Chapter 22: A New Ally and a Costly Investment

Bernell’s resolute gaze carried a hint of something unsettling, as if his decision was veering in a direction I hadn’t anticipated.
I wanted to ask what he’d resolved, but I couldn’t—because the moment he agreed to stay at the Baby Bird Café, something happened.

Manager Mode Activated!
“New staff member added to Baby Bird Café’s management roster.”

Affiliated Staff: Pig-Bird, Bernell Abelgart (2/2)
Pig-Bird [Conditions Unmet / Unmanageable]
– Recognizes Manager as “Parent”
Bernell Abelgart [Manageable]
– Recognizes Manager as “Sibling”

Unlike when I brought the pig-bird to the café, Manager Mode reacted.
Time slowed around me, and a vivid window appeared in my mind.

What’s this “managing” thing? Why can’t I manage the pig-bird, but Bernell is fine?
Is it because the pig-bird isn’t fully grown?
And Bernell still thinking of me as his sister? Really?
You’re still my Aileen? Is he obsessed or what?

Whatever. I needed to check this “managing” feature.

Managing Activated
Target: Bernell Abelgart
Presence Rank: 2 (Matches Baby Bird Café)
Affiliation: Divine Artifact (Dreamcatcher)
Primary Alignment: Superhuman
Good/Evil Alignment: 99% Good / 1% Evil

Abilities (2/2):
(Causality required for next rank: 12 cheok)
Last Knight (Rank 1/2) – Superhuman
The soul remembers a body and mind surpassing mortal limits. Higher presence unlocks more latent memories.
Dreamcatcher (Rank 0/2) – Mental/Feline Divine
Vaguely senses the warding power of the divine artifact bound to the soul. Higher presence increases artifact synergy.

Seeing Bernell’s managing window, it hit me.
‘He’s a Causality sink!’
Aeong called him a half-baked demigod, but I didn’t realize I’d have to nurture him like a game hero.

As the café’s presence rank rises, so does Bernell’s—great. But upgrading his abilities, these “powers,” costs my Causality.
12 cheok per ability. The same as upgrading my latte art.
12 cheok could expand the land twelve times or revamp the café’s interior!

My stomach churned. Why does each upgrade cost so much?
I regretted looking, but… think positive.
If Bernell grows stronger, the café’s safer. A well-nurtured Bernell could be a powerful asset.
Another reason to grind Causality like a dog.

I wondered if the pig-bird’s managing window would open someday—and how much Causality it would devour.

“Sigh…”
Exiting Manager Mode, time resumed normally.

“Please work hard,” I said to Bernell, emphasizing each word.
One freeloader—pig-bird—was enough.
As a noble, I worried about Bernell’s work ethic, but with that Causality cost, he’d better earn his keep.
Every glance at him screamed “12 cheok” like a tattoo.

“Oh, wait, that’s not all.”
Another realization hit, dizzying me: additional costs.
That heavy armor—useless for café work. And the longsword? A liability for washing dishes, serving, or cleaning.
‘Plus, it’s intimidating to look at.’

Treating it as an initial investment, I used some Causality. Light enveloped Bernell and the pig-bird, transforming them.
The pig-bird got a cute coffee-colored beret and ribbon tie. Bernell swapped his armor for a white shirt and black apron—a proper café uniform.

“Bbiak!”
“Changed, meow?”
“…”
Bernell inspected himself, less than thrilled.
The lighter vibe made him less imposing.

‘Where’s he sleeping?’
Next issue: his lodging. The café’s first floor had the pig-bird’s nest and my bed in a corner meant for tables, but customers were rare, so it was personal space.
Bernell needed a bed, but expanding private space on the first floor wasn’t ideal.

‘My precious Causality…’
It was time to open the second floor, long delayed.
Sighing at the ruined staircase I’d demolished, I decided to expand after the customers left.
More Causality down the drain.

“One payment left, maybe?”

“Oh, I’ll prepare your drinks. Sorry for the wait.”
Three Nekomatas, three payments. The berry and Bernell covered two, leaving one.
I was curious about the last, but Bernell’s issue had dragged on.
I couldn’t neglect a big customer like Catsy.

Clink clink.
As I prepared silver vine flower tea, Catsy purred contentedly.
While slicing flowers and boiling water, Bernell slipped behind the counter, watching curiously.
His eyes sparkled with interest.

“You can do this too?”

“I told you, I’m not Aileen anymore.”
He ignored my reply, continuing.
He’d decided I’m “Aileen,” per the Manager Mode’s “sibling” recognition.

“What should I do?”

“I make all the food. You handle everything else. Nothing right now, though. Please wait outside the counter.”
At my dismissal, he gave a bitter smile and stepped out. At least he listens well.
Better than the pig-bird in that regard.

But he leaned close, intently watching my work.
How do I instill a proper employee mindset?

Click.
Opening the freezer, I saw the ice cream I’d prepped was nicely frozen. I’d promised the Nekomatas free ice cream for their return—good thing I had stock.

“Sorry for the wait.”
I arranged the dishes on a tray.

“I’ll do it this time. Next, I’ll pass the tray over the counter, and you deliver it.”

“That’s for servants, isn’t it?”

“It’s your job now. You’re not an Abelgart noble—you’re a Baby Bird Café employee.”

“If you wish, I’ll do it.”
His reply gave me chills, but I ignored it.

Serving the dishes, the Nekomatas bounced with joy.
“The cloud milk ice cream is free, as promised.”

“Aeong!”

“Can I eat it all, meow?”
They attacked the ice cream with spoons.

Catsy gazed fondly at the steam butterflies rising from her tea, then tapped the table.
“Time to settle the payment, maybe?”

The innermost Nekomata jolted, mouth smeared with ice cream.
“My turn, meow? I have to give it, meow?”

“I’m out. Already used mine.”

“Why look at me, meow? You’re empty too, meow! I’m younger, so you give, meow!”
I didn’t get their bickering.

The youngest, cheeks puffed, reluctantly pulled something from its pocket—a dreamcatcher.

“No way…”

“This work, meow?”

“The payment… a dreamcatcher?”

“Don’t like it, meow? Can I take it back, meow?”
I snatched it, feeling like I’d been hit over the head.

“You know Catsy only makes one per cat, meow? I’m wardless until I make my own, meow! Feel grateful, meow?”

Those sneaky cats! If they could’ve paid with dreamcatchers instead of Bernell…
Even without Aeong’s, two had dreamcatchers. They could’ve covered the remaining payments!
They must’ve schemed to keep their dreamcatchers, offloading Bernell instead.

Cunning felines!
Suppressing my frustration, I hung the dreamcatcher near the entrance, praying it worked as a ward.
The Nekomatas gleefully devoured their ice cream, oblivious.

Taking a moment, I updated the menu sign.

Baby Bird Café Menu
[Prices apply from second visit]

• A-Grade Silver Vine Flower Tea: 1 cheok Causality
• A-Grade Dried Silver Vine Flower Tea: 1 cheok Causality
• A-Grade Warm Cloud Milk: 1 cheok Causality
• A-Grade Special Cloud Milk Ice Cream: 2 cheok Causality

Ice cream, labor-intensive, was pricier.
Adding a berry-based recipe would be perfect.
I was excited about what I could create and who it’d attract.
Grow fast and bear fruit, berries!