Rina's first order of business the next morning was simple: gather materials.
Her wallet's thin contents left her no choice but to be resourceful.
After a quick breakfast of bread and water, she set out to explore the neighborhood with fresh determination.
She wandered through the streets, observing her surroundings more closely this time.
The world felt less overwhelming now that she had a plan. Every shop, every vendor, every passing conversation was a potential opportunity waiting to be uncovered.
Eventually, she stumbled upon a small stationery store. The bell above the door jingled as she entered, and the smell of paper and ink greeted her warmly.
"Can I help you?" asked the elderly shopkeeper behind the counter, adjusting his glasses.
Rina offered a polite smile. "Just browsing for now, thank you."
She moved through the aisles, her eyes scanning the shelves. The store sold everything she needed: cardstock, colored pencils, markers, and packaging supplies.
Unfortunately, her limited budget wouldn't allow her to splurge.
After careful consideration, she selected a small pack of cardstock and a basic set of colored pencils.
She hesitated at the counter, her heart sinking as the total was announced.
"Anything else, young lady?" the shopkeeper asked.
"No, this will do," she replied, handing over the last of her cash.
As she left the store, her resolve hardened. These materials would have to stretch until her first sale.
Back at home, Rina wasted no time getting to work.
She spread out her supplies on the dining table and began creating her designs.
She started with simple motifs: blooming flowers, serene landscapes, and cheerful animals.
Each card was handmade with care, her strokes precise despite the cheap tools.
By the time evening rolled around, she had completed ten cards.
They weren't perfect, but they were charming enough to catch a buyer's eye.
Now came the tricky part: selling them.
Rina booted up the laptop, her fingers clumsy but determined as she navigated the online marketplace she had discovered the night before.
She created an account under the name "Ilvion Creations" and uploaded photos of her cards.
Each listing included a brief description and a modest price.
She couldn't afford to charge too much yet—building trust and gaining customers were her priorities for now.
Satisfied with her work, she leaned back and let out a long breath. "It's done. Now I wait."
The next morning, Rina woke to a notification.
Her heart raced as she clicked it open.
Congratulations! You've made a sale.
She stared at the screen in disbelief. One of her flower designs had been purchased.
The customer's message even included a compliment: "Beautiful work! Looking forward to more."
A grin spread across her face. Her first sale—it was small, but it was proof that her plan could work.
Her excitement carried her through the day as she carefully packaged the card.
She wrote a short thank-you note and sealed it in the envelope. By afternoon, she was on her way to the post office, her head held high.
As she walked back home, she couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.
She had taken her first step toward reclaiming the life she wanted, even if it was in a completely different world.
That evening, Rina sat at her desk, sketching more designs and brainstorming ways to expand her business.
Bookmarks, calendars, custom illustrations—the possibilities were endless.
She still had a long way to go, but for the first time, she felt like she was truly in control.
"This is only the beginning," she murmured to herself, her eyes gleaming with determination.
In her heart, she knew: Kara Ilvion, the legendary merchant, was back.