The portal stood there in ominous silence, its surface shimring faintly like a mirage caught between worlds.
It was not just a gateway; it was a threshold to sothing beyond the mundane, a beacon of hidden power cloaked in mystery.
"You're ready to sign the contract already? Surely you'd want to inspect the premises one more ti?" The real estate agent's voice was polite, yet tinged with disbelief.
Gin, a man whose presence exuded calm determination, shook his head.
"I checked it out briefly yesterday," he replied, his tone steady.
"Are you absolutely sure?" the agent pressed, skepticism still etched into his expression.
This property had remained unleased for months, its rent unusually high.
No one had dared claim it—until now. The agent had even considered advising the owner to lower the rent.
Yet here stood this enigmatic figure, ready to sign not just for one space, but for both twin units on the second floor.
"The rent is steep, I admit," Gin acknowledged, "but it's manageable.
If things go well, I might even take over the other unit across the way.
Sa conditions, I presu?"
The agent blinked in astonishnt. "Yes, exactly the sa.
The two units are symtrical in size and layout."
"Then let's seal the deal on both."
The real estate agent's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
Gin gave a curt nod. "Once the contracts are signed, I'll be moving in imdiately. That won't be a problem, will it?"
"Not at all! You can start renovations today if you like," the agent said, already scrambling to contact the property owner.
As the agent excitedly made his calls, Taesu let out a slow breath, allowing his mind to settle. It was finally done.
The portal was his.
His plans, ticulously crafted over years of preparation, were now in motion.
Eventually, he intended to buy the entire building. All he needed was unfettered access to the second floor.
The portal's security, however, would be paramount. Magic would weave through the very walls of this place, forming a shield of concealnt and protection. No one could know of its existence.
Yet, a question gnawed at him. Where does the portal lead? He could only hope it opened to Craekton or a city nearby.
Gin wasted no ti in modifying the portal chamber.
He couldn't risk hiring contractors; soone might stumble upon the portal by accident. Instead, he chose to handle the work himself. Alone, but not hindered, he summoned the power that coursed through him—magic, a force akin to sorcery in this world, granting him abilities few could fathom.
Outwardly, the space would appear as his research and developnt lab.
It would serve as a place to test new nu items for Cafe Wizard and develop other business ventures. Yet beneath its surface, the true purpose of the room lay hidden. Gin carefully masked the portal behind a false wall, infused with an enchantnt of illusion.
It was a spell designed to manipulate perception, ensuring no one would suspect the wall's presence.
Embedded within the barrier was an invisible door, sealed by a complex magical lock. Only Taesu could open it.
Even the faintest hint of a doorway was disguised by enchantnts to erase all signs of its existence. Still, this was not enough for him.
Layer upon layer of protective wards encased the chamber, ensuring no intruder could approach the portal undetected.
Gin also fortified the exterior walls, considering the unlikely but conceivable scenario of soone breaking through from the outside.
It was better to prepare excessively than to be caught off guard.
The days that followed brought a peculiar sense of satisfaction. Gin imrsed himself in the work, imbuing every corner of the lab with spells—unrestrained by the need for subtlety he once exercised when enchanting his cafe.
His recent magical breakthroughs had elevated him to a new level of mastery, and several hard-fought battles had given him deeper insights into the potential of his craft.
Yet, despite his demanding project, he maintained his presence at the cafe. It was essential to uphold appearances.
He had entrusted much to Wayn, and in ti, he hoped she would fully take charge of Cafe Wizard.
For now, he pondered ways to automate so tasks, such as enchanting the process of brewing drip coffee, ensuring the perfect blend without his direct involvent.
His list of priorities was daunting.
Chief among them was refining his magical disguise—distorting his facial features without relying solely on masks. A mask could only do so much.
Gin's striking features were difficult to conceal, and he knew he needed a more permanent solution.
His research led him to the concept of passive enchantnts.
A single surge of magical energy could maintain a transford appearance until the spell's power diminished.
With regular infusions of mana, it would function almost autonomously. This would alleviate the need to constantly maintain illusions of distortion.
Ti marched forward.
The lab's renovations neared completion. The final task was securing the entrance. The door, a thick glass pane reinforced with unbreakable enchantnts, would resist even the most violent attempts to breach it.
In addition, he wove a subtle spell designed to instill unease in anyone who approached uninvited. Windows, too, were fortified with similar precautions.
Though ticulous in his security asures, Gin knew that such paranoia was justified.
There were those who might one day suspect him, those who might attempt to uncover his secrets.
He had laid traps within traps—magic designed to mislead and confound any who dared investigate.
Finally, the preparations were complete.
That night, beneath a sky draped in shadows, Gin stood before the portal. It pulsed faintly, resonating with an otherworldly hum.
He conducted one last inspection.
His essentials—ID, smartphone, and a bundle of cash—were securely packed. He also carried newly issued bank cards, tools for navigating the mortal realm with ease.
Beside the portal stood a full-length mirror. Gin gazed at his reflection, noting the subtle changes he had made.
His features had been adjusted—just enough to alter his overall impression. The brilliance of his natural looks had been dulled, though he was still undeniably handso.
He had no desire to diminish that advantage; beauty held sway in both this world and others.
Satisfied, he exhaled deeply.
Then, with unwavering resolve, Gin stepped into the portal.
The night swallowed him whole.
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