Through constant training under Old Swifty, Pixel and Harley had both improved greatly as they improved their core, back and arm strength while they worked on their balance, precision and their acrobatics.
Most of the training helped Pixel the most as she was able to gain a greater mastery over her body as she started to integrate many of her previous life's moves into her new human shaped body.
Her Electro continued to grow stronger with every passing day as the other Minks had remained stagnant since birth and showed no signs of improvement to the amount of Electro they could make use of.
Some of the simpler accessories and clothing that she had drawn were made and started to be sold but the hats which were the starting point had been the main attraction which drew many others to buy the other clothing products.
Due to the success of the first sales on the opening of the store, Pixel was able to turn a non profitable building into a profitable store over a short period of time which had helped to gain her further recognition in the family as opposed to her siblings who had not yet found their own way to use the building in their possession.
The menu, interior and exterior design was changed within the tavern as it had been completely renovated so after a short period of time when it had been reopened, it attracted more attention as the new menu had many improvements to it and some deserts or sweets on the menu which had been based on many of Ash and Pixel's cooking experiments together.
While Ash had the specialty for cooking fish, scaled creatures and other creatures without fur along with adding other natural ingredients to the food she cooked, Pixel had more talent in making deserts, sweets and pastries but that did not mean that their knowledge in each other's area of expertise was that lacking as they often studied and cooked together.
Pixel's growth was so quick that at the age of five, she had already been dubbed as a genius which had gained her further recognition from the old family head while her eldest sister had started to show her political and social strengths.
Life was quite peaceful most of the time as Milo had realised that she could not be so easily bullied after a couple of attempts.
Pixel taught him many harsh lessons one after another which made him very fearful of her but his hatred of her seemed to keep growing.
In the home of Pixel, several minks crowded nearby and held a report in their hands as they read everything out to the mother and daughter. "So this is the profits which have been gained over this year. What do you think about this?"
Many of the minks that had interacted with Pixel recently had developed a certain way of speaking as if they had lost their usual way of adding Teia and Gara to the end of some words like 'you' as Pixel had been able to remove her speaking habit due to the lessons of one of the language and speaking teachers which had influenced those around her.
The habit sometimes reappeared on her or those around her but it was a rare occurrence that only happened when they were speaking without thinking or rushing as they spoke so as long as they spoke slowly and clearly, they would be better understood by others.
One of the requirements as a family that travels outside of the island and conducts trade at the nearby Islands that Zunesha passes by was that the heirs and their people should speak fluently just like those outside so Pixel had to fix her bad habits along with those around her.
Ash nodded as she replied. "Excellent work, I am impressed at how well you have brought my own and my daughters idea to life. If this continues then we may be able to invest further in more of them and expand our business."
Pixel smiled by her side and added. "Mm.. we can add more clothes and accessories soon. I have lots of designs ready so all we need to do is have them made and promote them."
The people standing there were part of the clothing store, the tailors and the members of the tavern but also the managers of them as the most important people involved had come to report the progress of each business.
As the tailors looked at the clothes on Pixel's body, they excitedly spoke up. "Of course! We cannot wait to work on more of your designs, we really need some more of your bag and other accessories to add more variety to what is being sold so far. I am sure they will soon catch on and grow popular."
Pixel contemplated for a while and then said. "There is no need to rush but we can start with some samples to find out what is more popular."
If there was anyone that could be the face of the clothing and accessory line then it would be Pixel who looked very cute and trendy in her clothes which many pieces of it had still not been released to the public and sold.
Due to her staying in doors, her own clothing set was still a mystery to those outside but many children her age or older would wish for something similar so the tailors wished to get her approval.
Upon being given the approval to try out some newer designs, they grew excited and wished to get back to their work as they wanted to finish them quickly and present them to Pixel to get her opinion before they are sold in the store.
The manager of the store stepped forward and hesitated before speaking. "Um. I hope that you do not take offence to this presumptuous request but.."
Ash waved her hand and spoke warmly. "Speak up."
The manager then continued. "We have heard that noble families often sponsor others and give them a job or role within the family if they can prove themselves. Is this true?"
