The next few days after the Games' grand opening passed by quickly for Severin, despite the fact that he wasn't one of its biggest fans.

Maybe if the System had granted him a more combat-oriented class when he was first brought into this world and if he had embarked on an adventurer’s journey himself, maybe then his perspective on the matter might’ve been a different one; maybe then he would be more appreciative of the bloody spectacle.

But as things were, and despite Severin never considering himself an overly squeamish person, he still couldn’t get used to the sight of people getting gored simply for entertainment.

In that respect, the guild raid challenges turned out to be little better.

Less human-or rather humanoid-casualties, sure; at least in terms of mortality rate.

But the sight of monster heads measuring multiple meters in diameter being cracked open and leaking their grey matter was hardly any more appealing to him.

Still, every day, some sense of morbid curiosity drew him towards the spectator stands. And every day he regretted it. Not even because of the grizzly sight, but because of the ever-growing number of people directly approaching and bothering him.

Some only to introduce themselves.

Some to inquire after his name, his store, and his wares.

And some with shady business-proposals.

Severin didn’t even want to imagine how unrestrained these people would’ve been if it weren't for Samuel’s company.

Consequentially, each day, Severin drastically reduced the time he would spend inside the arena, and either concentrated on preparing himself for the upcoming, and surely nerve wrecking business meeting, or on the further exploration of the city; neither his small excursion together with Miriam and Timothy, nor his trip the day after, during which he ordered the custom-made map and patches for Richard’s advertisement deal, was nearly enough to fully explore a city the size of Hanvia.

He was busy and every day he came to visit some place new.

Like the extensive and, despite what its name suggested, publicly accessible, royal gardens.

The wharf on the outskirts of the city, where he inquired with the master shipbuilder-a specialization of the [Artificer] class, Severin learned- about the price of those flying artifacts, their general mechanisms, and some other matters he decided he would later bring up in his conversation with Ringald, should the opportunity ever arise.

Or the food market which seemed even more crowded than the area around the big screens right outside the arena which were barely in range of the green-robed mage’s sphere of influence and which allowed for free public screening of the ongoing events for the general populous.

In comparison, the already familiar shopping mile almost seemed deserted; the contrast was especially stark when he reached the part that earlier, before the opening of the Games, had been so busy, he even got separated from his companions.

But luckily for Severin, this also meant when he entered the store called Magic Fabrics, he didn’t have to wait for long until one of the two [Tailors] running the place found the time to see him personally.

In principle, the services of their classless counterpart would’ve been more than sufficient for Severin’s demands. Which was a simple suit with no unnecessary enchantments and for the sole purpose of making him look presentable. But since he figured that even if he wanted to, he probably couldn’t afford to wait a couple of weeks until a regular craftsman could finish their handiwork, Severin felt he had no choice but to visit the kind of store that could complete his order in a matter of minute; though at a price that was more than ten times that of a handmade one.

That was if he didn’t want to choose an off-the-rack suit. But for better or for worse, on this occasion, he had to look the part. And worse, it was.

He gritted his teeth and paid a sum that made his own products look dirt-cheap, while already knowing that after that one occasion he would never again wear this hideous thing with all its frills and ruffles that were currently in fashion amongst those that had more money than aesthetic sense.

‘Usury! At that point, I could have just as well have paid the extra premium and purchased directly from the System itself. At least that thing would have given me plus one to negotiations. Whatever that actually even means.’ Severin habitually started complaining, but immediately noted it was not as bad for his finances as he had feared.

‘Has the advertisement already paid off? Maybe. Probably... not? Then, maybe those guys have finally returned? About time. I think. Let's just hope they all made it in one piece.’ Severin’s concern for Andreas and his group was largely genuine.

But either way, given the turnover, it had to be a large group of people. But maybe even more important than the money was something else that came with it. Large amounts of experience.

If the group wouldn't immediately move on and was instead willing to continue to use his Emporium’s services, Severin figured a level up or even two in the near future might not be impossible. Maybe that would even include one for his [Shopkeeper] main-class.

His grievances already forgotten, Severin returned to meet up with the others back at Milly’s.

“There you are! I have gotten word. The day after tomorrow, he will see you. So be prepared.” Severin didn’t have to ask who he was referring to. Not that he was able to.

Too soon! In the moment, he didn’t know how to respond.

“You know what that means, right? It means you will be one of the very first people he receives after the Games have concluded. Despite the mountains of work that must have piled up in the meantime.”

“Is that… a good thing?”

“I honestly don’t know,” Samuel answered frankly.