Don't you fear pricking your feet?

Chapter 38: Aren't You Afraid of Pricking Your Feet?

"I know, you're the most invincible, number one leader in the universe."

Ethan gave Ivy a thumbs-up, his sincerity genuine. His past life's workplace experience had led him to believe such a good leader might only exist in fiction, a final fantasy for many before they died from overwork.

"Well... it's not that exaggerated."

Ivy averted her gaze from Ethan's. The golden retriever on her head reacted even more directly, bashfully covering its face with its paws and squirming uncomfortably.

"It's about time, I should get back and rest too," Ethan said.

The friendly neighborly exchange was complete. His impression on his leader should have improved, bringing him one step closer to his ideal of being transferred to the Containment Bureau headquarters.

Of course, sleeping was out of the question. How could someone his age possibly sleep?

Before heading to Fireplace Bay, he still needed to do some basic disguise.

A simple grey mage robe, a worn-out wizard hat, a wooden staff, and the indispensable Mask. Ethan examined his reflection in the mirror. Apart from the slightly shabby attire that made him look "battle-hardened," he was still quite handsome. More importantly, he looked like a professional Elemental Shaper.

News of a mysterious Elemental Shaper arriving at the docks spread through the tavern, offering high-end custom magic scroll services to patrons.

However, the customer traffic was less than ideal.

Such hawking was common in Fireplace Bay. Those who knew what they were doing could tell that the Elemental Shaper named Heisenberg probably couldn't afford a stall on the deck. When they heard that a private custom commission cost 30 Gold Lions, they immediately concluded he was a scammer.

The kind of scammer who wanted to get rich quick.

Ethan paid no mind to the gossip. As the saying goes, the beginning is always the hardest. He was confident that after completing a few orders, more and more customers would seek him out because he could offer custom services that the Magic Scroll Shop couldn't – people in this era simply didn't understand the value of "customization."

Until then, he just needed to stay by the sea and quietly practice Ice Arrow.

Watching the skill proficiency constantly "+1," this fulfilling night made Ethan feel like he was back in the past. Moreover, he had found enjoyment in this dull, monotonous practice. When he accidentally discovered that the Ice Arrows he shot could skip across the sea's surface, things became uncontrollable.

Initially, his Ice Arrows only created two or three splashes on the water, but through Ethan's persistent practice, he felt his connection with the ice element growing stronger. When his final Ice Arrow left 20 ice skips on the sea, he and the ice element excitedly raised their arms and leaped into the air.

We are the champions!

Although Ethan was the sole contestant in the first "Ice Arrow Skipping Competition," it didn't stop him and the ice element from reveling in the joy of victory. As is well known, the champion of the first competition holds a very special place in history.

Ethan could feel that the ice element was no longer down today; it was excited again after a long time.

He and the ice element shared a knowing smile, everything unspoken.

Sometimes, the happiness of men and ice elements is just that simple.

Passersby and guards walking along the beach offered their opinions on the matter – "Crazy!"

Even in Fireplace Bay, such eccentric behavior was rare.

A piece of news spread like wildfire.

A madman who could use Ice Arrow had appeared on the beach. Stay away, lest you get hit in the face with an Ice Arrow.

"Ice Arrow (Proficient): Proficiency: 21/150"

Ethan contentedly checked his status panel. Today's training was over. He noticed that the ice element seemed to have tired itself out.

As skill proficiency increases, gaining more becomes increasingly difficult. At the third level of proficiency, it's no longer possible to gain proficiency with every cast of Ice Arrow. Nearly 20 points of proficiency in one night was like riding a rocket, much faster than when he practiced Fireball Spell in the past.

It seemed he was destined to become a master of the ice element.

The sky in Fireplace Bay never dawned. Many speculated it was a special space located in a non-existent reality. The Lofik Consortium had invested heavily, inviting the world's top Archmages to create this plane. It served as the Consortium's trade hub, where they were the sole law.

Day one: 0 customers.

The sky in Brookwood Town should be dawning soon. Time to go back and get a good night's sleep.

Ethan had formulated his plan for the days ahead. However, as he turned to leave, the plan was disrupted – just as Old Sen's Magic Scroll Shop was about to close, he welcomed his first customer.

Ivy?

Ethan froze.

This customer was a woman, wearing a vortex mask almost identical to Ivy's, but upon closer inspection, significant differences could be discerned.

She had long white hair that reached her waist. The vortex mask only revealed her red pupils.

White hair and red eyes – features that would delight countless gentlemen.

Ethan had learned from a book that a special ethnic group lived in the northern part of the Empire, characterized by white hair and red eyes. When he read this description, he had already made plans to travel to the northern Empire in the future.

He should have welcomed the guest before him with a friendly smile, but he couldn't bring himself to.

This was the first time since his transmigration that Ethan felt pressure from another person.

Just making eye contact made his limbs go cold.

So cold!

It wasn't just a sudden drop in temperature, but a chill that seemed to emanate from the depths of his soul.

The white-haired woman simply gazed at him calmly. Judging by her exquisite deep blue silk robe, it was clear she came from a noble background. Ethan also noticed a bracelet on her right wrist, emitting a faint blue glow.

Further down were a pair of long, shapely legs. She stood barefoot on the ground, her crystal-clear toes clearly visible.

"You like feet?"

The white-haired woman glanced in Ethan's direction, lost in thought.

"No, I just suddenly thought of a question."

Ethan's brow furrowed. Even after the white-haired woman spoke, he showed no intention of looking away. Instead, he scrutinized her even more closely, even resting his hand on his chin like a connoisseur admiring a work of art before him.

Her skin was as flawless and white as porcelain, and he could imagine its smooth, soft texture without even touching it.

"What question?"

As she asked, the white-haired woman actually lifted her right foot, actively showing Ethan the sole of her foot.

Ethan finished his appraisal and posed his thought-provoking question, "You walk barefoot, aren't you afraid of stepping on nails?"

Such delicate, small feet. If she accidentally stepped on a nail, it would surely hurt for a long time.

He was now very worried about his client being ambushed by the family of sharp objects, led by nails, on the beach.

"I'm not afraid."

The white-haired woman calmly placed her foot back on the ground and said, "I heard from people at the tavern that a mysterious Elemental Shaper has come to Fireplace Bay, offering custom high-end magic scrolls for clients."

"That's right, it's me."

To prove his identity and increase the client's trust, Ethan displayed the wooden staff that represented his magic profession.

The white-haired woman confirmed, "You can handle any kind of business?"

"Of course."

"Then, I would like to consult with you about matters of love."

Thanks to Fuze Ren Zhi De Xi Wang for the 500 Qidian coins!

Thanks to Erillsenwian for the 500 Qidian coins!

Thank you all for your monthly tickets and continued readership~