Chapter 75: A New Beginning – Setting Up Lyra's Magic Artifacts Shop
The sun had begun to dip beneath the horizon as Lyra, accompanied by her companions, made her way toward the village gates. The journey had been full of learning and growth. She had given the village the gift of knowledge, teaching both the culinary artisans and blacksmiths techniques that would improve not only their craft but their way of life. But now, it was time for another adventure—one that would take her back to the capital.
Before leaving, Lyra turned to look at her village one last time, the wind gently blowing through the trees as if saying goodbye. She closed her eyes for a moment, the memories of this place already etched in her heart.
"Let's head back, everyone," she said softly.
The group nodded, understanding the unspoken resolve in her voice. Together, they set off for the capital.
The Journey Back to the Capital
The next four days passed in a blur of travel. The long days on the road were filled with discussions of their plans for the future and the possibilities of what Lyra’s magical expertise could accomplish in the heart of the kingdom. Her ideas had sparked excitement, not just in the village, but also in herself. The thought of running a business—a Magic Artifacts Shop—was one that filled her with a sense of purpose. She knew she had to build a place that could serve as a hub for adventurers, magicians, and craftspeople alike.
Finally, after several days of travel, they arrived at the capital. The familiar, towering walls and bustling streets greeted them, the vibrant heart of the kingdom that never seemed to sleep. Lyra took in a deep breath as she gazed at the city, the grand buildings reaching towards the sky, each one holding the promise of new opportunities.
"Alright, let’s get started," Lyra said, her voice filled with determination.
Finding the Perfect Shop
The first stop on her list was the shopping district—a vast area filled with shops of all kinds, from weapons dealers to alchemists, and everything in between. It was the perfect place for Lyra to set up her new venture. She needed a shop that was spacious enough for her magic tools, accessible to the general public, and located in a high-traffic area.
Lyra and her companions wandered through the district, inspecting various shops. Some were too small, others didn’t have the right feel. After a few hours of searching, Lyra spotted a building at the end of a row, slightly apart from the others, with large glass windows that gave a clear view inside. The shop had a timeless charm, with an elegant wooden frame and intricate carvings along the door.
"This is it," Lyra murmured.
The shop was perfect—not too big but not too small, with ample room for display and a cozy back area for storage and crafting. It had a lovely garden in front, where Lyra could grow magical plants for her crafting needs.
She stepped inside, the creaky wooden floors welcoming her with their gentle warmth. The space was well-lit by large windows, with enough natural light streaming in to make the whole place feel open and airy. There was a fireplace in one corner, perfect for the cold nights that were sure to come.
"How much for this one?" Lyra asked, turning to a nearby merchant, an older man with a kind face.
The merchant eyed her for a moment before smiling. "For a shop this size, it’ll be 80 gold coins."
Lyra nodded. It was a fair price for the location, and the shop’s charm made it worth every coin. She agreed to the terms, and within a few minutes, they had signed the necessary papers.
With the shop secured, Lyra felt a sense of accomplishment. But there was still one more thing to do.
Registering the Business
Lyra made her way to the Merchants’ Guild, where businesses were required to register and receive their official business license. It was a bustling place, filled with people negotiating contracts, arranging deals, and making trades. She stepped up to the counter, where a young clerk greeted her.
"How may I assist you today?" the clerk asked with a polite smile.
"I need to register my business and receive a license for selling magic artifacts," Lyra said confidently.
The clerk’s eyes widened. "Magic artifacts? That’s quite a niche, but it’s certainly within the guild’s scope. Please fill out this form, and we’ll get your license processed."
Lyra filled out the form, detailing the name of her business and the types of products she would sell. As she handed it back to the clerk, she smiled to herself, already thinking about the next step—coming up with the perfect name for her shop.
The clerk took the form and entered the details into a magical ledger, which immediately glowed with a faint blue light. After a few moments, the official license appeared before her, signed and stamped.
"Your license is approved. You’re all set to go," the clerk said with a smile.
Lyra beamed, taking the license and tucking it into her bag. She was officially a business owner.
Naming the Shop
As Lyra made her way back to her new shop, her mind raced with possibilities for a name. The possibilities were endless—Lyra’s Magical Wonders? The Enchanted Artifice? She could always go for something more whimsical or even more direct, like Lyra’s Magic Tools.
But none of those felt quite right. She wanted something that would capture the essence of her work—something that conveyed both the artistic and functional aspects of her creations. After a few moments of thought, it came to her.
"The Arcane Forge."
It was simple but powerful, suggesting both the magic she wielded and the craft she perfected. She would forge magic into existence, and this was where her creations would come to life.
With her shop’s name finally decided, Lyra turned her attention to the interior.
Setting Up the Shop
Lyra knew that a shop wasn’t just about the products—it had to feel like a reflection of her magic. So, she got to work transforming the space, starting with the walls.
First, she inscribed self-repairing runes onto the walls. These runes would automatically fix any cracks or damage, ensuring the shop always looked pristine. Then, she infused magic resistance runes into the floor and walls, making the entire shop resilient to the wear and tear of everyday use.
She also placed magical wards around the shop’s perimeter for security—no one would be able to enter without her permission, and the wards would alert her if anyone tried to tamper with her shop.
Next, she carefully arranged her magic tools on display, placing her creations in prominent spots. Some were simple, like enchanted rings and necklaces, while others were more intricate, like elemental-infused weapons and cursed artifacts.
In the back, she set up a workbench for crafting, complete with all the tools she needed for creating her magic artifacts. A small kitchen area was set up as well, where she could prepare magical ingredients and experiment with new recipes.
Grand Opening Plans
As Lyra stood in the center of her newly established shop, she couldn’t help but smile. It had all come together—her dream of creating a place for magic users, adventurers, and anyone in need of powerful artifacts was finally becoming a reality.
With everything in place, it was time to plan the grand opening. She would invite her friends, merchants, adventurers, and even royalty if they were interested. The opening ceremony would be an opportunity to showcase her best creations, and with her business license officially in hand, she knew the future was full of possibilities.
But for now, Lyra took a deep breath, content with the progress she had made. She had founded her own business. The Arcane Forge was no longer just a dream—it was a living, breathing entity, and she was ready to see where it would take her.
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