Chapter 9 - Chapter 9: An Antique Store

[Another day in good mode to look forward to the next day's ritual magic. +1 Magic Ritual]

[Magic Ritual: 1]

[Current Magic: Healing Magic x3]

With a thought, the text box vanished.

Juan walked into the familiar streets, seeing his workplace already in sight. Yesterday, he used two healing spells of his. One for him and one for his father, which he did discreetly after too much effort.

It's quite hard to find an opportunity to use magic on his father, but thankfully, he did it secretly without a hitch. Now, he was left with only three uses for healing. It's a good number for backup in case he's injured or needs it for someone he deems important.

"Good morning, sir." He had just entered the building, and he had already met the supervisor early in the morning who had just arrived. He took a glance at what was on his hand and was speechless inwardly.

"Hmm. Goodmorning." The supervisor was clearly in a good mood as he chatted a bit with Juan before leaving with a bag of eggs and a ham burger plus cola in hand. Talking a bit while in front of such appetite-arousing food.

Juan immediately ordered the same thing after he logged in and entered his work building after greeting Toybits and Yotib, who were still yawning at the entrance. He put down the phone as he waited for his food to be delivered.

At the same time, he calmed down. Yesterday, it took too much time to finally use healing magic on his father secretly. When he took a look at his phone, it was already 8 p.m. Although he can still stay awake, think about his next course of magic.

Juan decided to postpone it and do it at work. So here he was checking the monitor for a while before taking out his phone as he thought of the next magic he should have. "What do I need next for now?"

What else can it be instead of money? That's right, money. As long as he has money, he can secure his independence! He can buy land, build his dream house, create a business, and do other things he can't because of a lack of money.

So I need magic that can create money! What will it be? Is there even a mysterious entity that can make those kinds of things? Juan didn't know, and he would not know unless he researched it on the internet.

He turned his attention to the phone at hand and said, "It's finally your turn." Juan immediately summoned the all-knowing but not all-sure chatGpet artificial intelligence that would answer anything he wanted to know. As long as it was recorded on the internet.

A myth or folklore, perhaps a mysterious creature or existence that can generate, create, or make money. Juan immediately clicked the proceed button. Soon, the screen loaded for a bit. Seeing that, he used that little bit of time to check on the monitors and saw nothing strange happen.

He returned his attention to his phone, and then he read the results. Juan's expression immediately changed; it seems like he got Diwata's appearance wrong all along as he read the information on his chat page!

Duwende: Duwende are small, gnome-like creatures that are part of his country's folklore. While they are commonly associated with mischievous acts, some stories suggest that they possess the ability to create or multiply money. It is believed that if a person treats a Duwende well or builds a tiny house for them, they may be rewarded with wealth.

When he read this text, Juan immediately remembered how he had described those Diwata. Then he thought about how he described them as small creatures. The Duwende are small! But the Diwata...wait. What's going on? As he read the text's information further.

Juan was further confused by what Diwata's real height and appearance were. In the end, he read this information. In the folklore of his country, Diwatas are often described as beautiful, ethereal beings, but there is no specific height attributed to them.

They are typically portrayed as human-like in appearance, often with an otherworldly aura and grace. However, the depictions of Diwatas can vary across different stories, regions, and artistic interpretations.

In some tales, they may appear as tall and majestic figures, while in others, they may be depicted as being of average height or even petite. Ultimately, the height of Diwatas is not fixed and can vary depending on the narrative or artistic representation.

Reading the whole information just now, Juan immediately relaxes. So he had both correct and wrong. But may not be fully answered. However, since he got the ritual correct with the three steps, there's no need to delve further. What he needs now is to choose.

Should he choose his country's superstition? Or the other countries? Is this even necessary to be answered? Of course, Juan would choose his country for no other reason. That is, he was more familiar with them due to stories and short episodes on television he had watched since he was a child.

As for the other countries? He can try them if he can't find any suitable targets for his magic ritual and requests a type of magic not available in his country. It's not that he was biased toward his country, as in his heart, every country is the same. The only difference would be the president and his senate every term.

"Duwende huh, a mysterious creature that said to be able to create and multiply money." Juan's eyes lit up. He naturally had to have this kind of magic! With the ability to create money, he didn't have to worry about poverty!

Even if he somehow got into trouble, no one would find any evidence. No, he won't let himself leave any clue! Any hint or suspicion would grow with time. Juan naturally can't be a perfect actor in many unexpected surprise attacks in case he is investigated. So he had to do it with care!

