Chapter 221
Chapter 221
-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 221
>Chapter Title: The Path I Intended to Walk From the Start
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
Time flew by quickly.
The rumor-spreading went off without a hitch, and preparations for the auction—what Evelyn had expected to hit snags—proceeded smoothly as well.
“Did you hear? They’re holding a big auction in the Second Black-White Slums.”
“Yeah, I heard. Word is, some precious artifact’s coming up. Something from the Grand Elemental era, only known through legends.”
The rumors spread not just among artifact collectors but to ordinary merchants too.
Now, even without Evelyn fanning the flames, the auction was the talk of the town every day, passed from mouth to mouth on its own.
And that wasn’t all.
“Hmm, an auction that big? Might be worth consigning some goods.”
“But it’s the Black-White Slums. Isn’t that a bit risky?”
“The black market in the Second Black-White Slums has a decent reputation, from what I hear. Could be worth a shot.”
Intrigued merchants hoped to enter their own items into what looked like a major event.
Of course, not many actually made the trip to the Second Black-White Slums to consign their goods.
Even so, the number wasn’t insignificant, and Evelyn seized the opportunity without hesitation.
“We’ll set the consignment fee at half the rate of a regular auction house, and guarantee a slightly higher minimum price.”
“Consignment fee? Guarantee?”
“The consignment fee is exactly what it sounds like—the cut we take when an item sells at auction. The guarantee is the minimum payout. If it sells below that, we cover the difference.”
Evelyn explained the terms for Aster, who was clueless about auctions.
As he listened, a question arose.
“I get cutting the fee in half, but isn’t jacking up the guarantee too risky?”
Think about it.
The fee was just taking a smaller slice of the proceeds, no big deal.
The consigned items from merchants were side gigs anyway.
But raising the guarantee?
Screw up, and the payout could exceed the auction profits.
“Of course it’s risky. But just auctioning off that one artifact? This chance is too good to waste. Better to take the consignments, scale up the event, draw maximum crowds. Where there’s a crowd, money follows somehow.”
In other words, not stopping at the auction but milking the opportunity for all it was worth.
“Well…… I don’t know the details, so handle it your way.”
“Got it. I’ll run it by Timur too and get back to you.”
Her workload had ballooned, but Evelyn looked more energized than ever, far from worn out.
She was thrilled.
Why wouldn’t she be?
The playing field had expanded beyond expectations, and luck was on her side.
How much she pulled off from here was up to her—and nothing excited a merchant more.
Anyway, while Evelyn hustled with auction prep.
The academy wrapped up midterms.
Unlike the first semester, though, no one could relax and celebrate.
“Finals…… are right around the corner.”
“After finals, we’re second-years.”
“……And second year’s supposed to be brutal.”
Sure, midterms were over, but finals loomed, and with added second-semester courses, no one could breathe easy.
Even Damian and Chenbi bolted to the library for cram sessions right after.
Unless you were like Evelyn, wrapped up in something else, academy students couldn’t unwind with finals pressure hanging over them.
……Of course, Aster was the exception.
“Not bad at all.”
At the end of class, Aster shrugged as he checked the midterm grades handed out by assistant professor Yorvi.
Solid mid-to-upper range.
Respectable.
Nothing standout, but it saved face adequately.
Truth be told, even with ramped-up difficulty, first-year basic-class problems weren’t that tough…… anyway.
Same reason—he wasn’t sweating finals either.
Not that he had zero worries……
“Now’s the time to really pick a path.”
After class.
Aster parted ways with Chenbi and Damian heading to the library, strolling the academy grounds deep in thought.
His top priority right now? The ‘circle.’
More precisely, core division.
He’d resolved to tackle what he’d put off since before the Baharmut trip.
But here’s the snag.
‘Potato planting or full split—which to go with?’
The pros and cons broke down like this.
First, potato planting.
Peel off a chunk of the core to form a new one.
Lower difficulty since you’re just detaching a part.
Downside?……
‘Nurturing the split-off core will be a pain.’
Next, full split.
Precisely bisect the core—tougher than planting.
But unlike planting, no need to grow the pieces; you can use them right away.
‘If it’s just dividing the core, splitting wins.’
Higher difficulty, but immediate usability.
Problem was, Aster needed to form circles after splitting.
