Ch 45: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

Freud led Sasa out of the nail salon, avoiding two clumsy students from the Magic Academy. He noticed Dominic and Amos frozen at the entrance. A slight smile appeared on his handsome face, “You’re here too.”

Dominic and Amos had secretly come to the nail salon, thinking the earlier moment was the most embarrassing of their lives as dragons. They hadn’t expected to run into someone they knew, making the situation even worse. The two dragons’ expressions completely froze at that moment.

Although Freud was a fire dragon, he was relatively mild-mannered, unlike Dominic and Amos, who carried heavy burdens.

Seeing their discomfort, Freud kindly explained, “I brought Sasa to get her nails done and got her a set of magic nails. The shop owner only takes three magic nail appointments per day. I booked for tomorrow and will come with Sensen. If you two want to get your nails done, you should book now. There’s only one slot left for tomorrow, or you’ll have to wait until the day after.”

Only one slot left?

Sometimes, the more people scramble for something, the more desirable it becomes.

Even though booking for the day after was only a day’s wait, it still felt like falling behind.

The two competitive dragons forgot their earlier embarrassment and immediately sprang into action.

Audrey and Joan arrived at the perfect time. Lu Yao had just finished with the father-son fire dragon duo, and there was time to do two regular nail services while showing Eugenia the ropes.

Both girls were students at the Royal Magic Academy. Audrey had gone home for a break and noticed her cousin visiting, spotting something different about her nails. They were pink, soft, and adorable, with little white flowers painted on them—very different from the misty wood dye effect she had seen before.

Curious, she asked her cousin and learned about Lu Yao’s nail salon. As soon as she returned to school, she eagerly arranged a visit with her friend.

Joan could be described as the academy’s top student. Normally, she was either in the library or the alchemy lab, rarely spending time on other things. If Audrey hadn’t pestered her for three days straight, making it impossible for her to focus on her studies, she wouldn’t have agreed to visit such a remote town for a manicure.

She used a high-level teleportation scroll to get there and would need to use another one to return, which already pained her.

Joan silently reminded herself that she was only there to accompany Audrey and would only get the cheapest manicure experience. She couldn’t afford to invest too much in such a frivolous thing.

Audrey had spent the last few days evangelizing about how beautiful manicures were, so Joan had at least grasped the concept of them—basically, nail dyeing.

Mumu led the two to their seats and went to pour tea.

Joan poked Audrey, whispering, “Why is a slime serving us? Is this place legit?”

Audrey didn’t know either, but she didn’t care, responding cheerfully, “The slime is even dressed up! I think it’s adorable!”

Joanbei: “… Is that what I meant?”

Lu Yao was speaking with Eugenia, explaining some apprentice requirements.

Besides helping Mumu with chores and greeting guests, Eugenia had to learn how to care for clients’ nails, study nail painting techniques, and spend time practicing.

Not wanting to keep the guests waiting, Lu Yao wrapped up quickly and came over.

Eugenia was fairly sharp and followed Lu Yao closely.

Lu Yao handed them a tablet, “These are the styles available in the shop. Take a look and decide which one you’d like.”

Audrey and Joan took the tablet, and Mumu, with his soft, cute voice, explained how to use it. His tone was nothing like a typical monster’s rough or clumsy manner, and his little blue, transparent paws glided over the screen.

Not only were the guests entranced, but even Eugenia was captivated.

Lu Yao had been busy all day handling three dragon clients while staying immersed in the research room.

Eugenia had been learning from Mumu, practicing guest reception and cleaning the shop. Though she had heard about the nail services, it was her first time seeing the pictures, and she couldn’t take her eyes off them.

After demonstrating, Mumu scrolled up to the first image, clicked on it, and then went quiet.

Joan was shocked when she saw that the first nail care option cost eighty-eight copper coins.

Eighty-eight coins for something that looked like nothing had been done? Was this a scam?

Audrey, who had glanced at several styles earlier, hadn’t noticed the first option. She quickly flipped through without a second thought.

The more Joan browsed, the more astonished she became. Nail care was the cheapest service in the shop, while any style with a bit of design started at one hundred eighty-eight copper coins. The further she scrolled, the higher the prices climbed.

At that moment, Dominic and Amos walked in.

The two of them reached the table almost simultaneously, accurately recognizing Lu Yao. In unison, they said, “Shopkeeper, I’d like to book a magical manicure.”

Lu Yao was briefly stunned, “Alright.”

Dominic and Amos exchanged glances. As mature adult dragons, they kept their composure, battling only with their eyes instead of breaking out into an argument.

Joan and Audrey were both awed by the imposing presence of the two dragons, astonished that men would come to book manicures. And what exactly was a magical manicure?

Lu Yao pulled a small notebook from the drawer and wrote down their names. “Tomorrow is fully booked. What time would work for you the day after tomorrow?”

