The Genius Evolution Store

Chapter 176: Upgrading the Store

In the end, Auric stayed for a while, asking a lot of questions. Ellia’s advice was something he couldn’t ignore.

She might be only one year older than him, but she had started working in business when she was young, so her advice was quite accurate.

Once he got what he wanted, he took his leave. Ellia promised to bring the money into his account within one week. The tax would be deducted immediately, but even then, he would still have more money than he imagined.

The Sun Store was also growing, so they managed to reach an agreement on how to handle future earnings.

On the way home, Lindwurm couldn’t help but ask, "Should we upgrade the store? With all that money, I think you are more than ready to upgrade the store."

’And blow all that money away? Half a million per day is not small. It’s basically fifteen million a month.’

"Your Sun Store is more than enough to provide all that money. Besides, the Moon Store will become another source of income."

Auric couldn’t deny it. More importantly, the rank 2 gathering techniques were bound to bring him more money. Even if they were sold for two or three thousand copies, it was more than enough to give him a hundred more million.

Auric thought for a moment before asking, "Since we’re on that topic, shouldn’t you tell me the benefits of upgrading the store?"

"There are three big benefits. First of all, you may have expected it, but I can get rid of the residual energy from juvenile-form avatars when they evolve into the adult form."

’I know that. What about the other two?’

"The second benefit will be the store expansion."

’Store expansion?’

"Yes. If you want to get a bigger store, I can expand it with my power. If you upgrade, you can actually get a store about four times the size."

’I will eventually move out, but I’m not so sure about moving to a new store right away...’ Auric frowned.

"In that case, you can choose the second option. If you don’t want to move to a new store, we can expand the current store."

’You can do that?’ Auric asked, not expecting this option.

"Of course. What makes you think I can’t do it? I can create your office out of nothing, so I can do the same thing. However, if we expand the storefront, it will be too eye-catching. After all, they will realize the store size is not that big from the outside."

’Fair point. So, I guess we should change the interior. How about the Evolution Chamber?’

"I suggest we expand your office. We can put a lot of things there, such as a training space."

Auric thought for a moment. ’How about creating another room within the office?’

"It’s possible."

’In that case, can you make a pool or a beach? Training underwater might be good for me, right?’

Lindwurm narrowed his eyes, calculating. "Yes, it’s possible."

’So, that means your power can also generate all that? Other elements as well?’ Auric smiled.

"!!!" Lindwurm was taken aback. "You... baited me with that question?"

Auric didn’t deny it.

Lindwurm couldn’t get angry. Auric had been trying to figure out his information, so it was only natural for Auric to bait him. Lindwurm just found himself being played by Auric this time.

Lindwurm let out a sigh. "Anyway, what do you want inside the office? I will make the pool."

’No, I’m thinking about creating a training center. It’s good to run around or do other exercises.’ Auric thought he wouldn’t have to go to campus and be seen by people that way. ’Anyway, what about the third benefit?’

"The third benefit is actually pretty good for you. Do you know how the energy within one’s body moves when you’re about to evolve? How does it move when someone is strengthening their senses? You will find yourself with more and more problems as you grow in rank."

Auric frowned. He certainly noticed it. Problems were increasing. It became more and more apparent compared to his time as a bronze-grade evolution master.

He had encountered poison. Most of the time, people come here to evolve. However, he knew that more and more injuries would become complicated.

And people who got hit by the barriers of the ruins would definitely come.

All this time, he had been too focused on evolution. Those with injuries usually visited the Evolution Association directly.

But with his growing strength, people might choose him because of his reputation.

So, he really needed another facility to handle that kind of problem. He could use the Evolution Chamber to do it, but it would be better to have a much more specialized room for it.

Auric asked, ’What is this facility all about?’

"This is called ’Treatment Chamber.’ It is equipped with three main functions. The first function is to saturate the chamber with a certain energy."

Auric frowned. ’This first function suits the problem with the barrier from the ruins. Although I haven’t treated any of them yet, from what I’ve read, someone who has touched the barrier will have the energy stuck in the part that makes contact.’

"That’s right. Normally, you will saturate the chamber with a certain energy to counter it. It’s either the evolution master releasing his energy or the materials being extracted. By increasing the saturation, it will weaken the energy and allow you to smoothly remove the energy."

’But I can remove it with the chaos element or my elements. Most of the time, the saturated chamber is a method used to handle a barrier that contains two elements. It weakens one element, and the evolution master will crush the other element and use it to expel the energy from the patient.’

"Indeed. But this is one of the features. Maybe you might find another use for it."

’Well, I’m not so sure. The evolution masters must have used this method to treat Axel as well. However, the energy from the barrier sticks to our bodies, while the energy from the poison sticks to the circulation system, which is linked directly to our element. That’s why this method won’t work. I just can’t think of any other reasons to use it.’

