This is a story from the time when I lived as Lee Young-jin.
Whenever holidays came around, more gift sets arrived at the orphanage than we’d expect. Perhaps it was thanks to the Director, who had a reputation for being a genuinely good person and often heard kind words from the neighbors.
From vitamin-rich orange juice and fruit to tuna and toothpaste. Although beef was rarely seen, holiday gift sets still made our hearts flutter.
Later, when I worked part-time at a convenience store, the store manager once bought me a set of cooking oil and three cans of tuna as a holiday gift.
And I realized that the price of the gift set was significantly higher than buying the items individually. No, it was a lot more expensive.
“Wouldn’t it be cheaper to just buy five cans of tuna and two packs of cooking oil?”
When I asked the manager that, he chuckled and looked at me as if I was pitiful.
“That’s a matter of logic. Gifts are in the realm of emotions.”
“Huh?”
“The price includes the intent that ‘I respect you enough to give you this well-arranged gift. It has its own worth and is a high-quality item.’ It’s a setup fee, so to speak.”
“······.”
“If you try to rationalize gifts, you’ll fail in business.”
“I see. It’s not about logic.”
“You get it. Bro.”
“Yep. Bro has even done home shopping and sold everything from children’s books to gift sets.”
“Ah, I see.”
Anyway, the most important thing when selling gifts is that, well—
“What is it?”
“The buyer needs to feel like they’re buying something.”
“Oh.”
So it was.
***
So the underclassmen who followed in the footsteps of Patrasch began to buy products as if enchanted. Some among the underclassmen knew who I was and cast skeptical glances, but…
“You can try a sample before you go.”
“Oh, can we?”
“Yes, you can taste it.”
Watching Nephti attract customers with a beaming smile, people started to let go of their suspicions.
“Wow, this juice is fantastic. And this pretzel snack is amazing.”
“Isn’t it? It’s a decent…”
“Yes, a decent drink…”
“It’s a potion. Jephryn prohibits the importation of alcohol.”
“Eh? Ahaha! Yes, that’s right!”
The well-dressed underclassman nodded his head after sampling a drink and eating a snack.
“But I’m really surprised. To think that last year’s Student Council President would…”
“Hmm. Let’s not talk about that. Right now, I’m just a student making a living. To atone, you see.”
“Ah, I see. You’re really amazing.”
The underclassman nodded with sparkling eyes.
Am I trying to make amends for something? But if it helps with sales, I have to even sell my own story.
“···As expected of you, senior.”
“······.”
Why are you moved?
“Nephti, keep your mouth shut and work.”
“Yes, yes!”
As Nephti smiled, another underclassman came over and quietly asked,
“Mr. President, is this the same fat-burning potion that was on the stylish wolf’s waist earlier? You said it’s good for men···.”
“Yes, it’s incredible.”
“Wow, does this really have that effect?”
“It does. Ah, it’s hard to explain.”
“Then give me a glass here, and a set of snacks as well!”
“Why are you buying snacks?”
“Well, you need something salty to go with this tangy drink, right?”
“Good point. The set for two is 20,000 Rin.”
“Oh my, that’s not too expensive? The store next door sells just water and dark bread for 10,000 Rin.”
“It’s a matter of taste, quantity, and price. I don’t lie anymore.”
“···Oh, I see. Yes, I’ll take one too.”
Thus, the first customer left, and a line of customers followed.
“Give me a set too! Is it really that good for men?”
“Of course. Isn’t this the vision of Jephryn? It’s 20,000 Rin.”
“I’ll take two sets!”
“I’ll take three sets!”
“Give me one too!”
“I’m busy making these, so Nephti, please handle the payments.”
“Yes, yes! I’m on it!”
Well.
Actually, it’s just a potion with a stamina boost enchantment.
