Chapter 34  

Kai blinked twice to make sure his eyes weren’t deceiving him. He had known about the existence of other races for a long time. Even in the Baquaire Archipelago that was common knowledge. But one thing was knowing, another was coming face to face with one.

With his brain short-circuited, he could only stupidly exclaim. “You are merfolks.”

One book he read had a chapter about foreign races, but it only featured a brief description.

The merfolk sitting behind a table rolled his eyes, speaking to the other one standing beside him, “Father, did we really have to come to this gods’ forsaken fishing village? Not one of these country bumpkins seems to have ever seen another sapient species in their life.”

Kai was too flabbergasted to take offense. Those words were true after all. The one who just spoke looked younger, a teenager judging from the voice. The older one, his father, would probably be a head taller if they were both standing. He had slightly darker scales and a monocle with a golden rim on his left eye.

“Don’t be rude Reishi. This is how I started too. No deal is too humble for a true merchant.” The father had a scholarly tone. While he was speaking, Kai noticed there were a few more thin sharp teeth in his mouth than a human would have.

Reishi looked back at them with a snort, at him specifically. “Stop gawking. It’s not like I’m even a thrice-damned siren, just a common merfolk. Merman is fine too, but don’t call me fishman if you don’t want trouble.”

Kai nodded soundlessly. Moui gave him a light tap on the shoulder to make him realize he was standing nailed on the floor by the entrance.

I’m making a fool of myself. Come on Kai, get a grip of yourself.

Kai schooled his expression and walked towards the table, using Acting to look as calm and nonchalant as possible.

“Nice to meet you Reishi, I’m Kai.” He smiled and offered his hand over the table. It wasn’t really a thing in the archipelago, but he heard people shook hands in the Merian Republic. The merfolk should be familiar with the greeting.

Reishi stared at his hand for a couple seconds. Kai couldn’t really interpret the expression on his face, but he made no move of taking his hand.

Was I wrong in my assumption?

Just as Kai was about to take back his hand—sure he would remember this embarrassing moment every night for the next year—Reishi made his move.

Kai tried to not react as the cold webbed hand of the young merfolk touched his. His nails looked manicured and way sharper than a human’s, but the scales on his hand were almost as soft as skin.

With a smile Kai couldn’t interpret, Reishi shook his hand. The strength he used in the grip would have been uncomfortable if he hadn’t advanced his race.

Kai returned the handshake with no problem. If he read his expression correctly, the merfolk was surprised at his lack of reaction. Luckily, he did not tighten his grip in a contest of strength. Kai suddenly felt the familiar tingling of mana.

Did he use some kind of skill?

His suspicion seemed confirmed when Reishi showed his sharp teeth in a large smile. But it was his father who talked first.

“It’s surprising to find a human child who reached the Second Layer so young.” He did a short bow. “I’m Sehn, merchant by trade, and the father of this young man.” He patted the head of an annoyed Reishi, who didn’t seem to appreciate the gesture.

Kai took a second to understand that ‘second layer’ was probably another naming convention for race grades.

Sehn touched his chin with a thoughtful look, “Were you perhaps not born on this island?”

“Yes, something like that.” He answered noncommittally.

It was clear Sehn considered his race grade high for someone born at the bottom of Red like all the natives of the islands. Kai decided to interpret the question more literally. He was not born on Yanlun but on Yatol.

He wasn’t technically lying. He just didn’t feel like explaining the details and dealing with the questions that were sure to follow.

Since the two merfolks took a peek at him, it only felt right to reciprocate. Kai activated Mana Sense and Inspect, trying to be subtle about it. He had to suppress an exclamation when he saw the results.

Reishi was at the second stage of Orange with a type 1 profession. A combination he had never seen before. Such a high race and low profession meant he probably unlocked the second seal recently.

The real shocker was his father, Sehn. Behind those unassuming looks, his race and profession appeared higher than any he had seen before. Definitely Yellow grade race, he couldn’t tell which stage, and type 3 or higher profession. The intricate mana network of the merman gave him a headache after a couple seconds he was staring at it. The complexity so high he could not imagine ever making sense of it.

