Sir Mandela's decisions were always spot-on.
As his servant hurried out of the workshop on his orders, he saw a group of reporters coming in from outside.
They weren't the columnists they'd arranged to meet, but they'd given movie tickets to every newspaper with any influence, making sure every reporter could get one. They'd even given a few extra tickets to some of the more influential ones.
The reporters had come to the workshop of their own accord instead of waiting for the movie to come out. However you looked at it, that wasn't a good sign.
But the servant didn't greet them—he had neither reason nor authority to do so. Instead, he dodged their cameras, blended into the crowd, and hurried out of the workshop.
One of the reporters, however, glanced in his direction.
"What is it?"
"No, I thought I saw someone familiar," the reporter said hesitantly.
"Why don't you go out with your friend, then?" Lance held his camera, smiling, though there was no hint of a smile in his eyes. "The Editor-in-Chief already assigned this job to me!"
His colleague watched him act like a puppy guarding its food and couldn't help laughing. "Don't be so tense! You'd think we were here to steal your scoop. Can't we just take a look?"
"Yeah, right."
Lance eyed the camera hanging around his colleague's neck, unconvinced.
Lance had hit the jackpot with this assignment.
That day, he'd only gone to the Magic Gear to play games. It was his girlfriend, Hana, who had taken a particular liking to the Receptionist Cats and insisted he write a feature about them. That was why he'd taken a picture of the Golden Shaded Cat that had served them.
He hadn't expected that, just after he'd developed the photos, the Newspaper Office would call him in with all his finished articles. Apparently, the contents of the third page had been pulled for reasons involving certain important people, and they needed to select some replacement articles at the last minute to avoid leaving a blank space in tomorrow's newspaper.
Of course Lance wasn't about to miss out on such a "lucky break." He stuffed all his articles and documents into his briefcase and rushed to the Newspaper Office. Even so, he'd thought that for a rookie like him, he'd be lucky if they picked one article and gave it a tiny little spot.
He hadn't expected the Editor-in-Chief to pick out the Golden Shaded Cat's photo at a glance, or to recognize the mayor in the background.
And he certainly hadn't expected the mayor to praise the Magic Gear so highly. He'd said it was no easy feat for the former biggest Alchemy Workshop to reopen, that it had not only developed new products that city residents couldn't get enough of, but also solved the employment problem for magic graduates. He'd practically declared it the city's next star enterprise.
So an ordinary feature story had suddenly become a political assignment. Since Lance was the only one familiar with the workshop, the Editor-in-Chief had handed the task to him.
Lance had been wondering where to start when a huge sign appeared in the sky.
Even a rookie knew that was big news!
Lance hurried to the Magic Gear with his girlfriend. He'd planned to take a few pictures while Hana looked for seats, but hadn't expected to run into a fellow reporter.
Lance immediately went on alert.
He felt like he'd found a gold nugget on the side of the road, and now everyone looked like a thief.
While Lance made polite conversation with his colleague, his girlfriend Hana ran into her frenemy.
"Didn't you say you were going to the movies with your boyfriend tonight?"
"He got a last-minute order to come interview this workshop. Apparently it could affect his promotion." Hana let out an exaggerated sigh. "It's not easy having a boyfriend who's so devoted to his career!"
Then she turned to her friend. "What about you? Didn't you say you were going on an outing with your boyfriend today?"
"There was such a huge clap of thunder earlier. How could we go out of the city? Then we found out it was just an advertisement for the Alchemy Workshop's opening. He's like a little kid—he loves anything new—so I had to come check out the place with him." Her friend looked just as forlorn. "You know, his new Steam Car is parked outside. With so many people coming and going, I'm worried it'll get damaged!"
Her friend looked at Hana. "I'm so jealous. You get to work toward something with your boyfriend."
"Not as lucky as you. A boyfriend old enough to be your father must be so gentle and considerate, right?"
"Hehehe!"
"Hehehe!"
