Doing my best to control my laughter, I send my little sister home for the day, promising to be at her Naming Ceremony tomorrow. Though Natalia is disappointed to be separated from me, she seems to sense that I’m trying to get rid of her. Being extra sneaky, and double checking that she isn’t somehow going to magically appear behind me again (she’s really good at that), I head into town in search of a present for her fifth birthday.

Hmm…maybe I should make her something with magic? I mean whatever I get her, she’ll definitely cherish it because she’s so young. But when I finally got my first birthday present from Mephis, it meant the world to me, so I should definitely make it special. Or would it mean more if I bought something with money? Women like expensive things, right? I mean the CEO of Case Bank did send me that thank you letter for using their card to fund all my gold-diggers. Those gold-diggers seemed to really enjoy all the things they bought for themselves with my money. Hmm, I’m not sure which one’s better…handmade or store-bought. I could get Natalia two presents and then peek into the future to see which one she’s more excited about at the party…

Absentmindedly, I think about what girl’s want. It’s a weird exercise for me. In the old days, I’d just flash my platinum credit card and let them buy themselves whatever they pleased. No mess, no fuss, easy-peasy. It worked fine every time. But now, I’m a little bit more strapped for funds. And by that…I mean I’m really poor. Romy gave me some money, which I haven’t spent because I’m never in town, but I’m pretty sure it’s not enough for much. Well, let’s see what we can get with a few coppers…

“Hmm suitable gifts for a girl turning five…and she’s a Demi-Cat too…maybe some catnip?” I’m probably being racist against Demi’s or something right now, but I have no idea what to get her. This is honestly one of the first times I’ve ever been inside town and truly bothered to explore the shops. Since Glacia always told me that magical equipment was not to be relied on while I was still training, I’ve had zero interest in buying gear. To be honest, I’m not very impressed with the selection anyways. Most of the things in town are geared towards physical warriors, and while I do need a real sword, that’s not really necessary until I outgrow Mephis’s dagger. Glacia told me that magic users are far rarer than fighters who rely on Qi, and that definitely shows because almost all the gear for sale is some sort of sword, spear, knife, armor, or other fighter equipment. In the entire town, I fail to find a single person selling mage items.

Fortunately, while this world is definitely less wealthy than Earth was, it seems that the human fascination with pretty trinkets is universal, even in alternate realities. Vendors selling baubles are everywhere and there’s even a dedicated crafts shop, full of various personal accessories. The universal language, that all women speak, exists in this world too, clearly. And judging from the number of stalls, it seems that men are getting fooled into wasting their hard-earned money just like in my last life. Peh…good thing I know better than to waste money now. Wait…then what am I doing shopping for a girl already? I’m only six…shoot, I’m already getting used by them again!

Ugh it’s okay.

Relax, Myrr.

This is for your slave sister who saved your life.

You can afford to be a bit wasteful for her, right?

I don’t have to look far before I’m assaulted by a veritable storm of earrings, necklaces, brooches, rings, and all manner of useless things. The craftsmanship is not on the same level as a jewelry store from our world, but some of them are still magnificent pieces nevertheless. I can definitely find something for Natalia here. But there’s just one problem…why are these all so expensive! Maybe I can’t afford to spoil her after all…is this disappointment, what being a father feels like?

“Oi, Young Man! Looking for something pretty for your mother?” One man waves me over. I made it a point in my last life to rarely go to the vendors that call me over while acting as if they have something important to tell me (bloody scammers). When I snort, the gaunt shopkeeper grins underneath his turban. “Ahh, sorry! I should have known a young man as impressive as yourself would already be working on a girlfriend. Don’t worry, my wares can definitely impress any girl in Sines! Everyone has heard of Yan’s Necklaces and Brooches! Show your crush one of these and even if she doesn’t like it, her mother will force her to marry you!”

“So…what you’re saying is…these are very expensive…?” I sigh. It’s going to be a lot harder to bargain since I can’t constantly look at the future. However, since it’s my cute minion, adopted sister, I should do my best to make her Naming Ceremony special. Looking over the trays in Yan’s shop, I actually do see several pieces which would surely please Natalia. They do in fact look expensive, although I don’t think any of the gemstones are genuine. I have my eye on a flaming red brooch inset with a fake ruby, which would go magnificently with her ginger hair. However, there are no prices written on the merchandise. Smart. You can see which ones I’m interested in first. Then charge whatever it looks like I can afford. Well, I’ve decided, if I have enough, this brooch is the one.

“So how much are the goods in this shop?” I pretend that I’m not interested in the brooch, instead moving around and poking at a huge sapphire necklace that would make an Egyptian Pharaoh feel ostentatious. Yan chuckles, clearly no stranger to the game.

