Sylvara's Rebirth A New Dawn for Abel novel Chapter 13

**The Third Signature by Mark Twain – Chapter 13: Tribute Orange**

The staff member, her voice rising in indignation, attempted to defend herself. “You’re lying! I didn’t do anything!” she exclaimed, her tone dripping with defiance.

白

51

Finished

Sylvara, undeterred by the accusation, pointed to her hand and gestured upward with a calm authority. “There are cameras here. We can check the footage. What you said was not only rude but also deeply hurtful. I can sue you anytime I want,” she declared, her voice steady and resolute.

The staff member’s complexion drained of color, a stark contrast to her previous bravado. She was accustomed to intimidating less affluent customers with her sharp tongue, and they would scurry away, heads down, avoiding confrontation.

But this was a different scenario. The patrons of this establishment were not just any customers; they were wealthy, and she had always treated them with the utmost respect.

In her arrogance, she had completely forgotten about the cameras that captured every moment within the store.

Saphron, the owner, caught a glimpse of the staff member’s pale face and instantly recognized the truth in Sylvara’s words. His staff often displayed a dismissive attitude, looking down on those they deemed inferior. It was no surprise that this young woman had reached her breaking point.

“Raelynn Kestrel, you’re fired,” he announced, his voice firm and unyielding.

“Mr. Gild… but I…” Raelynn stammered, desperate to explain her side of the story.

But Saphron’s tone left no room for negotiation. “Leave now. If you don’t, I’ll sue you myself,” he stated, his eyes narrowing with determination.

Raelynn’s fury bubbled beneath the surface, but fear flickered in her eyes. With one last glare directed at Sylvara, she stormed out, the door slamming shut behind her.

In an effort to rectify the situation, Saphron hurriedly approached a display case, opening it with a sense of urgency. He retrieved the small, orange-sized fruit that Sylvara had inquired about, cradling it carefully in his hands before extending it toward her.

However, as Sylvara accepted the fruit, disappointment clouded her features. Three thousand years ago, on Earth, tribute oranges had been grand, plump, and bursting with juice, far larger than goose eggs.

Now, they appeared diminutive, resembling nothing more than miniature oranges. If she hadn’t known better, she might have mistaken them for the same fruit entirely.

Holding one tribute orange in her palm, she meticulously removed the seeds and handed it back to him. “Sir, do you have access to larger and juicier fruits than this?” she inquired, her voice laced with hope.

Saphron’s eyes brightened with enthusiasm. “Of course! I’ll take all you have. Miss, are you from the Harvest planet?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.

Sylvara nodded, a smile breaking across her face. “Yes, I’m from Harvest Star 2. I just arrived at the Fifth Academy and brought some specialties from home. Wait here; I’ll go get them,” she replied, her excitement palpable.

“Wonderful! I’ll be right here,” Saphron said, his voice laced with anticipation. His store was running low on natural food, teetering on the brink of closure, and he was desperate for something fresh to offer his customers.

Saphron swallowed hard, carefully setting the bag aside as he accepted the fruit from her. He took a bite, and an explosion of flavor danced across his taste buds—it was unlike anything he had ever experienced before.

Juice trickled down his hand, and he quickly licked it up, savoring the delightful taste. A warm, pleasant sensation enveloped him, filling him with lightness and joy.

Sylvara joined in, taking a bite herself and raising an eyebrow in surprise. These tribute oranges, reminiscent of those from 3,000 years ago, were extraordinary. With her mental energy nurturing their growth, they were even sweeter and juicier than she had remembered.

For Saphron, it was the best fruit he had ever tasted. He devoured it in a few bites, even chewing on the peel despite its slight bitterness.

After finishing, he meticulously licked his fingers clean, unwilling to waste a single drop of that heavenly juice.

Sylvara observed him with a subtle smirk; in this Interstellar Era, life offered many conveniences, yet the abundance of natural food had all but vanished.

Only the wealthy could indulge in such luxuries, while ordinary people lived their entire lives subsisting on nutrient liquids and pastes, never experiencing the joy of real food.

“How would you like to sell these, Ms. Feywin?” Saphron asked, his voice tinged with nervousness. His heart raced in anticipation. He desperately wanted the fruits but worried he might not have enough to afford even a fraction of the bounty.

Sylvara, aware that this was her first venture into selling fruit, decided to let him take the lead. “You can name the price, Sir. If I think it’s fair, I’ll sell,” she replied, her tone encouraging.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Saphron ventured, “Five thousand. Five thousand stellar coins each. Is that okay?” He wished he could offer more, but the reality of his finances loomed large. If she requested a higher price, he might have to resort to borrowing or even using his store as collateral for a loan.