Carter left Flora's shop, his item box slightly fuller and his spirits high. As he walked through the lively streets of the city, he couldn't help but talk to himself, his thoughts bubbling over. "Moonlit Fern leaves and Starfall Blossoms... those are game-changers. I can't wait to experiment with these," he murmured, a grin spreading across his face. "Flora's shop was a goldmine. Let's see what Victor has in store."
The streets grew quieter as Carter approached the section of town known for its more specialized shops. Finally, he spotted the sign for "Arcane Brews" hanging above a quaint, slightly mysterious storefront. He pushed open the heavy wooden door, and the scent of spices and faintly glowing potions greeted him.
Victor, a tall man with sharp features and an easy smile, was behind the counter, organizing vials of colorful liquids. He looked up as the door chimed and grinned. "Carter! Back again so soon? You must be making quite the rounds."
Carter chuckled as he stepped inside. "Victor, good to see you. Yeah, I'm trying to make the most of my connections. Aria introducing us yesterday was a big help."
Victor's smile widened. "She's good at that. You made an impression on her—and me too, for that matter. Your potions were top-notch yesterday."
Carter rubbed the back of his neck, a sheepish smile on his face. "Thanks. That means a lot, especially since yesterday was my first time visiting shops like yours."
Victor leaned forward, resting his elbows on the counter. "Well, first impressions count. You've got a solid skillset, Carter. I'm happy to be working with you."
Carter returned the grin. "Likewise. Speaking of which, I brought some more potions with me today. Thought you might be interested in buying a few."
Victor gestured for Carter to place them on the counter. "Let's see what you've got."
Carter reached into his item box and carefully placed several neatly labeled vials onto the counter. "Here's what I've made recently: a mental clarity enhancer, a stamina booster, and a few healing potions."
Victor picked up one of the vials, examining it closely. His sharp eyes appraised every detail. "Impressive work, as always," he said with a nod. "You've got a knack for this, Carter."
"Thanks," Carter replied, his tone genuine. "It's something I've always enjoyed."
Victor set the vial down and nodded again. "I'll take the lot. These will fly off the shelves."
As they finalized the sale, Carter glanced around the shop. The shelves were lined with strange ingredients, glowing crystals, and ornate bottles filled with liquids in every color imaginable. "You've got quite the collection here," he said. "Do you have anything rare or unusual that I might not know about?"
Victor's eyes lit up with a mix of excitement and professionalism. "Actually, I do. Wait here." He disappeared into a back room and returned with a small wooden box. Opening it, he revealed several items: a cluster of glowing Emberthorn berries, a vial of liquid silver, and a shimmering crystal shard.
"These," Victor began, "are Emberthorn berries. Excellent for crafting potions with fire resistance or energy-boosting properties. This," he held up the vial, "is Liquid Moonsteel. Rare and potent—used in alchemy and forging enchanted weapons. And this," he gestured to the crystal, "is a Shard of Etherealite. Perfect for enhancing magic-based potions."
Carter's eyes widened as he examined the items. "These are incredible," he said. "How much for the Emberthorn berries and the Etherealite shard?"
Victor smirked, his demeanor easygoing yet shrewd. "For you, I'll give a fair price. You've got an eye for quality, and I like that."
As Carter made his purchases, the two men fell into a rhythm of conversation. Victor's sharp wit and straightforward demeanor made it easy to talk, and soon they were laughing like old friends.
"So," Victor said, leaning against the counter, "tell me more about you and Aria. You two seem like a good match."
Carter hesitated for a moment before smiling. "She's amazing, Victor. Smart, funny, supportive... I don't know how I got so lucky."
Victor chuckled, his tone teasing but warm. "Well, you'd better keep her happy. She's one of a kind. And from what I saw yesterday, you're not too bad yourself."
"I'll do my best," Carter replied with a laugh.
After packing up his new purchases, Carter shook Victor's hand. "Thanks again for the items and the advice."
"Anytime, Carter," Victor said. "Come back soon. And don't forget to bring more of those potions."
Carter nodded and stepped out into the street, his spirits high. "Two down," he muttered to himself. "Next stop is going to the adventuring guild."
