Value (2)
— The One-Eyed Merchant Queen, Asena Mazel.
She was the head of the Mazel Merchant Guild, which operated across the entire continent.
She had ties to Rohbark and was treated as a very important guest by the Kirchheis family.
The ability to measure a person's worth meant she could also discern a child's potential.
The family members who had gathered for the fake funeral hadn't dispersed; most of them were now assembled at the banquet. It was proof enough.
The massive round table in the grand hall was laden with exquisite delicacies from land and sea.
It was hospitality fit for royalty.
'Just how impressive is this "Talent Appraisal" ability?'
Honestly, I wasn't all that interested.
I already knew my own talent from my past life, and there was no reason to care about others'.
But Jenice led me by the hand to the table anyway.
"It's been too long since I last saw your face. Good to see you, Asena."
"Thank you for the warm welcome, Warlock. And my deepest condolences for the loss of your son."
"I appreciate the comfort. Eat up."
With a gesture from Rohbark at the head of the table, the meal began.
I turned my head slightly, surveying the faces seated around.
The ones I recognized here...
'Not a single one.'
But plenty of them were staring at me intently, as if they knew who I was.
Among them, the most glittering gaze belonged to a little girl holding her nanny's hand, just like me.
A rare sight in the Kirchheis family: a small girl with black eyes and hair.
'Ah, that's her?'
Three years ago, this kid had formed her own Mana Heart at the tender age of five.
Thanks to her, the eyes that had been glued to me finally shifted away, letting me focus on my training again.
To me, she was a benefactor of sorts...
'Yeah. She's my cousin, right?'
'Complicated family.'
High-ranking blood kin, regardless of gender, typically took multiple concubines.
It was all to produce even slightly superior heirs.
So it was only natural that attention flocked to Asena, who could gauge a person's value.
The merchant queen chatted with Rohbark over the meal.
"It's been ages since I had a proper meal. Wandering the north for so long left my stomach clinging to my back."
"The north hasn't changed, I take it?"
"Yes, the Red Mist makes it hard to pioneer."
Everyone was no doubt perking up at that conversation.
After some small talk, the real topic emerged.
"I already know you're moving on the emperor's orders to find 'White Dragon Seedlings.' How are the prospects these days? Any worthwhile talents?"
Talk of Asena's abilities and recent activities.
I swallowed some vegetable soup and tilted my head.
'White Dragon Seedlings? Hierniorn, know anything about that?'
Seedlings implied promising talents.
The one-eyed woman scratched her forehead and gave an awkward smile.
"Can't fool the Warlock's eyes and ears, it seems. It's almost frightening—you even know His Majesty's intentions."
"I'm deeply interested in the imperial palace's underbelly and that sly fox's inner thoughts."
"Since you know everything, I'll be frank. I've found several promising children, but none perfectly suited yet."
Rohbark chuckled at that.
I fell into thought for a moment.
'Even 500 years ago, the Kirchheis family head and the empire's emperor weren't on friendly terms.'
Then or now, they were fierce rivals.
Mighty families sought even greater power, while nations watched warily.
"Let me say this upfront: don't try scouting among my bloodline. If you do, you'll pay the price too."
Rohbark's warning gaze fixed on her.
Asena smiled calmly and twirled her fork.
"I'm here purely to pay my respects. As you know, Warlock, I've been acquainted with Demiph for a long time."
"..."
"Since you don't like that topic, I'll drop it. No need to worry. I value my life."
The mood cooled slightly.
Everyone had gathered to witness Asena's Talent Appraisal.
If Rohbark refused, it'd be a waste of time.
Fortunately, their wait wasn't in vain.
"Instead, I have a commission for you. You won't be disappointed."
Rohbark pulled a checkbook from his bosom.
The old family head tore off a sheet and scrawled a number with a flourish.
Mana carried it precisely to Asena's nose.
"This is..."
"Among the children here, appraise who has the most valuable talent."
The hall's atmosphere boiled over again.
Asena's expression shifted oddly upon seeing the amount.
"Quite the sum. May I ask why?"
Rohbark's lips curled into a smile.
I felt his ominous, amused gaze brush past me.
"By chance, 'Dragon's Blood' has come into my possession. It's an elixir meant for the most talented child. So I'd like to borrow your power to separate the wheat from the chaff."
Dragon's Blood.
This time, Hierniorn fluttered excitedly.
'You treated me like a junkie before.'
A complete turnaround, like flipping a hand.
It was that remarkable an elixir.
Dragon's blood contained the innate power of dragons, making it an unparalleled tonic for young mages.
Rohbark's gaze swept over me once more.
"Well? Will you take my commission?"
