It has been a week since Arthur arrived at this timeline, at least in his perception of time. This time was spent consolidating his powers and understanding the changes in this world. But unfortunately, the evolution of his powers was not as straightforward as it used to be, so it required his time to stabilize it.
During this time, his interactions with others were limited until he understood this world better. This included his family, who were texting him almost daily. However, Arthur was not ready to meet them yet.
It was hard to grasp the immensity of what he had changed. The guardians and their vessels based their plans around the nonexistence of a different timeline, but against their expectations, their plans were thrown into havoc.
However, what about the alternate versions of these guardians? Were they unaware of the changes that have occurred? What is their current plan, now that the two timelines have merged?
This was all based on the assumption that the guardians were in this timeline even, which Arthur found hard to believe. The guardians and the nameless should exist outside the flow of time and be unaffected by the change. Instead, they observed the timeline like a loop that should not break until it did.
Arthur walked into his Hidden Gems Shop using the side door as the door squeaked open. The shelves were now lined with artifacts, and the shop was packed with customers. Arthur was surprised to see that there was no place to stand inside, and it explained the long line outside.
"I guess we are rich now," he muttered as he stood close to Oriole, who was handling some items. The runemaster chuckled while boxing the sword and pushing it toward the excited customer.
"Thank you, masters!" the excited first-year bowed and ran outside, gazed at with envy by the rest of the students. Arthur was surprised at his earnest reaction, which seems to be the sentiment among all of them.
"Ah, right. It seems you do not remember the policy that you created, which made you the most loved and hated character." laughed Oriole as he turned toward him and leaned over to whisper. "The price of the artifacts is now dependent on the ranking, or what you called Financial Aid. The weaker students get a discount on the prices of our artifacts."
"...that is not bad," muttered Arthur, feeling strange that he was praising something he created. "I don't remember revealing my identity."
"That happened after an issue with an opposite store, which protested that there was no way students created our store."
"There is a difference?"
"Mostly the taxes and regulations," nodded Oriole. "Students get a discount on materials here, and having a store allows us to buy in bulk. However, one of the investors in Jerano decided that we were a fraud."
"Let me guess," smiled Arthur. "The Yalen Family ran it."
"...that is right," sighed Ori. "Jerano had no choice but to ask us to remove the anonymity of our store's owners. It became a national sensation when you and Prince Caleb stood in front of the whole college, proving that all of the artifacts were created by us."
Oriole explained quietly as the clerks handled the requests. Verification in the system was needed before the students got a discount on the items. However, since there were only two of them, not more than twenty artifacts were sold today.
This was still a staggering number for two students, which gave Caleb a reason to suspect them. Arthur felt like a large portion of their academic life was once again taken away from him. These memories that he created with these friends were now buried beneath months of misery in Alka.
"...there is no need to..." Ori was about to explain when he was interrupted by a large figure pushing his belly against the counter while frantically waving his hand.
"Alexie!" shouted the familiar voice so loud that Arthur felt his ears ring. As he turned toward the man with a frown, he found that it was none other than Oliver. "I found you at last!"
"...hah," sighed Oriole as he patted Arthur's shoulder with a look of defeat. "I will be in the workshop upstairs. You should prepare yourself for a headache," after he said so, Arthur saw the alchemist run for his life.
"...bastard," muttered Arthur under his breath with mock anger as he walked toward Oliver. "Welcome here, Oliver," smiled Arthur as he turned toward the person Oliver was holding. "This must be..."
"A party member of mine," grinned Oliver as he rubbed his nose. "I told you that we were friends," he turned toward the short girl with an innocent face. "Am I still a liar?" he said toward the three behind her with a smug expression.
"Ah, then, we should be able to..." one of the three hurried to propose with sparkling eyes, which Oliver did not appreciate. Then, he turned toward Arthur again.
"I heard you were on a mission," said the noble as he lifted his belly and allowed it to rest on the counter. Arthur blinked and nodded. "I need some artifacts for these young chicks."
"...how about we go into the guest room?" said Arthur as he noticed the gaze of the rest. "Let us catch up over some tea."
"Hehe, the guest room it is," said Oliver with pride as he waved his hand at the rest. "Let's go inside!"
Arthur watched as the clerks allowed Oliver behind the counter and led the group toward the guest room with a smile. He hasn't seen Oliver in the week that he was here, but it seems that he has gotten fatter than a year ago.
Arthur looked around, realizing that the clerks were looking at him nervously. It seems that his identity was covered with the mystery of his achievements, making him somehow known in Jerano.
"...what is your name?" Arthur asked the young man with an apron and short hair. The man flinched and saluted him before saying that his name was Ivan. "Alright, Ivan. I will have to trouble you with serving the guests with some tea. The rest can sell the artifacts accordingly."
"...yessir!" answered Ivan after a pause. Arthur was taken aback by his reaction, feeling like he was the lord of Runera again. Then, he followed Oliver and his friends into the guest room.
As he walked inside, he found Oliver sitting like a peacock that couldn't show its arrogance any more than that. Arthur almost chuckled at his friend, realizing that some things never change.
"My dearest Alexie," Oliver slapped his knees as he was about to stand, but the effort made him give up on that. "I need some artifacts and runic cards for my next mission."
"And does that mission involve leading a group of first years?" smiled Arthur as he sat down in front of the group, who was sitting stiffly with nervousness. "What are you doing, Oliver?"
"There was a mission that involves leading a group of students into some dungeons," Oliver spread his arms helplessly. "I thought it would be easy given that all of our students are capable, but I was deceived into leading these weaklings!"
Arthur did not answer but noticed how red the student's faces were, boiling with humiliation. At that time, Ivan walked in with the tea.
"I will serve it," smiled Arthur as he took the tray from the clerk, who seemed to overreact at his very gesture. "Thank you, Ivan."
After the clerk nodded and gave Arthur the tray, he hurried to leave the room, leaving the party with Arthur. The group was surprised to see Arthur pour the tea himself to them.
"You are wrong, Oliver," muttered Arthur as the tea pooled into the cups. "These are not the weaklings, but unexplored potentials. I am sure all of them would grow into fine explorers."
His words made the four students beam with pride and surprise. Oliver froze before a grin appeared on his face that hid his eyes. Then, he turned toward the students as well.
"I told you he was insightful," he said with a grin. "I don't make empty promises. My friend is as wise as immortals!"
"I see that I was hoaxed," laughed Arthur as he presented the tea to all of them. It seems Oliver wanted to prove to the group that they had potential, even despite what everyone else said. "Tell me, what can I do for you?"
"I am taking these chicks to dive into some dungeons that should raise their stats," muttered Oliver. "However, all of us are too broke to buy from the other shops."
"And that is why you came to me," snorted Arthur with a twitch of his eyebrow. "I understand. How about you take everything for free now and pay me once you obtain the loot?"
As he offered, Arthur saw all of them beam with happiness before starting to thank him over and over. Oliver leaned back with pride as he met Arthur with a grin of gratitude.
At that moment, a commotion was raised outside, and there was shouting among the students.. Arthur frowned before standing and walking toward the door.