As expected, after the ad went live on NorthStar Communication Network, people rushed toward Eldrin’s store.

Mages, knights, adventurers, bodyguards, traders, merchants. People from all walks of life gathered in front of the store like ants to drop food. All of them wanted to get their hands on the bracelet.

They would have been more skeptical about the claim in the ad, but with living proof from many customers who used the bracelet before, that skepticism evaporated.

It was never mentioned where the bracelets were sold in the ad, but words traveled fast.

From those same customers who acted as living proof, the location of the Eldrin’s store was exposed.

It was chaotic. Especially when they stopped selling the bracelets, for now.

“I’m sorry. After preparation for the play, we ran out of stock for the bracelet. If you want a bracelet, please come to the show.” Fixa said calmly as if the wave of people didn’t affect her in any way or form.

Of course, these people won’t just shut up and roll like a good dog.

“What the hell? I have money. Just give me a bracelet.”

“I will buy ten. Give them to me.”

“Do you know who I am? I’m the son of Lord Nagger. You will give me all your bracelets or face the consequences.”

Funny how even in Eldoria, the young master type still existed. Karl never met any at all this time. It turned out there were quite a lot of them here. And they were trying to push into the store.

Since it was too chaotic, Karl thought it was time.

He opened his Soul World on the ceiling of the store. When the blood dripped and the slaughter intent oozed out, the crowd went silent in a heartbeat.

“Ra-ran-rank 7.” One of them managed to utter that word after swallowing his saliva.

With a clap of her hand, Fixa made the Soul World disappear. Or at least, that was what it looked like to the crowd.

“As I mentioned, customers, we are currently out of stock. If you wish to get a Mana Smoothing Bracelet, please come to the play four days from now at the Brightstar Mansion at the edge of the trading district.”

With that, the crowd left. Some hung their heads low while others grinned their teeth. Some had unreadable expressions as if they were trying to scheme something.

When the last one left the store, Karl clapped his hands for the brilliant performance from Fixa.

“Please don’t clap, Mr. Karl. I would prefer it if you didn’t give me such an annoying role.”

Despite her complaint, Fixa fixed her glasses while keeping her back straight and head tilted a little bit upward. Clearly, she was satisfied with how things played out.

“Oh yes, next time if I want to get someone to fake being a Rank 7, I will ask someone who isn’t an actual Rank 7.”

“Yes, that would be preferable, Mr. Karl.”

Karl gazed at Fixa. “You sure have a lot of secrets, Miss Fixa.”

“I can say the same to you, Mr. Karl. To have a Soul World while not even Rank 2 yet.”

“Hehe,” Karl laughed. “Remarkable. I’m glad you’re on our side, Miss Fixa.”

“So am I, Mr. Karl.”

“Alright, since Eldrin is working his butt off to produce more bracelets. I will do my part and check up on the preparation for the show.”

“Good luck with your work, Mr. Karl.”

“Thanks, Fixa.”

Next stop, looking for some muscles to keep the crowd in control. And Karl knew exactly where to get those muscles.

“Here is a special invitation to a play four days from now. It's yours, Miss Elly.”

Karl said as he gave the invitation to Elly during lunchtime in the Adventurer Guide. Luckily, her admirers weren’t around to stick their noses in the way.

“Really? For me?” She took the invitation as fast as a cat on the prowl.

“Yes, four days from now. At the mansion you helped me buy, there will be a play. And you’re invited.”

“Awesome. Thanks, Mr. Kanehiro.”

“No problem, goodbye.”

The next stop was to find the Healthy Body Club members. Since senior Diana couldn’t come and senior Xil’pul was helping already. Karl needed to find senior Bulka and senior Zack. From their call, Bulka said he was with Zack inside a tavern.

Sure enough, it was simple to find them.

“Chuck, chuck, chuck.” Chant echoed inside the tavern. All these drunkards' cheers pushed a certain someone into drinking every single last drop of alcohol in the glass he was holding. It was barely noon, he should be having lunch instead.

Of course, the person chucking at the alcohol while standing on a table was Bulka. He drank till the bottle that was half his height emptied of alcohol. When the bottle was fully empty, Bulka raised the bottle high as the group of drunkards cheered for him.

“Drinking in the middle of the day already, senior?” Karl asked as he approached the Dwarf.

“Haha, Karl, my friend. Want a drink?” Bulka jumped off the table as asked.

“No thanks. I prefer tea.”

“You said that last time too.” Bulka laughed.

“He did indeed,” Zack added as he gave Karl a glass of water.

“Do two always come here or something senior? It seems like everyone knows you here.”

“No,” Zack shook his head. “Just Bulka. I was dragged here because the guy still couldn’t stop drinking. He is that happy.” Zack said with a smile.

“I see,” Karl looked at Bulka, who had already started drinking another bottle half his height while surrounded by a new group of drunkards. “Well, I have an invitation for you, seniors. It’s for a play four days from now at Brightstar Mansion.”

“Yeah, I heard of it from Xil’pul.” Zack took the invitations.

