Lumine and Paimon looked at each other, clearly suspicious as they eyed the boy behind the counter.
"Just a normal comic shop owner?" Lumine asked, doubtful.
Harlan Flint leaned forward and gestured casually toward the nearby shelves. "We've got two comics available: One Piece: East Sea Saga and Cardcaptor Sakura's Magic. Want to give them a shot?"
He gave them a slight smile. "Anyone who reads one gets a guaranteed reward taken directly from its story. No exceptions."
He didn't mention the real reason he ran the shop—gaining knowledge from another world. He just wanted them to spend Mora.
"Comics are books filled with pictures and just enough text to tell a story," he added, guessing they weren't familiar with the format.
Lumine raised her eyebrows. She looked like she didn't believe a word of it. "You're saying we can gain power just by reading these?"
Paimon crossed her arms. "This sounds more like a bard's made-up story than something real."
Harlan leaned closer to her. "One comic has a magical item called the Gourmet Tablecloth. Say the name of any food, and it appears."
Paimon's jaw dropped. "What?! Endless food? Just like that?!"
She imagined a pile of sticky honey roast, her mouth already watering. Lumine rolled her eyes.
"Paimon, don't fall for it so easily," she said, putting her hands on her hips.
Harlan calmly sipped his tea, then looked at Lumine. "If you're serious about finding your brother, your current strength won't be enough. Even at your best, you won't be able to handle what's coming."
Lumine froze. "You know where he is?"
She stepped closer, clearly shaken by the possibility.
"Travel across the Seven Nations," Harlan replied, not giving a direct answer. "Eventually, your paths will cross."
He knew Aether's story but wasn't going to give it all away now.
Lumine stayed quiet, thinking over his vague response. After a few seconds, she asked, "How much for a comic?"
"100,000 Mora per person. One read per day," Harlan replied without hesitation.
Paimon's eyes went wide. "100,000?! That's way too much for one book!"
She imagined all the food they could buy with that instead. But then she paused.
"But if the Gourmet Tablecloth is real... we'd never go hungry again," she said slowly, thinking it over.
Lumine sighed. Now she understood why the shop was so empty. No one wanted to take a risk like that.
Still, something about Harlan's calm confidence made her curious.
"I'll do it," she said, pulling out 200,000 Mora and placing it on the counter.
Harlan took the money and put it away smoothly. "The comics are on that shelf. Pick the one that stands out to you."
Now that he had two customers, the shop's special magic would activate again. He waited, letting the process happen.
Lumine walked to the shelf, with Paimon following behind. The comic covers seemed to glow a little, almost like they were calling out.
Lumine picked up One Piece: East Sea Saga. The story of pirates and adventure matched her own journey.
Paimon grabbed Cardcaptor Sakura's Magic, her hands shaking a little from excitement.
These books were completely different from the usual novels. The pictures and dialogue were combined in panels that felt more alive.
"This is strange... it's like the story's moving while I read," Lumine said, tracing one of the panels with her finger.
Paimon nodded. "Yeah! Let's read our own and then tell each other what happened!"
They sat down on the shop's couch, the cushions sinking under them. Both focused completely on their books.
Lumine followed Luffy's wild adventures, feeling a connection to his desire for freedom and the sea.
Paimon laughed at Sakura's magical challenges, imagining herself casting spells with a staff in Mondstadt.
The shop became quiet except for the sound of pages turning.
Harlan watched from the counter, his tea now cold. But he didn't care—everything was going as planned.
Lumine felt something strange—her fingers tingled, glowing faintly as if the story was affecting her directly.
Paimon held her book tightly, sensing that something big was about to happen.
The cost had been high, but the reward felt close—something real.
Harlan set his mug down and smiled slightly. Galehaven Comics was working just as it was meant to.