"Bang!" He slammed a hand on the table. "Just say yes or no—can you make it? If yes, do it. I’ll pay market rate. If no, say so. I’ll leave immediately."

"Hold on," Wude said after a thoughtful pause. "Enchanting? Beyond me. But forging the prototype? No problem."

In this new world, kingdoms struggled daily against monstrous threats. Even an Ascendant Sovereign faced peril—let alone low-tier adventurers.

Adventurers were state-recognized, roughly civil servants. They received stipends… but had quotas: slay specific monsters, meet targets. Merchants, by law, had to accommodate their requests—within reason. Not free goods, but sincere effort. Cutting corners meant serious penalties.

Wude wasn’t an adventurer. Level 3 strength meant stipends wouldn’t cover his shop earnings—and he might die. Pointless. As a legitimate merchant, he had to serve them.

"If you can’t even enchant, why run a shop? Just shut it down!" The adventurer showed zero gratitude. Understandable—he was the village’s top dog: Frisi, Level 5. Only two levels above Wude on paper, but worlds apart in power.

Put simply: Level 3 to 4 was a ten-to-twenty-fold leap. Same from 4 to 5. Individual variance existed, but Levels 1–3? Barely noticeable. Wude was just slightly stronger than average—maybe handle ten regular folks. Nothing special. Level 3s were everywhere.

Outmatched, Wude swallowed his anger. He couldn’t snap. This shop… left by *her*. Maybe the last thing she gave him.

"..." He stayed silent.

"Tch. Fine. You’re the village’s only blacksmith. No idea where the old shopkeeper vanished. Weird, but he *could* enchant. Whatever. Forge the prototype. I’ll take it to town later. Saves time."

Frisi tossed a pouch. Wude opened it—counted. Twenty silver coins. Generous. Very Level 5 of him.

Wude calculated: materials cost six silvers. Two failures max. Third try? Loss. His skill… partly luck.

After Frisi left, Wude pocketed the coins and entered his workshop. There, a certain slave was "diligently" sweeping.

"Broom!"

"Huh?! Why’s the broom upside down?!" Alreis stared. Her whole world tilted.

"Were you peeking?"

"N-no! I used spiritual sense! Observing with energy! Is *that* even ‘looking’?" Alreis grew bolder with every word.

*Thwack!*

*Hand chop vs. head? Head wins.*

Wude winced, watching her fake a headache. *My head really hurts.* Ever since he’d dropped that "scholar’s excuse" once, she’d weaponized it. Now she deployed it shamelessly.

When did she master the full cute-act repertoire? He was cracking. Not his fault—he couldn’t be harsh with an adorable, pouting loli.

"Stop faking misery. Sweep properly." His authority was slipping. Lately, she barely flinched at his teasing. *My fault?*

He remembered that day: teasing too far, almost kissing her… then chickening out. No wonder she’d guessed he was a "magician." Now? Only direct orders worked.

"Masterrr~" A sugary voice chimed.

"Huh?! What now?" Wude tensed. Since mastering coquettish pleading, she’d exploited it relentlessly. Zero shame. *Truly, an Ascendant Sovereign’s adaptability,* he mused.

"Why not let *me* handle him? One flick… and he’d vanish forever."

*Thwack!* Another crisp crack.

*Yep. Head’s harder.*

"How many times? I’m a peace-loving guy. No violence. Don’t make me repeat it." Wude declared it with solemn conviction.

"Tch!"

"?! You *tched* me?" Wude’s eyes narrowed. "Good. You’ve gotten cocky. Punishment time."

"Hehe~ What’ll you do, Masterrr~?" Alreis smirked. She’d figured him out. Teasing was his limit. As an Ascendant Sovereign, she had grace for that.

"Hahaha!" Wude’s laugh turned icy. "Alreis… do you think your master is powerless?"

"..." Her face screamed *Try me.*

"You forced my trump card. Tomorrow—I buy materials for Frisi’s gear. You heard me."

Alreis’ eyebrow twitched. A chill prickled her spine. But she wouldn’t yield.

"So what?"

"So what? *You’re* coming with me." Calm. Final.

"Big deal. Doesn’t scare me."

"Then… enjoy tomorrow." Wude turned and left.

Time flew. Noon, next day. A quiet town under the Blessing of Life’s domain.

"M-Master! I was wrong! Please!" Alreis’ face burned crimson, steam nearly visible. Her hands clutched her modest knee-length skirt, terrified of a slip. After all… she was going commando.

"Hehe. Regretting it now, Alreis?" Wude glanced sideways. She nodded frantically, drowning in yesterday’s regret.

"But I’m not satisfied yet~ Hehehe…" Wude’s villainous chuckle sent shivers down spines.

"What?!" Alreis yelped. Onlookers glanced over. She yanked her skirt tighter, head bowed in shame. When she peeked up—Wude grinned wickedly. Her Ascendant Sovereign instincts screamed: *Danger.*

"Ne, Alreis-chan~"

"Y-yes, Master?" A cold sweat broke out. *-chan* always meant trouble.

"You know… your master’s only Level 3. Weak, right?"

"..." She stayed silent. *Don’t answer. Don’t answer.*

"But~ my magic’s wind-based. Right?" Wude drawled, voice dripping with menace.

"..." Her smile froze.

"Level 3 can still make a tiny whirlwind. Imagine… *here*." Azure energy swirled around his palm. "Tsk tsk."

"Master! I’m sorry! *Please!* I’ll do *anything*! Don’t—!" Tears streamed. Her dignity as an Ascendant Sovereign shattered.

"...Anything?"

"ANYTHING!" Desperation outweighed dread. She signed the unequal treaty.

"Good." Magic vanished from his hand. He pulled something from his pocket—Alreis’ panties.

"Use spatial magic. Put them on." He handed them over.

"Master…" Alreis wept tears of pure, relieved gratitude.