Serah settled down and spent a year in Gardenhill. She very much liked the place. Nature was beautifully integrated into the city and the best wine in the whole kingdom was made right outside the city gates. After most of the matters regarding her business had been settled, Serah simply relaxed.

Throughout the year, she had fully purchased her store and expanded, while hiring multiple blacksmiths, leatherworkers, and armorers; it was a whole pipeline that produced products for her store. All Serah had to do was give it the so-called magic touch, and put simple enchantments on all the equipment.

Serah bought a big house, had maids, chefs, and stable boys; Serah was currently quite rich and in many ways, she was very much a part of the upper-class. All she lacked was a noble title, which she hoped to work towards this year. Unfortunately, life works in mysterious ways, and the deities watching over the world were never content for things to settle peacefully. No, the flow must move forward and the wheel must turn, as it has for all life before and as it will for all life after.

If Serah had built all this with hard work and effort, the deities might have been content to let her live in peace, but ultimately, her riches were built on what was considered a very sensitive matter in the modern world.

And so, with some warnings of caution from the deity of war, a gentle old man was lightly pushed in Serah’s direction, dressed simply, yet extravagantly, in earthly colored, elegant silk, he walks into Serah’s store, accompanied by his doting apprentice.

His long hair and outgrown beard of pure white draped down from his head and chin as he walks forward with his staff, his steps practiced and firm.

“Why are they urging me to buy a weapon? Do they not realize the height of my magical ability? I could demolish this city with a wave of a hand if I wanted!” The old man grumbles, annoyed by the intrusiveness of his supporters.

The man’s apprentice lets out a bitter smile. “It’s a sensitive time, as you know. The archmage of the college is about to retire, and you’ll soon have to step forward. Your supporters have put all that effort in backing you; do you think they’ll let their guard down at the finish line? You know as well as I, that there are items that are capable of limiting your magic, and there are many whose interests don’t align with your succession.” The apprentice says, explaining what the old man knew quite well.

“Hmph! As for whether they dare to do anything remains to be seen!” The old man exclaims confidently.

The apprentice lets out a sigh. “Enough of that. What kind of weapon would you like? Some say that this is the best weapons shop in the whole kingdom.” He says as he, gives the items on display a curious glance.

The old man waves a hand. “Oh, any old thing will do. A dagger will do the trick; enough to say that the deed has been done.” He says dismissively.

The apprentice smiles. The old man wasn’t wrong. If he was ever in a situation so precarious that he would need a weapon, it was doubtful whether a weapon from here could be of any help. A legendary enchanted blade might be more fitting for master… If only they weren’t hoarded away by the elites of the world… What good is such an item if it is left to rot in a display case? He thinks with a shake of his head.

The apprentice wanders the store, and after a quick search, was able to spot a dagger. “Master, will this do?” He asks as he gestures towards the dagger.

The old man, out of habit for keeping unnecessary things out of his mind, barely glanced at anything in the store when he walked in. But, directed by his apprentice, he gives the dagger a good look, and immediately an eyebrow is raised. The old man walks over and leans in, giving the weapon a good look. “There’s something… Peculiar, about this weapon…” He says as he ponders what it was that he was sensing. It was something familiar to him yet it was just outside the edge of his mind. Curious, he envelops the dagger in his mana, trying to sense what he could.

Hmm… There is a very thin veil of mana on this dagger… Its folded, and arranged… He thinks as he expands his mind to get a bigger picture of what he sensed. Soon he was able to make out a design that covered the dagger’s blade. The old man’s eyes widen. This dagger is enchanted! He exclaims to himself. If it was not someone with his expertise, it was doubtful whether anyone could see through it, but it happened to be this old man who was examining the object, someone with years of experience examining enchanted objects.

The old man suppresses a breath as he ponders the implications of this. Why is this here? He wonders before looking around at the other items. His eyes widen in partial realization. Are all the items here…? He thinks, not daring to believe it.

“Quickly.” The old man says with a ragged breath. “Get the store owner. I must speak to him at once.” He says with suppressed excitement.

The apprentice raises an eyebrow, before hurrying forward to find an employee. He approaches a lady who was arranging some items in a display and politely asks, “Miss, may I speak to the owner of the store?”

Serah turns around and smiles. “Well you found her. How may I help you today?” She asks with an experienced voice.

The man’s eyes widen slightly. She’s the owner? She so young. He comments to himself before shaking his head. “My master would like to speak to you. Please.” He says with a gesture towards the old man who was staring intently at various objects in the store.

“Of course.” Serah says with a smile as she walks forward to meet the old man.

The old man looks at Serah dismissively before turning to his apprentice. “I told you to get me the store owner, not the female clerk. Now hurry off. I must speak to him at once.” He says, somewhat hurriedly.

Serah’s brows furrow and her face scrunches up into a frown. “Hey! Old man! I don’t care who you are! I own this store and I’ll not be disrespected! And even if I was a store clerk, I won’t settle for being ignored!” Serah exclaims, berating the old man without consideration.

The old man’s eyes widen. It’s been years since he’s last been scolded and he was somewhat unsure how to act. He quickly shakes his head, throwing his cares away before getting to the matter at hand. “You own this store?” The old man says with a grin. “Then I suppose you’ll be able to tell me. Why is everything in this store enchanted?” The old man asks with a smirk, already knowing full well what the answer was.

Serah’s eyes widen at the emotional shock those words caused her. Her mind quickly flashes, exploring the possible consequences of her secret being revealed. Serah thinks of the life that she's built in this place, all her riches and her comfort... It was now all threatening to come crashing down. "Fuck." Serah exclaims.