The one-eyed merchant queen pondered briefly, pocketed the check, and bowed her head.
"I'll do my utmost, Warlock."
The next day.
The children to undergo appraisal were lined up in a row.
All under ten years old, and about half seemed to possess a Mana Heart.
I stood at the very end, lost in thought.
'I wonder how it'll go.'
I'd heard that over eighty percent of Kirchheis children were born with at least one trait.
And about thirty percent of those awakened a second trait before fifteen.
This was a family where exceptional talent was commonplace.
But the phoenix was utterly nonchalant.
Five hundred years ago, Iphril had said the exact same thing.
But you never know until it's opened.
Asena adjusted her eyepatch and gestured.
"Let's begin. Come forward one by one."
She examined the children like a healer inspecting patients.
The first judgment came in under five minutes.
"This child has one trait: Competitiveness. Mid-grade, not bad. I'd value it at around 500 gold."
"O-only 500 gold? What about the potential for a second trait?"
"None."
"You mean it's not visible yet?"
"No. There just isn't one."
"Impossible! My son can't be like that! Please check again!"
A noblewoman shrieked, clutching her son.
But Asena silently gestured to move on, and...
"Where does this tantrum come from?"
Under Rohbark's piercing glare, she had no choice but to back down meekly.
'Never mind. No point telling me—I won't remember anyway.'
I watched Asena appraise the children's talents closely.
Of course, not just staring blankly.
I mobilized my Transcendental Eye to dissect exactly how she wielded her ability.
'She's twisting and braiding mana particle connection points into a net. Then converting the filtration phenomenon into sensory perception? Completely different from ordinary magic. Interesting.'
The line shrank quickly.
Asena never spent over ten minutes per child.
Until one exception.
The girl from last night's dinner who had stared me down.
"Hello, Lady Asena. I'm Libiel."
"Pleased to meet you, Libiel. Look straight into my eye. Good. Hmm..."
I could see Asena's brow furrow slightly.
At the same time, her mana surged dramatically.
Something was different.
'Mana density is increasing. Does that kid have a second trait?'
My guess was spot on.
After scrutinizing Libiel for a while, Asena brought a hand to her eyepatch.
The next moment, what she'd hidden was revealed.
A murky gray iris.
"Look straight at me, Libiel."
"Ugh..."
A gust whipped up, staggering the girl.
Not aggressive intrusion, but the side effect of probing the depths of the mind clouded her consciousness.
With both eyes deployed, Asena murmured.
"I see. Demonic Nature. Top-grade trait. The other one's Venom Control? Or maybe Herbalism..."
"Ooh!"
Exclamations erupted from all sides at the news of Libiel's multiple traits.
I spotted a noblewoman clasping her hands in joy.
Rohbark remained expressionless, while I was preoccupied with other thoughts.
'Didn't expect her to probe that deeply. Kinda creepy.'
The half-conscious state of the girl bothered me.
No way past-life memories could be read, but it felt off.
Then, Asena recovered her eyepatch and turned to Rohbark.
"Regrettably, the second trait isn't fully clear. But it seems related to poisons and herbs, so training in that direction would be best. This child's talent is worth..."
Kids judged with one trait hadn't exceeded 1,000 gold.
900 was the record so far.
But Libiel with two was on another level.
"Around 30,000 gold at present. Five times that or more once the second trait awakens."
"...!"
Silent shock rippled through the kin.
The sudden unit jump caught me off guard too.
Libiel, validated, hopped down beaming with pride.
Passing me, she flashed a triumphant smirk on purpose.
'Never thought I'd get a pint-sized rival like that.'
Live long enough, you see everything.
Anyway, my turn.
As I sat, whispers rustled from everywhere.
"So that's the famous shut-in young master."
"Wonder how much his talent's worth."
"Who knows. Maybe he has five traits."
Open mockery.
Rohbark clicked his tongue and shot a glare, finally quieting them.
Meanwhile, I pondered.
'Looks like Asena's valuation heavily favors kids with multiple traits.'
I had both Transcendental Eye and Leap Ability, so I wasn't at a disadvantage.
But viewed differently, Leap Ability was a trait confirmed in my past life during knight candidate training.
No certainty how it'd be judged.
"What are you thinking so deeply about, Kirian?"
"Nothing."
"Heh."
She chuckled softly at my lisping reply.
A sudden doubt arose.
'I've never introduced myself. How does she know my name?'
Then, something utterly unexpected happened.
Asena, facing me, suddenly turned to Rohbark.
"Warlock, forgive me, but could I ask a favor?"
"What favor?"
"Lend me some of your mana."
"Why?"
"It seems I can't judge this child's talent alone."
"...!"