Hana and her friend wore matching fake smiles.
Just as the invisible flames between them were about to set the whole area ablaze, a soft, sweet meow interrupted them.
"Meow~~"
The Golden Shaded Cat that had served Hana last time jumped onto their table and offered them the menu it was carrying in its mouth. "Miss Hana, you're just as beautiful as ever! Is this your friend? She's just as beautiful, meow!"
So cute!
The two women's smiles immediately turned sincere.
What did it matter if a man with ulterior motives called them beautiful? Being admired and complimented by a cat—that was what really proved they were beautiful!
The Golden Shaded Cat asked, "May I ask what you'd like to drink, meow?"
"I'll have a cup of coffee, plain, with three drops of Cherry Brandy," her friend said.
"Where would the Magic Gear get coffee?" Hana said dismissively.
The Ragdoll Cat didn't even need to explain. As a self-proclaimed regular, Hana launched into a promotion for the workshop on her own. "It's an Alchemy Workshop, so of course their specialty is Happy Water!"
"Magic potions? Could they have side effects?" her friend asked with concern.
That was an idea that had only taken hold in this era.
In the Magic Era, adventurers didn't mind using Alchemy Potions. After all, when fighting the Demon Race, a moment's carelessness could cost you a limb or leave your organs damaged. Compared to the vague possibility of "side effects," staying alive and keeping your body intact mattered far more. Any family that could afford it kept a few Alchemy Potions on hand.
But after the last plane war, the Demon Race had been driven back into the Abyss and the army had cleared out the remaining Monsters. This Plane finally found peace and underwent great changes. No longer facing the threat of death, people began to question the need for Alchemy Potions.
Four-leaf Clover + morning dew + Lover's Smile + a white robe's blessing = Luck Potion?
Coffee Bean + sprout of the Cursed Tree + Owl's Hoot + a can of Mana = Energy Potion?
Mistletoe + leaves from a holly tree beneath the first snow + the taste of a first kiss + water-element Mana = Love Potion?
These recipes weren't just impossible to explain scientifically. Some of their ingredients were poisonous, to boot!
And one statistical report after another showed that countless people had died from Alchemy Potions or gone mad because of magic potions during the Magic Era. The people who survived were "maybe" examples of survivorship bias. They said "maybe" because there was no proof that it was survivorship bias—but there was no proof that it wasn't, either!
Even Commoners who doubted that theory didn't think it was worth risking their health to test some supposedly "unknown side effects." The Drug Inspection Department had even drawn up a list of Alchemy Potions that were allowed to be sold, permitting only those whose ingredients and effects had passed special inspection.
That was why the Magic Gear's Alchemy Potion business had taken such a heavy blow.
The owner at the time had tried to follow the Drug Administration's requirements by using only ingredients that were "scientifically explicable and non-toxic." But the potions they produced had a shelf life, and their effects were weaker than those made with the original ingredients. As a result, they were rejected by both the medical and magic communities, and eventually became dead stock.
Angell felt sorry when he learned what had happened.
"The idea was right, but the people at the Drug Administration weren't wrong, either. When poisonous ingredients are involved, an incompetent alchemist really can kill someone. There has to be some regulation for the sake of safety. So we shouldn't have tried to go head-to-head with them by selling 'Alchemy Potions' that were less effective than real Alchemy Potions! These potions simply couldn't deliver the results people normally expected from potions."
"Then what do you suggest?"
"If we can't sell them as potions, we'll sell them as drinks!" Angell said with righteous confidence. "The Drug Administration has already proven that these potions are legitimate and contain no toxic substances, so they're harmless to the human body, right?"
So he really did start selling the potions as drinks, with carbonation added.
And with lots and lots of water mixed in.
Yet these Carbonated Waters received rave reviews. People loved their taste, and the subtle effects of the Alchemy Potions that were too faint to be detected by drug testing made them even more popular.