Many eyes turned expectant as they gazed towards Pixel and Ash while some turned towards Swifty and Harley who had remained at the side quietly.
There was even a slight look of envy in some eyes as they looked towards Harley.
Ash nodded. "Un. We do as we recruit people for different roles whether it be a sword who is to become the heirs hands and feet but also an assistant or study companion who will possibly assist them in their duties. Why do you ask?"
The manager calmed down and asked. "In order to develop a stronger relationship and bond between the young heir and the families or workers that are loyal to her, some of us were hoping that we could suggest someone who could become a supporter or friend to her in the future."
Pixel looked towards them all and knew what they had in mind. 'They wish to have the family sponsor some of their children to provide a better life for them since they believe we have much better resources available to us than other families. The bond and loyalty talks may or not be true but it is true that they wish to use Swifty and Harley as an example to gain something similar for their children.'
Ash had similar thoughts as her daughter and then spoke calmly. "It is possible to allow for an additional friend or assistant for Pixel but we have some requirements of our own."
The manager revealed a look of excitement. "Please tell us."
Ash continued. "We cannot let them attend the same lessons as Pixel and Harley since they are only for the heir and their study partner so they will be required to study from the books available. It will be expected that they will learn at least one specialisation and will continue to improve their bodies strength along with their fighting prowess so that they can protect the heir or protect themselves during their duties. I will allow for one child that is a similar age range from each business to gain a position by my daughters side."
She turned towards her old friend who was from the tavern and added. "That includes the tavern and the clothing store. I hope that you can discuss it between yourselves and decide who would be most suitable."
The old friend of Ash had smiled gratefully and said in a happy tone. "I have a daughter her age as you know. She may not be too smart but she is sincere."
Ash nodded. "If you have decided then bring her here tomorrow."
She then turned to the manager of the clothing store and continued. "Please make a decision and bring your choice tomorrow. Dismissed."
As they left, Ash turned to Pixel and smiled. "You should be getting some more companions your own age, isn't that good? I hope they can choose someone helpful to you or at least someone that will not become a burden."
Pixel nodded cutely as she stuffed a berry into her mouth. "Un!"
Truthfully she was a little curious who would be chosen but she knew that her mothers friends daughter would be chosen from the tavern.
She had briefly encountered the daughter from afar but did not speak to her or have a bad opinion so she did not reject the idea even if there was a chance of the parents using their child to gain a stronger bond or position with the family.
Her status did provide her much but it also came with responsibilities while there were also those that wished to receive things from her or take away what she had for themselves so when she made a decision, she could not make it rashly or naively.
Accepting two additional assistants or sponsored children was helpful towards her future but it could be disadvantageous if they were not loyal to her or had their own ideas.
Pixel massaged her head and thought to herself. 'I think the noble classes are rubbing off on me in the wrong way..'
It was not wrong to remain vigilant in her position and question some things but she also knew that suspecting others and not trusting in them was a bad habit to develop as it would lead to a slippery slope of doubting everyone and everything around herself.
She did not wish to become a noble that was suspicious and doubted others at every given moment when something went wrong so she quickly realised her faults as she wished to live a more free life.
A tiny seed was planted in her heart as it took root and would slowly change her outlook on the world around her.
This would then take her away from most of the teachings of the family but it had yet to grow from that tiny seed yet as she was still forming her own views and way of dealing with things in her own way but she was slowly finding out that her home environment may be beneficial for many to grow up in but it was not perfect.
Pikachu was originally free and upon becoming a child of a noble family as Pixel, she had become restricted by their rules, structure and teachings which was the opposite way of living so she felt that she needed to decide her own path that suited the new her rather than live according to the families wishes as the family wished to defend its current noble ranking but also rise up back to their previous position.
She may be a genius but the combination and differences of the families teachings and her previous life's lessons had left her confused on what kind of person she wanted to be at present and in the future but her mothers previous speech had helped her a little in getting a glimpse into which direction she wished to take.
As she returned back to her usual routine, she put her complicated thoughts to the back of her mind for the time being as she continued her training before the next day came with new challenges and meetings.