Henry adjusted the strap of his bag as he arrived at the Knights of Favonius headquarters early morning. Guards at the gate gave him a brief nod as he explained the reason for his visit.
I need to rent a shop.
"Head to the room near the entrance," one of them instructed, and Henry made his way toward the designated door. He paused, took a breath, and knocked.
A clear female voice called from inside, "Come in."
Pushing the door open, he immediately spotted Jean. Her eyes lit up as recognition hit—Henry, the instant noodles seller from the bustling streets of Mondstadt.
"Ah… Henry," she said softly, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "I apologize for not properly introducing myself the other day."
Henry shrugged lightly, sensing her unease. "No worries, I understood. It happens."
Jean relaxed slightly and extended her hand, a bit shy. "I'm Jean."
"Henry," he replied, shaking her hand.
The formal exchange was brief, but the air between them carried a quiet acknowledgment.
Jean continued, "I was recently promoted—from captain of my squad to Deputy Grandmaster of the Knights by Varka himself. My days have been… busier than expected."
She glanced down momentarily before adding, "Lisa dragged me out for a short outing, and that's when we met."
Henry nodded. "Actually, I wanted to rent a shop in Mondstadt. I thought I should inspect the available locations myself."
Jean hesitated, almost imperceptibly, then nodded. "I can take you on a tour. I have a little free time this afternoon, and… well, I don't mind your company."
With that, she led him out of headquarters. The streets bustled, merchants calling out their wares, children darting between legs and carts.
They walked past several shops, most of them already furnished and fully functional. Henry's eyes scanned each one, looking for space, practicality, and a hint of potential.
He paused in front of a two-story building. The ground floor looked like an open commercial space, while the upper floors seemed residential. Henry stepped inside, taking in the empty layout.
"This will do," he thought. The space was wide enough for a showroom and storage. Perfect for the bike he planned to keep.
Jean led him upstairs. Three small bedrooms, a kitchen, and a bathroom were laid out neatly. The place looked fully furnished and ready for occupancy.
"Renovation was funded by the Knights," she explained. "The property was recently built, so everything is new."
Henry considered it, imagining the shop bustling with customers. "I'd like to rent this establishment."
Jean's tone became more formal. "The rent is 60,000 mora. Shops in Mondstadt are expensive, and this is a mid-tier district. Larger and better-located properties cost much more, especially around the main plaza."
Henry's eyes widened. "And the advance?"
"150,000 mora," Jean said matter-of-factly.
On the walk back to the rear of headquarters, Henry tried to process the figures. 360,000 mora from selling 600 noodle cups, and now 150,000 was already going out of his hands. He grimaced at the thought of paying his employees from his own pocket.
"You're planning a shop here… why?" Jean asked curiously.
Henry gave a sly grin. "I'm going to introduce a new form of transport to Mondstadt. It'll be a surprise… and I was hoping you'd be one of the few who will be the first to see it in action."
Jean's eyes flickered, a faint warmth rising to her cheeks. She raised an eyebrow, "When… will this… inauguration happen?"
Henry chuckled. "I'll let you know once everything is ready. I hope you'll come?"
"Of course," she said softly.
Back inside, Henry handed over the hefty pouch of mora. Jean called an assistant to count it. Each coin clinked against the next, a metallic reminder of the investment he was making. Henry winced internally, recalling his earnings and the new responsibilities looming ahead.
Once the count was confirmed, he signed the rental agreement. "All done," Jean said.
"Thank you," Henry said, shaking her hand again before bidding her goodbye.
Curiosity still buzzing, Henry made his way to the Adventurers' Guild. The line stretched ahead, but he patiently waited for his turn.
Katheryn greeted him with the same phrase that had made countless newcomers grind their teeth in frustration: Ad astra abyssaque.
Henry approached the counter, offering a polite smile. "Good day, Katheryn."
"Good day, Henry," she replied warmly.
"I wanted to post a commission," Henry said, leaning slightly on the counter. "I'm looking to hire a ledger keeper and a shop assistant for my new shop. Could you help me with that?"
Katheryn's eyes brightened with interest. "Of course! I can have the notice posted right away. Do you have any specific requirements for the applicants?"
"Yes," Henry nodded. "Someone responsible for finances, trustworthy with accounts, and a reliable person for sales. Both need to be able to work well under minimal supervision."
Katheryn smiled. "Understood. I'll make sure the commission specifies all that. Should I notify you when someone applies?"
"Please do," Henry said. "I want to meet them as soon as possible."
"Consider it done," Katheryn said, already preparing the notice.
Henry nodded in thanks and stepped away from the counter. As he walked toward the street, a familiar figure caught his eye.
Mona.
"Hey, Mona! I could use your expertise at my new shop. I need someone who knows how to manage sales and keep things running smoothly."
Mona raised a brow, folding her arms slightly. "I'm a bit tied up at the moment, Henry."
Henry quickly clarified. "I only need your help in the mornings until early afternoon. After that, you're free to continue your astrology work or any other business."
Her curiosity softened, and she asked, "And what exactly would I be doing?"
"You'd handle sales, talk to customers, manage the shop floor—basically make sure everything runs smoothly. I'll pay 50,000 mora for the work."
Her eyes widened. "Fifty thousand…?" she whispered, almost bowing.
Mona's eyes widened, and she instinctively took a small, respectful bow. "I… I accept, and thank you… thank you so much!"
Henry quickly raised a hand to stop her. "Hey, no need for formalities. Remember the free instant noodles I gave you before? We're already friends. This is just a continuation of that friendship."
Mona's blush deepened, a mix of joy and embarrassment. She straightened up, still beaming. "Right… of course! Thank you, Henry. I won't let you down."
Henry smiled and handed her the details. "The shop's location is here," he said, pointing on a small map. "Keep stopping by from time to time—I'll give you updates as I prepare everything. Once I have a ledger keeper in place, I'll let you know the official opening day."
Mona nodded eagerly, her excitement barely contained. "I'll be there! I can't wait to see it in action."
Henry chuckled softly. "Good. I'm counting on you, Mona."
Mona smiled warmly, a mixture of excitement and gratitude in her eyes. "I'll keep visiting, Henry. Thank you again for hiring me again." She gave a small nod, then turned toward the city streets. "Goodbye for now!"
Henry waved after her. "See you soon, Mona. Don't forget to stop by!"
The next plan was Henry's alone. He wheeled out one of his newly acquired bikes and mounted it, intent on showing off a little. The streets were crowded, so he headed past the city gates, seeking open paths.
Riding alongside the river, he waved at astonished passerby. Children pointed, merchants paused, and adults gawked at the contraption. Henry explained briefly, "This is a new product I'll sell soon. It'll make traveling easier."
The wind in his hair and the rhythm of pedalling relaxed him. For a moment, the weight of shop opening, staff hiring, and finances slipped from his mind. Mondstadt's greenery and the gentle river breeze calmed him.
As he rode, Henry imagined the future—busy streets, cyclists zipping along, townsfolk marvelling at his invention. The worries for the shop and the costs faded slightly, replaced by excitement. A new chapter in Mondstadt was beginning, and Henry was right in the center of it.
He let the wind guide him back toward the city, content for now, and ready for what lay ahead.
--
We're at 100+ collections now, but only a few people are dropping power stones 😢 I should easily be hitting 50+, but I can't even cross 5—so if you're enjoying the story, please drop your stones, it really helps.💎💎
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