“Well, that depends, which piece are you interested in, Young Sir?” Now that he has established that I’m a potential customer, his tone gets even more disgusting, as if he’d be willing to lick my boots if I asked. I’m not fooled, he’s planning on taking me for everything I’ve got. I’ve got twelve coppers. The ruby in the brooch is definitely fake, but even still this could be difficult.

“Mmm, I don’t know. But there are no prices on any of these, so I wanted to know. For instance, this necklace, how much?” Stroking the sapphire as if I’m in love, I try to get a read on him.

“3 silvers.” He immediately replies without hesitation. That’s almost 30 times what I have, and quite frankly even if it was Glacia’s birthday, I would be annoyed to pay so much. Okay, that’s a lie, I’d pay anything to make her happy. But this is ridiculous!

“Heh, that’s a little beyond my price range. Do you have anything cheaper?” I cast my eye around the store as if searching, though I already know exactly what I want. “How about this brooch then? It looks fake so it has to be cheap, right?” Pointing back at the small brooch which is shaped like a little flame, I do my best to keep my game face on. Hopefully, having a six-year-old’s face will throw Mr. Yan off his game.

“Ah, regardless of whether or not the stone is real, it is still a wonderful piece. From the far deserts of Kashan, only the finest craftsmanship is allowed to be exported, so you can be assured it’s an amazing item! I believe the man who made it told me it was blessed by the Desert Demi-Cat Tribe to assure that whoever wears it will be protected from evil, obtain a happy love, and find a forever home! Amazing right? To be honest, I had another customer who was interested in this piece, so I probably shouldn’t be selling it to you. But since you’re clearly someone with a good eye, I’ll offer it to you for 1 silver!” The turban-wearing man’s smooth tongue keeps firing, but all I can think about is the price. He’s already figured out my game and I curse. Who would believe all that bullcrap? You clearly just say that line for everything you sell! Alright, you want to play this game with me? Then I’ll cheat too! Taste my Foresight!

Peeking ahead, I mentally start dancing in the future, flicking through possibilities and simulating various bargaining scenarios. Though I had a lot of money in my last life, people like this are guaranteed to try to take you for all you’ve got, so it’s important to bargain. Besides, if you don’t, it’s not only rude, but they’ll think you’re weak. Unfortunately…Yan must be related to the devil himself, because believe it or not, this is the best possible offer I could get from him.

“That’s too much. It’s clearly fake. And the story you told, I think I heard that from a fairy tale once.”

“Well then, this brooch must be the item from that fairy tale! You see, Yan does not lie!”

Have you no shame?

“So how much, now?”

“Tis a great item, no? 1 silver!”

“Piece of…I’ll give you 5 coppers.”

“You wound me, since you’re clearly in need of some help, I will go as low as 75 coppers!”

“10 coppers. And I’ll tell the other boys in Sines that your merchandise got me a girlfriend.”

“Sir, you’ll drive me out of business! Fine, for you, 50 coppers!”

“12 coppers. That’s my bottom line. Take it or I’ll walk.”

“As I said, Young Sir, another customer has already expressed interest. So, I’m afraid if you’re unable to afford such a fine item, I can only bid you adieu.”

“Tch…I’m going then.”

“W-Wait! Young Sir, let’s talk a little more!”

On the way out I already know that Yan will try to stop me. However, I also know that if I stop, his actual best offer is still 40 coppers, so it’s not worth bothering to listen to him. Wandering through Sines, I try to find something as good as the red brooch, but I’m disappointed again and again. Are you kidding me? That bastard’s fake goods are really the only things that would fit Natalia? Am I really going to have to make her some sort of Avant Garde gift with magic? Ugh, no…that would make me as bad as her parents. She deserves to be spoiled for once in her life. If Glacia heard I was skimping out on a girl’s happiness, she’d be angry with me. Or would she be jealous…stop, Myrr, focus!

In the end, while I visit five other vendors, there’s nothing remotely close to my price range which doesn’t look like a cheap piece of trash. The sun is already going down, so I’m running out of time. Finally, with no other choice, there’s only one thing I can do. Fine, this world wants to play hardball? Okay, I’ll show these people that I’m not to be messed with!

“Hahaha, snake eyes again, you have the worst luck!”

There’s a group of three men rolling dice outside the market and trying to guess the outcome in a game of chance. While I’m trying to keep a low profile, and also, I get the feeling Mark probably wouldn’t approve of me scamming the locals, it’s really their fault if you think about it. You can’t gamble in public and expect me, the god of gambling, to not take advantage of the opportunity…right?