Digging into his memories, he was reasonably certain Virya was higher, but maybe he was at Elijah or Dora’s level. Back at the estate, he didn’t have the ability to judge their grade yet.

If Sehn noticed his actions he didn’t say, he seemed immersed in his thoughts. Not more than a few seconds had passed since Kai gave his answer. Sehn nodded his head sagely like he had just solved a difficult puzzle.

Not wanting to waste the chance of speaking with a powerful individual, Kai didn’t hesitate to strike up a conversation. “Are merfolks very common outside the Baquaire Archipelago?”

Who knew when he would get another chance to speak with another merfolk? Better not to waste this chance.

Sehn didn’t seem annoyed by his question, he looked happy to have an excuse to talk.

“Yes, you could say so. Maybe not as much as you humans, but not that far behind. You’ll find my kind wherever the sea meets the shore. We like to see ourselves as the bridge between the oceans and the drylands.”

Reishi rolled his eyes at his father’s pompous tone, Kai didn’t care. If the old merfolk wanted to boast a little in exchange for a few answers, it was more than a fine trade for him. He was happy to act like each word of the old merman was made of gold.

“Do you mean you provide resources only found at sea?” Kai asked, eager to know more.

Sehn ignored his son’s behavior, looking pleased with Kai’s reaction. He continued to talk with an air of importance. “Yes, only the finest goods from deep seas and the dark abyss. We go where no land race dares to venture. We also act as middlemen for the races of the oceans who don’t like or can’t travel on land.”

Remembering Reishi’s earlier remark, Kai asked. “Such as sirens?” He wasn’t exactly sure of the difference between a merman and a siren, but this was a good chance to ask.

Sehn looked like he really enjoyed having Kai hang from his words. “Yes… like sirens among other races. We—”

Reishi suddenly burst out laughing, “Sirens? Really dad? I can’t remember the last time one of those snobby fish came to us.” The merfolk continued to laugh in a very human way.

Smacking his son on the ear, Sehn fought to maintain his cultured demeanor. The young merfolk stopped laughing and massaged the offended part, “Ahi.”

Glancing at his guests Sehn maintained his dignified countenance and lectured his son. “Yes, sirens indeed, son. Your great-great-uncle was famous for having concluded a deal with a powerful fourth-layer siren. Merfolks are always their first choice when they don’t wish to trade with the land dwellers themselves.”

With a last pretentious wave of his hand directed at his son, the old merchant put on a business-like smile and turned towards them.

“Now, young Kai, why don’t you show my foolish son what you and your father brought to sell us.”

Kai turned around to notice Moui was standing a step behind him. He had been so silent during the whole exchange that he had almost forgotten he was there.

“He’s not my father. We are just… Well, he is my uncle. But we are here to conduct our business separately.”

After his proclamation, he expected the usual skeptical looks for his young age. He was happy to notice that both merfolks seemed to accept his answer without raising an eyebrow. Even if neither actually had eyebrows… Kai was reasonably sure.

“You can go first,” Moui said with his deep voice, putting a stop to the stretching silence.

Under the expectant eyes of the two mermen, Kai rummaged through his satchel trying not to look too awkward or inexperienced. All contents were well packaged. It would have been easier to empty the satchel on the table directly, but he was not going to make such a blunder. Instead, he started carefully putting one vial after another in a neat pile on the table.

It took Kai a couple minutes to empty his stock. He realized too late he shouldn't have taken everything out all at once.

Damn, I’ll look like a child.

The only thing left in his satchel were his two energizing tonics, and he left them there. He was relieved that the merchant duo wasn’t looking at him with ridicule, focusing on the pile of potions instead.

Without any prompt, Kai began to describe what each potion, salve, powder and balm did. Trying to hype up his products, but not looking too obvious about it. At least he hoped he was not.

Neither Reishi nor Sehn let anything show on their faces, maintaining neutral expressions on their already hard-to-read features. Kai did his best and waited for a reaction with bated breath.

“May I examine them?” Reishi said, suddenly sounding very professional.

After his nod, the young merfolk started to examine his creations one by one, putting them aside when he was done. He smelled them and took out a small magnifying glass to look at some of his concoctions. Kai had no idea what he was looking for. On a hunch, Kai activated Mana Sense and everything became clear.

