Chapter 8: My Home Is Huge, You Can Sleep Here If You’re Tired

Victor calmly looked over the bill and gently placed it on the table.

“Liya, what are the sources of income for our territory?”

Hearing Victor’s question, Liya tilted her head, squinting at him as if looking at a fool. She let out a light chuckle, her tone carrying a hint of mockery.

“As a lord, you don’t even know the sources of your own territory’s income?”

Even though Victor truly didn’t know, that didn’t stop Liya from mocking him as an ‘undeserving’ lord.

“Listen carefully. Our Klavenna territory primarily earns income through grain and ore trade!”

From Liya’s explanation, Victor gained a general understanding.

The Klavenna family owned a territory named after themselves. The land was fertile, surrounded by lush forests. It was located about a hundred miles from the royal capital, just a day’s carriage ride away. Due to this, the second most prosperous town in the empire was situated there.

Klavenna territory also had a rich vein of minerals, enough to be mined for at least another decade.

With its proximity to the royal capital, fertile lands, bountiful harvests, and a thriving mining industry, it was almost impossible for the Klavenna family to be poor.

“However, recently, ore production has significantly decreased, and we are not yet in the grain harvesting season. The grain we’ve been selling came from last year’s stored reserves.”

Facing Victor, Liya’s tone carried frustration.

“We still need to ensure the territory has enough food. We can’t sell everything! Our income is already low, yet at such a crucial time, you dare to spend money like this?!”

Victor nodded after listening but showed no change in expression, remaining perfectly calm.

“Do you not feel even a little guilty?”

Liya looked at Victor in disbelief. She knew her brother had always been indifferent, but surely, he wasn’t this ignorant?

After a brief moment of thought, Victor rubbed his chin and responded:

“Hire some mages, then go to the busiest district in the royal capital and purchase a storefront. Open a magic tool shop.”

Hearing Victor’s proposal, Liya exploded instantly, her voice rising in anger:

“Victor! Did you not listen to a single word I just said?!”

“Do you think magic shops are rare in the royal capital?!”

“Even if you open one, so what?! Do you think your name alone can overshadow all the other merchants?!”

“Victor, do you even know how to do business?!”

The more Liya spoke, the angrier she became.

Since their parents passed away, she had been managing the territory alone for over a decade. Even though Victor was a wastrel, she had never complained.

But now, this ignorant Victor actually wanted to interfere in the family’s business?!

What was he trying to do?

The more she spoke, the more wronged she felt.

Seeing that words alone wouldn’t calm her, Victor didn’t argue further. Instead, with a wave of his hand, several dozen bottles of blue magic potions appeared on the table before them.

Liya was stunned. Just as she was about to continue her outburst, she paused, staring at the deep blue liquid that resembled the sea.

“What is this?”

She blinked in confusion.

Currently, no one had seen magic potions like these before.

Magic-restoring tools existed, but they all had common drawbacks—scarcity and exorbitant prices. The market only had healing potions, which worked more like slow-acting medicine rather than the instant effect of game-based [Health Potions].

Simply put, bringing game items into reality was a total game-breaking advantage.

Even a small instant-magic-restoring potion could be considered a divine tool.

Since Victor knew explaining wouldn’t be convincing, he opted for proof.

“Find some mages and have them cast spells until they are completely drained. Then, have them drink one of these. You’ll understand what to do afterward.”

Liya was deeply suspicious but still took all the potions.

“By the way, do you have any bodyguards?”

Hearing Victor’s question, Liya smirked disdainfully. “Oh? Our grand lord is actually concerned about his subordinates now?”

Victor ignored her sarcasm. Their strained sibling relationship was largely due to his past negligence.

So, he simply repeated his question.

“Seriously, does your caravan have hired guards?”

Liya scoffed. “No, I don’t trust outsiders.”

That meant Liya had always handled business alone.

“Isn’t it dangerous? Our territory is a full day’s journey from the royal capital.”

Liya was surprised by her brother’s sudden concern, feeling somewhat uneasy about it. Leaning against the table, she twirled a strand of her hair and turned her face away.

“Mm… It’s fine. We have designated trade routes. If bandits appear, flashing our Klavenna family crest usually makes them back off. We’ve never had any trouble so far.”

After speaking, she avoided making eye contact with Victor, instead picking up a potion bottle for closer examination.

Victor nodded, then removed the mage’s glove from his hand.

“Liya, listen. This trip to the royal capital is no ordinary errand. Such a valuable item will attract covetous eyes. Wear this—it’ll help in emergencies.”

Liya looked at the gloves he handed over, hesitating.

“Don’t worry, it’s just a simple magic tool. It will automatically adjust to your hand size.”

Liya wanted to argue that this wasn’t the issue, but instead, she just took the fingerless gloves, still warm from Victor’s hand.

She rubbed the gemstone embedded in them, and suddenly, a wave of realization hit her.

As a merchant, she immediately recognized the value of what she was holding.

Magic Crystals—each capable of storing and channeling magic—worth millions each…

And he had embedded six of them into a single glove!

Her mind buzzed with complaints, but surprisingly, she didn’t lash out at Victor.

Slipping on the gloves, they adjusted to fit her perfectly, just as Victor had said.

“Open your palm towards me and focus on one of the gems. Any one will do.”

Following his instructions, she opened her palm, facing him. A green gemstone caught her eye.

‘Is that all?’ she thought skeptically.

Suddenly, the green gem emitted a faint glow, and then—

Boom!

A spell formation rapidly materialized in her palm!

A powerful whirlwind filled the study, sending papers flying everywhere.

The windstorm rapidly expanded—

Victor lightly tapped the desk, forming a teleportation array in the air.

Just as the wind was about to reach critical intensity, it was sucked into the teleportation array.

A moment later, silence returned.

Seconds later, an explosive crashing sound echoed from somewhere nearby.

Liya was frozen in place.

“W-What was that just now?”

“Second-tier magic: [Violent Tempest]. It’s strong enough to level a mountain.”

“Don’t be so shocked.”

Watching the dazed Liya, Victor tapped the desk, dispersing the lingering magic in the air.

Liya couldn’t believe it. She wasn’t a mage, yet she had just cast magic herself.

She stood still, her mind blank.

“So… this is what it feels like to use magic…”

She remained motionless, forgetting to lower her hand.