Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 4th Circle (4)
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Astanal, the continent's foremost magic tower.
Those who gathered there were inherently driven by a burning passion for magical research and scholarship.
However, to pursue such endeavors required vast sums of money inevitably.
Merchants' guilds, catching the scent of profit, began flocking to the magic tower one by one.
"Our guild is right near the magic tower. What do you say?"
Thus, the magic tower naturally evolved into a massive commercial hub.
"Understood."
Beth's guild, the Shadow Union, would soon unify the underworld.
It wouldn't hurt to make connections in advance.
"Then, get ready and come back in a bit."
With those words—return once it grew dark—Beth sent me on my way.
Factoring in time to hire a coachman to the magic tower, about three hours later would do.
With nothing else to do in the meantime, I returned to my lodging.
After checking on the spirits,
"Oh."
The mana lotus I'd bloomed in the pottery dish for Undine had already sprouted tiny leaves, floating gently on the water's surface.
The blue windmill flower pot I'd planted for Sylph also showed sprouts emerging here and there.
At that moment, sensing my presence, Undine leaped from the water toward me.
Splash—
I hastily cupped my hands to catch her, finding her body damp with moisture.
Spirits each had their own personalities; Sylph seemed interested only in the windmill flower, but Undine jumped around playfully on my palms.
A bit sticky from the water, but cute enough to overlook it.
I gently stroked Undine before placing her back in the water-filled pottery dish.
The spirits would be fine left like this.
I spent the remaining time tidying up the lodging roughly, then took a short rest.
Thanks to Undine returning to me every five minutes, I decided to change clothes right before heading out.
No point changing early only to get soaked again.
After resting for about three hours like that, the outside had begun to darken.
"Time to go."
I changed out of my damp clothes and, before leaving, gave Sylph one last stroke.
When I extended my hand to Undine, the little slime-like spirit flinched, her form growing slightly larger.
At the same time.
[Spirit: Undine grows.]
—Deep Sea Crystal generated immediately.
Spirit's Friend
—Affinity increases by 50.
Deep Sea Crystal
—A gem crystallized from a portion of condensed mana from a supreme water spirit. Rarely obtained by spirits from the hidden deep sea.
A small gem rippling with blue energy dropped to the floor.
"Huh!"
Deep Sea Crystal.
A rare magical catalyst expected to fetch a high price.
Spirits, upon growing, generated items like this immediately.
I wondered why Undine grew before Sylph, but it was probably due to this.
Shattered Heart of the Ancient Dragon
[Grade: Mythic]
—A fragment of the ancient dragon Rafni's heart. Even this small piece emanates terrifying mana.
The dragon heart I'd bought at the previous auction and embedded in my staff.
Spirits preferred mana matching their affinity, and for water attributes, it influenced mana itself.
I vigorously stroked the now-slightly-larger Undine.
This cute little thing.
Undine, clearly pleased, hopped up and plunged back into the pottery dish.
After that, I carefully pocketed the fallen Deep Sea Crystal, left the lodging, and headed to Beth.
"You're here."
Spotting me, Beth beckoned to follow.
Trailing her led to a carriage.
"Hm? Sis, who's that...?"
A muscular man with dual swords strapped to his back approached Beth.
Bail.
Beth's blood brother and a skilled assassin.
He doubled as an information broker, traversing the continent as a coachman to gather intel.
"Sis... Didn't I tell you last time? Staying a spinster forever dulls your eye for men. Pretty face, sure, but no signs of proper training despite the muscles... He's like a 5th-floor knight level at best. Has your eyesight gotten that bad? Or... have you finally decided to use your beauty on men too?"
"Kid. Remember that gem I told you not to buy?"
"...Ah! That's him!"
Bail, overhearing their exchange, approached me with a startled expression.
The gem... was he referring to the Dragon's Tear I tried to buy at the black market last time?
"Did you appraise it back then? I really appreciated your call on the Dragon's Tear!"
Bail bowed deeply and politely.
"Man, in all my life, I've never met anyone with a better instinct than you, Sis! How'd you even know the Dragon's Tear mine was coming out? If we'd bought those gems then, who'd know how much we'd have lost!"
Dragon's Tear mine. It finally surfaced.
Well, it was only a matter of time once items hit the auction.