There’s a little magic resistance and a bit of status ailment resistance. In addition to that, basic options like health recovery are included, as well as various Tier 9 buffs. Because it enhances your physical abilities, unlike magical buffs, you’ll feel a warm sensation rising from your heart, like taking a supplement.
Magic sickness during sports day is officially recognized. This will help prevent that, and that alone will make a noticeable difference.
“Line up. I’ll sell them in order.”
“Yes!”
***
Parents who gathered while buying various snacks took their seats in the spectator stands and spread out their food.
Soon after, the students entered, and the announcer began his commentary.
[Thank you to all the honored guests who have attended today’s Jephryn Academy Public School’s Knight Department Sports Day. To start, we have a greeting from Student Council President Eve von Roengreen.]
Amidst everyone’s applause, Eve took the stage with a determined expression and opened her mouth holding a magical microphone.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the parents and officials who have graced this event today…”
After Eve’s extremely uninteresting and stiff speech, the announcer took the microphone back.
[To the honored guests in attendance today, I’d like to share some safety precautions. All Jephryn students have a minimum magic level of 3, an average of 8, and a maximum of 22. Due to the nature of magic, those with low magic levels may experience magic sickness. In such cases, our safety officers are standing by, so please feel free to let us know so that we can respond immediately…]
Magic sickness at Jephryn. Magic represents willpower, and in this sports day where countless willpowers clash fiercely, it’s hard for ordinary people with low magic levels to cope with this magic sickness. Especially if you’re seated near the front, a potion for magic sickness is essential.
However, that potion is not cheap.
Still, a small ripple occurred among the parents’ groups.
“Ahem…”
“It doesn’t seem so bad this year, does it?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. The Student Council President’s magic level is 22… Look at the people in front. Don’t you see their complexions deteriorating?”
“But we seem to be fine.”
“…Do you remember that wolf?”
“Ah, that red one that you’d want to keep as a pet?”
“No, not that. It had a tag that listed various effects.”
“Ah, so this is…”
“Yes. It was sold by Wolfram von Roengreen, the Prince. This isn’t a Jephryn potion, but a royal potion.”
“We’re drinking a beverage blessed by the royal family.”
“It warms our bodies… and even gives us a little strength.”
“Exactly. Ah, it’s really something.”
A small heatwave of excitement spread among the parents.
“…Speaking of which.”
“Yes?”
“…Can we purchase this as a gift later on? If we present it to other aristocratic houses, claiming it’s a royal potion, then…”
“Ah.”
“Hm!”
“Oh!”
It wasn’t a small idea. The excitement was just waiting for an opportunity to spread.
***
Boom! Wow! Woo! Kya!
“Everyone seems to be having a lot of fun.”
“Aren’t you enjoying yourself?”
“…Eheh. I am!”
The enthusiastic atmosphere reverberating from the distant square and field reached our remote shop.
“Did you want to participate in the sports day?”
“…It would be dishonest to say no. But I’m also happy now. This isn’t pretense, it’s genuine.”
“I see. Understood.”
Nephti smiled.
She’s a girl who works hard for her tuition and dreams, so she’s probably not being insincere. But at the same time, she openly acknowledges her regrets.
“So how much revenue have we generated?”
“Hmm. We’ve easily cleared 30% just this morning.”
“Oh, wow. So…”
“Normally, we would be selling among the students with a stall.”
“That’s true. …Should I go?”
“No, watch the store here. Sales at that level are not at all important.”
“Yes, senior!”
“And soon, you won’t even have the time to lament or have trivial thoughts.”
“What?”
“I need to adjust the uniform a bit.”
“……Yes?”
You’ll see.
***
The prediction I made to Nephti became reality.
Now it’s lunchtime at the sports festival.
Usually, parents would find a spot with their packed lunches to bless their children’s settlement and future well-being. But in front of my stall, hundreds of students had gathered.
“Line up in a single file. Then turn to the side and look this way. Yes, 10 people in a row, 3 rows. If you’re late, I won’t sell. Those in the front sit down. You don’t need to be perfectly aligned. Space out so you can see me.”