Since he's already decided, he'll go find some shops that make model houses after work. It is stated that the Duwende like houses that match their size. Then he would find one and try it the next day. Thinking of this, he already can't wait to go home and sleep early, waiting as he sleeps for the morning to come.

Apparently, he found out that the text box that would give him +1 Magic Ritual every day has no fixed time to appear. The only thing he knew was that it would be between 5-7 AM in the morning.

Juan thought that since it was on an irregular pattern, he would guess that the time the earth spun one time might not be an accurate 24 hours. What defines time anyway? Humans created the concept of time and the method of measuring it.

However, such wasn't enough to completely determine the exact time of the world, as there should be some miscalculation. However, to better understand it for people to use, They gradually accepted such a term, as it was much easier to remember and calculate.

Juan felt that since it was just a guess, There's no need to believe in that. After all, how could he surpass those with inheritance in that field with his low-IQ brain? Juan shook his head. He looked behind him and saw his senior sleeping soundly.

He had better things to do, so he opened up a moba game to pass some time while enjoying the snacks he ordered. A while later, it was noon. While he was eating his dinner, the supervisor brought in some people from the headquarters.

Juan opened the door before the supervisor could knock. Smiling, he invited them inside. His senior was already awake and had just returned from taking a bath. Feeling refreshed, he politely guided the guest to the storage cabinet.

"Supervisor, they are?" Juan asked softly at the supervisor's side. Since he wasn't an official employee yet. There are things that he can't touch yet due to their high importance to the company.

"They are from the headquarters. They are tasked with collecting and changing the storage device for a new and empty one." The supervisor clearly didn't want to talk anymore as he busied himself with the documents he needed to sign at hand.

Juan, having nothing to do, left to go to the toilet first. On the toilet, he was playing some moba games for thirty minutes before returning. Just in time for the guest from the headquarters to leave after saying something like goodbye.

The supervisor nodded at Juan's senior inside the room before glancing at Juan and patting his shoulder before leaving a sentence as he left. "Keep up the good work." Juan naturally showed his humble posture as he nodded with respect even when the supervisor left.

"Juan? You there? Come help me arrange the cables first. Those damn errand men from the headquarters...." Juan heard his senior call his name, and the he responded with a "Yes! I'm coming to help senior!" before entering the room after locking the door.

Soon the noisy grumbling from his senior stopped. That's only after the door closed. However, it was different inside. Juan became 'the one who agrees with senior always' assistant when the latter let out his discontent from those from the headquarters, saying they left him so many works after they left.

They didn't even know how to arrange everything back the way it was. Although what his senior said was indeed true, For those guests to come and go as they please without saying a thank you. Juan agreed that they were indeed too arrogant and presumptuous.

However, he remained mum about what he truly felt. Just like that, the days passed. It was Sunday, but he ain't getting any day off because his weekend had already passed by yesterday. Juan left the gas station; he saw no Sami today and thought that he had taken a day off today.

Leaving the place, he walked towards the bustling streets of the city. Although Juan didn't know where the shop that sells house models or mini houses was.

He could just ask around, and there he was. Standing in front of an antique-looking store. Juan's eyelids twitched. It's an antique store, but it also sell mini houses?

No, they should be mere decorations used to beautify some part of the room. However, those were of no importance, as he needed them as an offering to his ritual. Juan didn't take too long to decide as he walked in after pushing the door.

Cling, cling, cling.

Juan saw the wind chime ringing after he opened the door and immediately predicted someone would come to ask what he needed since he came here. And speaking of the man, an old man in his business attire came out of the entrance, hidden by a long green curtain on the other side of the reception desk.

"Welcome, sir. How may I help you?" The old man was clearly professional, as he only asked what the customer needed but did not specify what it was. After all, in this shop, aside from old-looking antiques and those mini house models displayed everywhere with different kinds of design and art.

What could the customer want other than those things? So Juan naturally answered, "I wonder if those mini house models are for sale? If so, how much is the cheapest one?" It's better to be straight-forward than go around beating bushes, as that's just too tiring to do.

Well, it will be different if he can earn money from it. The old man smiled as he understood that he had a customer. Most of those who came inside only had a mind to look around, so he was very happy for a real customer to come even though he was only buying one of his many decorations in the shop.