"Just luck."
"No way! Sir Appraiser, I'll treat you with the utmost respect! Oh, need swordsmanship lessons? You look like a knight; I'd even teach you mine if you're interested."
"I'm a mage."
"...Pardon?"
A mage, you know.
---
The carriage raced along a pitch-black mountain path before coming to a stop.
"We're here."
Stepping out, a massive tower emitting brilliant light appeared at the forest path's end.
The magic tower soared endlessly toward the sky, illuminating the surroundings with multicolored mana phenomena.
Following the light led us straight to the magic tower's entrance before we knew it.
"By the way... you're really a mage?"
"Yes."
"Amazing. Guess I'm just no good at appraisals after all."
Bail, who had escorted us to the magic tower, spoke a bit glumly.
With that, he said he'd head back to the guild first and returned to his carriage.
"...You planning to come in too?"
"Why? Got some connection to the magic tower?"
"Not particularly..."
"Then follow. You need a magic tome, right?"
Beth beckoned me along.
Even within the magic tower, magic tome sellers operated discreetly, so she was taking me to one of them.
I already knew who sold them, but following her was better.
I trailed Beth into the city where the magic tower stood.
She stopped at one of the lodgings built around it.
Knock.
She rapped lightly on the door, as if annoyed.
Silence followed.
"Miel. Open up."
"...Lady Beth. Please, for the love of—use the proper password."
Sigh.
With a weary exhale, the door opened.
A petite woman with heavy dark circles under her eyes greeted Beth.
Miel.
A magic tower mage currently working toward ascension to the Sky Citadel.
In other words... a grad student.
The exhausted Miel exchanged brief words with Beth, then noticed me.
"...Who's this?"
"A customer. Move, let us in."
"Lady Beth, please... Sigh."
Beth gestured to me but shoved past her indifferently and entered.
"You come in too."
Fortunately, I entered without being chased off.
The interior brimmed with magic formulas everywhere.
Passing scattered scroll piles, I brushed aside a rune-covered sofa and sat.
"...Customer? Mind if I ask what you're here to buy?"
"A magic tome."
"Ah... one moment."
Miel rummaged through floor-filling scrolls and handed me a ledger.
"Here's the current stock. Looking for any specific magic?"
Brikul Flame Magic TomePolren's Understanding of FireOn Incineration - KinbelDivision and Fusion "I'd like to buy Division and Fusion and the Brikul Flame Magic Tome."
Luckily, two of the four Miel showed were what I needed.
"Ah... these two are 3rd Circle tomes. 50 Imperial Gold Coins each— that okay?"
Hm. More expensive than expected. I glanced at Beth beside me.
"Oh, right. Exchange."
As if just remembering, Beth pulled out 50 Imperial Gold Coins and handed them over.
"10% off."
"Yes."
I gave her 5,500 platinum coins. That covered 50 Imperial Gold Coins... but I still needed another 50.
"Miel. Do you buy magic catalysts too?"
"...Pardon? Ah... show me, and I'll quote a price."
I pulled sparkling sand from my inventory and showed her.
"Sparkling sand... one Imperial Gold Coin..."
Twice the city hall price. While at it, I took out the Deep Sea Crystal Undine made today and showed her.
"Stuff like this too?"
"Yeah, sure... Huh?"
Miel's eyes widened as she leaped from her seat.
"Wh-where did you get this...?"
"Not buying?"
"Huh? Oh, no! W-wait a sec!"
She rushed into her room and emerged with glasses and magical tools equipped.
"C-can I examine it...? I-I swear, not a scratch! Just checking!"
"Sure."
"Thank you! Heh, hehe... A Deep Sea Crystal untouched by the Magic Tower Lord, and it's mine first..."
Miel inspected the Deep Sea Crystal from every angle, tested spells on it, running various verifications. Once confirmed genuine, she drooled as if ready to devour it.
"...I'll hold onto it for now."
"Ah, no! Don't touch it with your hands!"
Miel wrapped it in fine silk she'd fetched. Hey, we haven't even sold it yet...
"So, how much?"
"Ah... well..."
Miel hurriedly fetched a sack of gold coins with a heavy clink.
"80 Imperial Gold Coins! How's that?" ...Sold instantly.