People doubted the effects of genuine Alchemy Potions, yet eagerly sought out the watered-down, incomplete versions.
That made Mithril question his very existence as a cat.
It didn't stop Mithril from giving the Cat Waiters the appropriate training, though.
Now, faced with Hana's friend's doubts, the Golden Shaded Cat delivered the same prepared explanation it had been taught.
"Absolutely no side effects, meow! We've had it inspected by the Drug Administration, and we've disclosed all the ingredients. There's nothing suspicious in it! We're an Alchemy Workshop, so of course we use alchemy to make our potions. That gives them a few little 'surprises,' allowing them to bring people genuine happiness."
The Golden Shaded Cat said this, then waved a paw toward a certain part of the workshop. "If you don't believe me, you can see how the Happy Water is made for yourself."
Angell had placed several Alchemy Machines for making Carbonated Water in the shop on the first floor.
Most customers couldn't tell whether the process was harmless and free of side effects, but being able to see it made them feel more reassured. The mysterious Alchemy Machines also caught people's attention and gave the workshop a distinctive character.
The friend was instantly convinced. "Then I'll have a cup. Hmm... which kind would be best?"
"I recommend the Beauty Happy Water. After I had some last time, my skin felt so much smoother the next day," Hana said. Then she turned to the Golden Shaded Cat. "I'll have another cup of the kind my boyfriend ordered last time!"
Lance hadn't ordered Beauty Happy Water last time. He'd ordered Lucky Happy Water.
That day, Lance had been lucky enough to photograph the mayor, and he'd gotten the opportunity he'd been dreaming of.
Hana thought that luck was far more useful than skin that stayed smooth for only a day.
"Coming right up, meow!" The Golden Shaded Cat pressed a paw print onto the notebook it carried with it.
But the cat didn't leave right away. Instead, it continued its sales pitch. "Would you two lovely ladies like to get Membership Tokens while you're at it? You'll get a discount when you use them to make purchases at our workshop, meow!"
Hana looked surprised, but before she could say anything, someone cut in.
"You can get a Membership Token here?!"
"Didn't they say you had to be one of the top few on the Leaderboard to get one?"
The Golden Shaded Cat turned around and saw a young man holding a Camera and a middle-aged gentleman dressed like a laid-back noble standing behind them. They were the two women's boyfriends.
"The Membership Tokens for the top few on the Leaderboard are special ones issued by the workshop, with a special Honor Badge for each use," the Golden Shaded Cat explained. "But now that the workshop has reopened, Membership Tokens aren't limited to those few. Regular customers can add money to get one, too, and there are different VIP benefits depending on how much you add, meow!"
As it spoke, the Golden Shaded Cat took out another price list.
Lance skimmed it, then asked, "It says you get free game plays every day... Does that mean the Game Tables will still be open after the official opening?"
"Of course, meow! The price will be adjusted a little, though. It'll be 100 cents per game," the Golden Shaded Cat said. "But we'll keep releasing new games, and there'll be discounts during the testing period."
That was a pretty good deal.
For someone like Lance with a steady job, the increase from 50 cents to 100 cents was practically nothing. And as a workshop member, he'd get free games every day.
Lance eagerly began, "Then give me..." He paused when he saw his girlfriend's warning smile, then continued, "Could you get one for Hana and me?"
Only then did Hana give a satisfied snort and look at her friend.
Her friend immediately clung to her boyfriend's arm. "Darling, you seem really interested in that Arena over there. Why don't we get one, too?"
"Sure." The gentleman didn't answer right away. Instead, he examined the workshop's membership tiers, then cheerfully pulled out his checkbook. "Get me and my darling a VIP10 membership each!"
"Of course, please wait a moment, meow!" Seeing a big customer, the Golden Shaded Cat didn't waste time. It turned and ran off without even taking the membership price list.
"Oh, darling, I love you so much!" the friend squealed, glancing at Hana.
Hana looked coldly at Lance.
