The clinking of coins, the shouting of merchants, and the scent of freshly baked bread filled Velmara’s Grand Bazaar as usual. But today, Rion wasn’t here to make a trade he was here to officially register as a merchant.

  The Merchant Guild controlled every business in Velmara. If he wanted to rise, he had to join. But nothing came for free.

  The moment he stepped inside the massive stone guild hall, he knew this wouldn’t be easy.

  The Merchant Guild of Velmara

  The guild hall was a fortress of wealth grand chandeliers, golden coin emblems on the walls, and rows of desks where merchants lined up to register deals, pay taxes, or file disputes.

  At the center sat Julius Kraine, the guild examiner. A man in his late 20s, dressed in an elegant black coat with silver embroidery. Cold eyes, sharp as a banker counting debts.

  He barely glanced at Rion. “Name?”

  "Rion Valtz."

  "First time registering?"

  "Yes."

  Julius shuffled through some papers. “Before you’re accepted, you must pass the guild’s test.”

  "What test?" Rion asked.

  Julius smirked. “Make 25 silver in three days starting with only 10.”

  The room fell silent.

  The merchants in line turned to look. Some chuckled. Others shook their heads.

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  A beginner merchant tripling his money in three days? Impossible.

  Julius leaned forward. “Succeed, and you earn your Bronze Rank Merchant License. Fail, and you can try again next year.”

  A year? Rion clenched his fist. He didn’t have that kind of time.

  Three days. One chance.

  He smiled. “Deal.”

  Day 1: The First Trade

  Rion left the guild with 10 silver and a mission.

  What could he buy, flip, and resell fast?

  He walked through the market, scanning every stall. Meat? Perishable. Jewelry? Too expensive. Weapons? Too risky.

  Then he saw them copper bracelets at a blacksmith’s stall.

  "How much?" he asked.

  The blacksmith, a muscular man with soot-covered hands, grunted. “Three silver each.”

  Rion picked one up, inspecting it. Good quality. Plain, but well made.

  He smiled. "I'll take five for 2 silver each."

  The blacksmith laughed. "Kid, I'm not running a charity."

  Rion crossed his arms. "These bracelets are too simple for warriors, but nobles love jewelry. You’re selling to the wrong crowd. I can sell them where they'll fetch a better price. Five bracelets, 2 silver each. You still make a profit, and I clear your excess stock."

  The blacksmith hesitated then nodded. “Fine.”

  Rion handed over 10 silver. He was broke now. If this didn’t work, he failed the test on the first day.

  He turned and walked straight to the artisan district, where noblewomen shopped.

  By evening, he had sold all five bracelets for 5 silver each.

  Total earnings: 25 silver.

  Day 2: The Bigger Investment

  Most merchants would stop there he had already completed the guild’s test. But Rion wasn’t here to just pass he was here to prove himself.

  He reinvested his money into a shipment of rare violet dye from the ports, used for noble robes.

  By the end of the second day, he sold out completely.

  Total earnings: 60 silver.

  Day 3: The Final Move

  With 60 silver, Rion made his boldest trade yet. He bought out a small merchant’s remaining stock of Zyphiran silk at a discount.

  By sunset, he had flipped everything to tailors and noble families.

  Final earnings: 120 silver.

  The Test Results

  Rion walked back into the guild hall and placed a pouch of 120 silver on Julius Kraine’s desk.

  The examiner raised an eyebrow. "I said 25 silver."

  Rion smirked. "I made a little extra."

  Julius studied him for a long moment then pushed forward a Bronze-Rank Merchant License.

  "Welcome to the guild, Rion Valtz."

  He had done it.

  But as he left the guild hall, a tall figure in noble robes stood watching.

  Darius Haldrek, a Gold Rank Merchant, smiled coldly. “Interesting. Let’s see how far you can go, kid.”

  The real game had just begun.