Summoner's Second Chance

Chapter 27

The sun was at its highest, but Trace's steps was still filled with vigor. The newly approved trade permit in his hand was the cause of this. He is finally able to open up his own shop instead of selling it to other merchant. With this goal in mind, Trace made a beeline towards the Bloodburst residence to ask them a favor. It didn't take long for him to arrive, and the family accepted him with open arms.

"So, is that all the young master needs?" Joseph smiled as he hands one of his shop's certificate to Trace. Trace shook his head slowly, and put fifteen pieces of gold Sverd on the table. "No, that would be quite enough for now." Joseph smiled kindly and looked at the money Trace put down. "The young master surely knows that 15 gold Sverd is enough to open up a grand store?" Trace simply shrugged and laughed it off. "Just think of it as a token of my gratitude." Trace stood up, and after saying his farewell to the family, he went straight to the shop that was sold to him.

The shop was located not too far from the marketplace, so it have quite an amount of customers coming in, but that was mainly because the shop carried various daily necessities and household items. If Trace were to convert it into a store that specializes in selling potions he makes, then the amount of customers would surely fall. Even then, his steps was filled with confidence, and his eyes filled with hope.

Trace pushed open the door to the store, and looked around. Various foodstuffs are lined neatly on the shelves, and fresh shipments of vegetables are neatly placed in a large, segmented box in the middle of the store. Women of various age are browsing and chatting as they picked out what they needed. "Are you perhaps young master Trace?" Trace turned his attention to the person who called out to him. He was a bespectacled young man, and he was carrying a leather covered book. Trace nodded and showed him the shop's certificate to him. After nodding a few times, the man guided trace to a room behind the counter.

"As young master knows, this shop has been here since a long time, and we have a lot of regulars." The man fixed his glasses, and looked down on the certificate in his hand. "The master said that young master Trace wanted to turn this shop into a potion shop... Is there any way for me to change your mind?" The man bowed. "Please! Is there anything I can do to change your mind?" The man was desperate, and it shows in his voice. Trace smiled, and nodded. "That would be no problem. In the beginning, I was planning on building a second floor and open the potion shop there." The man looked at Trace, a beaming smile plastered across his face. "Thank you, young master! I will never forget your kindness!"

"Then, I know it is a little later for introduction, but let me introduce myself." The man bowed slightly. "I am Tristan Farlen." Trace bowed in turn, and smiled. "I am Trace Redfate. It is a pleasure working with you." Tristan smiled, and showed him to a small tea table in the corner of the room. Trace spent quite some time discussing about business and the shop expansion. By the time he realized it, the sun was starting to sink in the horizon.

Trace left the office after saying his goodbye, and decided to look around the shop. In one of the corner of the shop, he found a small girl, browsing through jars of snacks. "Hm... where is this 'dried fish' Fang talked about so much?" Trace couldn't help but sigh, and took one of the jar from the fourth shelf. "Is this what you're looking for?" The girl turned towards Trace, and his expression turned into one of shock. "So? Why is a member of the Angelsong branch family looking for a commoner's snack?" The girl in front of him was none other than Rose Silverstar, and she quickly snatched the jar from Trace's hands. "I appreciate your assistance." Trace sighed and pointed outside the shop. "Want to sit down on one of the bench outside? I'll buy us some drinks." Rose had a somewhat troubled expression for a while, before sighing and complying to Trace's request.

The two sat down in the darkening plaza, with a jar of dried fish and two bottles of lemon water between them. The patrolling guards are starting to light up the torches that lit up the plaza, and left after giving the two a somewhat curious gaze. "So, Trace Redfate." Rose called out from beside him, curiously looking at the content of the jar. "How do one eat these?" Trace sighed, and opened up the jar. The fishes was already cut into four, long pieces, and the bones are removed for ease of eating. Trace took one of the fish, and put a quarter of it in his mouth, while letting the rest dangle. "Such mannerism is unbefitting for a noble, Trace Redfate!" Rose pointed at Trace as she shouted this. Trace sighed, and shrugged. "Who cares? We're eating a commoner's food. It's only natural to follow their lead."

