Minutes ticked by. His mana sense wavered, stabilised, then wavered again. Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the cool air.
Alissa maintained steady progress beside him. Not Kip's overwhelming talent, but solid advancement that put most students to shame.
Kip continued manipulating visible mana like it was child's play.
An hour crawled past. Noah's concentration never wavered, even as his employees eclipsed his speed with embarrassing ease.
Then it happened.
[Your Mana Control skill has levelled up to level 2!]
Relief flooded through Noah's chest like warm honey.
The constant strain he had been feeling of maintaining mana awareness finally eased, replaced by a stable, consistent connection.
Finally. No more worrying about losing the sensation every thirty seconds.
Despite levelling up his mana control to level 2, Noah's control remained elusive, meaning he couldn't use it to create or do anything substantial.
Progress is progress, no matter how small. Based on my current progress, another lesson or two should allow me to level up and finally have the ability to use the storage ring or perhaps create some kind of basic spell.
Elara noticed his improved stability immediately.
"Excellent! You're ready for basic exercises now."
Noah nodded, genuine gratitude warming his chest.
"It's thanks to your teaching."
Elara glanced at something, a pocket watch, perhaps, and made a startled sound.
"Oh! I have to go. I got so caught up with this little genius and your improvement that I'm almost late for something important."
"We'll continue our lessons another time. You should really think about the academy offer, even part-time. Anything is better than nothing."
Noah smiled and nodded.
She is always recruiting. Never gives up.
After Elara departed, the shop settled into its familiar quiet. Another hour crawled by without customers.
Noah yawned, exhaustion creeping into his bones.
Eight hours spent. My daily goal has been completed.
Which meant four hours had passed in the real world.
"Alright, everyone. Closing time."
He distributed daily wages to Alissa and Kip, watching their eyes light up at the golden coins.
Grix did not receive the same daily wage. His daily wage was considered to be the daily meals with them.
Sorry, Grix. Maybe when my daily income hits a hundred gold coins.
The goblin seemed content, in fact, happy.
Noah stepped through the portal, his apartment materialising around him like a familiar embrace.
"Home sweet—"
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
Sharp knocks rattled his door.
"Noah! I know you're there! You can't escape the rent forever!"
Mrs. Henderson. I totally forgot about the rent with everything going on.
The middle-aged landlord's voice was loud.
"I'll give you till sunset before I come back to collect my overdue rent! If I don't see payment, I'll throw all your belongings into the street!"
Two months behind. Plus this month's payment.
Noah sighed.
The rent was around $1,200 a month in Detroit, Michigan, for a small studio in a small neighbourhood. With two months' unpaid, Noah was looking at a payment of $2,400.
Noah ignored it all, heading straight for the bathroom. Hot water called to him, a simple pleasure after hours of working in a medieval world without proper plumbing.
Shower first. Landlord drama comes second.
The knocking eventually stopped, replaced by muttered curses fading down the hallway.
Steam began filling the small bathroom as Noah stripped away the day's adventures.
It's amazing how money problems seem smaller.
After his shower, Noah dried off, threw on some fresh clothes, and headed for the bank branch near his apartment.
His status screen stood in front of him as he walked, its translucent blue against the mundane cityscape.
—
Host: Noah Carter
Age: 28
Shops: 1
Daily Revenue: $1,400
Current Assets: $15,600.42
Shop Points: 320
Attributes: Strength: 4, Vitality: 4, Intelligence: 7, Agility: 3
Skills: Swordsmanship(Level 2), Mana Control (Level 2), Programming (Level 2), Finance (Level 1), Surviving on Ramen (Level 3)
—
'Not bad.' He smiled at the constantly growing numbers.
Arriving inside the bank, Noah joined the queue.
His turn arrived. The teller seemed young and enthusiastic, clearly new.
Her smile was bright as she asked him.
"How can I help you today?"
Noah leaned forward, voice barely audible. "Two thousand."
"TWO THOUSAND?" she chirped loudly enough for half the bank to hear.
Perfect. Absolutely perfect.
Noah's eye twitched as he nodded, resisting the urge to reach across the counter and cover her mouth.
Every nearby customer suddenly found their shoes fascinating.
Might as well have announced it over the intercom.
The cash came in a discrete envelope that felt woefully inadequate for concealment. Noah tucked it into his inner jacket pocket, hand hovering protectively near the bulge.
Paranoid? Maybe.
The walk home became a masterclass in urban awareness. Every footstep behind him rang suspicious.
Noah's eyes swept constantly.
Almost there. Just three more blocks.
Two blocks from safety, his worst fears materialised.
A figure emerged from an alley.
The figure was of average height, dark clothing and his face obscured by a ski mask.
"Hand over that envelope! Now!"
Of course.
Noah's frown deepened as he assessed the situation. The mugger seemed nervous and jittery.
He had no visible weapons, but that could change quickly.
Never thought I'd need combat skills in my own neighbourhood.
"Look, buddy, I just came from the bank. Pretty sure they have cameras pointing this direction."
The mugger moved nervously, glancing around him. "You think this is a joke?"
Noah's eyes swept the area, landing on a discarded baseball bat leaning against a dumpster.
He sidestepped toward it.
"What are you doing! Stop right there!" The man shouted, seeing him move.
After taking hold of the baseball, Noah gained some more confidence.
"Move away before I turn your head into a baseball."
The mugger's nervousness spiked. His hand disappeared into his jacket, emerging with a switchblade.
Clink!
"Don't be smart! And, don't you dare act like a hero. Just give me the money!"
He has a knife. That's... not ideal.
Noah's confidence wavered.
'System, would my swordsmanship skills work here?'