Thin tendrils of mana, barely visible even from up close, extended from Reishi's hands probing his potions. He had no idea what kind of skill that was, but it had to be a very specific one. That level of mana control was too absurd for freeform manipulation.

Who knew how many other skills the merfolk was using without him being able to perceive them?

Working with fast hands, Reishi was done in a couple minutes, finally speaking. “The effects are nothing special, but they are crafted decently. They must be the work of an experienced apothecary. Even if I wonder why he chose to craft such mundane recipes.”

Kai had absolutely no idea of how much his creations were worth on the market outside Greenside. He reasoned it would be best to look impassive and not let anything slip from his expression. Leaving the merchant to do most of the talking.

When it became clear Kai had no intention of commenting, Reishi continued inquiring.

“I’d like to know how you got your hands on them.”

Kai could repeat the same ‘old master’ story but decided to opt for the truth, curious of how they would react.

“I crafted them myself.”

Reishi broke his business persona for a moment, his eyes widening in incredulity. “You are an experienced apothecary at what? Nine or ten?”

Here we go again…

Kai was a bit disappointed. But it wasn’t the worst reaction he had gotten. Obviously, he didn’t feel the need to specify his age.

“Son, you’re missing something,” Sehn said.

At his father’s remark, Reishi looked pensive for a moment, before an even bigger shock appeared on his face. “You are an alchemist!”

It was Kai’s turn to be surprised. How had they been able to guess his identity?

“Apprentice alchemist.” He specified.

Thinking about it, Kai understood their reasoning. Thanks to Mana Manipulation he was able to bring out every bit of potential from low-grade ingredients. It was the easiest way to explain the high-quality potions. Rather than a child having the knowledge and ability of a master apothecary.

Reishi nodded, “I didn’t expect to find an alchemist in this… settlement. Not even an apprentice. I’m sure it's an interesting story. You must be very talented.”

Kai smiled at the compliment, before realizing the cunning merman was trying to stroke his ego to get an advantage in the negotiations.

Not today, Satan! I will not get buttered up so easily.

“I’m happy we both realize the quality of my goods.”

Reishi stifled his smile. “The quality might be good, but they have mundane effects, and their grade does not reach the first tier.”

Kai only had a vague idea of what half of that meant but continued to confidently speak. “They may be low-level, but they are perfect to sell around the archipelago. Their mundane effects make them only more marketable.”

From their brief interaction, Kai had deduced a few things. The old merchant showed no intention of intervening in the negotiations, letting his son take the lead. Adding Reishi's young age and low profession, the picture became very clear.

Sehn wanted his son to get some experience. Which was probably the only reason someone of his level decided to come to a ‘small fishing village’ in the first place.

It also meant they would travel to other small towns around the islands, making his common low-grade potions easy to sell.

Their verbal sparring continued into a fierce haggling for the price.

“I’ll offer you 10 copper mesars and I’m already buying at a loss here.”

mesars? I would have been happy with 5. This is amazing. Kai made a mental note to thank uncle Moui for the idea of coming here later.

Despite this, not a sliver of happiness appeared on Kai’s face, “Don’t make me laugh. The whole package is worth at least 50 mesars.”

Asking for a silver mesar for my stock. Let’s gooo!

Reishi acted scandalized at his words and the haggling continued. In his favor, Kai was better at rational verbal sparring. Reishi, on his side, had a firm grasp of the true market values of the potions.

Neither was willing to give an inch, but in the end Reishi didn’t need to buy as much as Kai wanted to sell. They settled on a price of 24 mesars and 75 chips. Kai had taken out one of his energizing tonics to sweeten the deal.

Taking the coins from a drawer, Reishi triumphantly gave him the money.

Kai had an inkling he had sold way below market value, but he was satisfied with the deal. There was something the young merfolk seemed to not understand yet.

It didn’t matter how much his potions would fetch sold by a reputable merchant in another town. Kai could only sell them in Greenside and he could not turn himself into a respected apothecary. He would never get half as many coins selling in the market. If Reishi had kept insisting, he would have been willing to go even lower.

Keep smiling all you want. You could have forced a much steeper deal.

Kai inwardly gloated.