. President. The sign on that fancy wolf’s waist... it said it’s good for men...”

“Yeah. It’s incredible.”

“Wow, you mean it really has that effect?”

“Yes. It’s hard to explain, though.”

“Then, one set. And a snack set too!”

“Why are you buying snacks?”

“Ah, with this spicy drink, you need some salty snacks, right?”

“You know well. A set for two is 20,000 rin.”

“Oh, that’s not too expensive? The shop next door only sells black bread and water for 10,000 rin.”

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

“...Oh, I see. Yes, I’ll take one set.”

That’s how the first customer bought it, and then the line of customers continued.

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

“Of course. It’s not just Jefrin’s vision. It’s 20,000 rin.”

“I’ll take two sets!”

“I’ll take three sets!”

“I’ll take one set!”

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

“Yes, yes sir! I’ll go right away!”

Hmm.

Actually, I enchanted the potions to boost stamina.

A little bit of magic resistance, a little bit of status ailment resistance, and... basic health recovery, plus various 9-tier buffs.

They all enhance physical abilities, so unlike magical buffs, they’ll make you feel warm from your heart, like a health supplement.

The magical dizziness during the sports meet is part of the official setting.

This potion will help prevent it, and that alone makes a big difference.

“Line up. I’ll sell in order.”

“Yes!”

***

The parents gathered in small groups, bought snacks, and found seats in the audience, spreading out their food.

Soon, the students entered, and the announcer began his commentary.

[Thank you all for attending today’s Jefrin Academy’s Common and Knight Departments’ sports meet. We will start with a greeting from the student council president, Eve von Loen格林.]

Amidst everyone’s applause, Eve stood on the podium with a determined expression, holding a magic voice amplifier and began to speak.

“Thank you all for gracing us with your presence today...”

Eve’s speech was terribly boring and stiff, and after it ended, the announcer took the microphone again.

[Now, I will inform you of the safety precautions for today. All students of Jefrin have a minimum magic power of 3, an average of 8, and a maximum of 22. Due to the nature of magic, those with low magic power may experience magical dizziness. If that happens, our safety officers are on standby, so please let us know immediately...]

Jefrin’s magical dizziness.

Magic represents willpower, and in this sports meet where countless wills clash fiercely, ordinary people with low magic power find it hard to cope with the magical dizziness. The closer you sit to the front, the more essential the potion becomes.

But is the price of the potion cheap?

However, a small murmur spread among the group of parents.

“Oh...”

“This year, it doesn’t seem as severe, does it?”

“No way. This year, the student council president has a magic power of 22... Look at the people in the front row. Don’t you see their faces turning pale?”

“But somehow, we seem to be fine.”

“...Now that you mention it, do you remember that wolf?”

“Oh, the red one that you’d want to keep at home if you had one.”

“No, not that. ...The sign on the wolf’s waist mentioned various effects, didn’t it?”

“Oh. So this is...”

“Yes. The person selling it is Prince Ulfram von Loen格林, so... it’s probably not just Jefrin’s vision.”

“The royal vision... a recovery drink.”

“I heard he’s selling it cheaply to atone.”

“...Oh, oh. Then...”

“We are drinking a beverage blessed by the royal family. This is it.”

“And it makes my body feel warm... and gives me a bit of energy.”

“Exactly. Oh, this is amazing.”

A small wave of excitement spread among the parents.

“...Now that I think about it.”

“Yes?”

“...Can we buy this as a gift after the event? If we give this royal vision to other noble families...”

“...Oh.”

“Hmm!”

“Oh...”

No.

The excitement was not small.

It was just looking for an opportunity to spread.

***

Boom! Wow! Wow! Ah!

“Everyone seems to be having a great time.”

“Aren’t you enjoying it?”

“...Hehe. I’m enjoying it!”

The intense atmosphere from the distant square and the cheers of the students reached even our stall, which was the farthest from the sports field.

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

“...If I say no, it would be a lie. But I’m enjoying it now. This is not just for show, it’s real.”

“I see. Understood.”

Nephti smiled.

She’s working hard to earn tuition and pursue her dreams, so she’s probably not lying.

But she also honestly admits her disappointment.

“So, how much did we make?”

“Hmm. We easily sold 30% this morning.”

“Oh, oh. Then...”

“Originally, your task would have been to sell the stall among the students.”

