****(POV)

How long have I been kneeling at the Mystery Gems House?

I lost track of time.

*Sigh* But it is normal for one to suffer to attain one's goal.

Hopefully, all this suffering will be worth it in the end.

The merciless heat of the sun.

The chilliness of the wind.

I am braving the elements here.

I do find a little respite in the attendant next to me.

Supporting me morally.

With small gestures like holding an umbrella for me.

Massaging my back.

Feeding me fruits.

Serving me fine wines.

Singing my praises, especially my perseverance.

You know small stuff really.

She is extremely impressed by my resilience.

What can I say, I am just like that!

In the background, I can see the talion guy openly disdaining me.

Scoffing from time to time while looking at us.

I don't let it affect me because I know he is simply jealous.

Plus I recently learned a lesson of humility.

From someone calling himself a baker.

Obviously, he was not one for real.

Still, who knows where an expert could be hiding.

Thus I have taken the resolution to always appear magnanimous.

At all times.

This new lady friend has been in awe of my character.

Well, I can't blame her.

I am the perfect partner in every girl's dream.

For I am handsome and talented.

Well, not as talented as that man.

That is why I want to learn from him.

The manager of this place was surprised.

He saw me as someone who was extremely proud.

Said something about me enjoying looking at others from above.

Well, I can't deny that part.

Still, one needs to have a vision for the future.

So what if I need to lower myself for a little while?

It will all be worth it!

All so I can become even more amazing!

Still, I wonder when he will come next time.

He is bound to.

Just to collect his gold.

100 gold may not be that big of a sum, but it's significant enough.

Then he will learn that I've been here since he left.

In this begging position.

He is bound to teach me then!

Just as I'm pondering, I hear the manager call an employee.

At first, he asks the attendant near me, but she denies him saying she is busy.

Then he says something about bringing the gold to the expert.

I promptly get up.

"Wait! I'll do it!"

He looks at me puzzled.

"What happened to kneeling until he came?"

"I'll go kneel in front of him directly! It should be more efficient!"

He nods and hands me the funds.

As I leave the attendant wants to follow me, but her manager tells her otherwise.

She looks at me pleading.

"Don't worry I'll visit you. But for now, I have something I must accomplish!"

I turn and walk away decisively.

I can hear how impressed she is.

Also, that guy scoffing.

Screw him!

Ah, whatever.

Before long I reach my destination and…

What the hell is this?!

Right at the entrance is a painting.

Somehow it looks extremely lewd!

The weird thing is that the girl is properly dressed.

She barely shows any skin.

How is this possible?!

"Mesmerized, are you?"

A man came nearby.

"Not especially!"

"You don't have to hide it. Everyone reacts the same the first time they see it."

"W-what is this?"

"Just a girl that really loves pies. Well, it was painted by that guy hehe."

"That guy?"

"That one outrageous artist that sells morally questionable drawings."

Oh? I know that guy!

Well, I just own half of what he produced.

I don't care about drawings of guys after all.

"So, what's with the pie?"

"You came here without knowing? This is a bakery."

It really is?!

Don't tell me the expert is really here?!

Ah, it could be where he lives.

Could also be a cover for his godly skills.

Mine is to be a rich and handsome young master.

His could be to be a baker.

I guess it builds character.

I proceed inside.

There are many people there.

Some even sitting on…

Oh my fucking god.

Is this…?!

The damn tables!

The chairs too!

I would recognize this workmanship anywhere!

I clearly remember my father trying to get a single one.

Him a bigshot from city hall.

It took him years to get one chair.

That is how high in demand that old lady is.

He celebrated that chair more than me his son.

Yet here is a shop full of it.

No one seems to notice.

From time to time someone comments about how intricate it seems.

How ignorant they are!

There is a big secret behind it.

These chairs boost one's progress rate during training.

Given it can only be used for gathering mana.

After all, combat training while sitting is close to impossible.

Still, this makes these invaluable.

This is insane!

This small shop is worth more than half the damn city!

I wish I was exaggerating!

I was thinking of myself to be well off.

Compared to this expert even my father is a broke bastard.

This is amazing!

I wonder if the tables have any special effects too.

It would require lots of testing.

"Welcome, how can I help you?"

A purple-haired girl is addressing me.

"Ah! I am looking for the master of this place!"

She nods and comes back not long later with an old man.

"Hey kid, how can I help?"

Oh my fucking god!

I know this man!

He is the mentor of my father.

They somehow lost touch, but I still remember.

He is a man my father would never cross.

He told me to never ever get on his bad side.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Comm-!"

"No need for all that. You are that man's son, right? I vaguely remember you. What brings you here?"

Ah, is he hiding his identity?!

What kind of place is this?!

Art so fine it impresses me!

Insane wealth!

Insane backing!

I haven't even met the man I am here for!

"I came here to meet the appraiser expert! I have some gold to give him from…"

"I see… you can just hand it over."

"Wait! Eh, can I give him to him personally?"

"Sure, go ahead kid. He's in the kitchen."

Here goes nothing!

This moment will be vital to my future!