I efficiently organized the students who had gathered in front of me, as if arranging ranks in the military.
“I have no intention of explaining hastily, but neither do I intend to explain slowly. If you decide to buy after listening to my explanation, I will sell it to you quickly so you can enjoy your time with your children. I’ll explain and sell in order. This has nothing to do with rank.”
Among them, some noble-looking individuals seemed a bit uncomfortable, but who says you’re above me?
Anyway, the explanation began like that.
“Since you all are here, you must be looking to make additional purchases of the potion I made, right? But since there are so many of you, please understand why I made a line. Speaking of this potion, it’s Jephryn Vision. It’s a potion guaranteed by Wolfram. It aids in physical recovery and cures various ailments; it’s a kind of all-in-one supplement.”
Oh, nods from the crowd.
“We are selling a maximum of 4 sets per person. The price per set is 129,800 Lin. It’s a fair price for the product.”
“Hmm.”
“You’ll see once you look at the product, Nephti.”
Some sighed, finding it a bit expensive, but as soon as Nephti uncovered the black cloth covering the gift sets, those sighs turned into exclamations.
One box remained closed. The other one displayed its contents.
The closed box was red, rectangular, and looked sturdy, with ‘Vision Potion’ written in golden letters. Gold designs adorned each corner, adding an extra touch of elegance.
In the opened box, there were five potions in each, housed in luxurious bottles and wrapped in what appeared to be fine cloth.
“If you purchase now, you’ll also receive this mini-potion as a bonus. Whether you use it as a gift or try it yourself, it’s light enough for either.”
“···Oh, oh, ooh···.”
All eyes were on me.
Even without emphasizing my royal lineage, they were focused on the products I was selling.
In fact, there’s a sense of excessive reliance on royal lineage. How far can I go with this?
“Alright, from now on, please line up with either cash or card ready. Each person can buy a maximum of 4 sets. We will stamp the back of your hand along with a mini-potion, so illegal additional purchases are not allowed. Please take note of this.”
“Two sets, please.”
“I’ll take one set.”
“Give me three sets.”
“Uh, what about professional distribution?”
“We don’t offer that.”
“···I see. Give me four sets then.”
And so it went.
They completely sold out.
Everything was gone by lunchtime. Truly, it was all sold out.
The potion sets, crafted with all my effort, sold like hotcakes.
Then we began our late lunch. We closed up the shop quickly and casually sat down in a nearby garden to enjoy magical sweets and the remaining potions.
While eating, Nephti hurried over with an eager stride.
“Um, senior. Senior.”
“What is it?”
“How many sets did we sell? It seems like we sold a lot.”
“200 sets. Sold out.”
“Really?”
“······So, how much will I get?”
“Don’t worry, I won’t cheat you.”
“Ah, yes. I trust you. But 200 sets, that’s 26 million Rin, right?”
“Approximately, yes.”
“···My daily wage at the site is 100,000 Lin. So this is like 260 days’ worth, all in just lunchtime.”
“We have to consider the cost as well.”
“How much is the cost?”
“······.”
I didn’t respond.
How could I say it’s just 20,000 Lin?
As I remained silent, Nephti gazed at me intently and asked,
“···How did you come up with such a sales strategy? Was it all planned?”
“It’s a trade secret.”
“But we’ve faced life and death together, even adventured together···.”
“Even so, it’s not easy to share with an hourly worker.”
“Ugh.”
I didn’t respond. Nephti pouted, looking at me. Some things couldn’t be shared.
“I’ve put my life into this convenience store. I can’t easily divulge this knowledge. Understand?”
“In that case, I’m willing to do the same.”
“What?”
“I want to open the second branch of your convenience store in the future.”
With sincere eyes,
Nephti looked at me, seeking the position of manager for the second branch.
That’s what she was conveying.