Lance broke out in a cold sweat as he stared at the VIP10 price.
If it had been a small amount, he wouldn't have minded spending it to save face for his girlfriend. The problem was, it was half a year's salary!
And why would anyone put so much money on a Membership Token? Games at the Game Tables cost only 100 cents a play. Even if you were terrible, each game would be over in ten seconds. The amount he'd have to pay was enough to live at the workshop!
Why would anyone be willing to put in that much money? And there were even higher VIP tiers after this one!
I really don't understand the world of the rich!
Lance had a head full of complaints, but he didn't dare voice them to his girlfriend. He could only endure her murderous glare. Fortunately, the Golden Shaded Cat was quick. It came back with four boxes in less than a minute.
"Here are your Membership Tokens." The Golden Shaded Cat placed the boxes in front of the customers.
The packaging alone showed the difference between VIP tiers.
The regular Membership Token came in a little wooden box with a golden gear painted on it, while the VIP10 customers got a box made of Gold-Thread Wood. The gear on it even had a special effect: it spun!
A number of people nearby looked their way enviously when the box came out.
The Crystal inside was even more impressive.
The regular members' Crystals were just ordinary, diamond-shaped ones, a little cloudy, while the VIP10 Crystal had been cut into a colorful multifaceted gem. Whether worn around the neck, clipped to a tie, or hung from a pocket watch, it was sure to impress.
"Press your finger against the Crystal and picture your name in your mind—it can be real or made up," the Golden Shaded Cat said. "It will authenticate your identity. If you lose it later, you can get a replacement."
The gentleman followed its instructions. Runes spelling out his name immediately appeared on the Crystal. It looked very cool.
Lance was a little tempted, too.
Even worse, his girlfriend's gaze grew colder still.
"I-I think the regular one is nice, too." Lance avoided Hana's gaze and pressed his finger to the Membership Token.
Hana snorted but didn't say anything.
She hadn't necessarily expected her boyfriend to get a higher VIP tier. It wasn't just that she knew his finances. She also thought it was unnecessary to load up the token with so much money. She'd only had trouble saving face in front of her frenemy.
But when Lance pressed his finger against the Crystal, it not only glowed pale blue, but also displayed an eye-shaped icon in the middle.
With those two embellishments, the Crystal looked unique, if not as splendid as the high-tier VIP one.
Lance looked delighted.
The gentleman, who had spent more, wasn't pleased. "Why don't I have one of those?"
"Although we've reopened, the Membership Tokens still include data from the testing period, meow!" the Golden Shaded Cat explained. "This customer is one of our old users. He found more than five hundred Golden Fruits at our 'Autumn' Game Table, which is why he got the 'Insightful' icon."
"Can't I get one by spending money?" the gentleman asked.
"If you could get one just by spending money, wouldn't that spoil the fun of the game for you, meow? Someone as skilled as you should be able to get an icon like this in no time, right?" the Golden Shaded Cat said.
It then waved its paw, which seemed to be wearing a white glove, and gestured for the man to lean closer.
In a deliberately mysterious tone, the Golden Shaded Cat said, "VIP customers can't get these icons directly, but when you play, you'll find mysterious markers that only you can see, meow! And they'll differ based on your VIP tier. Wouldn't you like to try?"
The gentleman took the bait right away.
"I'll see what they are for myself!" he declared, heading toward the Game Tables.
"Huh?" The friend looked anxiously at her boyfriend's back, then at the young couple, and finally decided to follow him. "Wait for me! I want to see, too!"
Once the two "signs of impending financial ruin" had finally left, Lance let out a sigh of relief.
He turned to reassure his girlfriend. "Hana, it's not that I don't want to spend the money. It's just..."
"Forget that." Hana's voice was colder than the late autumn air. "When did you play so many times at the Autumn Game Table that you earned an icon?!"
Whenever they went on dates, they always played at the Spring Table!
Lance broke out in a cold sweat. "Hana, let me explain—"