"We’ll see. The second function is the sterilization system. After fighting the beast wave, I’m sure you understand how important this system has become. If people are injured, you need to treat them as well."

’I know how to treat the wound, but I’m not a doctor. I mainly focus on the energy that causes the disruption, while that person has to go to the hospital to treat the external wounds.’

"Exactly. Unless you have an element that has a healing property, you will need this system. People have to choose whether to go to an evolution master first or get themselves treated in the hospital first."

Auric understood what Lindwurm was planning to say. ’If it’s the former, there’s a chance an infection will occur from the wound. If it’s the latter, the energy in that wound might become worse. That’s why people are split whether they should go to an evolution master or the hospital first.’

"That’s why a few hospitals are actually offering an integrated treatment center, where the evolution masters will be working alongside the doctors. But the fee is quite expensive."

’So, we will focus on treating the people who come to this place first and ensure that they’re not going to incur more losses when going to the hospital.’

"Yes. Maybe in the future, you can also use elements with healing attributes."

’Now that I think about it, I don’t know how to use support abilities.’

"Support abilities are quite complex. If we’re talking about a combat-oriented ability, you can imagine a gentle wind element that can boost one’s speed, a fully controlled fire element that can boost one’s strength, or even a light element with a healing attribute. Which one do you want?"

’Can I have all of them?’

"I don’t recommend that. If you want self-strengthening, you can already do it with your respective elements. Instead, you should focus on something like the light element with a healing attribute. In fact, you can use the blood element to supplement one’s blood as a way to temporarily control bleeding or a water element that can stimulate your circulation system."

Auric looked down, contemplating. It was definitely something he should consider.

Lindwurm continued, "Either way, what you should focus on right now is the store. Are you going to upgrade the store?"

"What about the third function, though?

"Of course, it’s obviously all the equipment for the other two functions."

"..." Auric’s eyebrows twitched. It was obvious, but he was kind of expecting something else.

’Well, I’m only planning to reveal my silver badge in a month...’ Auric smiled wryly. He was considering postponing the upgrade for a month.

"What? So, what are you going to do with the money? You earn money to spend it, not accumulate it. Are you planning to become the richest guy or something?"

’That’s not bad, but don’t worry, I do intend to spend it. I’m considering upgrading the store right now, but not a full upgrade. Can you do that and give me a discount?’

"Actually, no. If you upgrade the store, I will use the power of my juvenile form, so I can’t give you any discount. In fact, if you want additional stores, you will need to pay more."

’You are really a bottomless pit. I can have all the money in the world, but I’m afraid you’re going to drain it completely.’

"That’s why you just have to earn more money! Maybe get the money from the aliens!"

Auric rolled his eyes. ’Anyway, I’m thinking about upgrading the store, but I guess we will have to wait until the next time we open the store. I need to go to that lab tomorrow.’

"Right? The situation has become dangerous for you. They might end up focusing on you soon. The fact that you have multiple elements might be aligned with their methods. They might want to kill you, but I think they will most likely want to capture you first."

’Sounds like a hassle.’ Auric sighed. ’Besides, if I open a flash store in another city, they might target me there, where I’m less protected. I have to think of a way to stay protected while opening a temporary store like that.’

"That’s why you need a connection. Don’t you have connections out there?"

Auric was confused at first, but he soon thought of a certain name. ’Do you mean Axel?’

"That’s right. Get a bodyguard or two from the Aheron family to guard your stores. Make sure they’re strong enough to protect you. Besides, if we go to their city, it will be easier for them to protect you. The Aheron family might even help you with the store promotion or other things."

’That might be a good idea. I will consider it for now. We still have plenty of time anyway. I want to focus on making my unique element reach 100% first. If possible, I want to help other people with their unique elements and get more unique elements this way.

’Still, it’s quite a shame that I can’t actually use my own energy to create my own gathering techniques...’ Auric sighed.

"Fundamentally, the flow of energy in your body is different from that of others. You can imitate them, but you can’t be one of them. After all, you don’t have an affinity. That’s why eventually, you will need to reveal your power to everyone and help even people with unique elements to evolve. It is for your own evolution."

’That sucks, but at least other elements are working. The only problem will be the timing of the reveal. If I do it too fast, the commotion will be too big. If I do it too slowly, I might end up being stuck for a while because I have to wait for other people to evolve.’

"Correct. So, you better consider it carefully."

’Well...’ Auric shrugged. He had made a few decisions, including the store upgrade. He would have to inform Mr. Popo and Milinda that he would renovate the store. This way, they wouldn’t question why the store suddenly looked different.

Of course, this also meant he couldn’t show his office. He might even have to use hidden doors to access the secret expansion.

Nevertheless, time passed, and he woke up in the morning with Maya and Arnie already waiting for him.