My Magical System

Chapter 363: First Costumer

One week had passed since Eman visited the Red Tyrant Clan headquarter.

The air within the great halls of the academy had subtly changed.

At first, nobody believed the rumors.

Students whispered about it during lectures. Elders exchanged doubtful looks during gatherings. Merchants quietly spread stories between customers while pretending not to care. Even the instructors of the academy appeared more distracted than usual.

The Red Tyrant Clan and the Blue Serpent Clan were apparently at odds.

It sounded absurd.

For years, the two towering clans had maintained an unspoken balance. They were rivals in strength, influence, and prestige, yet they had never openly crossed blades against one another. Their territories rarely overlapped, their interests seldom collided directly, and whenever conflict threatened to emerge, both sides would simply step away before matters escalated.

Because of that, many people found the news difficult to believe.

"It cannot be true."

"That sounds fabricated."

"Those two clans would gain nothing from war."

Such words spread everywhere.

But doubt alone could not erase reality.

The trading routes owned by the Red Tyrant Clan had suddenly tightened security. Blue Serpent warriors were seen gathering near border territories. Neutral organizations had begun refusing requests from both clans out of fear of offending the other.

Most importantly, the academy itself had quietly increased patrols around the campus.

That alone was enough to silence many doubters.

The academy would never react without reason.

And so, uncertainty slowly transformed into tension.

After all, just because something had never happened before did not mean it never would.

The world had seen countless impossible events become reality overnight.

A town was made into a crater by a mysterious power.

A rebirth of an ancient beast.

A weaker clan rising to power.

These were just examples.

The two great clans going to war was terrifying precisely because nobody had prepared for it.

The smaller clans suffered the most from the growing pressure.

Within only a week, invitations, warnings, and subtle threats had already begun circulating.

Some clans leaned toward the Blue Serpent Clan because of old debts and protection. Others preferred the Red Tyrant Clan due to their vast trade influence and wealth.

But choosing a side was no simple matter.

A wrong decision could erase an entire clan.

Inside meeting rooms across the city, countless clan leaders sat with exhausted expressions while arguing through sleepless nights.

"If we side with Red Tyrant and Blue Serpent wins, we are finished."

"And if we stay neutral?"

"They will force us eventually."

"What if both sides remember our hesitation?"

The fear spread like poison.

Smaller clans lacked the luxury of independence. Once the two giants collided, everyone around them would inevitably be dragged into the battlefield.

Even those who wished to avoid conflict entirely would still be crushed beneath its aftermath.

Ironically, amidst the growing anxiety surrounding the city, one clan seemed oddly peaceful.

The Merciless Clan.

Their newly renovated establishment had finally opened its doors to the public.

The once filthy rust cleaning barracks had completely transformed.

The old cracked wooden walls were repaired and repainted into a smooth dark brown finish. Decorative lanterns hung beside the entrance, casting a calm amber glow during the evenings. The unpleasant metallic smell that once plagued the area had disappeared entirely, replaced by the soothing fragrance of herbs and freshly brewed tea.

Several shelves lined the walls, displaying neatly bottled potions of varying colors, such as: Blue healing liquids, Green stamina brews, and Golden concentration tonics.

A smaller section near the back served tea for visitors who simply wished to rest.

Compared to the luxurious stores owned by wealthy clans, the place remained modest. But it was clean, warm, and peaceful. And surprisingly welcoming.

At the front counter, Eman busied himself organizing potion bottles while muttering complaints under his breath.

"Why do these labels keep peeling off…"

He pressed another paper label onto a bottle before stepping back to examine his work.

Then he frowned.

"It's crooked."

Without hesitation, he peeled it off again.

Unfortunately for him, he had completely forgotten about his current appearance.

The weather that afternoon was painfully hot, and because nobody else was around, Eman had removed his upper clothing entirely while working.

His dark pants hung loosely around his waist while sweat glistened faintly across his exposed torso. A towel rested over one shoulder as he continued arranging supplies without the slightest concern.

Then the entrance door suddenly opened.

The small bell above it rang softly.

Eman instinctively looked toward the entrance.

"…Hm?"

Standing there was a familiar girl with long black hair and icy eyes.

The atmosphere around her remained elegant and distant as always.

The princess of the Skyblaze Family.

Hemina.

For a brief moment, silence filled the shop.

Hemina stared at Eman and Eman stared at Hemina.

Neither moved.

Then realization struck both of them simultaneously.

Eman's eyes widened. He didn't expect to see this comrade from that subjugation mission.

Hemina's face instantly flushed red.

"W What are you wearing?!" She blurted out before immediately covering her eyes with both hands.

Or at least, she tried to.

The gaps between her fingers revealed restless eyes that clearly did not know where to look.

Eman froze awkwardly.

"…Pants?"

Hemina nearly choked.

"You idiot! I mean your upper clothes!"

"Oh."

Only then did Eman finally glance down at himself.

Another silence followed.

Then he calmly grabbed the towel hanging from his shoulder and threw it across his chest with all the dignity he could salvage.

"Uh…Welcome to the Merciless Clan shop…"

He tried to change the atmosphere but Hemina remained frozen near the entrance while peeking between her fingers.

Her usually cold expression looked completely shattered.

Eman then quickly entered the door behind him. When he came back, he was already wearing top clothes.

"Uhm, well. Do you need something?"

"I came because ah… uhm…"

She tried to explain her reason for coming however found herself lost for words.

She couldn't tell him she was here because she was worried about him. There was gossip about Eman visiting the Red Tyrant Clan a few days ago. And then this issue between these two top clans appeared.

This could not be a coincidence only, right?

Mina was worried about his safety, however, upon arriving here and was asked by the person himself, she found herself couldn't utter a single word.

Eman scratched the back of his head.

"Are you here to buy potions or do you want to try our tea?"

"Eh? What?"

"Eh?."

Neither knew how to continue the conversation.

The atmosphere became strangely stiff. The two stood there awkwardly while the fragrance of tea drifted gently through the quiet shop.

Smelling it, Mina immediately thought of something.

"Tea."

Her voice was unusually small.

Eman stared at her and calmly nodded.

"Alright. Find yourself a seat there while waiting."

Eman then called Faye to guide Hemina.

"Lady Hemi, please follow me. We have a good spot over there."

Mina nodded and followed obediently.

Eman did not expect Hemina would be their first costumer.