Carter walked through the bustling streets of the city, a satisfied smile on his face as he reflected on his morning. "Two connections down," he muttered to himself. "Flora and Victor both praised my potions... not bad for someone who only started a few days ago." He chuckled softly, his steps light with confidence. "Maybe I'm better at this than I thought."
As he continued walking, Carter's thoughts began to drift. "The adventuring guild," he mused aloud. "I've read about places like that in light novels and manga back in my old world. Are they really as lively and chaotic as they're always portrayed? Fighters and mages gathering for quests, heated arguments, boisterous laughter..." He laughed to himself. "If it's anything like the stories, this should be fun."
The streets grew quieter as he moved into a part of the city he hadn't explored before. His anticipation grew with every step, his mind racing with possibilities. "What do I even do when I first get there? Do I just walk up to the counter and say I'm here to sell potions? Or do I need some kind of introduction?" He shook his head, smiling. "I guess I'll find out soon enough."
Up ahead, a large, sturdy building came into view. It had an air of authority about it, with its stone walls and a sign hanging above the wide double doors. Carter squinted to read the words etched into the wood, then said them aloud: "Adventurer's Guild."
He stopped for a moment, taking in the sight of the place, his excitement bubbling beneath the surface. "Alright," he said to himself. "Let's see what this is all about."
Carter stood outside the large double doors of the Adventurer's Guild, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "Alright, Carter, calm down," he muttered under his breath. "You've handled this kind of thing twice today already. Just go in there, introduce yourself, and do what you do best."
With that, he pushed open the heavy doors, stepping inside. The noise hit him instantly—a cacophony of laughter, shouting, and the clinking of mugs. Adventurers of all kinds filled the hall, some gathered around tables sharing stories, others arm-wrestling or even lightly sparring in one corner. The lively energy of the guild was almost overwhelming.
"Wow," Carter whispered, taking it all in. "It's just like the stories."
His eyes quickly found the receptionist desk, where a young woman stood behind the counter, flipping through a ledger. She had short blonde hair and warm green eyes, her uniform neat and professional despite the chaos around her. Carter made his way over, weaving through the bustling crowd.
As he approached, the receptionist noticed him and offered a polite smile. "Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild! I'm Emma, the receptionist here. How can I help you today?"
Carter returned her smile, nodding politely. "Hi, Emma. I'm Carter Brooks. I'm here to sell potions and hopefully become a business partner with the guild."
Emma's eyes lit up with interest. "Potions, you say? We're always looking for reliable suppliers. What kind of potions are you offering?"
Carter reached into his item box and placed a few vials onto the counter. "These are healing potions, stamina boosters, and even a mental clarity enhancer. I've tested all of them myself, and they're effective."
Emma leaned forward, examining the potions closely. "They look high-quality. Would you mind if we tested one?"
"Not at all," Carter said confidently. "Feel free."
Emma turned toward the room and called out, "Hey, Liam! Can you come over here for a moment?"
A burly adventurer with a scar running down his cheek approached the desk, his curious gaze shifting between Emma and Carter. "What's up?"
"This is Carter," Emma explained. "He's looking to sell potions to the guild, and I'd like you to test one of his healing potions."
Liam nodded, taking the offered vial. "Sure, why not?" He uncorked the potion and downed it in one go. A moment later, he blinked, flexing his arms and rolling his shoulders. "Wow. That's good stuff. I feel great!"
Emma turned to Carter, clearly impressed. "Well, that's a glowing endorsement if I've ever heard one."
Carter chuckled. "I'm glad it works as intended."
Emma smiled warmly. "Alright, Carter, I think we can work something out. Let's talk about pricing and quantities. Also, welcome to the Adventurer's Guild. I have a feeling you're going to do well here."
The two spent the next few minutes discussing terms, with Carter feeling more confident with every passing moment. As the conversation deepened, Emma provided insights into what the guild needed most frequently and the volume of potions they could regularly purchase. Carter shared his ideas for future batches, ensuring flexibility and reliability as a supplier.
By the end of their discussion, Carter felt a sense of accomplishment. "This is a great start," he thought to himself as he prepared to leave. With a handshake and a smile, he sealed the deal with Emma, ready to move forward in his growing venture.