This is a story from the time when I lived as Lee Young-jin.
Whenever holidays came around, more gift sets arrived at the orphanage than we’d expect. Perhaps it was thanks to the Director, who had a reputation for being a genuinely good person and often heard kind words from the neighbors.
From vitamin-rich orange juice and fruit to tuna and toothpaste. Although beef was rarely seen, holiday gift sets still made our hearts flutter.
Later, when I worked part-time at a convenience store, the store manager once bought me a set of cooking oil and three cans of tuna as a holiday gift.
And I realized that the price of the gift set was significantly higher than buying the items individually. No, it was a lot more expensive.
“Wouldn’t it be cheaper to just buy five cans of tuna and two packs of cooking oil?”
When I asked the manager that, he chuckled and looked at me as if I was pitiful.
“That’s a matter of logic. Gifts are in the realm of emotions.”
“Huh?”
“The price includes the intent that ‘I respect you enough to give you this well-arranged gift. It has its own worth and is a high-quality item.’ It’s a setup fee, so to speak.”
“······.”
“If you try to rationalize gifts, you’ll fail in business.”
“I see. It’s not about logic.”
“You get it. Bro.”
“Yep. Bro has even done home shopping and sold everything from children’s books to gift sets.”
“Ah, I see.”
Anyway, the most important thing when selling gifts is that, well—
“What is it?”
“The buyer needs to feel like they’re buying something.”
“Oh.”
So it was.
***
So the underclassmen who followed in the footsteps of Patrasch began to buy products as if enchanted. Some among the underclassmen knew who I was and cast skeptical glances, but…
“You can try a sample before you go.”
“Oh, can we?”
“Yes, you can taste it.”
Watching Nephti attract customers with a beaming smile, people started to let go of their suspicions.
“Wow, this juice is fantastic. And this pretzel snack is amazing.”
“Isn’t it? It’s a decent…”
“Yes, a decent drink…”
“It’s a potion. Jephryn prohibits the importation of alcohol.”
“Eh? Ahaha! Yes, that’s right!”
The well-dressed underclassman nodded his head after sampling a drink and eating a snack.
“But I’m really surprised. To think that last year’s Student Council President would…”
“Hmm. Let’s not talk about that. Right now, I’m just a student making a living. To atone, you see.”
“Ah, I see. You’re really amazing.”
The underclassman nodded with sparkling eyes.
Am I trying to make amends for something? But if it helps with sales, I have to even sell my own story.
“···As expected of you, senior.”
“······.”
Why are you moved?
“Nephti, keep your mouth shut and work.”
“Yes, yes!”
As Nephti smiled, another underclassman came over and quietly asked,
“Mr. President, is this the same fat-burning potion that was on the stylish wolf’s waist earlier? You said it’s good for men···.”
“Yes, it’s incredible.”
“Wow, does this really have that effect?”
“It does. Ah, it’s hard to explain.”
“Then give me a glass here, and a set of snacks as well!”
“Why are you buying snacks?”
“Well, you need something salty to go with this tangy drink, right?”
“Good point. The set for two is 20,000 Rin.”
“Oh my, that’s not too expensive? The store next door sells just water and dark bread for 10,000 Rin.”
“It’s a matter of taste, quantity, and price. I don’t lie anymore.”
“···Oh, I see. Yes, I’ll take one too.”
Thus, the first customer left, and a line of customers followed.
“Give me a set too! Is it really that good for men?”
“Of course. Isn’t this the vision of Jephryn? It’s 20,000 Rin.”
“I’ll take two sets!”
“I’ll take three sets!”
“Give me one too!”
“I’m busy making these, so Nephti, please handle the payments.”
“Yes, yes! I’m on it!”
Well.
Actually, it’s just a potion with a stamina boost enchantment.
