"Alright, since everyone has finished eating, let's start our study session."
After dinner, I began a tutoring session with Riese and the children. Being the eldest, Riese helped me teach the kids Roman numerals. It seemed Aira was especially fond of numbers, finding them straightforward with certain outcomes. In reading, Airel was the quickest, perceiving it as opening up a whole new world. As for drawing, Alice was the most talented, enjoying expressing her thoughts and possessing a vivid imagination. Rain, well, I understood him. Most boys, by nature, are like Rain and aren't too keen on studying.
Having taught the children for roughly an hour, I then began instructing Riese.
"Alright, Riese, as you're also going to be a merchant, the most essential foundation is learning numbers. However, I'm not teaching Roman numerals, you can think of these as modern numbers from my previous home."
"Oh..."
Riese seemed very intrigued. I taught him the modern numerical symbols and matched them to Roman numerals. We also discussed the shortcomings of Roman numerals that modern numbers could overcome.
"Ah, this is easier than Roman numerals," Riese remarked enthusiastically.
"Have you memorized them?"
"Yes, uncle, they're really easy."
"Hmm..."
Wasn't this a bit too quick? Riese, you're very clever. After teaching the symbols, I tested Riese's ability to add and subtract, and he did so with ease.
"Alright Riese, I'm going to teach you the next level."
That's when Riese became extremely interested. It was his first time encountering numbers beyond hundreds. After all, the numbering system here only went up to hundreds or 999. I then introduced him to multiplication and division calculations. Naturally, these were more challenging, and the learning atmosphere intensified. Please, don't imagine anything untoward; this is how we spent an hour studying. Time flew because Riese was so bright.
*****
"Okay everyone!!! Are you ready to move?!!!"
"Oooohhhh"
They all cheered enthusiastically.
Upon our arrival at the shop, Bruno was waiting for us.
"Good morning, Mr. Martin."
"Ah, good morning, Mr. Bruno. Everyone, this is Bruno who will be the front guard of our shop."
"Hello everyone~"
"Hello, Uncle Bruno"
After a brief chat, I opened the shop. The children headed upstairs. While I manned the shop, they would start their studies. For Rain, I just asked him to study a bit and added some empty-handed martial arts training. After trying it out last night, it seemed he quite liked it.
And with that, the shop was officially open.
*****
"Excuse me, what do you sell here?"
"Welcome, ma'am, we offer various kitchen necessities."
"Do you mind if I browse?"
"Of course, ma'am, I'll be happy to assist and explain."
Riese was excellent at customer service, making me think it wasn't his first time.
"Thank you in advance."
"You're welcome, ma'am."
"Why is this ginger spice more expensive?"
"Just so, ma'am, it's pricier due to the packaging, which keeps the spice good for up to two years. If not packaged like this, we have an alternative below market price over there, but it wouldn't last six months."
"That's really great, then I don't have to worry about it spoiling too quickly."
"What about this spice?"
"Oh, this is our special house blend, not yet found in the market. It's called chili powder and adds stronger heat to dishes. Just be cautioned, it's very spicy if tried alone."
Riese seemed to remember something from when we were in the caravan.
"It's similar to pepper, right?"
"Exactly, ma'am."
After that, the woman purchased quite a lot of the packaged spices, evidently understanding the benefits of the packaging.
Soon after, a new customer, a middle-aged man in a tailcoat, entered.
"Excuse me, I heard you've just opened today, what are you selling?"
"Welcome, sir, we sell various kitchen essentials."
"Alright, I'd like to look around."
"Please do, sir, may I help explain anything?"
"That would be good, thank you."
Riese then guided him around, explaining the spices. I was just observing; it wasn't a bad thing, though. I hoped Riese would grow from this experience.
"What is this? Why is it black and liquid?"
"It's called soy sauce, made from soybeans, adding sweetness to dishes."
"How is it different from sugar?"
"It adds sweetness, but also brings a savory taste and a unique aroma to enhance appetite."
The man then moved to the fruit section and stopped.
"What is this fruit? I've never seen this before."
"That's a rambutan, sir, from the shop owner's hometown. You peel the thick but not hard skin to eat the inside."
Riese demonstrated how to eat the rambutan with a tester.
After trying it, the customer seemed pleasantly surprised and contemplative.
"And this?"
"This is a mango; it's a sweet, delicious fruit, also from the owner's homeland. Incidentally, it's my favorite."
The customer tried it and was again surprised.
"Hey, who's the owner of this shop?"
"Excuse me, sir, I'm the owner, can I help you?"
Hearing the inquiry, I promptly approached.
"I represent Marchioness Bezos as the head servant; my name is Stanley. I noticed your shop has a variety of unique spices, and I plan to buy in bulk, but there are a few spices I don't know how to use. If you educate me on their application, I'll purchase them all, and I'm also intrigued by these fruits."
He showed his identification and pointed to the prepared fruits.
Wow, this could be quite the offer. It's only our first day! I needed to make the most of it.
"Hello Mr. Stanley, I'm Martin. Fortunately, I have some food samples I made this morning that might go well with the spices you're unfamiliar with."
"Let me taste them then."
I invited Stanley to wait at the counter while Riese entertained him. Shortly after, I presented skewers with soy sauce and sandwiches with hot sauce and mayonnaise.
"Please try, sir, I guarantee they're delicious."
Without hesitation, Stanley began tasting the food. However, his silence made me a bit apprehensive; his reaction was unlike when he had sampled the fruit.
"How is it, sir? Is it not to your liking?"
"Mr. Martin..."
"Yes?"
What's with the tension? Did he not enjoy it? Might there be retribution? Please clarify, Mr. Stanley!!!!
I was silently panicking.
"I'll buy everything..."
Stanley joyfully declared with tears. What is this? Is this a joke? DARN IT!!!!
"Ahahaha, thank you for your purchase..."
Thus, the opening day was miraculously successful. I didn't expect to catch a big fish on our first day. Thankfully, everything proceeded smoothly. By the way, I made a total of 750 gold coins, roughly 750 million! It was amazing!
"Riese, we're rich!!!!"
"Eehh~"
I jumped around, hugging Riese unintentionally.
"Ah, forgive me, Riese, I didn't mean to."
"It-it's okay."
Riese blushed instantaneously.
"Sorry, Riese."
It seemed he was quite embarrassed. Forgive me again!!!!
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