Power of Runes Chapter 422: Just Helping a Customer

-Ding!!!

A gentle chime sounded from the bell over the doorway when it swung open, allowing a visitor to enter.

Spotting the newcomer, Eric flashed a friendly, inviting grin. That easy smile, paired with his inherently striking looks, instantly brightened the shop's ambiance in a smooth, habitual manner.

Eric was undeniably attractive. He didn't quite match Ash's otherworldly allure, which felt impossible to measure against fairly. Yet, setting Ash aside, Eric stood out in both charisma and features like no other.

Though lacking his mother's white hair, he bore a blend of white and subtle rainbow hues from his parents, plus those vivid rainbow eyes marking Unicorn King descendants. With his pale skin and toned build, he exuded an effortless appeal that drew eyes without effort.

"Good morning, Saskia."

Eric welcomed the lady who had just come into the store.

A youthful woman entered with calm strides, her aura soft and natural. Seeming around her mid-twenties, her lengthy black locks cascaded over her shoulders, and a slim black horn on her brow gleamed softly in the morning light.

Her face held refined traits, her demeanor serene, carrying a subtle grace that commanded notice without trying.

Overall, hers was a beauty that turned heads unconsciously.

When her gaze fell on Eric, a gentle, genuine smile bloomed on Saskia’s lips. It felt warm and open, like his presence alone soothed her instinctively.

"Good morning," she replied, her tone gentle but distinct across the small space.

Her dark, onyx eyes locked briefly with Eric’s rainbow ones, yet as if sharing an unspoken accord, both glanced aside simultaneously. No one lingered.

"So, what kind of garments interest you today? Seeking fresh purchases, or enchanting your old ones?"

Eric inquired from his counter spot, voice relaxed and familiar, eyes watchful. It hinted at his comfort with her regular stops.

The store wasn't vast. The counter sat at the back center, with clothing racks lining left and right walls neatly. Finer items gleamed in wall-mounted glass displays, their subtle runes faint unless scrutinized.

A lone door behind the counter led deeper, to Ash's focused workspace. Upstairs held pricier wares for elite buyers. The main floor stayed modest by contrast, yet exceptional still.

"I’ll browse for anything fresh first," Saskia answered. Her fingers grazed a close fabric edge habitually as she slowed, showing no rush to depart.

After some looking around, she approached the stairs by the counter.

"Alright, go ahead."

Eric nodded, settling back into his casual stance.

Yet right before Saskia vanished from view, she paused once more. Her rhythm faltered briefly; she halted, then half-turned toward Eric, seeming to await more words.

Eyes met anew, and now she held it a touch longer.

"Umm... aren’t you going to come?"

Her words came softly, laced with slight uncertainty. Yet deeper lay something subtler, rendering the query more intimate than casual.

{Did she just ask you to go with her?}

Eva’s voice rang in his head, tinged with intrigued mirth as she perceived the scene sharper than he.

Eric responded in thought, unperturbed, direct as always.

{I am telling you, she likes you, little brother. Do not pretend to be dumb, I know you can feel it too.}

He shot back assuredly, settling on the plainest truth without deeper probe.

Eva fell silent this round. She observed quietly as Eric rose from the counter, oblivious to the trap he'd entered.

"I am coming with you then, I guess. I will help you choose the best piece."

Eric stated matter-of-factly, as if routine.

Saskia’s face relaxed seeing him stir. A radiant, open smile lit her features before she pivoted upstairs, steps now brisker and lighter, like a weight had eased inside.

Inwardly, Eva chuckled softly, delight swelling as events matched her foresight.

{Oh my sweet little brother, you really know nothing. A woman asking a man to choose clothes for her is never just because the shop is empty.}

She held that musing private while they ascended.

Upstairs felt more hushed than below. Street sounds dulled to a murmur, warm glow bathing the area, illuminating clothing rows where runes pulsed faintly, alive in quiet.

Saskia entered first, instinctively slowing, eyes wandering displays leisurely. Still, her focus flicked back occasionally, mindful of the follower.

Eric followed leisurely, at ease amid the racks. He plucked a coat free.

"These are the newer ones," he noted, displaying it for her view. "This one maintains steady body heat, sparing you climate shift worries on journeys."

Saskia neared, gaze shifting from coat to him momentarily, then fabric.

"So it prevents freezing or scorching simultaneously, no endless outfit swaps by location," she murmured, amusement flickering.

"It balances all without wearer fuss," Eric clarified evenly. "Habit forms quick; you’ll barely sense it—that’s the intent."

Saskia lifted another garment, appraising it held before her.

"And this? How’s it stack against the last? Same use, or distinct function?" she queried, tone freer now.

Eric sidled close sans pause, inspecting lining.

"This counters outer force," he detailed. "Attack or jolt hits, runes soak some impact, lessening harm—though not erasing it fully."

Saskia blinked, absorbing, fingers clenching faintly.

"So wearing this in an assault, I’d feel it less than bare," she summarized.

Eric affirmed with a nod.

"Yes, that’s the gist. Boosts your edge, but no invincibility."

She cocked her head, pensive.

"That explanation doesn’t reassure much," she noted softly, smile veiled.

Eric hesitated short.

"Well, hinges on the foe’s intent. Dead set? No garb alone saves you."

She eyed him a beat. Then averted, lips compressing to stifle, smile sneaking through.

"You’re terrible at soothing, dropping that so plainly," she whispered.

"I am just explaining how it works without hiding anything," Eric countered.

"And that is exactly why it feels worse," she returned, tone light sans grievance.

They strolled on, distance shrinking organically. Saskia reached high for a coat, stretching, but Eric swiftly retrieved it.

"Here, this one’s simpler to check," he offered, passing it over.

She paused before accepting, fingers grazing his lingeringly.

"Thank you," she breathed.

Eric eyed coat, then her.

"This one suits you more," he stated plainly. "The black color fits your presence better. It looks more natural on you and enhance your beauty."

Saskia blinked, cheeks tinting rosy. She reexamined the coat anew.

"Do you say things like that to every customer, or only when you are trying to convince someone to buy something?" she probed.

Eric shook his head.

"No. Only when someone asks for my opinion, or when I genuinely think it fits them. Otherwise, there is no point."

Her hold firmed, smile budding as she glanced aside.

"...Then I will trust your judgment this time," she murmured.

Eric nodded.

"You should. I do this every day, so I have a good idea of what works."

A warmer laugh slipped from her.

Moments later, Eric selected another.

"This one is also good. If you are considering options, it would not hurt to compare before deciding."

Saskia appraised it, lifting eyes to his.

"...Are you trying to make me buy more than I planned to, or is this still your honest opinion?" she teased lightly.

Eric blinked, utterly earnest.

"I am helping you choose properly so you do not regret it later. You are just overthinking something that is actually very simple."

She regarded him briefly before turning, shoulders quivering with suppressed mirth.

Eva observed mentally, amusement building in her quietude.

{He gives her one proper compliment and then immediately tries to sell her another coat. That is almost impressive. Did Brother Ash rub off his shamelessness on him? It certainly looks like it.}

{And that girl, Saskia, she is clearly smitten with my sweet little brother, yet he pretends not to notice. I really do not understand why both Ash and Eric are like this.}

{Maybe it is just Ash, and Eric learned these habits from him. I need to have a proper talk with him after she leaves.}

But she stayed mute.

She merely beheld them amid glowing attire, conversing, beaming, chuckling, as if solely they and their serene nook mattered then.

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