"Just 3,000, sir, and it's yours." The old man pointed at the house made of wood that looked to be designed with a theme from the pre-medieval era. Juan's eyes lit up, although it was just 20 inches big and wide and thirty inches tall. Although he didn't know the exact height of those Duwende.

This might be the time to trust his gut and choose it. "I'll have this one then." There was no need to take another glance at the others, as what he needed was a mini house, and he had no requirements on the design. What? Pick the most artistic and pay more.

Bro, I'm no rich man and was just starting. Those three thousand were already dug out of his secret stash, which he had always kept with him. Who knew if his mother would suddenly find it while cleaning his room? Even if he hid it better, he couldn't be so trusting without having it in his hands.

Juan waited for the old man to make a receipt and search for a box big enough to wrap the mini house model. He suddenly felt a throb pulsing out of his heart, and he couldn't help but turn around and follow his what his instinct were telling him.

On the corner of the racks were old-looking weapons that looked to be from ancient times. Juan focused his attention on the small table behind it. There he saw an old-looking, small model of a stargate.

It's quite far to look at his current location, so he wanted to ask the old man since he was coming near him already. "Here's your receipt, sir; my men are currently looking for a suitable size box to wrap your mini house. While at it, how about we look over at my small antique store?"

Juan pointed towards the object inside the small glass, not far away, hidden by the racks of old, somewhat rusty weapons. "Can you tell me what is that?" The old man then led Juan to where he pointed, and the former immediately realized what he meant.

"Ah, that one came from my good friend who said to me he found it on an ancient ruin. However, who would believe that? Although it looked very unique and has some different touches around it, it can only be said that the one who made this has a talent for making lifelike creations."

Juan asked casually for its name, "What do you call it?" The old man thought for a while, recalling, "It's been a long time, so I did not really remember much. There seems to be something like portal along its name. Is sir interested in buying it?"

"Although it was a model made from some unknown stone, it was still a unique product of my antique store. However, since you had just bought a product for the first time here, I'll give you a 90% discount. How about I sell it to sir for 2,000? Don't miss it, though, as someone may see it pleasing to the eye and buy it on the spot." The old man's eyes were already shining with money.

Juan hesitated for a while. Since he sensed something in it, there must be something extraordinary about it. It might not be him, but something behind the text box he has is telling him that object is indeed extraordinary. "I'll buy it!"

Cling! Cling! Cling!

"Do come by again!" The old man grinned as he closed the door after seeing Juan out before returning to the counter, ready to count the gain for today. He can never get tired of counting money, even in his old age.

Suddenly, he remembered something his old friend told him about when he gifted him that portal stone-looking model Juan had just bought. "I remember that stone ring-like trophy object name should have been called... Biringan City Portal? I seem to have heard of that name before somewhere...I wonder where."

...

Juan walked out of the antique store with a grumpy face, feeling the loss of his money. Ah, the money flew out more quickly than one would receive it at hand. The sayings are true; the money won't stay for so long in our hands.

Gritting his teeth while lifting the two boxes he had on his hands Juan muttered, "It's alright, it's the necessary sacrifice for the future. It's all for the bigger picture! Sooner or later, all those dollars I spent will return to me by a hundred fold, if not more."

Thinking of this, he felt his restless mind and heart ease a bit. He stopped a taxi on the road before returning home with his goods. Thankfully, the taxi he was riding in has a big of storage at the back, so his goods were carried without a hitch.

After all, it's already night, and Juan was also very tired. How could he have more energy left to walk on foot towards home with the two heavy things he had? Not to mention, when the sky has already turned dark and the road might not be safe to pass by at this time?

Juan wasn't a brave man, nor was he courageous. What if he got shot as a practice target because the criminal had just bought a gun? What if he suddenly got pulled into a fight by some street gangs?

By the time he can run, he will already be lying around because of a possible ambush. As for the things he had with him, Juan would surely cry over the loss of 6,000 if they broke or were destroyed. Soon, it only took 10 minutes to arrive back home.

After paying for the expensive fare. He took the things with him inside the house, where his parents were watching TV. "Son, you returned home late today. Where did you go?" At the sight of him, his mother looked at the boxes he had brought towards his room.

Juan didn't talk, as he really didn't want to. He would feel irritated to be asked such questions almost every time he went outside the norm of his daily schedule. He remembers that his parents seemed to have gone to work at the age of 14 or 16, if he so remembered, far away from home.