In the first-floor lobby of the Merchant Guild Tower, the idle shopkeeper's eyes suddenly lit up when Reilo and the female scholar stopped in front of him.
He could tell at a glance that both of them were extraordinary.
The plump, red-nosed shopkeeper hurried over to them with quick little steps and a fawning smile.
"Please, come inside. Our shop has..."
The female scholar ignored the merchant and looked up at the guild's sign.
"In recent years, the Fladick Trading Company has grown rapidly through its weapons and transportation exports. It's already drawing scholars away from three small nearby academies. The Thunder Mirror Merchant Guild is one of the best among its branches. I happen to be acquainted with one of its vice presidents. If you'd like to look around, I can call her over."
The first-floor shopkeeper was briefly surprised, then even more delighted.
This time, they really had landed a big customer!
A short while later.
A beautiful, fair-skinned blonde woman came down from the upper floors of the tower. Though she was already getting on in years, her former beauty still shone through. She hurried downstairs, gazing over at them with delight.
"Yazi, my dear, what a rare visitor! What brings you here today? You're always welcome!"
As vice president of the Thunder Mirror Merchant Guild, she knew the female scholar's status. Yazi was not only the captain of the academy's core guard unit, but also one of Dean Seratos's direct disciples!
The female scholar beside Reilo smiled warmly.
"I still haven't thanked you for what happened last time. I was passing through, so I thought I'd stop by. More importantly, I'm here on my mentor's orders to bring you a distinguished guest. Please don't hold back—take our guest to the top floor to see the guild's