“Yes... ...Should I go?”

Even though she couldn’t participate in the sports meet, carrying a stall and selling among the students would be too much.

“No. Guard the shop here. That level of sales is not important at all.”

“Yes, senior!”

“And soon, you won’t have time to feel disappointed.”

“Huh?”

“I need to adjust my uniform a bit.”

“...Huh?”

You’ll see.

***

The prophecy I made to Nephti came true.

It’s now the lunch break of the sports meet.

Originally, we should be sitting in small groups, enjoying the packed lunches we brought, and blessing our children’s settlement and future, but hundreds of parents gathered in front of my stall.

“Line up in a single file. Then turn to the side and look this way. Yes. Ten people in a row, three rows. If it gets too late, I won’t sell. The front row can sit. You don’t need to be too precise. Just find a spot where you can see me.”

I neatly arranged the parents in front of me, as if setting up a military formation.

“I don’t plan to rush through the explanation. However, I don’t plan to drag it out either. If you still want to buy after hearing my explanation, I’ll sell quickly so you can spend time with your children. I will explain and sell in order. This is regardless of rank.”

Some of the nobles in the crowd looked slightly uncomfortable, but so what? Are you higher than me?

Anyway, the explanation began.

“Everyone is here because you want to buy more of the potions I made, right? But since so many of you came, I appreciate your patience in lining up. This potion is Jefrin’s vision, guaranteed by Ulfram. It helps with physical recovery and corrects various status ailments, acting as a kind of comprehensive health supplement.”

Oh. Heads nod in the audience.

“Also, we are selling a maximum of 4 sets per person. The price per set is 129,800 rin. A reasonable price and product.”

“Hmm.”

“First, let’s see the product. Nephti.”

A sigh of it being a bit expensive, but when I had Nephti remove the black wrapping from the gift set, the sigh turned into admiration.

One is a closed box. The other is an open box showing the contents.

The closed box was a solid red rectangle, with ‘Vision Potion’ written in gold letters. The corners were adorned with gold patterns, adding to its nobility.

The open box revealed five potions in elegant bottles, wrapped in what looked like high-quality fabric.

“And if you buy now, you’ll get this mini potion as a special bonus. Even if you’re buying it as a gift, you can drink this one for a sample or give it as a gift.”

“...Oh, oh. Ohhh...”

Everyone is engrossed.

Even without activating my royal bloodline, they are focused on the product I’m selling.

Actually, I feel like I’m relying too much on the royal bloodline, so I wanted to see how far I could go.

“Now, please line up with cash or cards ready. Each person can buy a maximum of 4 sets. I will stamp your hand with a mini potion, so illegal additional purchases are not possible. Please be aware of this.”

“I’ll take 2 sets.”

“I’ll take 1 set.”

“I’ll take 3 sets.”

“Excuse me, professional distribution...”

“I don’t do that.”

“...Is that so? I’ll take 4 sets.”

That’s how it went.

We sold out completely.

All of them. Really, all of them.

The potion sets I made with all my effort sold like crazy.

And then we started the late lunch.

Quickly closing the stall, we sat down in a nearby garden and quenched our thirst with Magical Sweet and the remaining potions.

While eating, Nephti sidled up to me.

“Senior, senior.”

“What is it?”

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

“200 sets. Sold out.”

“Huh?”

“...So, that means... how much did I...”

“I’m not going to take a cut. Don’t worry.”

“Oh, yes. I trust you. But 200 sets... that’s... 26 million rin, right?”

“Roughly.”

“...My daily wage is 100,000 rin. 260 days’ worth... in just the lunch break.”

“You also need to consider the cost of production.”

“How much is the cost of production?”

“...”

I didn’t answer.

How could I say it was 20,000 rin?

As I remained silent, Nephti looked at me intently and asked.

“...But how did you come up with such a sales strategy? It’s all calculated, isn’t it?”

“It’s a business secret.”

“But, senior, we’ve been through life and death together and even went on adventures...”

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

“Ugh.”

I didn’t answer. Nephti puffed out her cheeks, looking at me. But what can’t be done, can’t be done.

“I’m putting my life on the line for the convenience store. I can’t just tell you. Understand?”

“Then, I’ll put my life on the line too.”

“What?”

“I want to build the second branch of senior’s convenience store.”

Her eyes were completely sincere.

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

That’s what she was saying.