Black Phoenix Heir

Victor and Lyra left their new studio apartment and headed back into the residential district.

1

They still had quite a few things to buy.

Before they started shopping, Victor stopped by a shop that purchased alchemical materials. He had accumulated a ridiculous amount of herbs and other ingredients during his time in the Sanctuary, far more than he could possibly use anytime soon.

He sold a large portion of them.

The number displayed on his citizen ID quickly climbed.

55,000 credits.

1

Victor stared at the amount for a moment.

That’s enough.

He could have sold more.

A lot more.

But doing so would attract attention.

Someone suddenly selling tens of thousands of credits worth of valuable alchemical ingredients after disappearing for six months would raise questions.

Victor already had enough eyes on him.

After that, Victor and Lyra continued through the market until they reached a shop specializing in magical artifacts.

Victor pushed open the door.

”Hi! Welcome, welcome! What can I do for you today?”

Victor looked toward the clerk behind the counter.

”I’m looking for something a little niche.”

The clerk smiled.

”Go ahead.”

”I have a friend who’s a beastman. He’s trying to get a job, but the place he’s applying to doesn’t hire beastmen.”

Victor glanced toward Lyra.

”They specifically want him to hide his ears and tail. Do you have anything that can help with that?”

The clerk’s expression became thoughtful.

”Actually, that’s more common than you might think.”

He paused.

”But it’s not cheap.”

Victor raised an eyebrow.

”We don’t keep a large supply of those kinds of artifacts, but we do have one in stock right now.”

The clerk walked toward a display case.

He unlocked it and lifted the glass cover.

Then he carefully removed a necklace.

Victor’s eyes immediately settled on it.

It was beautiful.

The chain was intricately crafted, with an elegant design that gave it an almost vintage appearance. At its center sat a polished purple gemstone that caught the light with every movement.

Victor glanced toward Lyra.

That would suit her perfectly.

He turned back to the clerk.

”How much?”

”Eight thousand credits.”

Victor froze.

Eight thousand?

His mind immediately calculated the number.

You could free eight slaves with that.

That was an insane amount of money for a necklace.

Victor looked at the clerk.

”I’ll give you six thousand.”

The clerk laughed.

”Sorry, son. We don’t haggle here.”

Victor pointed toward the necklace.

”You can’t even take five hundred off?”

The clerk shook his head.

”I’m sorry. My merchandise always sells.”

He thought for a moment.

”How about this? Since you’re a first-time customer, I’ll give you a two-hundred-and-fifty-credit discount.”

He smiled.

”Seven thousand seven hundred and fifty.”

Victor stared at him.

It wasn’t much.

But it was something.

Victor smiled.

”Deal.”

He wasn’t particularly happy about spending that much.

But this wasn’t something he could afford to be cheap about.

Lyra needed an identity.

She needed to be able to move around the Tower without constantly hiding her ears and tail.

That was worth the price.

2

Victor held his citizen ID against the shop’s payment device.

A small magical pulse traveled between them.

His account balance dropped.

Victor felt a sharp pain in his chest.

He sighed internally.

1

The clerk placed the necklace inside a small, elegant box and handed it to Victor.

”Thank you for your purchase.”

Victor nodded.

”Thank you.”

He left the shop.

Lyra and Nala were waiting outside.

Nala had apparently become much more comfortable around Lyra over the past few days.

The little Firebird was currently sitting in Lyra’s hands, happily jumping up and down while chirping.

Lyra simply nodded along as if she understood every word.

Nala chirped again.

Lyra nodded.

The little bird looked even happier.

1

Victor couldn’t help but smile.

He walked over.

”I think I found something.”

Lyra looked up.

Victor opened the box.

”This should hide the traits of your Shadow Fox heritage.”

Lyra looked inside.

Her eyes widened slightly.

The purple gemstone caught the light.

For some reason, the necklace seemed almost perfectly suited for her.

Maybe it was the color.

Purple had always been her favorite.

1

Or maybe it was simply the craftsmanship.

Whatever the reason, Lyra stared at it for several seconds.

Her eyes almost sparkled.

Victor smiled.

”Do you need help putting it on?”

Lyra immediately looked away.

”No. It’s okay. I can do it.”

Victor handed it to her.

”Okay.”

Lyra carefully lifted her black hair out of the way.

She fastened the necklace around her neck.

The purple gemstone settled naturally against her upper chest.

The moment the clasp locked into place, a faint pulse of spiritual energy spread through her body.

Lyra froze.

Then she reached toward her head.

Her fingers touched her hair.

Her Shadow Fox ears were gone.

She quickly reached behind herself.

Her tail was gone as well.

Lyra’s eyes widened.

She immediately pulled her hood off.

For the first time since she arrived in the tower, there was nothing she needed to hide.

She looked almost completely human.

Black hair.

Purple eyes.

Lyra slowly touched the side of her head again.

The sensation was strange.

Almost uncomfortable.

Her ears had been there her entire life.

She had grown up with them.

Now there was simply… nothing.

But after a few seconds, a small smile appeared on her face.

She wouldn’t have to hide nearly as much anymore.

Moving around the Tower would be easier.

Their situation had just become considerably safer.

Victor looked at her.

”It looks good on you.”

Lyra turned toward him.

A genuine smile appeared on her face.

Her cheeks slowly became a little rosy.

”Thank you.”

Victor smiled.

1

Another problem checked off the list.

He breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

They had already finished most of their shopping.

Victor had spent thousands of credits on supplies.

Clothes.

Food.

Basic household necessities.

And several other things Lyra insisted they would need.

Victor wasn’t particularly happy about how quickly his credits were disappearing.

But every time he questioned one of the purchases, Lyra had an answer.

”We need it.”

”We’ll use it.”

”We’ll need it eventually.”

Eventually, Victor simply stopped arguing.

1

The items were stored inside his storage ring.

By the time they finished, their new home had everything they needed to actually live there.

1

Victor looked at Lyra.

”Are we done?”

She nodded.

”I think so.”

Victor thought for a moment.

”Are you hungry?”

Lyra looked at him.

”Yes.”

Victor smiled.

”Have you ever had Cavalier barbecue?”

Lyra shook her head.

”No.”

”What’s that?”

Victor smiled.

”You’ll just have to find out.”

He remembered Jacob.

The old man had been the one who first told him about Cavalier barbecue.

The memory brought a small smile to Victor’s face.

”But I can promise you one thing.”

He looked at Lyra.

”You’re going to love it.”

Lyra’s eyes brightened slightly.

”Okay.”

Victor nodded.

”Let’s go.”

A small chirp came from beside them.

Victor looked down.

Nala was staring at him.

She chirped again.

Victor laughed.

”Yes, you too.”

Nala chirped even louder.

Lyra smiled.

”She really wants barbecue.”

Victor shook his head.

”Apparently, she wants to make sure everyone knows.”

Nala chirped again.

Victor laughed.

The three of them headed toward the market together.