Chapter 181: Pricing change Keeping all those premium items on the shelf was proving wasteful when he could be selling them at lower prices to improve the capabilities of powerful individuals within the kingdom. Powerful practitioners would make the kingdom stronger overall. Once the kingdom regained its strength and stability, it would naturally restore trading relationships with neighbouring kingdoms. Economic recovery would follow military security, creating wealth that could support higher pricing in the future. By then, when he next returned to the human kingdom, he would have valid reasons to sell at the prices these items truly deserved. But for now, the kingdom needed strength more than he needed maximum profit per unit. The thought of lowering prices hadn’t just occurred to Noah today. In fact, he had been considering this strategy adjustment for several days as evidence mounted about the economic limitations facing his customer base. Seeing Valeria’s genuine distress at being unable to afford items that could transform her capabilities had cemented his decision. The guild master represented exactly the kind of person who would use permanent enhancement responsibly while contributing to kingdom defense. Noah looked at Valeria with determination about implementing price adjustments that would serve both his long-term business interests and the kingdom’s immediate security needs. The time had come to adapt his pricing strategy to match the economic reality of his current market rather than maintaining artificial scarcity that served no productive purpose. ... As Valeria was about to leave, Noah made a decision that would reshape his business approach in the human kingdom. "Valeria, wait," he called, causing the guild master to pause at the door. He smiled before asking, "How much do you think would be a fair price that would help adept-rank practitioners without burdening them so heavily that they can’t afford enhancement?" Valeria’s eyes lit up with sudden hope, her expression transforming from resigned disappointment to excitement. "Are you... planning to reduce the price?" she asked, her voice trembling. Noah nodded with certainty. "I think it’s time the human kingdom regains its earlier prosperity. Strong practitioners make for a strong kingdom." The strategic reasoning was sound—investing in the kingdom’s defensive capabilities now would pay dividends in future stability and economic growth that would support higher pricing later. Valeria immediately became excited. "An item like this..." she began thoughtfully, her mind already calculating. "I think 100 golden coins would be accessible for most practitioners at adept rank or higher. Most have at least that much saved from successful missions." Her enthusiasm built as she continued. "Even 200 golden coins would work for serious practitioners. You’re not just doing us an incredible favour that we’ll never forget—you’re doing the entire kingdom a service that could change our defensive capabilities." Noah considered her pricing suggestions carefully. Apprentice-rank practitioners wouldn’t have immediate need for such powerful enhancement, making adept and master-level individuals his primary target market. 150 golden coins. Right in the middle of her range. Fair for both parties. "Let’s make it 150 golden coins," Noah decided. "That should be accessible to serious practitioners while still reflecting the items’ value." Valeria’s face broke into a smile of pure joy. Without hesitation, she reached for her coin pouch with hands that shook slightly from excitement. "I’ll take an energy drink immediately," she declared, counting out the payment. "I believe that with this item, I might truly hit the pseudo-master rank." The transaction completed smoothly, with Valeria handling the bottle like precious treasure. "I’ll bring some of my guild members to purchase items as well," she promised with obvious gratitude. "Word will spread quickly among serious practitioners." Noah nodded before checking his remaining stock levels. "There are only eleven energy drinks left, along with full stocks of the other premium items." He turned toward Alissa and Kip, noting their obvious interest in the enhancement items despite their careful silence during the pricing discussion. "Do you two have enough saved to purchase anything?" he asked gently. Both cat siblings looked down with obvious embarrassment at their financial limitations. "We have around 100 golden coins each," Alissa admitted quietly. "Not quite enough for the new pricing." They’re still building their savings from academy stipends and core sales. Makes sense. Noah nodded with understanding before reaching for the premium display, retrieving two energy drinks without hesitation. "Here," he said simply, offering one bottle to each sibling. Both Alissa and Kip stared at the gifts in shock, their senses confirming the genuine magical properties contained within each crystal bottle. "Master Noah, we can’t accept—" Alissa began. "It’s fine, just give me twenty-five golden coins each. I won’t spoil you too much, just a little." He smiled. The pair immediately retrieved the money before giving him a quarter of their wealth. In Noah’s mind, this was an investment in friends who’ve proven their loyalty and capability. He would have given it for free, but he wanted to teach the younglings that their hard work had been paying off and they were starting to become independent, even if it meant that they were only paying a little. Kip’s eyes filled with tears of gratitude as he accepted the energy drink with care. "Thank you, Master Noah. This means more than you could know. You’ve already given us so much, whether it was the protein bar or the wind orb. Thank you..." Alissa nodded with similar emotion, her usual composed demeanour cracking as she processed the magnitude of his generosity. Noah smiled before ruffling both of their heads. "It’s okay, you will repay me once you reach the master rank and become powerhouses of this nation." They both nodded. Valeria stared at the scene with a soft smile. Noah was like the older brother that the cat-siblings never had. With those transactions completed, Noah mentally catalogued his remaining premium inventory. Nine energy drinks remained available for sale, along with twelve beef jerky and twelve protein bars that would soon receive similar price adjustments. The pricing strategy represented a calculated investment in the kingdom’s future rather than simple profit maximisation. Enhanced practitioners would contribute to national defence, economic recovery, and political stability that would benefit everyone long-term. Lola observed the price adjustment with knowing approval. "Smart decision," she commented quietly. As Valeria prepared to depart with her purchases, her expression carried gratitude. She understood that Noah’s pricing adjustment represented genuine support for the kingdom’s recovery rather than a mere commercial transaction. "Thank you," she said with quiet dignity. "For everything. The kingdom won’t forget this generosity. I will make sure to share this news with the powerful people who deserve strength in this kingdom."