Chapter 294: Chrises’ Shock, Talent Fusion

The furnishing of the shop took far less time than Liam expected.A long display glass stood near the center of the store, stretching almost from one end to the other. It was wide enough to hold hundreds of Lucids and the robots filled it with fresh units, each resting in neat rows. They handled the devices like precious stones, careful and steady.

Sofas sat spaced across the room, lined around low tables. Thanks to the air-conditioning, the air felt cool and balanced, without scent or dust.

On two walls, smaller TVs hung at eye level. At the far end of the shop, a massive TV covered a large part of the wall. These screens were ready to run product demonstrations, instructions, store updates and short clips of what customers could learn through Lucid.

Liam had planned this so Chrises would not waste time explaining the basics over and over to customers whenever a new one comes in.

The screens would do most of the work. Customers would walk in, watch a simple demonstration and understand enough to ask the right questions. It would reduce confusion and increase trust.

He checked the room one more time. Everything was in place. Everything was clean and clear. He let out a soft breath and smiled in satisfaction. The shop looked ready. The look in his eyes showed quiet pride.

Chrises stood near a shelf, watching the robots with wide eyes. She tried to look calm but the wonder in her face was too strong to hide. She followed the metal workers with her gaze as if they were creatures from the heavens.

"Chrises," Liam called.

She jumped a little, straightened herself and stepped toward him.

He walked to the long display glass first and placed his palm on its smooth surface. "This is where the Lucid units will be stored. The glass keeps everything safe. It also makes the store look neat."

She tried to nod politely but her eyes were locked on the surface. She reached out and touched the glass with her fingertips, and she held her breath in slight shock. The surface was so clear that it almost felt unreal, like she was touching nothing at all.

"I have never seen any glass like this," she said. "It feels like water, but it does not move."

Liam chuckled and shook his head. "It’s normal glass where I come from. Strong, clean and made for display."

"It cannot be normal," she whispered, eyes fixed on the shine.

Of course it’s not normal. It’s a reinforced glass that even large and powerful projectile would find very hard to break.

Liam let her look for a moment before walking to one of the robots. The machine stopped and opened the huge box in his hand, offering a box of Lucid. Liam picked one up.

"Here," he said. "I’ll show you what this does."

She turned her attention to him, though her confusion made her brows tighten.

"This is the Lucid," Liam said. "It’s worn like this." He placed it against his head to demonstrate. "Through this device, you can learn anything. Languages. Spells. Combat forms. Runes. Crafting. Anything that takes time to understand."

Chrises laughed under her breath, shaking her head. "Learn through a glass? That is impossible."

Liam smiled slightly. "Try it."

She hesitated, then took the Lucid with both hands. She lifted it to her forehead. The moment the device attached itself, her expression froze. Her eyes widened and her lips parted without sound, and her breath came slower.

She swallowed once and stood still for several seconds, unable to speak. Her shoulders eased a little as if her mind had opened into something she could not describe

Liam waited, allowing her to process everything first.

When she finally removed the Lucid, she looked down at it as if she was holding a piece of the heavens. Her voice trembled. "This... this is real."

"Yes," Liam said. "This is what you will be explaining to customers, but the TVs will do most of the work."

He pointed to the smaller screens. "These will show how Lucid works. They will show samples of what people can learn. They will show messages from the store. You do not need to explain everything. Just guide them."

Chrises turned her head toward the large TV across the room. Something about the glowing black screen pulled her in even though it was not on yet. "And that one?"

"That is for full demonstrations," Liam said. "People will see what Lucid can do even if they do not wear it."

Her eyes softened with something close to disbelief. She had grown up among books, scrolls, talismans and artifacts. Nothing in her life had ever prepared her for machines that moved without magic, or glasses that felt like liquid, or screens that spoke and displayed moving images.

Before she could ask her next question, Liam called quietly, "Lucy."

The next moment, a soft light shimmered from one of the robots and Lucy’s form appeared in a holographic glow. The gentle outline shaped itself into a young woman with a calm face and bright eyes.

Chrises stepped back in shock. She had seen illusions before, but this was nothing like the weak spell images she knew. Lucy looked alive. She breathed, smiled, moved and focused her gaze like any real person.

"This is Lucy," Liam said. "She handles most things for me. If you need guidance or have questions, ask her. She will help you."

Chrises bowed her head. "It is an honor," she whispered, still unable to look away.

Lucy smiled. "We will work together. I look forward to it."

Chrises nodded again, this time with more confidence. The two of them began to talk while Liam stepped back and gave them space. He could hear Chrises asking questions in a steady voice, and Lucy answering each one with patience.

He knew this would work. Chrises would learn fast and Lucy would make sure she didn’t get overwhelmed.

Liam walked across the room, sat on a soft sofa and relaxed into the seat. He leaned back and crossed his legs.

"System," he said in his mind. "Can I fuse Primordial Alchemy Sovereign the same way I fused Primordial Forge Authority?"

[Yes. The fusion process will be the same.]

"Perfect. Begin," Liam said.

A sharp headache hit him at once. His vision blurred for a heartbeat and then his mind filled with pure information. It poured into him like a river, forming images, formulas, symbols, mixtures, reactions, essences, conversions and countless other things.

His body did not move but inside his mind, everything twisted and spread until it settled in perfect order.

The next moment, the pain vanished as the fusion was complete.

Liam started going through the information and he smiled in satisfaction.

"This might actually be better than I thought," he muttered to himself.

He looked back at the store and nodded to himself once more. The store was ready and it will be opened officially tomorrow. He’s curious to see how things will go.