There’s a little magic resistance and a bit of status ailment resistance. In addition to that, basic options like health recovery are included, as well as various Tier 9 buffs. Because it enhances your physical abilities, unlike magical buffs, you’ll feel a warm sensation rising from your heart, like taking a supplement.
Magic sickness during sports day is officially recognized. This will help prevent that, and that alone will make a noticeable difference.
“Line up. I’ll sell them in order.”
“Yes!”
***
Parents who gathered while buying various snacks took their seats in the spectator stands and spread out their food.
Soon after, the students entered, and the announcer began his commentary.
[Thank you to all the honored guests who have attended today’s Jephryn Academy Public School’s Knight Department Sports Day. To start, we have a greeting from Student Council President Eve von Roengreen.]
Amidst everyone’s applause, Eve took the stage with a determined expression and opened her mouth holding a magical microphone.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the parents and officials who have graced this event today…”
After Eve’s extremely uninteresting and stiff speech, the announcer took the microphone back.
[To the honored guests in attendance today, I’d like to share some safety precautions. All Jephryn students have a minimum magic level of 3, an average of 8, and a maximum of 22. Due to the nature of magic, those with low magic levels may experience magic sickness. In such cases, our safety officers are standing by, so please feel free to let us know so that we can respond immediately…]
Magic sickness at Jephryn. Magic represents willpower, and in this sports day where countless willpowers clash fiercely, it’s hard for ordinary people with low magic levels to cope with this magic sickness. Especially if you’re seated near the front, a potion for magic sickness is essential.
However, that potion is not cheap.
Still, a small ripple occurred among the parents’ groups.
“Ahem…”
“It doesn’t seem so bad this year, does it?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. The Student Council President’s magic level is 22… Look at the people in front. Don’t you see their complexions deteriorating?”
“But we seem to be fine.”
“…Do you remember that wolf?”
“Ah, that red one that you’d want to keep as a pet?”
“No, not that. It had a tag that listed various effects.”
“Ah, so this is…”
“Yes. It was sold by Wolfram von Roengreen, the Prince. This isn’t a Jephryn potion, but a royal potion.”
“We’re drinking a beverage blessed by the royal family.”
“It warms our bodies… and even gives us a little strength.”
“Exactly. Ah, it’s really something.”
A small heatwave of excitement spread among the parents.
“…Speaking of which.”
“Yes?”
“…Can we purchase this as a gift later on? If we present it to other aristocratic houses, claiming it’s a royal potion, then…”
“Ah.”
“Hm!”
“Oh!”
It wasn’t a small idea. The excitement was just waiting for an opportunity to spread.
***
Boom! Wow! Woo! Kya!
“Everyone seems to be having a lot of fun.”
“Aren’t you enjoying yourself?”
“…Eheh. I am!”
The enthusiastic atmosphere reverberating from the distant square and field reached our remote shop.
“Did you want to participate in the sports day?”
“…It would be dishonest to say no. But I’m also happy now. This isn’t pretense, it’s genuine.”
“I see. Understood.”
Nephti smiled.
She’s a girl who works hard for her tuition and dreams, so she’s probably not being insincere. But at the same time, she openly acknowledges her regrets.
“So how much revenue have we generated?”
“Hmm. We’ve easily cleared 30% just this morning.”
“Oh, wow. So…”
“Normally, we would be selling among the students with a stall.”
“That’s true. …Should I go?”
“No, watch the store here. Sales at that level are not at all important.”
“Yes, senior!”
“And soon, you won’t even have the time to lament or have trivial thoughts.”
“What?”
“I need to adjust the uniform a bit.”
“……Yes?”
You’ll see.
***
The prediction I made to Nephti became reality.
Now it’s lunchtime at the sports festival.
Usually, parents would find a spot with their packed lunches to bless their children’s settlement and future well-being. But in front of my stall, hundreds of students had gathered.
“Line up in a single file. Then turn to the side and look this way. Yes, 10 people in a row, 3 rows. If you’re late, I won’t sell. Those in the front sit down. You don’t need to be perfectly aligned. Space out so you can see me.”
