Chapter 157: Generous. For the first time in decades, King Aldric felt the unfamiliar sensation of wanting multiple expensive items simultaneously. As ruler of a kingdom, he had grown accustomed to acquiring whatever he desired without considering cost or availability. But standing in Noah’s shop, surrounded by items that could enhance every aspect of his magical and physical capabilities, the king found himself calculating costs like a common merchant worried about overextending his resources. Everything in the shop was powerful; it made him want to buy everything. He was like a child who entered a candy shop and wanted everything he could get. "So this costs around a thousand golden coins for adepts or above?" the king asked, gesturing toward the protein bar display while his mind processed the staggering expense of acquiring multiple items. A thousand coins per item. Even royal treasuries feel that. "Usually, yes, that would be the case," Noah replied with diplomatic smoothness. "However, since we are both humans, and the princess has helped me significantly during my early development, and I consider us friends..." Noah’s soft smile encompassed both royals as he continued. "The price will be 600 golden coins." Elara’s eyes brightened with obvious pleasure at being acknowledged as a valued friend rather than simply a customer. The recognition carried personal meaning that made her feel...happy. "As for those below adept rank," Noah continued, establishing the complete pricing structure, "apprentice practitioners pay 300 golden coins for first purchases. Novice rank pays 100 golden coins initially. All second purchases are standardised at 50 golden coins regardless of rank." The king nodded absently, his mind already calculating which combinations of items would provide maximum enhancement while remaining within reasonable fiscal boundaries. The revolutionary pricing structure meant that even novice practitioners could eventually afford permanent enhancement, while master-level individuals paid prices commensurate with the strategic value such improvements represented. Democratic access to advancement. Revolutionary concept in magical societies. King Aldric found himself in the unusual position of wanting everything while having to choose carefully—a distinctly non-royal experience that proved both humbling and oddly refreshing. ... The king reached into his own storage space with ease, withdrawing an orb that immediately caught Noah’s attention. The sphere pulsed with contained fire essence, its crimson core seeming to burn without generating heat. A Tier 5 fire orb. Noah thought. "Okay, before we start with those premium items," King Aldric said, holding the fire orb with obvious care, "I would first like to exchange one of my treasures. A Tier 5 orb for your wind orb—what do you say?" Noah accepted happily in his mind before nodding with a casual gesture. "No problem, we can do that," he replied smoothly, retrieving a wind orb from his storage ring and extending it toward the king. It was a perfect exchange. Both parties get exactly what they need, and both orbs were worth the same price. The trade proceeded smoothly, each orb changing hands with the careful respect such powerful artefacts deserved. King Aldric’s smile reflected genuine satisfaction as he stored his new wind orb in his dimensional space. The king’s strategic thinking became clear as he explained his reasoning. "I’m a wind mage—the fire orb didn’t really help my personal development. I had kept it as a treasure for occasions like this, or perhaps for my daughter when she was younger." "But she didn’t unlock a fire talent," he continued, glancing toward Elara with paternal pride. "She developed elemental affinity instead. While she could use a fire orb, she can also benefit from a wind orb. Hence, I opted for the wind orb that both she and I can use effectively." Elara nodded with understanding, clearly appreciating her father’s thoughtful consideration of their combined advancement needs. With the orb exchange completed, King Aldric turned his attention to the premium enhancement items with a calculating expression. "I’ve decided," he announced. "I’ll take a beef jerky and an energy drink for myself." Vitality and agility enhancement. They are great for a ruler like himself. The agility would perhaps fix one of his weaknesses or strengthen one of his strengths, and the vitality was to ensure he stayed healthy. Then he turned toward his daughter with the indulgent expression of a father prepared to spoil his child. "Which one do you want? You can pick one." Elara’s face lit up with happiness at being included in the premium purchase opportunity. "I want the strength one," she said immediately, her tactical thinking evident in her quick decision. The protein bar. Strategic choice. "My physical strength has always been somewhat low," she explained, "and with permanent enhancement, I can strengthen my close combat power as a mage. Better balance between magical and physical abilities." The king nodded with obvious approval of his daughter’s thinking. "Excellent choice. Physical enhancement complements magical abilities perfectly." King Aldric then retrieved a storage ring from his dimensional space, its surface glowing with contained wealth. "Eighteen hundred golden coins," he announced, presenting the ring to Noah. Royal payment in premium storage. That ring alone is worth fifty golden coins. Noah accepted the payment ring while noting its obvious quality and value. Storage rings weren’t cheap accessories—this particular one probably cost around fifty golden coins, making it a generous gesture beyond the required payment. The king was being deliberately generous, or perhaps that was his personality. Seeing such royal generosity, Noah’s business instincts kicked in with corresponding magnanimity. As the shopkeeper, he naturally couldn’t allow himself to be outdone in gift-giving by his customers. Noah moved to his shelves with a purposeful stride, gathering the requested items. Beef jerky, energy drink, and protein bar. But then he retrieved a second protein bar from the display, adding it to the king’s purchase with a casual move. Instead of the three items that the king had purchased, Noah took four. King Aldric stared in bewilderment at the unexpected addition to his order. "I didn’t ask for two protein bars?" His voice carried genuine confusion mixed with growing amazement. He thought that Noah had grabbed it by accident.