To read the next chapters of the book, please visit *patreon.com/Tengri02*
After completing the Magic Palace mission, Bai En had a short holiday. His original plan to report to the Wizard King in the Royal Capital the next day was temporarily canceled and rescheduled for seven days later.
Although no specific reason for the delay was given, since it happened during this time, Bai En guessed that Magic Emperor Julius might have discovered traces of the Eye of the White Night and gone to investigate, thus postponing the report.
That's good too.
Joining the Magic Knights isn't about being a laborer. He'd been a workhorse from 8 AM to 10 PM in his previous life for long enough. Was he going to be a workhorse again after being reborn in another world?
The continuous missions and business trips had been tiring enough.
Bai En couldn't help but think of Jie Kai, who was still resting at home. That guy hadn't returned to the Aqua Deer Squad base even after he completed the Magic Palace mission. He was really living comfortably.
Fortunately, in the seven days leading up to the report, he shouldn't have any more missions and could get some good rest... The next day, Bai En, quite uncharacteristically, slept in, lazily washing up and getting out of bed in the middle of the day. He skillfully went downstairs to the small kitchen to fry some meat patties, then kneaded some dough for noodles, a simple breakfast and lunch combined.
The large French windows, overgrown with flowers and climbing ivy, faced the living room on the first floor. A few small, black-speckled birds occasionally landed on the window, chirping, and the blue sky and white clouds outside always put people in a good mood.
It seemed he was always busy and rarely had such leisure time, and Bai En felt quite good about it.
Aside from Walter, who was already eating and reading the newspaper in the rocking chair, the Aqua Deer Squad's base was empty. The others... some were out on missions, and some were sleeping in their rooms.
Noon wasn't the time for lively gatherings; the Aqua Deer Squad's main, most boisterous time was in the evening.
Having slept long enough, Bai En went to the lake in the forest where he first fought Rill after lunch. The clear lake water was like a reflection of the sky, and white-beaked birds flew across the lake in the bright world.
He practiced the Nine Lights, which he had refined in the Magic Palace, while also using the two kitchen utensils, General and Yan Slayer... Thus, Bai En continued his training by the lake until dusk, when the red sun and a sea of rosy clouds appeared at the end of the blue lake, spending his first day leisurely yet somewhat fulfilling.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
People are paradoxical.
When they are too tired, they long for unrestrained rest, but when they are constantly indulging in leisure, they can't help but start reminiscing about those slightly tiring times.
So, on the second day, Bai En returned to work at Moli Restaurant as usual.
It was a bit busy... but the thrill of increasing his magic power was simply irresistible.
In the Common Realm, Jica Town, it was still that crowded street lined with red-roofed houses.
Moli Restaurant now looked completely different from its previous decor and single storefront. With its business booming, it had undergone expensive renovations and had successively acquired several surrounding shops.
Although in terms of scale it still couldn't compare to the luxurious restaurants in the Royal Capital, it was already at the top in the Common Realm.
Pushing open the half-closed double wooden doors, the spacious restaurant was packed, and in the lively atmosphere, the aroma of food lingered. With such good business, any restaurant owner would be all smiles.
But... Shelly, the owner of Moli Restaurant, had a frighteningly gloomy expression. Standing at the counter, her eyes were hollow, as if only a beautiful shell remained.
"What's wrong with the boss lady today? She didn't respond when I greeted her. She looks... as if the restaurant went bankrupt?" Bai En skillfully tossed the spoon with magic, thinking about the strange scene he saw when he came to work this morning, and asked the person beside him.
"Bai En, you're actually right this time. The restaurant almost went bankrupt, though that's only from Shelly-jie (Sister Shelley)'s perspective. After all, if she doesn't make money, she feels like life isn't worth living." The young man with a faint scar at the corner of his eye replied.
"What happened?"
Had something significant happened in just the few days he was gone?
"The restaurant used to hold various events to promote business and popularity, right? In the two days you were away, Miss Shelly also held an event. The general idea of the event was to buy a ticket and then you could enjoy unlimited food at Moli Restaurant."
'A buffet? Shelly-jie (Sister Shelley)'s idea is quite advanced.'
"And then?"
The young man cautiously looked around to make sure there were no unusual glances before saying, "Actually, the event made a lot of money at first, but then a little kid showed up. A short girl. The boss lady didn't take it seriously at first, but later... the sky fell."
"That little one could really eat. The kitchen had just brought out several servings of dishes, and she finished them in less than three to five minutes. What's more terrifying, she ate from morning until night... We were shaking from exhaustion, and the boss lady, needless to say, lost so much... her face... tsk tsk..."
Bai En's expression grew strange as he listened. 'A short girl, why does that sound so familiar?'
"Brother Bai En, I'm telling you, the boss lady's mood recently..." Before he could finish, the young man's gaze flickered, and he instantly stopped speaking, lowering his head to focus on his ingredients.
Shelly appeared in the kitchen like a ghost, her deep gaze fixed on the person who had been badmouthing her.
After a long while, she slowly walked out.
The young man let out a heavy sigh and winked at Bai En, indicating that the boss lady was still around and they should talk after work. Bai En looked towards the door and didn't ask any more questions.
Shelly, who had just walked out of the kitchen door, had intended to wait a bit longer to see if those guys would still be talking about yesterday's events. After one warning, she could then legitimately deduct a small portion of their wages a second time to compensate for yesterday's losses.
Unscrupulous capitalism!
But just then, the door was pushed open, the wind rustled a black robe, and a terrifying magic power instantly spread through the restaurant. Shelly muttered to herself, 'Oh no, someone's here to cause trouble... I just lost a huge sum yesterday.'
The wine glasses on the tables began to gently clink. Drunken customers were still wondering what was happening when the glasses stopped shaking and the magic power subsided.
"What was that? An earthquake? Or am I seeing things?"
The man in the black long robe walked to the counter. Shelly went to meet him, and before she could speak, a bag of yule spilled onto the table. The denominations were not small; it added up to a large sum.
Shelly's eyes lit up. So he wasn't here to cause trouble. Was this a big customer?
"Oh~ What would the guest like to eat? Are you booking the whole place today, or..."
Before she could finish her sentence, the man in the black long robe pulled down the hood covering his head, revealing his face. His voice was very soft: "Find me a quiet spot, and then..."
"I'm looking for someone."
"Looking for someone?"
...