I efficiently organized the students who had gathered in front of me, as if arranging ranks in the military.
“I have no intention of explaining hastily, but neither do I intend to explain slowly. If you decide to buy after listening to my explanation, I will sell it to you quickly so you can enjoy your time with your children. I’ll explain and sell in order. This has nothing to do with rank.”
Among them, some noble-looking individuals seemed a bit uncomfortable, but who says you’re above me?
Anyway, the explanation began like that.
“Since you all are here, you must be looking to make additional purchases of the potion I made, right? But since there are so many of you, please understand why I made a line. Speaking of this potion, it’s Jephryn Vision. It’s a potion guaranteed by Wolfram. It aids in physical recovery and cures various ailments; it’s a kind of all-in-one supplement.”
Oh, nods from the crowd.
“We are selling a maximum of 4 sets per person. The price per set is 129,800 Lin. It’s a fair price for the product.”
“Hmm.”
“You’ll see once you look at the product, Nephti.”
Some sighed, finding it a bit expensive, but as soon as Nephti uncovered the black cloth covering the gift sets, those sighs turned into exclamations.
One box remained closed. The other one displayed its contents.
The closed box was red, rectangular, and looked sturdy, with ‘Vision Potion’ written in golden letters. Gold designs adorned each corner, adding an extra touch of elegance.
In the opened box, there were five potions in each, housed in luxurious bottles and wrapped in what appeared to be fine cloth.
“If you purchase now, you’ll also receive this mini-potion as a bonus. Whether you use it as a gift or try it yourself, it’s light enough for either.”
“···Oh, oh, ooh···.”
All eyes were on me.
Even without emphasizing my royal lineage, they were focused on the products I was selling.
In fact, there’s a sense of excessive reliance on royal lineage. How far can I go with this?
“Alright, from now on, please line up with either cash or card ready. Each person can buy a maximum of 4 sets. We will stamp the back of your hand along with a mini-potion, so illegal additional purchases are not allowed. Please take note of this.”
“Two sets, please.”
“I’ll take one set.”
“Give me three sets.”
“Uh, what about professional distribution?”
“We don’t offer that.”
“···I see. Give me four sets then.”
And so it went.
They completely sold out.
Everything was gone by lunchtime. Truly, it was all sold out.
The potion sets, crafted with all my effort, sold like hotcakes.
Then we began our late lunch. We closed up the shop quickly and casually sat down in a nearby garden to enjoy magical sweets and the remaining potions.
While eating, Nephti hurried over with an eager stride.
“Um, senior. Senior.”
“What is it?”
“How many sets did we sell? It seems like we sold a lot.”
“200 sets. Sold out.”
“Really?”
“······So, how much will I get?”
“Don’t worry, I won’t cheat you.”
“Ah, yes. I trust you. But 200 sets, that’s 26 million Rin, right?”
“Approximately, yes.”
“···My daily wage at the site is 100,000 Lin. So this is like 260 days’ worth, all in just lunchtime.”
“We have to consider the cost as well.”
“How much is the cost?”
“······.”
I didn’t respond.
How could I say it’s just 20,000 Lin?
As I remained silent, Nephti gazed at me intently and asked,
“···How did you come up with such a sales strategy? Was it all planned?”
“It’s a trade secret.”
“But we’ve faced life and death together, even adventured together···.”
“Even so, it’s not easy to share with an hourly worker.”
“Ugh.”
I didn’t respond. Nephti pouted, looking at me. Some things couldn’t be shared.
“I’ve put my life into this convenience store. I can’t easily divulge this knowledge. Understand?”
“In that case, I’m willing to do the same.”
“What?”
“I want to open the second branch of your convenience store in the future.”
With sincere eyes,
Nephti looked at me, seeking the position of manager for the second branch.
That’s what she was conveying.
