There are nearly two million Black residents living in New York, this great metropolis.
Average height, ordinary appearance—if Daniel Drumm took off his mage robes, he wouldn't differ much from other Black brothers.
As an Asian, looking at white or Black people can cause a bit of face blindness.
So why would Shi Xiaolei find Daniel Drumm somewhat familiar?
"Boss Rock."
Daniel Drumm also looked surprised: "I really didn't expect to see you here."
"...You've eaten at my restaurant?"
Hearing how the other person addressed him, the memories in Shi Xiaolei mind gradually became clearer.
"Yes, and not just once."
Daniel smiled and said: "From the first time I discovered your restaurant until the most recent visit, I've eaten at your place at least seven or eight times."
The Ancient One wasn't dead yet, so Kamar-Taj financial situation hadn't deteriorated to the terrible state shown in "Avengers: Infinity War."
But it wasn't particularly good either.
After all, Kamar-Taj had always been isolated from the world, with few channels for earning money from the mortal realm.
Moreover, the mages had already adapted to a life of austere cultivation during their apprenticeship, so even after graduating to become full mages, they still had little attachment to money.
In terms of income level, they were roughly equivalent to ordinary office workers.
Although they didn't have the pressure of housing loans and didn't need to drive cars that burned fuel for transportation, Daniel Drumm financial situation was indeed quite poor because he often couldn't help but spend money to help those in dire straits.
Limited by economic conditions, some choices in daily life would naturally change accordingly.
For Daniel Drumm, small restaurants that were cheap, filling, and quite tasty best suited his personal circumstances.
It was precisely for this reason that he became a regular customer at Shi Xiaolei restaurant.
"Buddy, why isn't your restaurant open? Since last Saturday two weeks ago, I've been there three times, and it's always under renovation... hiss, you didn't sell the restaurant, did you?"
"No, no, I'm planning to upgrade the restaurant and make the space bigger."
"That's good. I thought someone else had taken over the storefront and didn't plan to do food service, which is why they were renovating. Oh, by the way, you said you're upgrading the restaurant? Will eating at your place still be as affordable as before? You won't suddenly raise prices drastically, will you?"
"Definitely not. We Chinese people are the most honest in business—what it costs is what it costs. Let me put it this way: whether the prices on the restaurant menu go up depends entirely on whether vegetable prices in the market go up. Unless the cost of buying ingredients gets so high that I can't continue operating, I absolutely won't raise prices."
"I knew you were an honest person. Buddy, when will your restaurant reopen? I'm not flattering you—I really love the Chinese food you make."
"I took some time off to travel during the renovation period. Now that I'm back, it'll only be a few days before reopening."
"That's great. Can I get your phone number? Could you send me a message when you reopen?"
"Sure."
Behind them, Shi Xiaolei and Daniel Drumm huddled together whispering.
The Ancient One and Bayonetta walked ahead, also conversing in low voices.
Well, rather than conversing, it was more like the Ancient One unilaterally introducing things to Bayonetta.
Throughout this journey, she was like a museum guide—whenever Bayonetta attention lingered on something in a display case, showing curiosity or interest in some magical artifact she would explain a few sentences.
From boots that could generate power from nothing, allowing the wearer to master double jumps, to binding straps that could be used like reins to tame magical creatures; from bone staffs that could summon the souls of the deceased, to crystal balls that could only monitor movements within five hundred meters, with utility equivalent to ordinary surveillance cameras.
Some were powerfully magical, others had no practical use whatsoever.
Combined with their bizarre or peculiar appearances, this tour was indeed quite interesting.
Among these magical artifacts, the one most familiar to Shi Xiaolei was naturally the red cloak with self-awareness.
Superman cape was added to help with turning when he wasn't yet familiar with high-speed flight, but later it only retained symbolic meaning.
Batman cape could deflect bullets and provide gliding ability, which was somewhat useful.
But in the end, those were just inanimate objects.
But this one before his eyes—this was the red cloak that Doctor Strange would later obtain, wasn't it?
Not only could it provide flight ability for its host, it could also help serve tea and pour water.
When feeling down, it would even act silly to provide entertainment.
Highly practical, plus obediently responsive like an extension of one own limbs—honestly speaking, among all the capes worn by superheroes, it was definitely the most charming one.
"...It looks a bit off."
Standing in front of the display case, looking at the red cloak that was pressed against the glass, constantly rubbing up and down with all its might, Bayonetta eyes showed some disgust.
She knew this thing was trying to win her favor, but its movements looked exactly like a Teddy in heat no matter how you looked at it.
As a woman, Bayonetta naturally wouldn't develop any good feelings toward it.
The barrier only prevented physical contact but didn't block sound.
The cloak in the case heard Bayonetta assessment and dejectedly drooped down, curling into a ball in the corner.
Like a sulking child, it used a corner of its hem to draw circles on the bottom of the case.
'It's best she didn't take a liking to it.'
Seeing this scene, the Ancient One lips curved slightly upward, breathing an almost imperceptible sigh of relief.
This cloak was reserved for Strange.
If Bayonetta intercepted it midway...
"I remember there are several other magical artifacts with self-awareness like it."
Calmly stepping forward again, the Ancient One led them away from the display case containing the cloak: "Perhaps there might be one you like."
"From what you're saying, if I like it..."
"As long as you can confirm you can control it."
The Ancient One nodded: "Yes, I mean it could be considered as a gift for you."
"Wow, then I'll have to choose carefully."
Despite saying she'd choose carefully, she wasn't actually that invested.
After all, Bayonetta was a proud witch and with her personality, she couldn't possibly lower her stance so much for a magical artifact she didn't even know if she'd use.
Having it would be better, but not having it wouldn't matter either.
With this relaxed and casual attitude, Bayonetta glanced over the magical artifacts like she was window shopping.
About a quarter of an hour later, at a corner on the second floor, Bayonetta showed a different expression for the first time.
"What is this?"
Standing in front of a glass counter shaped like a table, with one hand unconsciously placed on the glass, she turned around.
With some curiosity in her eyes and anticipation in her voice, Bayonetta asked the Ancient One: "I sense a kind of... emmm, an eager enthusiasm from it. Ancient One, does it also possess self-awareness like that cloak from before?"
The Ancient One never expected that Bayonetta would become interested in this particular magical artifact.
To be honest, the Ancient One did feel somewhat hesitant.
But recalling the strength verified during their earlier sparring session, the Ancient One finally spoke: "Yes, it's also a somewhat special magical artifact. I call it..."
(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist?you can read 20 chapters ahead on my P@treon [[email protected]/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)