A few minutes later, after receiving instructions from Mira, two elven girls came forth, one carrying a set of garments, while the other carrying a pair of black boots.
Mira pointed at the clothes and introduced them with great professionalism. "This is a set of Magus robes that I've designed. Taking inspiration from the traditional attire worn by the Magi of old, it combines the classical aesthetics with modern design."
She gently grabbed a violet garment and continued, "This is the inner garment. I've infused a defensive spell into it which cushions any physical attack that lands on the body."
"Whoa!" Adam took the item of clothing from Lisa and marveled at it. He then wore it over his white tunic. The piece of garment reached to his knees.
Mira then gave the youth the black robe. "This is the outer robe which offers defensive capabilities against magical attacks up to a certain point. Moreover, it is inscribed with the mending spell, ensuring that it stitches itself back in case it tears."
This was a surreal feeling for Adam. He'd never thought that wearing such fancy clothes would bring him such joy. He quickly wore the black robe over the inner garment.
"Isn't this a little… baggy?" Adam muttered. "How will I be able to even fight in these?"
Mira smirked. "Please infuse your mana into the robes and refine it."
Adam did as instructed, and within a few minutes, he had refined the set of clothing. Now, he could feel a sort of connection to it.
"Now, command your robes to enter Combat Mode," Mira explained.
"Combat Mode!" Adam excitedly repeated the phrase. Following that, the Magus robes conveniently tightened around his body. Moreover, it was still very convenient to move around.
Looking at his robes that had now become tight-fitted, Adam couldn't help but exclaim. He then stepped aside and practiced a series of basic combat moves from the Astral Tyrant Manual.
He was happy to know that his clothes did not impede him in any way. If anything, when he moved around the hems of his robes fluttered elegantly, making him appear very cool.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})Adam looked at Mira with a bright smile and gave a thumbs-up. "Madam Mira, I love it!"
Everyone inside the store was stunned seeing the series of moves that Adam had just performed. They had never seen something like that before.
Mira asked with surprise, "Magus Adam… those fight moves, what technique is that?"
Adam was tongue-tied. He instantly came up with an excuse and waved his hand. "Ah, that? I was just randomly punching and kicking. Nothing special."
That wasn't random at all. If anything, it was very precise and methodical! Where did he find such a combat technique? Mira thought to herself. She speculated that Adam must have found the inheritance of some Magus. Thus, she didn't pursue the matter.
"Please wear these pants and boots as well. All of them together are equivalent to a Rank 1 defense-type artifact," she stated.
Adam wore the pants that were made of the same material as the robe. Then, he put on the black boots which seemed to be made of the hide of a Rank 1 magic beast.
Seeing their friend in a new set of clothes, both Edward and Lisa were dumbstruck. Especially Lisa! She couldn't help but exclaim. "I can't believe this is Adam. He looks like a completely different person."
Edward couldn't help but nod in agreement. "Clothes indeed make the man."
While Adam was checking himself out in the full-length mirror, Mira was staring at him with a pondering expression. "It feels like… something's missing."
Suddenly, her eyes lit up and she walked toward a nearby shelf. A couple of moments later, she returned and handed Adam an item. "Here, put this on."
"Huh?" Adam turned around and saw a big, pointed, and slightly curled black hat. It was a Magus hat that he'd seen some of the old professors at the academy wear.
He looked at Mira and spoke hesitantly, "Isn't this for… oldies?"
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})"Just do as I say!" Mira said sternly.
"Yes, Ma'am." Adam instantly put the hat on. And the second he did, it felt like for a moment his entire aura changed. He looked mighty and dignified like the great Magi of old.
Even Mira was slightly taken aback at this strange feeling. But then she smiled. "Perfect!"
Adam once again looked at himself in the mirror. His black Magus robes had reverted to loose clothing. The black, knee-
high boots comfortably fit his feet and wrapped around his calves.
The black pointed hat perfectly fit his head, yet one could still see his short wavy black hair and broad forehead. Although Adam had average features, thanks to the good-looking clothes as well as his deep pair of black eyes, he appeared very eye-catching.
After admiring himself in the mirror, he turned around to look at Mira with a bright smile. He placed his hand over his chest and bowed like a gentleman.
"Thank you, Madam Mira. I'm very satisfied with the clothes you've chosen for me."
"Huhuhu, well, I'm satisfied that you're satisfied." Mira chuckled. "Anyway, your total will come up to 70 platinum pieces."
Adam's smile instantly froze and his body trembled. He took off the pointy hat and shamelessly said with a straight face. "I would like to return—"
"No, you will not!" Lisa roared. She stomped toward Adam and glared at him. "For the first time in your life, you actually look like a Magus. And now you want to return these fine clothes? As if! I'll pay for you now. You can return it to me later."
Adam couldn't help but curse this girl inwardly. He spat through gritted teeth. "N-No need for that. I'll buy it myself."
He then looked at Mira and asked with an extremely pained expression. "You don't give discounts, do you?"
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})"Heh!" Mira smirked. "Thought you'd never ask."
…
The trio walked along the cobblestone streets of North Ward as they made their way to their horse carriage.
Edward looked at Adam who was walking with a lifeless look, and asked, "What's wrong with you? Madam Mira gave you a fifty percent discount, shouldn't you be happy?"
"Happy?" Adam snapped. "Hmph! Did you forget what she said about giving her priority for selling potions? Although she agreed to buy my potions at full price, who knows how many times she's going to make me churn out potions for her?"
Lisa tried to placate him. "Someone as well-informed as her would naturally be able to find out about your relationship with Lord Berger. You don't have to worry about her trying to exploit you."
"Huh?" Adam was perplexed. "What's that grumpy old man have to do with anything?"
Lisa's lips couldn't help but twitch. She thought to herself, This idiot… Does he not know that Lord Berger is as powerful as the Headmistress?
She debated whether to tell this to Adam, but ultimately decided against it. Forget it. If Lord Berger hasn't told him, then I won't either.
"Speaking of the old man, I've to go meet him before I leave the city," Adam suddenly said. He looked at Edward and added, "You head back to the dorm room, I'll see you for dinner."
Edward shook his head. "I can't head back to campus yet. I've to arrange the servants that we'll require for our journey."
Lisa chimed in. "I'll help you with that."
Edward stuttered with a slight blush, "S-Sure."
Adam gave him a knowing look and winked. "Alright, then I'll see you both for dinner at Sherman's Inn."
With that, the three went their separate ways.
