Robert had barely unlocked the door and flipped the sign to "Open" when a throng of eager customers surged in. Amidst the bustle, he recognized the familiar, stern face of Guild Master Lysandra, though the two figures flanking her were unknown to him. One was a sharply dressed man with an air of importance, and the other a woman whose weathered hands and sun-bronzed skin spoke of a life spent working the land, likely a farmer from the nearby fields. A warm smile spread across Robert''s face as he made his way towards them, ready to greet his first patrons of the day. "Guild Master Lysandra, what a pleasure," Robert began, "What brings you and your companions in this morning?"


    "Good morning, Robert," Lysandra said, her voice carrying a warmth that belied her Guild Master''s authority. "I thought it was time you met the rest of the town council." She gestured towards the imposing man beside her. "This is Thornton Kaligorn, our esteemed mayor." Robert extended his hand, a polite smile on his face. "It''s a pleasure to meet you, sir." Thornton''s grip was firm and steady, his gaze assessing. Lysandra then indicated the woman standing with them. "And this is Hazel Evergrene," she introduced, "a vital voice for our farmers and laborers." Robert offered his hand to Hazel, but instead of a handshake, she took it, turning it palm up with a calloused hand of her own. Her eyes, sharp and knowing, scrutinized his skin. "These are soft hands," she observed, her voice a low, earthy tone. "Not the hands of a worker, I''d say." Robert met her gaze with a disarming smile. "They may appear so, Councilwoman," he admitted, "but I assure you, I''m blessed with a rather resilient constitution. Damaging these hands is a feat in itself. But rest assured," he added, his smile widening slightly, "I''ve spent my fair share of time engaged in back-breaking labor."


    "Alright," Robert said, leaning back in his chair with a curious look. "So, what''s the occasion? This feels like more than just a friendly introduction." Mayor Kaligorn chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound. "Sharp as a tack, aren''t you? You''re right, there''s more to it. We wanted to make sure you were settling in comfortably, of course, but... well, having an enchanter in Oakhaven is a significant boon for us. Typically, your kind are found only in the bustling city centers. Your presence here is a game-changer, a real draw for folks looking to relocate." Lysandra leaned forward, her expression earnest. "Robert, you might not fully grasp the impact of this yet. There are only six enchantment shops in the entire kingdom, and two are concentrated in the capital. Oakhaven has a proud history, but many believe our best days are behind us. Your arrival here is going to turn heads. It''ll spark interest, investment..." Mayor Kaligorn placed a reassuring hand on Lysandra''s shoulder. "Exactly. Once the first caravan of traders passes through and spreads the word," he continued, addressing Robert directly, "we anticipate a surge of new residents within months. Most will assume you''re a novice, just starting out, and that your prices will be within reach. If you can offer enchanted goods that make daily life easier, and at a fair price," his eyes gleamed with anticipation, "people will flock to Oakhaven."


    Robert''s brow furrowed. "So much for keeping a low profile," he muttered, more to himself than the others. Lysandra chuckled, a light, musical sound. "My dear Robert," she said, shaking her head, "you picked the wrong profession if anonymity was your goal. Enchanting is neither easy nor cheap. You''re a member of a very exclusive club." Councilwoman Evergrene, who had been quietly observing, picked up one of the unfamiliar objects from a nearby shelf. It was one of Robert''s water heaters. Turning it over in her hands, she asked, "What''s this contraption?"


    "Ah, that," Robert said, stepping closer, "is a water heater. Touch the activation rune there, and it''ll dispense hot water until you touch the rune again or it runs out of power." Hazel examined the device, a puzzled expression on her face. "Where do you pour the water in?" she asked. Robert laughed, initially thinking she was joking. When he realized she was serious, his expression softened. "You don''t," he explained patiently. "It creates the water itself, heated to a comfortable 140 degrees." Mayor Kaligorn leaned forward, his interest piqued. "How much hot water can it produce before the mana depletes? And what are you planning to charge for one of these?" he asked while looking close at the device. "A hundred gallons," Robert replied, "and five silver pieces." Hazel''s eyes widened slightly. "So I assume you''ll make your money back by charging people to recharge them?" she asked quickly. "Or are they single-use?"


