While they were chatting, Lee Kiwook found a server and pulled out that same gold coin from his pocket. "We'll pay together."
The server nodded. "Alright, the total is eight copper coins. Your change is nine silver and two copper."
Lee Kiwook accepted the handful of small change and did a quick mental calculation. One gold coin was worth ten silver, which was worth one hundred copper—pretty straightforward. The prices weren't too bad either.
When Elarion finished his chat and turned around, he was surprised to see that Lee Kiwook had already paid for the meal. "Huh? You paid for my food too? Didn't you say you were trying to save up?"
Lee Kiwook speared a piece of the berry pie that had just been served and used it to block Elarion's non-stop chatter. "It's an Eastern custom. At the start of school, you treat your roommate to a meal."
Elarion puffed out his cheeks and chewed the piping hot, sweet berry pie, half skeptical. "Really?"
Lee Kiwook raised his cup of black tea and lightly tapped it against Elarion's mug, the corners of his mouth lifting. "Really. Looking forward to the year with you, Mr. Elarion."
Elarion blinked his eyes in surprise, then he smiled so wide that his eyes curved into crescents. He mimicked Lee Kiwook and clinked his cup against his. "Looking forward to it, Mr. Lee."
A relaxed atmosphere, delicious food, and a friend who was easy to get along with—Lee Kiwook sliced off a piece of rib and placed it into his mouth. The rich flavor of spices and oil ignited his taste buds and sent signals of comfort through his entire body.
If this transmigration really was the will of some deity, he was more than willing to devote his whole life in worship.
By the time the two of them walked out of the tavern with full stomachs, it was already around two in the afternoon.
The Western fantasy world didn't observe the custom of taking afternoon naps, so this time of day was when Central Street was at its liveliest.
Elarion was very familiar with the Central Street.
Although his hometown was just a small town near the capital city of the Holy Empire of Man, every year on the first of January during the Grand Pilgrimage Festival, the town's priest would bring him to the capital to listen to the Pope's chants.
The Grand Pilgrimage Festival lasted for seven days within the capital city, and during his free time, Elarion would run off to Central Street to purchase materials and sell the Lumen Charms he crafted.
Those were also the days when Lumen Charms sold best. Elarion's Lumen Charms were particularly rich in energy and had gained a bit of a reputation on Central Street. Every day during that week, many familiar believers would come specifically to buy from him.
The majority of Elarion's income was earned this way.
"Look, starting from that black signpost, that area over there sells all sorts of magical scrolls and sword technique manuals. A lot of magic casters and swordmasters come here to find good deals. I heard that just a few days ago, someone even managed to stumble upon an epic-tier magic scroll." Elarion clicked his tongue with admiration.
Lee Kiwook followed his gaze. Oh, so that was the place where they sold skill books. He could come back another day and see if there were any skill books suitable for him…
"The green zone is where they sell potions." Elarion, worried that Lee Kiwook might do something reckless and try to sell off some precious family heirloom potions, only briefly mentioned it before quickly looking away.
But Lee Kiwook still stared in that direction for quite a while, clearly itching to go.
"And over there, the red area!" Elarion tugged on Lee Kiwook's arm in excitement. "That's where all the profession equipment is sold. We'll have to look for our wands there. I also sell my Lumen Charms in that section."
The layout of Central Street in real life was clearly much more detailed. In the game, Central Street had only been one open scene, with everything crammed together for buying and selling—it didn't have the grandeur expected of the empire's largest trading district.
Lee Kiwook looked around at the bustling street with satisfaction and pointed toward the last green area. "That's where the materials are sold?"
"Mm-hmm, that's right. We'll need to head there later too—my magic crystals are running low," Elarion nodded and started hustling forward with his short legs. "But let's go to the wand shop first! I've been waiting for this day for ten years!"
Lee Kiwook laughed and jogged along with him. "Isn't that a bit dramatic?"
Elarion replied earnestly, "Of course not. Commoners aren't allowed to buy their own wands. Only after becoming a magic apprentice—or receiving one as a gift from a noble—can someone obtain a wand. But even then, most people still can't afford one."
As he spoke, he gave Lee Kiwook a curious look. "Haven't you ever longed to have a wand of your own?"
Lee Kiwook replied indifferently, "I only know Fireball. It doesn't need a wand to cast."
Elarion understood and lowered his voice to comfort him. "Once you get a wand, I'm sure you'll become even more powerful! Ah! We're here! It's this one!"
He rushed into a store marked with a wand symbol, the small bell hanging on the doorframe clanging loudly as it was bumped.
The shopkeeper was an elderly dwarf. He wore a simple and practical sleeveless shirt, and a thick single-lens monocle rested on his short nose. At the moment, he was holding a pitch-black wand, meticulously carving it.
There were only two or three other customers inside the shop. They were all wearing the standard robes of the Magic Academy, but their outfits were plainly styled and devoid of any decorative accessories. The bags they carried and the shoes they wore were made from basic linen cloth.