“I’ll be off now. Still have someplace to be. Please give senior Bulka that for me.”

“Will do. Thanks for inviting us, Karl.”

The person Karl needed to invite was Talia Starlight. Sera said she would be at the theatre troupe that made the offer before. It was a good opportunity since Karl could see what his competition was like before he stole Talia from them. Not only that but having a personal judgment about someone he was going to mess up big time wasn’t a bad idea either.

Behind the newly painted oak door with the sign “Troupe member only” of the theater guard by a sleepy old man, people were going around in a chaotic but lively manner.

The walls on each side were lined with racks of all kinds of costumes in a multitude of colors and styles. From royalty to a peasant, from a raging demon to a knight in shining armor, from the adventurer who traveled the world to the housewife who was satisfied with looking after her children. No matter what kind of role, there was an outfit for it.

The air was soaked with the thick smell of makeup that noble women used to hide something and the smell of fresh paint as performers put on their backstage workers running around preparing for the next scene.

Some performers were yelling at the backstage workers, telling them that they moved too slowly and that the performers’ makeup and costumes weren’t going to put themselves on the performers.

“Hello, I’m looking for Talia Starlight.”

None gave Karl even a single glance. All of them ignored Karl like he was somehow beneath them.

I see, so this is what mother was talking about when she said theatre is only for arrogant nobles and those who only ever think about themselves.

“My name is Karl Kanehiro, son of Duke Kanehiro from Blue Dragon Country.”

Some glanced at him while others continued to ignore him. Quite the arrogant people. This isn’t a good place for a girl like Talia Starlight.

“Um… Young Master Karl?” A voice that sounded like a clear bell that didn’t belong here called out to Karl.

“It’s just Karl. You’re Sera’s friend. So just Karl is fine.” He looked at Talia Starlight.

As expected, reality always finds a way to twist a beautiful dream.

The blue-haired girl he took to Eldrin’s store had glossy blue hair that simmered like the sea's surface during noon, but now it took a mixed color from paint latched onto it. Her skin wasn’t nice nor full, but at least it wasn’t so torn and chapped. Her face was haggard, but it didn’t look like it had lost the life it once had like this. The dark circle beneath her eyes was so thick that she might as well change her name to Talia Blackeyes.

“Yes… Young… Karl.” She stammered with each word. The confident girl loses her fire once again.

Some performers snickered loud enough to let both Karl and Talia hear when she couldn’t even greet Karl right. Usually, Karl would look at them with bloodlust in his eyes to shut them up. But he knew doing that would only bring Talia more suffering. He couldn't be there after all.

But when he looked back at Talia, it seemed Karl was wrong. The fire in her eyes hadn’t died yet.

He took out the invitation for the show and gave it to Talia. “There will be a play at the Brightstar Mansion, four days from now. I’ll see you there.”

As Talia took the invitation, Karl suddenly leaned in closer and whispered to Talia. “Our door will always be open for you.”

His action caused her to jump back as her face turned red. She covered the ear he just whispered into with her hand.

"Goodbye, Talia Starlight. I’m looking forward to good news.”

Closing the door behind him, leaving the strong-headed girl to fence for herself, Karl thought maybe he shouldn’t just sit around and wait anymore. Waiting never suited him anyway.

With quickened steps, he returned to their agency mansion.

There Sera, Aria, Nanok, and Xil’pul practiced cooperating to make the show a success.

Sera needed to get used to using the Idol Gears, while the other needed to get used to controlling the items and formations.

“Not like that, Lady Sera. Don't move outside of the formation's range like that. The formation only reaches two-thirds of the stage. If you move out of that range, the hologram will disappear.” Aria called out to Sera.

“How am I supposed to do that when the song needs me to move in a wide range?” Sera talked back as her avatar hologram disappeared.

It was an avatar of a girl Sera’s age with half-back, half-pink hair. The avatar was wearing some kind of modified dress for a young noble lady. It looked like it was made from silk, the kind that changed color from night blue to that deep purple as the wearer moved around. Slivery vine-looking embroidery ran along the dress hem while the dress sleeves had tiny crystals that glowed like stars. The skirt was layered with frills as it trailed along each move like a soft cloud.

But the black shoes truly highlighted the dress. It was dark and smooth to the point of being reflective. The heel looked delicate as a newly sprouted tree branch, yet it gave off a feeling of sturdiness that refused to break. The same silvery pattern as the dress ran traced along the shoe's edges, swirling up from below, mimicking the dress.

The shoe soles are inlaid with designs of stars and moons, crafted from pure silver that leaves imprints of stars with every step. A thin strap, with a small, blue rose in the middle, wrapped around the ankle, adding a layer of elegance to the otherwise cute dress while making sure the shoes stay one during any kind of dance.

Looking at the disappearing hologram, Karl knew Sera had put a lot of thought into designing this avatar. It was more than just something she used.

This was her. This was how Sera wanted to be remembered.

Seeing that the stage didn’t need his help, Karl went to the tent to help set it up.

Just four more days until the debut of Eldoria’s first idol agency.

Karl couldn’t wait.