Ch 48: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

In the research room, Lu Yao was discussing nail designs with Amos.

Amos glanced at the blue magic book beside Lu Yao and his violet eyes flickered. “Dominic’s book?”

Lu Yao ran her fingers over the blue cover of the magic book and nodded. “Yes, he lent it to me, but I haven’t had a chance to read it yet.”

It was the first time Amos had carefully observed Lu Yao. She seemed like an ordinary human, with black hair and pale skin, nothing particularly special about her. The fact that Dominic, who despised humans, was willing to lend her his personal magic notes was quite surprising.

Amos, a purple dragon who commanded the forces of nature—specifically lightning—finished looking through Lu Yao’s past designs. His eyes glowed with excitement. “I want to have a lightning effect on my nails, so that when I move my fingers, lightning flashes across them. It would definitely shine brighter than gemstones.”

Lu Yao: “…”

Even though she had seen a lot and designed many unique and creative manicures, this was the first time she’d encountered such a bold request.

Amos, who seemed like a cool, straightforward guy, was surprisingly perceptive. Noticing Lu Yao’s hesitation, he pointed to Dominic’s cosmic-themed design on the tablet and said, “You were able to create a starry sky design. Surely lightning isn’t too difficult for you?”

It wasn’t a matter of difficulty.

It was just… well…

Lu Yao snapped out of her thoughts, gathered herself, and after a moment of contemplation, looked at Amos. “I have an idea. If you’re open to it, we could give it a try?”

Dragons, known for their curiosity, were quick to show interest in new ideas. Amos immediately agreed, eager to hear what she had in mind.

Lu Yao quickly sketched a concept while explaining, “I’ll need your cooperation, and I’ll have to reconstruct a new magic formation like this, then like this… What do you think?”

Amos looked at her with wide eyes, as if she were a genius, nodding enthusiastically. “That’s interesting! How long will it take?”

“Give me a little time.” Lu Yao tore off the initial sketch and began redrawing her plans.

After about three hours, she completed a brand-new magic formation.

Half an hour later, a massive cluster of dark clouds gathered above Emeraldstone Town. Thunder roared, and fierce winds blew as if a huge storm was about to hit.

Two students from the Magic Academy, who had afternoon nail appointments, sat on the sofa in the salon drinking tea and nibbling on snacks. Hearing the storm outside, they began to feel uneasy.

The storm sounded terrifying, as if it might tear the roof off the building.

Mumu, noticing their fear, waddled over to comfort them with a soft “Ji Ji.” His cute and harmless appearance helped soothe the girls’ nerves a bit.

It was clear that a heavy storm was about to hit. Residents of Emeraldstone Town hurriedly brought in their laundry and blankets and locked their windows and doors.

Another half an hour passed, and the dark clouds suddenly dispersed. The sky cleared, and the sun reappeared as if there had never been any threat of rain.

“The clouds are gone! That changed way too fast,” one student remarked.

“Yeah, lucky it didn’t rain. I was worried a downpour might keep us from getting back to school. By the way, when do you think the shop owner will do our nails?” the other asked.

Just then, the black door of the research room swung open, and Amos, tall and imposing, emerged with his shiny nails on display, unable to hide the excitement in his expression.

Tina and Harold immediately noticed that Amos’ nails were different from anything they had seen before and gathered around for a closer look.

Amos proudly showed off his nails, lifting his chin. “The shop owner can really pull off something like this. It’s incredible!”

The two Magic Academy students, who were just about to have their own nails done, caught a glimpse of Amos’ nails. Curious, they walked over to take a closer look.

From a distance, the nails appeared to have an inky black base, dark and heavy, without any particular distinguishing features.

But every few seconds, streaks of blue-violet lightning flashed across the surface of the nails, illuminating them. Gray clouds, stacked like layers of cotton, swirled around the tips, heavy and oppressive, as though the sound of thunder might follow at any moment.

Harold and Tina recalled the thick clouds that had circled over the town earlier and were the first to piece it together. They looked up at Lu Yao.

Lu Yao’s face showed signs of exhaustion, but the faint light in her dark eyes betrayed a hint of excitement.