Meaning, shape the split cores into circle form……
‘That bumps the split’s difficulty higher.’
Smaller lumps are easier to mold.
Bigger ones demand more focus.
But could a potato-planted circle pull its weight?……
“Hmm.”
Lost in these thoughts, how long had he walked?
“You’re here.”
Aster snapped his head up at the voice in his ear.
He’d arrived at Rapiter Library.
Librarian Teheman sat in his office as always, welcoming Aster.
Aster gathered his thoughts and bowed slightly. Teheman spoke right after.
“Have you decided?”
“Tough call.”
“Won’t be easy. You’re forging your own path, untrodden by others. Prophets always suffer.”
Aster shrugged at Teheman’s understanding tone.
Prophet, whatever—no grand destiny here.
Making a circle wasn’t some noble quest. Just a fallback for skipping the orthodox vision.
If he’d mastered the standard vision, no need for circles in the Great Forest.
Anyway.
“No rush for today. This old man’s here anytime. Tell me when you’re ready.”
Teheman, waiting to assist with the core split, spoke considerately. Aster shook his head.
“Overthinking ruins the job.”
“If you say so, then it is. Let’s move.”
Teheman stood and pulled a book from the shelf. With a ‘grrrk’, the wall-spanning bookshelf split left and right.
He led Aster to the librarian’s secret training room, floored with a magic circle of intricate geometric patterns.
“Condenses ambient mana, stabilizes core magic power. Nothing fancy, but it’ll help.”
Casual words, but no simple circle.
Clearly, poured heart and soul over days since Aster asked for help.
Aster paused, appreciating the gesture, then stepped to the center.
No need for thanks now.
Gratitude could wait till the split succeeded.
He sat cross-legged in the middle.
[Buddy, you good?]
The wyvern sensed his unease and checked in.
Aster just grinned.
“I’m good.”
A path he had to clear eventually.
To perfect the flawed vessel, wield true transcendence—unavoidable step.
A bit rushed, maybe……
- So don’t worry.
- Not your fault.
The future glimpsed in Baharmut.
Shine’s voice echoed.
- No need to bear their deaths.
Right, no bearing deaths.
But this thought lingered.
‘Don’t want responsibility?…… Then don’t create situations needing it.’
Grow strong enough to shoulder everything alone.
True transcendence alone wouldn’t cut it, though.
Archmage, transcendence—lofty realm worthy of ‘greatest’……
But not the strongest.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
Aster closed his eyes gently.
Footsteps approached from behind.
Teheman sat straight behind him, palms on Aster’s wing bases.
For now……
‘Splitting it is.’
Resolution sank his mind beneath the surface.
Hyper-focused, Aster’s spirit peered inward.
Inhaled breath, swelling chest, mana particles riding each breath—crystal clear.
……And so.
Crack, crunch!
The solid core ruptured with popping sounds, slowly separating.
Teheman, observing within, held his breath at the bold choice. But composure returned swiftly.
‘……He’s started.’
Aster’s core split cleanly in half, like a master craftsman’s work.
Magic rippled from the fresh faces, forming new membranes. Soon rounding into orbs.
The change unfolded slowly over time.
When both cores fully formed.
Aster thought.
‘Now……’
The real test begins.
He picked one core and began shaping it.
Then.
Crackle, zap—!
Sudden boiling magic inside.
Gurgle!
Blood surged up his throat.
‘……Damn.’
Aster knew instinctively.
Something’s gone wrong.
The two cores wavered chaotically, collapsing. At this rate, he’d lose them.
Unfamiliar magic flowed from his wings then.
[……Stay calm.]
Teheman finely manipulated his magic to stabilize Aster’s cores, speaking calmly to prevent panic.
Even so.
Fizzle, fizz.
The situation was hopeless.
Time for a call.
‘Merge them back…… or push through, stabilize, force the second circle?’
Merging meant no second chance. The already unstable vessel would harden worse.
But forcing the second circle……
……Might lose everything.
Do-or-die.
Salvage what he could, or risk it all.
……No hesitation.
‘Push on.’
No—Aster went further. Original plan: shape one core into a circle. Now……
‘Shape both cores into circles.’
Failing to claim both meant losing all anyway.
Magic Tower
The path Aster walked was always that one.