“It means exactly what it sounds like. Ever since arriving in this place, I fancied the thought of owning my own inn. Just that circumstances have denied me. But now the stars have finally aligned. Only problem being that I have no clue how to actually run an inn myself and, considering how things are currently going, I don’t expect to be granted much time to learn the business.

So I figured I would ask a professional for help - one I feel I can trust. Which brings us here.”

“You- I-”

Even if it wasn’t for her uncharacteristic loss of words, it was easy to see that the elf’s thoughts and emotions were in turmoil. But beyond that, Severin thought he also noticed something else in her eyes. Determination.

Determination to reject him? To stick with what she got, despite the obviously dire circumstances? It was, after all, a family run business, even named after herself. The memories she had made in these walls had to be innumerable.

Severin realized things might not be as easy as he initially thought. But he wasn’t willed to be rejected twice on the same day.

He stopped hesitating.

“Before you decide, hear me out first. Or rather, let me show you something.”

With that said and with Milly still in a daze, Severin first craned his neck, making sure the boy was still occupied with his work or whatever he was doing right now; all that mattered was that he wasn’t anywhere within sight or earshot.

Only then did Severin proceed and turned his attention back towards the innkeeper. And willed the System into action.

Without warning, a small transparent bluish window appeared between the two, bathing Milly in its light and forcefully transferring some of its knowledge right into the elfish woman’s brain.

Not the knowledge that accompanied the actual binding process the System would initiate should the woman chose to accept Severin’s offer. But some more general information about what was going on right now.

About the existence of a unique [Shopkeeper] class and the [Employee] pseudo-class it employed, about some entity vaguely called the System, and the certainty that all of this knowledge was only fleeting and would immediately be forgotten the moment she declined the offer. It also came with strict warnings prohibiting her- under the threat of punishment- from revealing any of this information.

That said, it didn’t go much into the details about the concrete capabilities and skills provided by either of the two mentioned classes. Nor did it reveal the identity of the [Employees] already in Severin’s service.

And still all of this knowledge was enough to give a person as quick-witted as Milly plenty of opportunity to infer various things about Severin and his enterprise; that was after the elf had taken a couple of minutes to catch herself and sort her thoughts.

When she did finally shake off her initial shock, however, it was Milly who took the initiative to further question her two guests; much to Severin’s liking as to him, it represented a crack in her previously perceived determination.

It was clear that even a steadfast person like her, one who had long since come to terms with the fact that she was a classless person and would likely remain one for the rest of her years, would waver in the face of such a revelation. The lure of obtaining class-powers was incredible. No matter how mundane they would end up being. It was certainly enough to stimulate anyone’s imagination.

“That is…? For real? Does that mean you too...?” Milly gave the other woman a questioning and help-seeking look. In her eyes, this old woman had to be just another regular person like herself and certainly not a bigshot everyone of rank and name would recognize.

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“Yes,” Mylana affirmed. “It’s real. I had to give up on a lot of things for this opportunity. And I regret nothing.”

Milly slowly nodded in what she thought was understanding. It wasn’t hard for her to imagine what lengths a person would go through if it meant becoming a classbearer. But, of course, she didn’t truly understand the meaning of Mylana’s words.

The thought that even an actual classbearer- a high-leveled and hugely accomplished one, at that- would sacrifice their position to become the [Employee] of a [Shopkeeper], was way too far-fetched for someone like Milly to even imagine. Her thoughts were much simpler than that and concerned much more practical aspects.

Like the viability of continuing to run her business if the much celebrated Emporium opened its own inn and competed with her for patrons when she was already falling on rough times.

About the financial aspect of things. Like what would her pay look like if she indeed started working for someone with such means?

About her potential coworkers and about her responsibilities; that was in large parts the question about her independence.

Would she become just one of many employees? One of many people to be commanded around by those more senior to her? Would she lose her voice? Or would she retain her independence and simply handle the inn in Severin’s name?

No matter how tempting the prospect of class-powers was, those were the real questions she needed answered before even beginning to give Severin’s invitation any further consideration.

And the latter answered her injuries all too gladly, and with all the patience in the world.

“Bandur? Who is that?” Milly asked when Severin revealed his plan of integrating the existing kitchen into the new inn.

“Our cook. A dwarf. I don’t think you two have met yet. But while I plan to keep him in charge of the kitchen, he won’t have any say in how to run the inn. That will be entirely up to you.”

That explanation appeared to mollify the elf. Still, she kept asking; things weren’t going to be that easy.

“Then what about those other two? The ones you brought along back then.”

“Hm? Ah. You mean Miriam and Timothy? No. Those don’t work for me at all. We are still only a few people. Though we are currently working on rectifying that.

All in all we have three full-blown [Employees] and two regular people.

One you already know,” he gestured towards Mylana. “Bandur we just talked about, and last of the [Employees] would be Emily. I don’t think you are familiar with her, either. She is-”

“That the girl?” Milly interrupted, suddenly appearing very interested.

“Huh?”

“Emily. Is that the girl? When we visited, I swear I have seen a young girl working for you. That her?”

Severin was unsure whether he was imagining the sudden shift in her demeanor. He didn’t dwell on it and simply answered her honestly.

“Yeah. That should’ve been her,” he answered honestly, not overthinking things.

“And you mentioned two regular people? Does that mean not everyone has to be… what was it called…? Bound? To that System thing, I mean.”

“Right. Those are limited, but nothing stops me from simply hiring regular people as well,” Severin revealed, certain there was no risk in doing so. “But I certainly plan to offer those who have proven themselves a promote when the opportunity arises.”

Following this short explanation, Milly fell silent. Severin realized she was coming to some sort of decision and refrained from saying any more and possibly pushing her away. All he could do now was exchange uncertain looks with Mylana and hope.

“Considering everything I have seen and which you have told me, and assuming all of this is true... I think rejecting you would be foolish. Irresponsible even. So I will join you.”

“That’s great!” Severin was about to cheer in celebration. But was immediately cut short.

“But! Only under one condition.”

“What?!” where did this suddenly come from? Severin didn’t understand. This was not how this usually went. Yet at the same time, he didn’t expect anything too outlandish from her. Her being reasonable was one of the many reasons he liked her in the first place, after all.

“What is it?” he allowed.

“I want Nel to be the one to become your [Employee] in my stead.”