Jiang Han had been unusually busy these past few days—sorting items, adjusting equipment, squatting on Alchemy Street to snap up cheap but high-quality materials. After doing a whole lot of preparatory work, she borrowed around fifty thousand from Angelite as starting capital.
She kept at it until the last two days of September, only then barely ensuring that her portable alchemy workshop was fully operational.
On the morning of Monday, September 30th, at the Witch Bazaar.
Jiang Han sat on a bench in the magical herb market and let out a drowsy yawn. Forcing herself to perk up, she gulped down some green apple tea, letting the cold, tart-sweet juice awaken her willpower.
Can't sleep... There's still so much to do... Jiang Han widened her eyes, battling against a witch's natural inclination to sleep in the mornings.
The struggle was so fierce that it was like Don Quixote battling windmills for three hundred rounds.
Don Quixote lost!
It seems... it seems like I wouldn't need to worry if I took a nap outside the market... Security is good around here... There are patrols nearby... Jiang Han's vision blurred as drowsiness surged over her. The tip of her nose reddened slightly and twitched. Her eyes had already fallen shut, while deep down, she tried to persuade herself:
"My eyes are closed... but I'm still awake... It's fine..."
Her will sank into the sea, and her breathing began to even out...
Then a voice abruptly startled her awake:
"Big Cousin?"
Along with it came the rich aroma of cream corn.
Jiang Han opened her eyes and saw her younger cousin, Jiang Miao, standing before her.
She forced a smile and scratched her cheek.
"Sorry... It's rare for us to come out together, and not only did I have to work,