The scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling meat filled the air as the marketplace of Velmara roared with life. Merchants shouted their offers, bargaining voices overlapping in a chaotic symphony. Coins clinked, carts rumbled over cobblestone, and the occasional laughter of children running between stalls softened the otherwise ruthless atmosphere.

Among the sea of traders stood Rion Valtz, a 14-year-old boy with messy brown hair, sharp amber eyes, and a leather satchel slung over his shoulder. Unlike the well-dressed merchants around him, his tunic was patched, and his sandals were worn thin. But none of that mattered not to him.

Because today, he was about to make his first real trade.

Rion approached a fruit stall, his eyes locked on a pile of bright golden pears. Velmara's markets were known for luxury, and these pears—imported from the distant orchards of Eldoria were considered a noble delicacy.

The merchant, a burly man with a graying beard, glanced at Rion with disinterest. "You buying or wasting my time, kid?"

Rion smirked. "Depends. How much for a dozen?"

The merchant crossed his arms. "Ten silver coins."

Rion's fingers brushed over the three silver coins in his pocket. Not enough. But he had something better information.

"I'll take them for three silver," Rion said confidently.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

The merchant laughed. "What, you think I'm an idiot? These pears were imported from Eldoria. I paid six silver just to get them here."

Rion leaned in, his voice dropping. "And that's the problem. You overpaid."

The merchant's smile faltered.

Rion continued, his eyes scanning the crates behind the stall. "You bought from the Zyndren Caravan, didn't you? Their prices are high because they add noble taxes on luxury goods. But the Kalveri Merchants are arriving tomorrow morning, and they'll be selling these pears for half the price."

The merchant stiffened. "That's"

"True," Rion finished for him. "Meaning if you don't sell these today, you'll be stuck with overpriced fruit no one will buy tomorrow." He tapped the wooden stall. "So, how about we both win? Three silver. I take a dozen off your hands, and you lose a little less than you would otherwise."

The merchant's face twisted in frustration. He grumbled, but after a long moment, he let out a sigh.

"Fine, kid. Three silver. But don't come crying if I charge you extra next time."

Rion grinned as he handed over the coins and collected his pears. But his business wasn't done yet.

He didn't buy them to eat he bought them to sell.

Turning quickly, he spotted a wealthy woman in a silk dress admiring a flower stand. A noble's servant stood nearby, carrying a basket of expensive foods.

Perfect.

Rion walked up, carefully choosing his words. "Excuse me, madam," he said smoothly, lifting a pear. "I couldn't help but notice your interest in fine goods. These are Golden Eldorian Pears, freshly imported. They say the royal family serves them at their banquets."

The noblewoman turned, eyes flicking over the fruit. "Really?"

Rion nodded. "Normally, they go for ten silver a dozen, but I'm offering them for just two silver each since I only have a few left."

The noblewoman glanced at her servant, who nodded slightly, confirming the price was fair. She smiled. "I'll take six."

Rion handed them over, accepting twelve silver coins into his palm.

He walked away, grinning.

He had just turned three silver into twelve.

And this was only the beginning.