Now, part of the population felt pessimistic. After all, the monopoly of magical artifacts by the aristocrats was entrenched in history. Knowledge about magic and how to enchant artefacts were only passed down in the Magic Tower and amongst noble houses, and without status, only those who had enough money could gain access to a magical artefact.
In short, the commoners were often left out of the community of magic, and magic had become a symbol of status that encouraged exclusivity. How could the commoners easily believe that such a long-standing symbol would come crashing down so easily by a Bill and a previously unknown company?
But the commoners did not need to worry for long, for another uproar soon occurred.
"Do you know the seventh daughter of Baron Joseph, Seventh Lady Jospehian? She released news that the largest company in her fief, Demeter Corporations, the factory and agricultural giant that produces potatoes and tomato products, had just ordered three thousand aerial boots for her employees to use in the fields!"
"Aerial boots! Boots that can allow you to float and fly around quickly? Didn't Viscountess Babarella showed off her own boots last season and claim it was the right of the aristocracy to be fashionable with magic?"
"To think that mere employees can now wear them! Are you sure we can buy them for ourselves now?"
"Yes. Prince Sydney has also encouraged his officers and businesses to support Zephyr, and offered employee discounts on any magical artifact bought from their shops! He is already a tycoon in the construction industry, but he treats his people the best."
"Not only that, the impoverished Shantire fief also released a statement that they will purchase twelve high-grade spatial tanks from Zephyr. Weren't they already broke? Are the spatial tanks so affordable? What is the Shantire fief planning?"
"It seems that Zephyr is really going all out!"
"Of course! It is the only shop with a license to sell magical artifacts. I wonder why the license was only offered now. The Magic Tower and nobility always had a monopoly over magical artifacts, even though magical artifacts have so much potential to increase our quality of life. It is high time we gained the right to use them too!"
"Yes, why must it be a privilege reserved for the upper classes?"
Soon, the five Zephyr stores across Clomodor were flooded with customers, their passionate screams and enthusiastic purchases overwhelming the store staff.
The popularity of the shops within the Capital, Magic Tower and Merveille fief were expected, but the Grayson fief had surprisingly high sales from the commoners as well, largely due to the intrigue and competitive spirit ignited by the Shantire's decision to get a large-scale purchase. Many poorer aristocrats and commoners started contemplating whether the Magical Artefacts were a good investment for their own businesses, and the answer was often 'yes'.
Magical artifacts were running out like hot cakes. Public opinion had changed to fiercely support the Zephyr shops. But there was naturally some who were upset.
The aristocrats were furious, as were some of the more conservative mages, who knew that their magical artifacts, once a symbol of status and wealth, are now stained with the mark of the bourgeoisie.
But one thing everyone agreed upon was that change, was imminent.