Dominic slightly lost his composure, “How can tomorrow be fully booked? Aren’t there three slots per day?”

Amos also fixed his gaze on the shop owner.

Luyao nodded affirmatively, “Yes, but a lady came in earlier today to book one of the slots for tomorrow.”

With no longer any need to compete for the same day, there was no rush to decide the order.

Dominic booked the morning slot, while Amos booked the afternoon.

Lu Yao noted down the appointments and casually added, “A deposit of 200 gold coins is required for the magical manicure reservation.”

Both dragons, being adults with treasure hoards, found 200 gold coins to be a trivial amount. But Audrey and Joan were left speechless with their mouths agape. They quickly looked down at the prices on the tablet, where most designs were priced under five silver coins, with even the most expensive not exceeding five gold coins.

So, what kind of manicure could cost 200 gold coins?

Joan, who had just been thinking that the listed prices seemed expensive and that this might be a scam, found herself at a loss for words.

Eugenia was equally stunned.

She had previously worked as the lowest-level servant in the city, waking up early and working late into the night, doing physically demanding tasks for just one silver coin a month.

But here in the nail salon, she only needed to greet guests and clean the shop, and could even learn nail art from the owner, earning four silver coins a month.

Despite her initial unease, recalling the warnings from her mother and neighbors that nearly made her flee, she suddenly realized that the shop owner’s generous offer had no ulterior motives. She genuinely wanted to take on an apprentice.

Reassured, she became more determined to listen to the owner’s guidance and strive to remain at the nail salon.

After the dragons paid their deposits and left, Lu Yao turned to the other two guests, her tone gentle, “Have you decided on a style?”

Audrey raised her hand first, pointing out her choice to Lu Yao, “I like this design, but can the little cat be changed to a magical pet? I have an hamster.”

As Audrey described her beloved pet, Lu Yao began to work.

The first step was still to file the nails, but before she started, she gave Eugenia a glance.

Understanding immediately, Eugenia focused intently, ready to learn. Mumu also quietly squeezed in closer.

Audrey had chosen a cute manicure design in a soft cherry blossom shade, decorated with tiny transparent heart-shaped gems. Two of the nails featured a cat design, perfectly suited for her age.

Lu Yao replaced the cat with Audrey’s hamster, deliberately drawing it in a rounder style. The little white, fluffy hamster nestled adorably at the tip of her nail, with a soft pink petal drawn above its head, making the design both cute and artistic.

At first, Eugenia approached with a learning mindset, determined to quickly master the shop owner’s techniques. But as time passed, she forgot about that.

It was just too beautiful.

Despite having only the small canvas of the nail to work with, in the owner’s hands, it seemed like an expansive painting, allowing her to effortlessly capture stunning details with just a few strokes, directly striking the hearts of girls everywhere.

Eugenia felt a surge of excitement—would this be her future job?

That would be too enjoyable.

Lu Yao pulled out a stack of boxes containing tiny rhinestones, feeling a bit nostalgic. Having used real diamonds and gems for so long, it had been a while since she last used these simple rhinestones, but opening the box brought back a familiar sense of comfort.

Audrey’s eyes were dazzled by the sparkling gems, and she picked over ten pieces for Lu Yao to apply to her nails. She had chosen so many that Lu Yao gently persuaded her to return half.

For everyday nail styles, being too extravagant would come off as gaudy; balance was key to beauty.

Joan, seeing how Lu Yao reined in Audrey’s excitement, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

She had also chosen her design—a blush pink nail style once favored by elves. However, she didn’t like the Boi grass pattern and asked Lu Yao to draw night bells instead—a type of herb with white, bell-shaped flowers that had a calming and focusing effect.

The price for this design was 288 copper coins, far exceeding Joan’s budget, but it was just too beautiful.

Since she had come for the experience anyway, it was better to spend a little extra on a design she truly loved rather than settle for a cheaper one she didn’t care for.

Joan decided to go for it, much to Audrey’s surprise.

Lu Yao glanced at the design and confirmed it was doable while finishing the final top coat on Audrey’s nails.

She skillfully drew a magic circle, and Joan’s eyes flashed with surprise. “Are you a Light Mage?”

Luyao nodded.

Audrey was equally shocked. A Light Mage in this small town?

Annie and Mrs. Sid had been staying in Emeraldstone Town for a while. Mrs. Sid had left a few days ago, and today Annie was also preparing to return to Onorton City. Before leaving, she wanted to see Lu Yao one more time.

As she walked through the nail salon’s door, she spotted two girls in familiar uniforms, causing her to hesitate.

Audrey, having finished her manicure, stood up to make space. When she looked up, she rubbed her eyes in disbelief, exclaiming, “Annie Sidleyves? What are you doing here?”

Joan, hearing the familiar name, immediately turned her head. “Annie, is that really you?”

