The System and the Pain in the Pockets
After selling the Alohomora card to his first customer, Jack decided to try out the card that was now in his system inventory. He opened the holographic panel and selected the card.
[Ability Card: Alohomora – Level 1]
Description: Unlocks non-magical locks and some simple magical locks.
Jack stared at the screen while scratching his chin. "So, I just need to use it and I'll instantly master this ability?" he thought. A button labeled "Use" appeared on the screen. Curiously, he pressed it.
Immediately, a small ball of light appeared in his hand and absorbed into his body. A warm sensation filled his mind, and suddenly, he felt he knew how to pronounce the Alohomora spell correctly.
"This... amazing!" Jack grinned widely. He quickly looked for something to test it on. In the corner of the store, he found an old drawer with a simple lock.
Excitedly, Jack pointed the prototype wand he had kept for himself—an oak wand provided by the system—and confidently cast the spell.
"Alohomora!"
A click sound was heard, and the drawer opened. Jack jumped for joy. "It worked! I'm a real wizard now!"
However, as he looked back at the system screen, his smile slowly faded.
"To gain stronger abilities, you need to use the next level card. Each subsequent level requires an additional card."
Jack stared at the screen in shock. "So, if I want to level up, I have to tear up another card?"
The system's voice echoed in his head again, this time providing further explanation.
"Level 1 to Level 2 requires 1 card. Level 2 to Level 3 requires 2 cards. Level 3 to Level 4 requires 4 cards, and so on."
Jack rubbed his face. "So, I need to buy more cards and tear them up to gain power? It's like buying second-hand items that I just have to throw away..."
He opened the system catalog to check the prices for additional Alohomora cards.
Ability Card: Alohomora – 4 Galleon
Jack sighed heavily. "I only make a 1 Galleon profit per sale. That means I need to sell... four cards to buy one card?"
Jack stared at the system panel with a pleading expression. "So this is what they call hard work for success. I don't know if I should feel proud or cry right now."
He tried to browse other items in the system catalog, hoping for something cheaper or more useful. However, he was shocked to find that the prices for other items were even higher.
Medium Healing Potion: 20 Galleon Special Magic Wand: 100 Galleon Ability Card: Lumos – 5 Galleon
Jack quickly closed the catalog. "So this system is like a store selling expensive items to me, while I have to sell them with a very tiny profit margin?!"
He stared at the store ceiling. "Truly, in my new life, I'm not just a merchant... I'm also a victim of the capitalist system of magic."
Still, Jack knew he had no other choice. If he wanted to survive and grow, he had to work hard, sell more goods, and keep gathering money. Reluctantly, he began preparing the store for the next day.
When night fell, Jack sat behind the cash register, counting the money from his sales. "Five Galleon," he muttered, looking at the gold coins in his hand.
He smiled bitterly. "One small profit for a man with big dreams. Alright, let's see who wins: the system or me."