The instructors sent the father and son pair off with wide-eyes and sweaty palms.

When Kairos reached the gates, he was stunned to find two rows of cultivators dressed in pure black robes awaiting him. The weakest amongst them are at least at A rank, and there were four or five S rankers.

At the middle was their leader, Ah Pui. He bowed low and greeted loudly, “Respected teacher, we are here to escort you back.”

Those standing on the sides repeated after his words and actions.

The word ‘Teacher’ has special meaning on Gaia. As one who imparts skills, an educator is more than someone who only guides but a respected individual that offers an opportunity for a new life.

There is a saying in Saint Empire that one’s life is given by one’s parents, but to survive depends on one’s teacher.

It is a title revered across the lands, and not something easily given.

Right now, every instructor in the school that is not in a class was looking, thanks to Vouno. Their eyes almost fell out when fifteen powerful cultivated gave Kairos such a sign of respect.

Vouno openly chuckled, “Old farts of the school, how do you like the lesson I specially prepared?”

The glee on his face was enough to get him killed.

Kairos mentally face-palmed, not knowing how his father managed to survive so far.

“Oh, is this why father became a ranger and lived in the forest?”

“Let’s try to keep a low-profile,” he whispered.

The fifteen bowed and faded away like phantoms. Even their presence cannot be felt, but Kairos knew they did not stay far.

The onlookers had a shock when they saw it.

“Covert techniques? Those cultivators are not simple!”

The pair walked out of the school without anyone to stop them, and Kairos was once again secretly thankful of the boon the Fifth Prince granted his group. The usual consequences of being late to class were already harsh, so skipping school entirely would be costlier.

With the academy right next to Saint City, they soon reached the market district where the Snowdrifts’ shop is.

Unlike when it first opened, many regular patrons were entering and exiting the building. Most of the products on display in the shop are of highest make, and those that bought something often displayed their shopping bags proudly. Which, in turn, maintained the Snowdrifts’ reputation of its main shop.

Even if someone did not purchase anything, they often visited the place for Uncle Laksa’s exclusive and incredibly delicious dishes that couldn’t be found elsewhere. Unlike Saint Empire where chefs never received much importance, where he came from, cooking is an art that is highly admired.

Because of the fair prices for unique and luxurious products, the locals had started fondly calling this shop the Gilded Snow, referring to the shiny exterior of the building.

Besides the high-quality weapons, armours, and pills, customers could also purchase an assortment of odd trinkets or other irregular products that Fritzgen were supplying.

For a merchant of the Undercity, illegal objects were much more valuable than regular objects, because people would pay more to discreetly buy the prior while rogues would be willing to them let go at a lower rate.

However, it is inevitable for Fritzgen to accumulate the latter, especially rare and high-end objects because of his interest. Unfortunately, the higher grade an object is, the more likely it is registered.

This means that others would know if an item is not obtained unlawfully, and hence he would be unable to extort…, ahem, unable to sell those items at a higher profit like the other items in his shops.

It is where Kairos’ offer enticed him. With the boy’s reputation as a budding hero, together with the exclusive weapons, pills, and delicacies, that his shop is carrying, provided an incredible business opportunity.

He passed those high-grade treasures that he had acquired through the boring, regular, means, into Lyla’s hands, who in turn made use of the Snowdrift’s brand and sell them for a hefty profit.

With the influx of unusual things which frequently gathered praises from the customers, Kairos’ Gilded Snow became a financial pillar for the rest of the Snowdrift’s enterprise.

Because of some irrational, instinctive need to characterise things, the Snowdrifts became a brand that shoppers believe to be superior to other brands. Buying even a t-shirt from this place could set one apart.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Lyla was a shrewd and brilliant merchant. The price tags she set could only be called unreasonable. However, this is because they knew the cost to produce each item. In fact, none of the customers felt cheated, and instead, if things had went any cheaper, they might not sell.

Sometimes, the way people think can be bizarre. When something with a reasonable price appears to be worth lesser, not many are willing to pay for the item. But when it is sold at a bargain, people will assume it is substandard and reject it.

Conversely, when an item appears valuable, many are willing to fork out much more than what it is worth. At that time, if you charge a reasonable, inexpensive, rate, instead of becoming thankful, the customers will start looking down on the product.

What is important isn’t the cost to make an item, but through its function, quality of material, and most importantly how it is packaged, to know the price one will pay for it.

What Lyla had done was to precisely judge the value of their goods and merely gave them the right price tag.

But her talents in the business world did not end there. The way she packaged the Snowdrifts products was more than ensuring every item looked alluring. She made certain that before the market saw her things, they already had a favourable disposition towards them.

The most surprising product that met with success was a line of clothes that are branded as Rebel-X.

