"Sigh..."

  Kael let out a long, weary breath. Drawing merchandise cost money, and the System took a massive cut of every sale. Life was becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.

  Fortunately, it was currently the peak season for academy recruitment. The foot traffic in Cloud Mist City was significantly higher than usual. Although the Omniversal Variety Shop was tucked away in a remote corner, it wasn't entirely impossible to find.

  Just as Kael was wallowing in his thoughts, the shop door was pushed open, and a group of five walked in. Kael’s eyes lit up instantly. He straightened his posture and sat behind the counter with practiced composure.

  "Is the owner in?" asked a young man in exquisite leather armor, who appeared to be the leader of the group.

  "That would be me," Kael replied tonelessly. Though his heart was racing with excitement, his face remained a mask of indifference.

  "Are you actually running a business? This place is empty. What exactly do you sell?" the young man asked, scanning the sparse interior.

  Kael pointed toward one of the shelves. "Pills."

  "Pills?" the young man repeated, confused. He looked in the direction Kael was pointing.

  In this world, "pills" were non-existent. People relied exclusively on various potions brewed through alchemy. This was one of the reasons Kael had been worried his stock wouldn't sell.

  "Boss, what do these strange things do?" the young man asked.

  "The ones in the red vials are for healing. The blue ones restore Battle Qi and Mana," Kael explained.

  The young man’s eyes brightened. "You have stuff like that? How much?"

  The young man was named Ke Minglang. He and his four companions were all freshmen from Brilliance Academy, about to enter the Cloud Mist Forest for their Freshman Trials. According to the seniors, these trials were fraught with danger, and having extra healing potions could be a lifesaver. However, alchemical potions were rare and expensive, so they had only managed to secure a few for emergencies.

  "The prices are listed below the items," Kael said calmly.

  Ke Minglang leaned in, rubbed his eyes, and then let out a startled yell. "Ten Spirit Crystals?! Are you trying to rob us?"

  "I can buy a mountain of medicinal herbs at the shop next door for a single Spirit Crystal! Even high-end alchemical potions aren't this expensive!"

  Kael replied without a flicker of emotion: "Do not compare my pills to that trash."

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  "Pah! This place is a scam! A total blackhearted shop!" Ke Minglang spat. Any intention of buying vanished instantly. He cursed once more before leading his group out of the store without a second glance.

  "Tsk."

  Kael winced inwardly. He had to endure the insults because of this cursed System—it took a staggering 99% commission. When he sold a pill for ten Spirit Crystals, he only actually pocketed ten gold coins.

  Perhaps today was Kael’s lucky day, for shortly after Ke Minglang’s group left, a young man and woman entered. Their clothing was opulent, marking them clearly as children of wealthy families.

  "Is there anything you two are looking for?" Kael asked from behind the counter.

  "Boss, what do you sell here? Why is it so empty?" the girl asked, puzzled. She wasn't the first to ask, so Kael pointed to the shelf as per usual.

  "The red Healing Pills are for injuries. The blue Qi Recovery Pills restore Battle Qi and Mana," he explained.

  "You have items with those effects?" the girl remarked. Such supplies were vital strategic assets for the Freshman Trials. "How much are they?"

  "Prices are listed below," Kael replied, adding, "No haggling."

  "What?" the boy suddenly shouted. "Ten Spirit Crystals? What kind of black market shop is this?"

  "Even a bottle of alchemical healing potion is only two or three crystals! You—" The boy stepped forward, looking like he wanted to teach this "scam artist" a lesson.

  "Ying Feng, wait," the girl said, reaching out to stop him. She looked at Kael with sharp, searching eyes. "Boss, it's not that we can't afford the price. But are you certain your pills are worth it?"

  "Sister, you're actually considering buying from this crook?" Ying Feng urged anxiously.

  Kael maintained his deadpan expression. "Guaranteed quality for all, young and old."

  "Fine. Based on that alone, I’ll take one Qi Recovery Pill and one Healing Pill." The girl, Ying Xue, grandly produced twenty Spirit Crystals and slapped them onto the counter.

  "Thank you for your patronage."

  Kael was ecstatic, but his hands remained steady as he slowly swept the crystals into the drawer.

  "Sister..."

  "Be quiet!" Ying Xue said firmly. After taking the vials from the shelf, she looked at Kael again. "Boss, if these pills aren't worth the price you claimed..."

  "You are welcome to come back and wreck the shop anytime," Kael said slowly, folding his hands.

  "Good. We of the Ying Family are as good as our word." Ying Xue huffed and led the grumbling Ying Feng out of the store.

  "Phew—"

  Kael let out a long, shaky breath. He had finally made his first sale. He wouldn't have to worry about starving to death today. He rubbed his stomach—which was already aching from hunger—and pulled out a small box from under the counter. The twenty Spirit Crystals he had just put in had already been converted into a measly twenty gold coins.

  "Money-grubbing bastard," Kael cursed the System internally.

  [System: Please refrain from insulting the System. Otherwise, the System reserves the right to withhold the Host’s rewards.]

  "I'm sorry, I was wrong," Kael apologized with practiced speed.

  [System: A teachable student. Congratulations on your first transaction. You have earned one draw for a 'Minor Merchandise' item. Would you like to use it now?]

  "Yes!" Kael replied instantly.

  A square box with a small circular opening on top manifested on the counter. Kael stared at it for a long time before reaching in. He rummaged around and pulled out a small ball. Inside was a slip of paper.

  "Mizone Vitamin Functional Drink, 10 bottles."

  "Mi... Zone?" Kael stared at the paper in a daze.

  Meanwhile, Ying Xue and Ying Feng had already entered the Cloud Mist Forest. The Brilliance Academy Freshman Trial was simple: kill ten magical beasts of Level 10 or higher.

  In this world, though there were many combat classes, the power levels were standardized: Brave, Professional, Grandmaster, Hero, Powerhouse, King, and Emperor. Each rank was further divided into twenty individual levels.