Rose was quite perplexed by Trace's remarks, but his words does rings some logic in her mind. Rose reached out into the jar, but couldn't take one. Trace sighed once again, and took out the handkerchief in his pocket. "Use this to grab one. Don't worry, I'll wash it later." Rose looked at the handkerchief in Trace's hand, and accepted his offer. "Thank you. I shall do just that, then." Rose took one with the help of Trace's handkerchief, and took a small bite. The saltiness of the food surprised her, and her face scrunched up slightly. Trace laughed as he can't help but to see Rose's expression as funny. He opened up one bottle of lemon water, and gave it to Rose.

Time passed, and the plaza is starting to become more and more deserted. The two still sat on the bench, with two empty bottles and a nearly empty jar. "That was quite an interesting experience. I thank you, Trace Redfate." Trace shrugged, and shook his head. "It's alright. It was fun, seeing how your expression changes every time." Rose smiled, and looked up to the sky. The star-filled sky was breathtaking, and Rose couldn't help but to reach out. "Trace... are you not curious as to why I, a noble, am in love with Fang?" Trace closed his eyes, and shook his head slowly. "It would certainly be an intriguing story, but I will not probe if you are uncomfortable with it." Rose smiled and closed her eyes. "Now you talk in a refined manner..."

Rose looked at the jar beside her and smiled. "It was nothing special, really. I was but a lonely girl in a large cage. My parents was very much concerned with my well-being, and gave me everything... everything but freedom... and their time." She smiled warmly, and brushed her fingers against the jar, hoping that her feelings would reached her loved one. "Then one day, a boy strayed into my garden." She closed her eyes and rests her hands on her thighs. "His hair was unkempt, he was covered in mud, and was dressed sloppily... but he had something I don't. A smile, even brighter than the sun." Rose opened her eyes and smiled. "Since then, the boy would frequently come and visit me. We would go on adventures and experience various things. Though it didn't last too long, because he was always so noisy and would be chased away by the guards." Rose looked at Trace, and smiled as she remembered the memories she's so fond of.

"That's quite the story..." Trace looked up to the sky, and sighed. The tales he brought with him after he was left to fend for himself was filled with sorrow and anger. That's why hearing such happy story brought a wave of relief in his heart. "Such pure feelings... I'm sure it'll reach Fang one day." Rose smiled and stretched her arms to the sky. "I sincerely hope that is true..." Trace shrugged, and smiled. "It will. Trust me." Trace looked around, and a yawn escaped his mouth. "It's already quite late. Do you want me to escort you back home?" Rose smiled and shook her head. "No, it is quite alright. Thank you for accompanying me, Trace Redfate." Rose bowed politely, and turned around. "Hey Rose!" Rose turned around and saw Trace smiling. "Next time, come and say hi when all of us is together. As I said before, you don't need permission. You just need to be yourself." Rose smiled sweetly, and bowed to Trace once again, before leaving the plaza.

The next morning, Trace went straight to Bloodburst residence, and dragged Fang to the school. "Trace, what is it?" Trace stopped in front of a billboard, and scanned through the posted messages. "It should be here... ah, here it is." Trace took one paper down, and gave it to Fang. "Here you go." Fang took the paper in confusion and scratched his head. "This is a request for herb gathering, isn't it?" Trace nodded. "And... you want to do this?" Trace shook his head. He grinned, and points at Fang. "You're doing it alone, my friend." Fang took a good few seconds to finally understand what Trace is saying, and he can't help but to shout. "Huh?!"

Trace and Fang went to Trace's lab, and Trace packed various supplies Fang would need. "Um... Trace? Are you sure I'm ready?" Trace nodded reassuringly and gave Fang a dimensional bag he filled with supplies. "I'm sure you can do it now. It's not as dangerous as the place from before, so you do not need to be worried." Fang sighed, but he took the bag nonetheless. "I trust you are doing this for my own sake... that is why I will do it." Trace smiled and patted his friend's shoulder. "Then... I shall depart soon. Wish me luck, Trace." Trace nodded, and gave his friend's back a push. "Now you're one step closer to your goal."