Earlier, Lu Yao had shrunk the lightning Amos summoned and anchored it onto his nails using a magic formation. This was probably what Dominic meant by further developing the practicality of magical manicures.

Magic truly was fascinating, and suddenly, Lu Yao had a flood of ideas on how to combine magic and nail art even more intricately.

Amos tossed a bag of gold coins on the table, leaving the salon with an excited spring in his step. He was off to find someone to fight and to show off his new nails.

Lu Yao turned to the two waiting customers. “Thank you for your patience. Please take a seat. Have you already chosen a design?”

Realizing that more and more customers would likely start visiting, Lu Yao had reluctantly bought two more tablets so that customers in the research room and the front could choose designs separately.

The two Magic Academy students finally snapped out of their awe and sat down to discuss their desired nail designs with Lu Yao, though their minds were still fixated on Amos’ lightning nails.

The sight of lightning flashing across nails had completely shattered their understanding of nail art. Was that truly magic?

Lu Yao sat back to rest while Eugenia and Mumu worked at the table, helping the two customers prep their nails. Tina observed from the side.

Being a dragon, Tina was quite strong and often broke nail tips while practicing, so she hadn’t yet gained the confidence to work on real customers.

Eugenia and Mumu, though a little inexperienced during their first time assisting customers, were patient and careful, and the customers didn’t seem to feel uncomfortable.

Lu Yao was satisfied after observing them. They were already capable of handling simple nail care for customers.

After filing and prepping the nails, the protective base coat was applied and cured under the light. Lu Yao then took over the more intricate design work, with the three apprentices watching and learning.

Harold, concerned about another incident like the one in the morning, didn’t stay in the lounge. Instead, he sprawled on the sofa outside, reading comics.

Both customers had chosen rather cute designs, and since the concept was similar, Lu Yao worked quickly. By the time she finished, it was nearly evening.

After seeing the customers off and sharing dinner with the staff, Lu Yao sent them home.

Since her appointment with Carlos was at 6:30 PM, after closing time, the staff didn’t need to stay and work overtime with her.

Mumu, Eugenia, and Tina left first, but Harold stayed behind.

Lu Yao rested her chin on her hand and asked, “Why haven’t you gone home?”

With no customers, Harold was lounging on the long sofa like a boneless creature. “I’m a bodyguard.”

With Si Jin gone, Harold had no one to spar with.

Going back to his treasure-filled cave to roll around wasn’t appealing either.

Harold had been feeling a bit frustrated lately—he didn’t seem to like his cave as much as he used to.

If Lu Yao’s shop wasn’t so small, he might’ve considered moving his treasure here and living in the shop instead.

Lu Yao knew Harold had been slacking off since starting his job, and she was about to tease him when someone walked into the shop.

“Is the shop owner here?” It was a young woman with long black hair cascading down her back, dressed in a patched dark-colored gown.

Lu Yao thought she looked somewhat familiar but couldn’t immediately place where she had seen her before. She stepped forward to greet her. “Hello, I’m the shop owner.”

The black-haired woman gave a soft, harmless smile and spoke shyly, “Hello, I’m here to apply for an apprenticeship.”

“I’m sorry, we’re not accepting any more apprentices at the moment,” Lu Yao replied, remembering that she had already taken down the notice on the door yesterday.

Her energy was limited, and she couldn’t handle teaching too many people at once.

Once Mumu, Eugenia, and Tina had completed their training, they could take on new apprentices themselves, relieving Lu Yao of the burden.

The black-haired woman’s hand clenched at her side. She took a step forward, her voice frail and pleading, “Shop owner, I’ve come from far away. I’ve walked for a day and a night. My feet are blistered, I’m in pain, I’m exhausted, and I’m starving. If I can’t become an apprentice, my father will send me to the lord. Could you please…”

As the woman moved closer, reaching out to grab Lu Yao, Harold suddenly stood up, pulling Lu Yao back and pushing the black-haired woman away. His cold voice, though youthful, had a chilling edge to it. “Don’t touch her.”

The black-haired woman, who was actually the Plains Witch, felt a surge of anger. She had assumed all the staff had left, so why was there still someone here?

