The Brainstorming Realization Monster

"Was this flower a newly discovered species?" Mason hesitated. Though he basically believed Ron, the effects of the Nether Orchid still seemed far too miraculous.

It only increased the elemental concentration in the surrounding environment and improved a mage's meditation efficiency, but having both effects in a single plant was simply unbelievable.

The former could only be achieved by Magic Towers inscribed with high-level Gathering Element Arrays, while the latter could only be accomplished by absurdly expensive magic potions—and those came with drug resistance.

"If the effects of the Nether Orchid weren't so special, do you think a Flower Shop would only sell one kind of flower?" Ron asked with a smile.

Mason nodded in sudden realization, discovering that every doubt now had a plausible explanation.

Why had such a miraculous plant never appeared before? It had definitely been tightly controlled by the Human Empire.

Then why was it being sold openly now? The Human Empire must have fully researched it and begun considering how to profit from it.

Why Chaos City? Of course, because this was the trade center of the entire continent.

Why was the owner a young man who had only just come of age? Because he was the Human Empire's Seventh Prince, and Andre III was obviously entrusting him with an important responsibility.

Everything had a trace to follow. The truth was finally clear!

Then, for some reason, he became excited.

If all this was true, then the loosening of his bottleneck earlier had not been an illusion either!

The fragrance emitted by this plant called the Nether Orchid had truly helped him!

Mason swallowed and asked after a moment of hesitation, "How much is one?"

As a teaching assistant at the Magic Academy, he earned five gold coins a month, but he also had a monthly reimbursement allowance of thirty gold coins for magic-related expenses.

That was why so many mages flocked to teaching assistant positions.

High-level mages like Professor Hicks could receive a reimbursement allowance of one thousand gold coins every month, along with permission to use rare items.

That was an even more coveted position among mages.

"One Nether Orchid costs twenty gold coins," Ron said.

Mason immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Because he lived frugally, he had plenty of savings. Twenty gold coins was entirely within his means.

Moreover, as long as he proved that the Nether Orchid truly helped mages meditate, the twenty gold coins could be reimbursed and counted toward this month's allowance.

His bottleneck had been troubling him for so long that he had not used this month's allowance yet. It was finally coming in handy.

Mason said, "No problem. I can buy one. However, I will verify everything you said and research this plant. If you deceived me in any way, I will report it to the Magic Academy and have every mage in Chaos City boycott you."

Ron smiled. "Of course. If the Nether Orchid fails to achieve its intended effects, then you should do exactly that. I fully support it."

Mason was very satisfied with Ron's attitude. After paying twenty gold coins, he left with a Nether Orchid, looking somewhat excited.

"Phew..." Ron sat down in the chair behind the counter and let out a long breath.

[Daily Task]—[Trick a mage into buying a Nether Orchid]:

"Congratulations, Host. You have completed the task and received the reward."

[Main Quest]—[Open the Shop and sell one hundred Nether Orchids]:

"Completion Progress: 1/100."

Ron looked at the panel, a gratified smile appearing on his face. "I've finally taken the first step."

That dwarf named Mason was a teaching assistant at the Magic Academy. As long as the Nether Orchid produced remarkable effects after he used it, he would definitely promote it within the academy. Then Ron would not have to worry about failing to sell them.

Ron stroked his chin and considered another issue.

Mason's questioning today had made him realize that the source of the Nether Orchids was something that needed a convincing explanation.

The Shop was not famous yet, and the Nether Orchid was not known to the public, so it was not a problem for now.

But once Nether Orchids became widely known, they would inevitably attract investigation and suspicion from interested parties.

He had invoked his cheap father's name in front of Mason, and that would be enough to bluff his way through the early stages. But what about later?

What if he really made the Shop big and successful, drawing his father's attention? How would he keep up the lie then?

What a headache!

The system said, "Daily task triggered."

[Daily Task]—[Find an explanation for the Shop's supply channel that can convince everyone]:

"Specific requirement: As stated above."

"Task reward: Once successful, you will no longer need to worry about anyone suspecting the Shop's supply channel~"

Ron narrowed his eyes and asked, "Shouldn't the system solve this sort of thing directly?"

[Shop]

[Permanent Mental Interference]: Exchange 100 Wealth Points for one use

(Temporary item. It will remain in the Shop until the related task is completed, then be removed.)

The system said, "Once someone suspects the Shop's supply channel, the Host may exchange for this item. It has no side effects."

"..." Ron rubbed his chin as other thoughts suddenly came to mind.

It seemed that the system could generate daily tasks based on his inner thoughts. Although there were no task rewards, corresponding items would usually appear to practically solve his problems.

If he needed to in the future, he could make use of that.

But this method probably would not work for now.

He glanced at the basic panel—

Wealth Points: 20

That was only enough to lift a young lady's skirt twice.

He was still too poor...

The moment he saw that Wealth Points total, Ron immediately turned into a salted fish.

Seeing that the sun was about to set, Ron hung up the Closed sign and went to the Barbecue Shop next door.

"Lyle!" Ron waved at the dwarf owner, who was calculating accounts behind the counter. "We had a deal. You help me out, and I'll treat you to a meal."

Since the Barbecue Shop had little business in the afternoon, Ron had specifically asked Lyle to help him by pretending to be a passerby and making a few introductions whenever a mage approached the Shop entrance.

There was no need to exaggerate or lie. He only had to state the facts.

Lyle had readily agreed, and Ron had promised to treat him to dinner.

"Sure, I'll be right there!" Lyle stood up, gave a few instructions to the two employees in the Shop, and followed Ron outside. "Where are we eating?"

Ron took Lyle back to his own Shop and up to the second floor. As he invited Lyle to sit by the sofa, he put on an apron and said, "Let me show you what I can do."

Lyle had been somewhat confused, wondering why they had come to Ron's home just to eat. Then Ron actually planned to cook himself?

"Seriously?" Lyle asked in surprise. "You don't look like someone who knows how to cook."

Ron had a handsome face. At first glance, anyone would think he was a young master from a wealthy family, not someone capable of cooking.

"Are dwarves always this straightforward?" Ron shrugged and laughed. "Don't underestimate me. I've trained hard at cooking too."

"Uh, haha." Lyle scratched his head awkwardly and laughed. "That's just how I am. Don't take offense. I'll look forward to it, then."

"I like straightforward people." Ron prepared the ingredients and walked into the kitchen, not forgetting to call back, "Feel free to look around. It'll be ready in about twenty minutes."