The soft clatter of sewing needles and rustle of fine silk filled the spacious fashion house. Alex stepped inside, the warm scent of fabrics and the faint tang of dye wrapping around him. Lady Marianne looked up from her latest creation, her eyes lighting up as she saw him.
"Alex," she greeted, smiling. "Just in time. I have news that might interest you."
Alex raised a brow, curiosity piqued. "Go on."
Lady Marianne led him to a quieter corner of the house, away from the bustling seamstresses. "While delivering outfits to some of the noble houses, I overheard something… intriguing. There's an auction next month. A very particular item will be available—a magical instrument that can boost one's mana continuously. It's considered an heirloom, and nobles are already whispering about it."
Alex's eyes narrowed slightly. "A mana-boosting heirloom? That could accelerate cultivation significantly." He tapped his fingers against his chin, thinking. "I can't risk going alone. There will be competitors… nobles who might try to outbid or even sabotage me."
Lady Marianne nodded. "Exactly. Discretion is key. You'll need allies you trust, people who can handle themselves around other nobles without drawing unwanted attention."
Alex allowed himself a brief smile. A certain name flickered through his mind, though he quickly dismissed it. "I'll consider who might accompany me. For now, I need to plan and prepare."
She leaned closer, her voice low. "Remember, Alex, our work isn't just fashion anymore. Every delivery, every visit is an opportunity to gather information. It's a two-way street—we provide exquisite clothing, and in return, subtle intelligence about the noble circles comes our way."
Alex nodded, the gears in his mind turning. "Understood. We move carefully, but we move forward."
With that, he turned toward the door, his mind racing with possibilities. A magical instrument of this caliber could change everything. He needed strategy, allies, and patience. And perhaps, someday, someone he hadn't yet decided to trust completely.
The house hummed around him, the quiet intelligence of their business blending seamlessly with the promise of opportunity and the thrill of the unknown.