The Plains Witch had previously failed in her plan to take over the nail salon by force, but she had never given up. A few days ago, she had taken on another job and left Onorton City, and upon returning, she found the nail salon’s business booming with more staff, making it harder for her to act.

She had been lurking in Emeraldstone Town for two days, attempting to enter the salon at night but finding the door impossible to open from the outside. Her frustration grew.

Tonight, with the shop owner alone and the door wide open, she thought it was the perfect opportunity—until she ran into Harold.

Seeing her disguise exposed, the Plains Witch dropped her pretense of weakness. A dark flame ignited in her palm, and she lunged toward Harold.

In his human form, Harold had a youthful, almost lazy appearance, looking about fourteen or fifteen years old. Given his nonchalant demeanor at the salon, the Plains Witch didn’t think she would have much trouble defeating him.

Dark magic had a powerful offensive force. Even if a small spark touched him, Harold’s body would burn in agony.

Since she had already made her move, there was no turning back.

The Plains Witch hardened her resolve—first, she would kill this young attendant, then deal with the troublesome light magic shop owner.

Harold let out a cold snort, easily catching the witch’s attack and gripping her wrist tightly. A purer, stronger dark flame erupted from his palm.

The Plains Witch screamed in agony, her eyes wide with terror. This boy is also a dark magic user?!

A sickening crack echoed as the bones in her hand shattered, and the black flames burned through her flesh, exposing white bone. She was in so much pain that she couldn’t even scream.

Harold, his face stern, grabbed her with one hand and carried her out of the nail salon. Transforming into his dragon form, he flew out of Emeraldstone Town.

Upon seeing the dragon in its true form, the Plains Witch fainted from sheer terror.

Back in the salon, Lu Yao stood alone. The events had unfolded so quickly that she hadn’t even had time to react.

System: “Brash and foolish robbers, arrogant nobles, greedy and cruel witches… This shop is far less peaceful than the snack shop.”

Lu Yao glanced at the door and calmly replied, “Dreamland is the world of the dead. After death, most desires fade, leaving only the purest thoughts. In the living world, whether in this world or another, the desires of humans and other beings take many complex forms. It’s not surprising that creatures are driven by their desires.”

After a while, Harold returned, avoiding Lu Yao’s gaze with a slightly uneasy expression.

He was genuinely angry earlier, seeing that witch try to conjure flames and reach for Lu Yao. He hadn’t held back at all in his retaliation.

Would she be scared of him now?

Unaware of Harold’s sudden awkwardness, Lu Yao walked over and grabbed his hand, checking it carefully. “Are you hurt?”

She had seen the black flames burn through the witch’s flesh, and Harold’s hand had been completely engulfed by those flames as well.

Harold sneaked a glance at Lu Yao. Her clear, dark eyes showed no disgust, only a faint trace of concern.

The little black dragon wanted to wag his tail, but after moving his body, he remembered that he didn’t have a tail in human form.

He blinked and softly said, “I’m very strong, I won’t get hurt.”

Lu Yao patted his hand, relieved to find no injuries. She casually asked, “Where did you take her?”

Harold’s blue eyes sparkled as he proudly lifted his chin. “I threw her into the Poison Marsh.”

Lu Yao nodded. “Good. As long as you’re fine. I’ve still got a client coming, and it’ll be late when I’m done. You should head home.”

Harold shook his head, a smug look on his face. “Without me, your bodyguard, you wouldn’t be able to manage the shop alone.”

Lu Yao: “…”

This guy’s tail was practically wagging!

Fortunately, Carlos arrived right on time, saving them from further awkwardness.

The silver-robed young man, staff in hand, knocked lightly on the door, drawing their attention as he stepped inside. “Shop owner.”

Lu Yao stood up. “Hello, please take a seat.”

Since the young man had his eyes closed, Lu Yao couldn’t hand him the tablet, so she asked about his preferences.

Carlos remained calm. “I already told you yesterday.”

Lu Yao: “?”

Uh oh. She had completely forgotten.

Carlos seemed to sigh slightly. “I like black and lotus flowers.”

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