Imagine the employees’ flabbergasted looks with jaws unhinged when they saw people scoop up tattered and torn clothes that were going for a Blue Silver just as Lyla claimed. Each worth a month’s honest wage!

Their dressmakers were shocked at first when she had bought spools of the highest grade Enchanted Weave, and asked to sew them into torn clothing.

They even had to study how to perfectly replicate flaws in their creation, without allowing the clothing actually to fall apart.

Now that sales had soared, no one doubted Lyla that this was a brilliant, if not impossibly successful, decision.

Fashion had taken a weird turn away from the sensible practicability it used to possess.

Youngsters started applying to the Snowdrifts, hoping to learn the methods of their tailors.

Young women demanded the clothes be torn at specific places so that their modesty could be hidden, but allowed others to take blush-inducing glances that are more or less harmless.

Additionally, the enchanted weave ensured that although the clothes looked impractical, it was anything but.

Rebel-X became a revolution that is beginning to gain recognition even with cultivators.

The stuffy old ancestors of high ranked noble families might have felt the items looked distasteful, but even they could not dismiss the overwhelming comfort and the ease of movement is provided, along with an almost excessive resistance against the elements.

The cloth is named ‘Enchanted Weave’ precisely because of its powerful properties to be enchanted by protection runes, allowing at least 30% more protection from Creation and Nature attributes than its counterparts.

Unfortunately, it is woefully weak against physical attacks of any kind, yet costly, making it hardly the first choice for most practitioners.

Traditionally, it is used to make long capes that would be dragged across the floor, but with this new option the Gilded Snow is providing, there are already nobles who are wearing Rebel-X in combat.

The physical harm they could face is easily rectified with Ki barriers, protection talismans, shields, or defensive artefacts. Things that soared in demand along with the fashion.

Besides, the robes that most cultivators wear only provides slightly more protection against physical attacks. Most people had to fit a plate cuirass over their chest for more proper physical defences.

This is only the beginning of the Snowdrifts’ business plans. Kairos had entrusted everything into Lyla’s hands to expand their horizons beyond Saint Empire. He might have a sharp mind and be well-versed in many things, but he is arguably still a newbie as a merchant and leaving it to someone who had been trained by the Merchant Prince himself is no doubt wise.

When Kairos and his father tried to walk into the Gilded Snow, the attendant warmly came over and gave them a polite bow, despite seeing how plainly the two were dressed.

“Sirs, it looks like this is your first time in our shop. Would you like a quick introduction on what you may find?”

Although Kairos is the owner, he was not around most of the time and impossible for the new staffs to recognise him. However, because of the rules he set for hiring, there are no judgemental attendants in their employment. Those who could not set aside their opinions, cannot represent the Snowdrifts and thus will be assigned with other tasks.

Both Lyla and Kairos agree that the store should not choose her customers, but let her customers choose her.

This level of service standard could hardly be found in Saint Empire, and it only made this shop all the more endearing to the locals; well-liked among nobles and commoners alike.

Looking at their silence, the friendly staff offered them another suggestion, “Or would you like to browse the drinks we are offering? Our master chef had recently concocted a series of spirit fruit drinks mixed with frozen milk and Grand Hive honey. They are absolutely divine, and can improve your Heavenly Energy refining process.”

“What?” both father and son exclaimed at the same time.

“Oh! You sirs have not yet heard of the Cultivation foods that our great chef Laksa created? It’s really popular with everyone now. There are those that come daily for their meals or even have us deliver a drink to their workplace. How about I introduce you to some beverages? I’m sure you will be satisfied.”

“No, I mean, is it possible to cultivate even by eating?”

“Of course, sirs. Not only to cultivate, but it also improves on your constitution in certain aspects. Although, the effects are limited, it is gentle on the body, and do not have any side-effects like spirit pills.”

“I’ll like to have a try,” Vouno nodded, then he looked to Kairos, “What about you, son?”

“I think I’ll go talk with Lyla and the rest first.”

Hearing his boss' name, the attendant asked, “Sir, do you know our Keymaster?”

Lyla who is running the entire business operation is called the Keymaster, while Kairos is simply referred to as the Owner.

“Yes, could you lead us to her?”

“Oh dear, she is currently out for a meeting with our supplier…”

“Hmmm, how about Relestia?”

“Oh, a girl's name? Who is this lass you’re finding, son? Have you met someone and aren’t telling me?”

“Dad!” the protest came immediately. Somehow, the attendant managed to stifle a chuckle politely. Indeed, an inhuman feat of willpower in the name of customer service.

“Young master, we do have a guest by that name, but may I ask what your relationship with her is?”

“She is my son’s girlfriend, of course.”

“Dad!!”

“Of course,” the attendant nodded seriously, “Please wait a moment, I shall inform the young lady, may I know your name?”

“K... Kairos.”

“Kairos? T... THE KAIROS?”