Part Title 15

This chapter's song is: work from home by fifth harmony!

Sylvia's POV:

"Sylvia! What took you so long! And who are they?" Violet questions, looking at the crowd of people behind me. It was kind of sad to see that the people were so dirty that they stained the floor. It made me all the more sympathetic.

"Our employees," I reply.

"Already? We barely even started the workshop?" Niki says.

"Well, the Workshop will need other people to run it and besides, this way we won't have to go through the hassle of stubborn employees. These people may be poor but they have experience which is all the more valuable," I reply.

"I understand where you're coming from. This building is much better than all the others we've visited. There are five different floors as well as an attic and basement. All the floors are spacious and with a few repairs, it'll be a perfect workshop and store," Niki explained.

"Perfect." I turn to the people behind me, " The renovations for your new quarters are going to take a few days. I'll be coming to check on the construction as well as bring food. For now... I need those who use magic to step forward."

At the start it was slow, Emily stepped up first followed by a bunch of other kids including jake. The ratio of magic users to non-magic users was 1:2. This is pretty good for a bunch of commoners.

"Alright, you." I address a guard, " from now on, all these people need to be fed twice a day. Be sure to inform me about their well-being. Monique is in charge of construction and Violetta is in charge of decorations. I expect this workshop to be finished within a week."

"Are you sure a week is long enough?" Violet wonders.

"With the collective power of our three houses, I say a week is too long. But since Sylvia is the brains behind all this, I shall follow with her decisions," Monique says.

"Thanks miss!" A boy from the crowd says. Soon, more people were thanking us for the opportunity.

"No need to thank us, Sylvia is the real benefactor," Violet smiles.

"They shouldn't thank me either. I plan to have them work just as hard for their pay. Nothing comes free in any world," I reply.

"Wise words," Niki commented.

Wise words indeed. Luna giggles at the back of my mind.

As we head back to the carriage and wave goodbye to our future employees, the day ends with a satisfied grin and I go home to plan the blueprints of our new shop...

It's been four days since me, Monique and Violet chose our Workshop place and recruited people. I've checked in every two days along with Niki and Vio. Each time, the building is getting better. The first floor is where we will sell our weapons with the second floor being our office and meeting room. It'll be very useful for whenever people want us to make customised things. The third floor is for the actual workshop. The fourth and fifth floors are living quarters for the employees and the attic and basement is for storage. I'm in the carriage right now on my own to check up on the construction.

Niki and Vio are coming later but I wanted to come secretly to see if anyone was slacking off. As I got off the carriage, I headed toward the building. The first one who greeted me was one of my father's subordinates who he lent me as a manager.

"Greetings my lady," he says.

"How is the construction, Klaus?" I ask.

"It's going smoothly miss. The employee quarters are almost done. All we need is for you and miss Monique and miss Violetta to approve of it," Klaus answers. Klaus honestly surprises me. He's like Sebastian from black butler, only he isn't a demon... I think...

The first floor was amazing. The room was a beige colour and there were glass cabinets to put our merchandise on display. If you looked closely, there were also trigger weapons should anyone break the glass, causing all of our future weapons to be teleported by a rune into the Scilla mansion.

The second floor was much more fancier. The walls were a deep purple trimmed with gold and there were three big mahogany desks, one for me, Monique and Violet. There was also a huge couch and coffee table in the middle of the room for meetings. It really showed off wealth which was good if we wanted to leave an impression on all of our special clients.

I walk up the oak stairs, I take a look at the amazing shared bedroom. The fourth floor was split into three parts: the bedroom, the bathroom and the dining room/kitchen. There were over thirty bunk beds in the room, along with a mini desk and stool by each bunk bed. There was also a separate room that was equally as big and had about five different dining tables with a simple cafeteria at the end.

The bathroom was beautiful as well, even though everything was made of wood. It was a very decent place to live in, especially if you were a commoner. Not even the bathrooms in schools in my last life were as nice. The same was for the girls' living quarters on the fifth floor, only the door was a green colour instead of red like the boys.