“Why are you here?” Annie’s face darkened, and she turned to leave.

Audrey, Joan, and Annie had all been classmates, with Joan and Annie in the same class. The two had once been known as the “Twin Geniuses” of the Royal Magic Academy—one was a hardworking genius, and the other, a naturally gifted one.

Audrey and Joan had been close childhood friends, and Joan often spoke of Annie, but Audrey had never interacted with her before.

Audrey blocked Annie’s path, saying, “Helena Kinklay has been looking for you. Why haven’t you returned to the academy?”

“She’s looking for me?” Anne’s eyes widened, almost laughing in disbelief.

Audrey nodded. “Helena has been searching for you. She even declared that she’ll defeat you and take the ‘Silver Rose’ medal at the academy’s centennial celebration.”

Her? Annie almost scoffed but something flashed through her mind.

Helena was already with Zelan, and Annie had left the academy as she had wished. So why was Helena still making such statements?

Was this a trap?

Joan, having abandoned her manicure, stepped in front of Annie. “Are you really not going back to the academy?”

Annie remained silent.

Disappointment flickered in Joan’s eyes. “Everyone says you’re a genius, but I know that your effort is no less than your talent. You have talent, you’re strong, and your future is boundless. Who is Zelan Rui? Is he worth throwing away your life for?”

Annie felt the weight of unspoken pain and finally chose to remain silent, pushing Joan aside and turning to leave.

The atmosphere in the salon grew heavy. Joan stood still for a long time before turning to Lu Yao to apologize. “I’m sorry, shop owner. I’m not in the mood to continue today. I’ll pay now and come back another day.”

Lu Yao wanted to say that if she wasn’t in the mood, Joan didn’t have to proceed with the manicure, and since they hadn’t started, there was no need to pay. However, Joan left her coin pouch behind and ran off.

Audrey quickly settled her own bill, grabbed Joan’s coin pouch, and hurried after her.

The once lively nail salon fell quiet in an instant. The sudden shift in atmosphere left Mumu and Eugenia a bit at a loss. Harold and Si Jin pushed open the black door, emerging from the research room.

“Lu Yao, is it time for a meal?” Harold’s voice was rough, as if he had just woken up.

Lu Yao stood up, “Yeah, wait a moment, I’ll go buy something.”

The door opened and closed again, and Eugenia’s eyes widened slightly.

Was it just an illusion?

It seemed that the street outside the shop wasn’t Emeraldstone Town.

Harold and Si Jin hadn’t met Eugenia yet. They casually walked over to the sofa, sat down, and didn’t speak to her. Instead, they looked at Mumu, their eyes asking, “Who is this?”

Mumu blinked his large, glossy eyes and responded politely yet innocently, “Ji?”

Harold: “…”

…

Audrey and Joan used a teleportation scroll to return to the imperial capital, Braibis City, then took a carriage from the plaza back to the academy.

When they arrived at the entrance of the Magic Academy, they noticed a red carpet laid out from the main gate extending into the academy grounds. The headmaster, along with all the academy’s teachers, stood at the gate, seemingly waiting to greet someone of great importance.

Joan, still in a foul mood, was about to enter through the side gate, but Audrey stopped her, whispering, “I have a feeling the headmaster and the teachers are waiting for Lord Carlos.”

Joan looked uncertain, whispering back, “How do you know? Lord Carlos is so busy, what would he be doing at the academy now?”

Carlos, the empire’s foremost Light Grand Mage and also the imperial high priest, had once been a student at the Royal Magic Academy.

Audrey replied mysteriously, “The centennial celebration is coming up soon. At a time like this, the only person who could make all the teachers bow in respect, besides His Majesty, would be Lord Carlos.”

As they spoke, an extraordinarily luxurious red carriage approached slowly and came to a stop at the academy gate.

Audrey and Joan hid behind a stone statue near the main gate, cautiously peeking out.

The carriage door opened, and attendants respectfully stood by on either side.

A silver-haired young man, holding a staff, stepped down slowly from the carriage.

He was dressed in a silver-white robe with gold trimmings, his long silver hair reaching his waist, tied at the back with a golden ribbon.

For some reason, his eyes remained closed, and he hadn’t opened them even after stepping off the carriage.

Yet he showed no hesitation in his movements. As the headmaster approached to greet him, he instinctively stopped at the right moment, as if sensing the presence around him.

The silver-haired young man was escorted into the academy, his figure disappearing from view. Audrey craned her neck, eyes wide with excitement, her tone full of admiration, “I wasn’t wrong, it’s Lord Carlos. No wonder they call him the Silver Rose of the empire. He’s so beautiful, it takes my breath away.”

Joan was also a bit entranced. Though the distance had been too far for them to clearly see the high priest’s face, and his eyes had remained closed, the aura surrounding him felt like a gentle, calming light, making them instinctively want to follow and rely on him.

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