    "No, no," Robert reassured her. "The storage crystal isn''t top-tier, but it''s rechargeable, good for around 75 to 100 uses before it might crack and need replacing. And as for recharging," he added with a grin, "I''m not planning on charging for that. You can do it yourselves." He walked over to another shelf and picked up a small, multifaceted crystal. "Just take one of these recharging crystals," he demonstrated, "and place it on the charging rune at the back of the heater. It''ll replenish the unit in about two minutes." Lysandra picked up one of the crystals, turning it over in her fingers. "And how much for these?" Robert''s smile widened. "Twenty-five copper pieces. The crystals themselves are single-use and quite cheap—cost me only a few coppers each to buy, and the enchantment takes just a few minutes." He carefully placed the crystal back on the shelf. "Look," he continued, his tone becoming more serious, "I''m not here to bleed your town dry. I have enough money. My goal is to live comfortably while I hone my skills and level up, that water heater cost about a silver in materials and 40 minutes of my time so 2 silvers in all. Then, add a silver for taxes and shop expenses, I plan on making 2 silver profit off of each water heater which I''ll split with my staff, I''m not looking to live like a king here."This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Mayor Kaligorn''s smile broadened, lines crinkling at the corners of his eyes. "You''re a rare breed, Robert," he said, his voice warm with approval. "Most folks in your position would squeeze every last copper out of us. I appreciate your fairness to our town. If you need anything, don''t hesitate to come by Town Hall. But for now," he added, turning towards the door, "we''ll let you get back to your grand opening. Come, ladies, let''s give Robert some breathing room." Lysandra gave Robert a friendly wave as she followed the Mayor, Hazel offering a curt nod in farewell. Robert watched them go, a thoughtful expression on his face, then turned back towards the counter, ready for the day ahead.


    The next few hours were a blur of activity. A dozen or so curious townsfolk trickled in, and Robert quickly sold out of his water heaters, promising to have a fresh batch ready the following day. Most visitors were more interested in exploring the possibilities of custom enchantments, their eyes gleaming with a mixture of curiosity and hope. He did manage to sell a few of his enchanted desk lamps and even a healing rod before the midday meal. After Clara returned from her lunch break, refreshed and ready, Robert headed upstairs to begin Willow''s apprenticeship. He knew the water heater enchantment was relatively straightforward, and he was confident she could master it in a few days.


    Willow''s eagerness was palpable. She hung on Robert''s every word, her eyes bright with anticipation. He chuckled inwardly when she pulled out a small, well-worn notebook and began meticulously scribbling down every instruction, every detail. The gesture tugged at his heart, reminding him so vividly of his own children that a lump formed in his throat. He quickly blinked back the sudden wave of emotion, focusing on the task at hand. Over the next hour, he patiently guided her through the intricate process of engraving the runes and connecting the enchantments. He then handed her a piece of parchment and helped her meticulously draw out the rune sequence for the water heater. When she finished, he praised her near-perfect execution, gently pointing out the few minor corrections needed. After she demonstrated a perfect understanding of drawing the runework, he left her to practice on more sheets of paper while he returned downstairs to check on Clara.


    The sounds of a heated argument reached Robert before he even reached the bottom of the stairs. He found Clara, whose usual sunny disposition was clouded by a deep frown, facing off against a young man. The man was speaking in a booming voice, each word dripping with self-importance, while Clara''s replies, though measured and polite, were edged with a clear undercurrent of exasperation. Seeing that the situation was rapidly escalating, Robert decided to intervene. "Clara," he asked, his voice calm but firm as he approached, "is everything alright?" Clara turned, relief evident in her eyes as she saw Robert. "Robert, thank goodness," she began, "this gentleman is insisting on a discount..."


    Before she could finish, the man cut her off, puffing out his chest. "Finally, someone with some authority," he declared, his gaze sweeping over Robert with a dismissive air. "Listen here, I am the son of Lord Victoring, the knight assigned to this territory. My patronage of your establishment is a privilege, one that should be duly acknowledged. These enchanted lights," he gestured vaguely towards the display, "would make a splendid gift for my father, and frankly, you should be honored that I''m even considering paying anything at all." He folded his arms across his chest, a smug expression settling on his face as he awaited Robert''s undoubtedly submissive response. "I see, you are one of those types," Robert replied. "Explain yourself," the man demanded, his voice tight with fury. Robert raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing on his lips. "It simply means, young master Ironheart, that you believe your father''s accomplishments are your own. I suspect," he continued, his voice dripping with condescension, "that you are currently proving him wrong."


    "You''ll pay for that insolence!" the man fumed. "I am a warrior trained in the blade, and I will not tolerate such disrespect. Consider yourself warned." With that, he stormed out of the shop.