"This is splendid, you have my approval for the living quarters. You may allow the employees to move in once Violetta and Monique agree as well. Although... Are you sure wood was good material for the bathroom?"

"This type of wood is special water infused wood. It is waterproof as well as durable. So long, as it is kept tidy, it will not rot for about a hundred or so years," Klaus informed me.

"Perfect, you have done well Klaus. How are our future employees?"

"I am not sure. We have been handing out food just like you said but we have not done a headcount."

"No matter, I'll check for myself," I say as I head outside. Two lefts and then a right, I remember the directions to the secret alley and when I reach it, a smile grows on my face. Although they are still living on the streets, for now, the kids have some flesh on their bones and are looking ten times better get she when I last visited.

"It's the icy fairy!" A girl cries out in excitement and points at me. The icy fairy? Is that because of my hair?

"How ar' ya missy?!" Squirrel asks.

"I'm doing good, where's jack and Emily?"

"Dunno, they went off t' the market a few minutes ago. Probably sellin' the fruits we collected today. They'll be back soon," the little girl answers.

"What's your name?" I ask.

"Robin is me name missy!" The girl replies.

Well Robin, if Emily and Jack come back, tell them I'd like to speak with them at the workshop. Preferably within an hour."

"Will do missy! Say, is the building done? I'd love to get workin'!" Squirrel asks.

"If it all goes to plan, you should move in today."

"Ya hear that guys! Only a day or so and we'll be sleepin on beds!" Squirrel announces to the whole alleyway which was received with cheers and thank yous.

I wave goodbye and head back to the workshop to wait for Monique and Violetta. After ten minutes, they arrive and approve of the construction. We spend the rest of the hour talking and waiting for Emily and jack. It was almost an hour and a half since I talked to Robin and still, Jack and Emily weren't there.

"Sylvia, didn't you ask that commoner to meet you here half an hour ago?" Violet asks as she sips on her tea.

"Yes I did, I don't know what is taking them so long."

"Do you think they're literate?" Monique asks.

"Well, since they've been living on the streets, I guess not," I answer as I take a bite out of a jam scone.

"Isn't that going to be a problem? What if the workers want to pursue another line of work? I doubt there'd be much you can do if you can't read or write," Violet says.

"Well, workshop hours are only five hours a day. If they complete their shift then I don't really mind if they use their weekly pay to pay for school," Niki says. (In case you're wondering who Niki is, it's Monique's nickname if you forgot.)

"It's like that saying: sibistheuis merina dereniys furisa elebene," Violet quotes. In case you don't know what that means, it's the holy language which means 'those with determination can achieve anything.'

"Wise words Violet," Niki comments. Just as I was about to reach for another scone, the door was flung open by Squirrel with tears in his eyes, followed by a shocked Klaus.

"Sir, you should not slam the door open like-" Klaus was cut off by a desperate squirrel.

"Miss! Please help us miss! Emmy! Emmy's been taken!" Squirrel burst out in tears.

"What?!" Violet got up out of her seat.

"By taken you mean?" Monique asks.

"A man in black came in the alley! 'E look'd at all of us and came in with big men! Emmy and Jack managed to hide us all but got caught by the men! The man in black took Emmy and Jack! Help them please miss!" Squirrel explains.

I got up and knelt down to Squirrel. I then take out my handkerchief and use it to wipe his tears.

"It's okay, I'll take care of this. Klaus, take in the children immediately now. We must make sure no one else gets taken. Get them prepped for work. I'll be back," I order as I get up.

"What do you mean Sylvia! How are you going to go after someone with such a vague description?!" Violet asks.

"I'm Sylviana de Crystal Scilla, I'll be damned in the lowest circle of hell if I let ANYONE undermine me. That lowlife dares to take something that belongs to me. I'll be sure to get it back," I say with an authoritative voice.

It may seem like I'm implying that I own Emily and jack but what I mean is that as soon as they agreed to be my workers, they're under my protection. Besides, I'm pretty sure I already know which lowlife is behind this. And I've been yearning to give him a good beating...