[Ding! Frightened and angry emotions detected!]
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining a golden treasure chest!]
"Hm?"
Blake, who had been joking with everyone, paused as he heard the system notification. He scratched his head in confusion.
Receiving treasure chests through system broadcasts wasn't unusual for him. Occasionally, one or two would appear, thanks to the Daily Prophet's relentless coverage of his exploits. It wasn't rare for a random wizard to react strongly enough to generate a treasure chest for him.
Even Voldemort...
If only Blake were stronger and more capable right now—
That guy would be contributing a large treasure chest every single day. After all, the backstab Blake had delivered nearly drove him insane.
However, under the current circumstances, it had been a long time since he saw someone react so strongly with both shock and anger.
Taking advantage of the ongoing conversation in the room, Blake quietly stepped outside. He found a secluded spot and tentatively asked the system:
"System, can you tell me who provided the frightened and angry emotions?"
A moment later, he re-entered the room, his expression puzzled.
Why would Mr. Delacour be both "stunned and angry" at him?
Blake had given him the formula for the life-extending potion...
Wait a minute!
Did he figure out what I was trying to do?!
Damn! I've been found out!
Blake's thoughts were racing when Agatha noticed his distracted state and asked, "What's wrong with you?"
"Oh... nothing. Let's continue our discussion," he quickly brushed it off.
Of course, he wouldn't reveal the little schemes running through his mind.
"Once the magic shop is running smoothly, we'll open a branch soon," Blake continued. "If any of you have nothing else to do, you can manage a branch yourselves.
"Also, the idea of a magic beauty salon is quite good. If you're interested, I can teach you the necessary spells.
"Once we have enough funds, we'll open a beauty salon. Since we don't need to hide a Vanishing Cabinet, we can rent a space instead of buying it outright.
"But just a spell isn't enough. When I get back, I'll prepare some beauty potions for you.
"Maybe even a magical face mask?
"As for salaries, let's start with 50 Galleons per week."
Blake finished speaking, only to notice that everyone was staring at him in silence. There was neither opposition nor agreement.
"Um... what's wrong? If you don't like these ideas, we can explore something else." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Now that he had people working for him, he planned to put them to good use. Earning treasure chests was the main goal, after all.
"No... it's not that we don't like it," Old Lepp sighed. "We're just grateful."
"Grateful? Are you referring to me curing you? You already thanked me for that," Blake said, puzzled.
"No..."
Old Lepp glanced at the others. Clearly, they all shared the same sentiment.
"What we want to express our gratitude for is what you're doing next.
"You opened a magic shop and now a beauty salon… all to give people like us a place to belong, right?"
"Wait... why would you think that?" Blake asked, genuinely shocked.
"As far as we know, you're not short on Galleons," Old Lepp explained. "That means you're not doing this just for money.
"If profit isn't your goal, then why go through all this effort?
"Isn't it because you want to provide us with a better life?
"You saved us—that was already more than enough—but now you're going out of your way to ensure we have stability.
"You're truly a great person!"
Old Lepp's voice was full of emotion, and the others nodded in agreement. They all shared the same perspective.
If Blake wasn't doing this for them, why go to such lengths?
However, their reasoning left Blake utterly bewildered.
He really hadn't thought that far ahead!
The shops? The business expansion? It was all just a strategy to earn more treasure chests!
Well, since no one else knew about his system, it wasn't surprising that they misunderstood his intentions.
Still...
Blake felt a bit weird about it.
Old Lepp and the others were making him sound far too noble.
Even if he didn't have the system, he wouldn't turn down the opportunity to earn more Galleons. Who wouldn't want more money?
But now that he thought about it...
It did seem like he was arranging stable lives for everyone.
Those who wanted to manage a branch would manage a branch. Those who preferred a beauty salon would run a beauty salon.
"Huh... am I actually a good person?"
"No! I am a good person!"
Blake had an epiphany.
His motives weren't as noble as Old Lepp assumed, but the results were undeniably positive.
They worked for him, generating treasure chests, and in return, he helped them build a stable future.
Regardless of his personal intentions, wasn't this a win-win situation?
Blake didn't bother explaining himself. Instead, he said simply:
"I need your help with these businesses. Are you willing to assist me?"
Everyone nodded in unison.
"Of course!"
"That's all that matters," Blake said. "If you'd rather work in the potion shop, go there. If you prefer the beauty salon, do that. If neither appeals to you, wait for my next venture."
Bode added, "Blake, we'll go wherever you ask us to. Honestly, the salary you're offering is higher than what an Unspeakable makes at the Ministry!
"Even if you didn't pay us, we'd still help."
"Nonsense! No one should work for free," Blake said firmly. "Besides, how can you enjoy life without money?"
His words warmed their hearts.
If the system had a loyalty stat, it would be skyrocketing right now.
Later, Blake assigned roles based on everyone's preferences.
Branch managers, beauty salon staff, main store employees—each found a place.
Only Winsty was left.
"I can go with Sister Agnes and the others to the beauty salon," Winsty offered.
"Winsty, how old are you?" Blake asked.
She hesitated. "I think... about fifteen."
"Then you should be in school," Blake declared.
Her eyes widened. "School? But... can I really? I've never been to school before..."
With a neglectful vampire father, she had never even considered the possibility.
"Of course. My senior is about your age. You should be learning, not working."
"Don't worry, I'll still pay you a salary," he added with a smile.
Winsty frantically waved her hands. "It's not about the money... it's just... school... I..."
"Child, go to school," Old Lepp said gently. "At your age, that's where you belong."
"That's right!" Agatha encouraged. "With an education, you can help Blake even more in the future."
Winsty hesitated but eventually nodded.
"Then... okay. But which school should I go to?"
Blake rubbed his chin.
"You can only enroll partway through the year... Hogwarts would probably accept you.
"But honestly? Their curriculum is too lazy.
"How about Nurmengard?
"You can infiltrate their magic academy and learn all the tricks of that old guy."
"Which old guy?"
Blake smirked.
"The coolest one—Grindelwald."
=============
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