Chapter7-The Legendary Pub

The two sisters felt like they were dreaming today.

Just a few hours ago, they were powerless magic failures captured by mercenaries. Now, they had awakened their mana cores and become Tier-1 mages and warriors.

Such a fantastical experience would seem too exaggerated even in a dream.

Yet, it had really happened.

"Alright, now that you've filled your stomachs, if you're thirsty, you can drink these two drinks," Owen suggested, thinking that after eating so many fries, they must be thirsty.

The sisters exchanged a glance.

They really wanted to drink!

But… they couldn't.

"Sorry, we're too full. We couldn't drink another drop," Flora said, almost tearing up as she looked at the precious mana liquid in front of her.

Even though she had leveled up to Tier-1 mage, there was no way she could handle drinking this high-level mana liquid. Even a single sip could cause her to explode.

Alice felt the same.

She looked longingly at the drinks Owen had prepared. If only a few years had passed and they had leveled up more, then they'd be worthy of such a treasure.

As for the idea of packing the drinks to take with them, it never crossed their minds.

Master Owen had already been so generous—how could they be so greedy?

"Well, next time you come, I'll make some drinks for you then," Owen said casually, not thinking much of it.

"Really?" Both of their eyes lit up. "Does that mean we can come back again?"

"Haha, of course. This is a pub, and everyone is welcome," Owen laughed. "But next time, if you want food or drinks, I'll have to charge you."

"That's only fair," Alice said. "You're offering such delicious food here; you're practically doing charity work."

Owen felt a little embarrassed.

These sisters weren't just beautiful; they had sweet tongues too.

The girls in this world are really nice!

"Can I ask how much you plan to sell the food we ate earlier for?" Flora asked cautiously.

She knew Owen had given them the food for free this time because he was kind.

But next time, it was only right to pay for it with gold or other valuables.

Flora estimated that each fry would cost at least a thousand gold coins.

If they worked hard and were lucky, by next year they might have saved up enough for one fry.

Then she and her sister could share it.

"One silver coin?" Owen said hesitantly. He didn't know much about this world's pricing, but the golden badge Flora had given him seemed quite valuable.

That led Owen to think that gold must be very valuable in this world.

"One silver coin!!!" the sisters gasped in unison.

"Ah, is that too expensive?" Owen shrugged. "I thought fries, being such a cheap snack, shouldn't cost much."

"No, no! We meant it's too cheap!" Flora quickly corrected, just about to suggest a thousand gold coins. But then she remembered something.

"Lord Cat mentioned that Master Owen likes to be treated as an ordinary person. He seems to want to run a regular pub, and a thousand gold coins would obviously be too much for an ordinary pub."

Flora immediately adjusted her response. "I think five gold coins would be more appropriate."

This way, Master Owen could still enjoy the satisfaction of running a pub, while it would also keep freeloaders from taking advantage of his kindness.

After all, one gold coin was the equivalent of half a year's wages for an average worker.

"Alright, five gold coins for a plate of fries, then," Owen agreed cheerfully.

A plate?! But I meant one fry!

Flora wanted to say something, but Alice gently pulled her aside.

"Sis, this is Mr. Owen's pub. Let's just go along with his wishes," Alice said. "We've already taken up enough of his time. It's time we left."

"Don't forget to take your fries," Owen said warmly. "You're welcome to come again."

Holding the fries that now seemed incredibly valuable, Flora still felt like she owed him.

She couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Owen, is there really nothing we can do to repay you?"

Such a great favor—how could they ever return it?

"Well, there is something you could help with," Owen replied.

"No problem!" Both sisters agreed without even asking what it was.

"Haha, you agreed so quickly," Owen laughed. "Actually, I was hoping you could help spread the word about my pub."

"You want more people to come?" Alice asked.

Owen nodded. "It gets pretty lonely here by myself, and a pub without customers isn't much of a pub."

"I want more people to taste my drinks."

Ah, so that's what Master Owen wanted.

"Don't worry, we'll make sure to spread the word to the right people!" Flora made a serious promise. "We'll keep out the ones with bad reputations or who are known for not paying their debts."

"No need to be that strict—uh, never mind. Thank you," Owen said.

And so, Owen happily sent off his first set of customers.

In his mind, he gave himself a five-star rating for his performance.

"Those two girls were really nice. Polite, enthusiastic, and both of them were beautiful," Owen thought. "With their help spreading the word, my pub will get lively in no time."

He was filled with anticipation.

"Meow~" The well-rested Siamese cat jumped beside Owen, rubbing its fluffy head against his arm as a greeting.

"Where did you disappear to?" Owen picked up the cat, patiently brushing its fur. "Two lovely girls visited the pub today. They were very polite."

"Though they're both beautiful, they sure can eat."

"If you're scared of more guests coming, feel free to hang out in the little cat house out back."

The cat licked Owen's hand but didn't say a word.

Of course, Owen had no idea his cat could speak.

He also didn't know that the things he considered mundane—common items and foods—were seen as treasures by the people of this world.

"Whew, I guess I can't be lazy anymore," Owen set a new goal for himself. "I should be a bit more diligent each day, preparing more food and drinks."

"Hmph, once my pub becomes the best in the world, that lousy system will regret leaving me."

Owen muttered, "Even if it wants to come back, I'll never take it back."

"I'm not the kind of guy who takes back a two-faced system!"

...

After leaving the pub, the two sisters were lost in thought.

It wasn't until the pub was far out of sight that Alice finally spoke softly, "Sis, why did you give Mr. Owen our family badge?"

"Master Owen not only saved our lives but also helped us awaken our mana cores and grow stronger!" Flora replied. "I had no other precious items to offer. Our family badge was the best I had."

"No, that's not what I meant," Alice hurriedly explained. "I'd gladly give my life for Master Owen, but I feel like a master as powerful as him wouldn't care about a family badge."

"But the badge is the only token our father left us. Are you sure it's okay to give it away like that?"

Flora gently patted her sister's head and spoke in a soft yet firm tone, "Alice, we needed that badge before because we were too weak and had to rely on others."

She snapped her fingers.

A fireball appeared in her palm, radiating intense heat.

With a gentle toss, the fireball flew toward a large rock, instantly melting it.

"But now, we have the power to protect ourselves!" Flora's eyes shone with determination. "Even without the family badge, and even without returning to the Duke's estate, we can carve out our own path."

"Wow, Sis, you're amazing!" Alice's eyes sparkled with admiration.