Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Ars Magna (1)
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"What are you talking about?"
"...It's too dirty."
"You're suddenly talking like a child."
Well, on the surface, he was a child.
Jamie took another step back from the dust smoke billowing out of the shop.
Siegfried stood there unfazed in the midst of it all.
At that level of dust, just one breath would probably trigger a headache.
"Good grief. Kids these days make such a fuss over a little dust."
Siegfried shook his head, either unable to understand or pretending not to.
He began recounting his own childhood.
"When I was a kid, I slept next to pig slop. Rolling in cow dung fields was daily routine, and I'd rummage through trash bins for scraps left by nobles. I was so hungry, the thought of it being disgusting never even crossed my mind."
Those tales of filth spilled casually from such a refined face.
Only then did Jamie recall Siegfried's origins.
He had been a slave. Now a great mage with immense renown, but there must have been times when he wasn't even treated like a person.
So this bit of dust was nothing compared to what he'd endured as a slave.
"Anyway, come on in. If it's really that bad, just put up an air barrier, right?"
He could solve it easily with magic, as Siegfried suggested, but this was a matter of pride.
Jamie hesitated, then finally wrapped himself in an air barrier. Did he really need to go this far?
The person we have business with is in there anyway, right?
He could just wait quietly outside.
But having gone this far with the barrier, he didn't want to back down looking petty.
"There we go. Let's head in."
Siegfried grinned and flung the door wide open.
Jamie let out a short sigh and stepped inside the shop.
Ars Magna, the magic stone shop, felt cramped.
To be precise, the shop itself was wider than expected, but the sheer number of display stands crammed with magic stones made it tight for even one or two people to move around.
Luckily, Jamie's small frame saved him; a bit larger, and he'd have been constantly bumping into things.
"Flashy, isn't it?"
Yet, as Siegfried said, it was dazzling.
Despite the cramped space, the magic stones adorning the walls, lights, and displays were arranged artistically.
"The ones visible are all E to C-grade, but magic stones are beautiful by nature, so they create this fairy-tale-like space."
"Didn't peg you for the whimsical type."
"Haha. Every mage needs a touch of childlike wonder. We're creators, after all."
A mage as a creator.
Jamie found the expression intriguing.
There were far more mages who didn't create, but those who left their mark on the world were indeed creators.
"Makes sense."
"Right?"
Siegfried beamed proudly at Jamie's agreement.
"But where's the shopkeeper?"
No one had come out despite customers arriving.
The door wasn't locked, so someone should be there...
Siegfried explained.
"She's a free spirit. She'll show up soon, though. Ah, speak of the devil."
Jamie sensed it too.
The presence appeared abruptly from deep inside the building, as if by magic.
Nothing had been detectable before.
"A mage."
"Something like that."
A creaky wooden door opened with a grating screech.
"Long time no see."
Siegfried bowed in greeting.
Jamie couldn't see her. The short stature and tall display stands completely blocked the owner from view.
"Why'd you bother coming back, you pest?"
It was the raspy voice of an old woman.
Jamie stood on tiptoes, but still couldn't spot her.
Siegfried leaned on the counter with his signature smile.
"I said I'd come again next time."
"Annoying brat."
"Did the item arrive?"
"Not yet."
"Another bust, huh."
"Listen to the end, you fool."
A staff shot up from below and thwacked Siegfried on the head.
Though it could've been offensive, Siegfried just let out a small "Ow" without showing displeasure.
Not just because of his slave background—he seemed on close terms with the owner.
Or perhaps... someone even a 7th-class great mage couldn't treat lightly?
Wonder who she is.
The presence felt unremarkable.
Unable to hold back, Jamie floated into the air.
"No flying allowed here!"
A presence flared behind him.
Something dropped from above.
Instinctively, Jamie deployed a shield. He drew his sword and conjured several fireballs in the air.
Turning around, he finally saw her.
The owner of Ars Magna.
His first impression:
"...2-heads-tall?"
"That's no way to talk to a lady!"
Snap!
"Yowch!"
"So this is the famous little brat, huh?"
The old woman, Kiriel, eyed Jamie with interest. She chuckled around her pipe.
"Impressive skills, though."
She perched atop a crystal orb as big as herself—a 2-heads-tall figure where head and body matched in size, just as Jamie sensed.
Atop her head sat a wide-brimmed witch's hat that vaguely resembled a face.
"She read all my moves."
"The rumors of supreme talent aren't hype."
Siegfried followed up as he glanced at Jamie rubbing his head.
Jamie glared at Kiriel with utter dissatisfaction.
What the hell is this old hag?
He'd definitely put up a shield.
A single layer, but more than enough for a staff.
Yet it pierced through.
If it'd shattered, I'd chalk it up to power difference.
The staff had melted into the shield like assimilation, then cracked down on his head.
Now he had a small lump.
"The kid looks baffled about why he got hit."
"How'd you do it?"
"Merchants don't give away trade secrets for free."
When Jamie just glared without responding, Siegfried smiled awkwardly and said to Kiriel,
"He's a genius, sure, but still a child. Enough teasing."
"Hmph. Weren't you a kid too?"
"I've eaten plenty since then."
"The pup calls himself a great mage and gets all high and mighty."
"No... I've never been arrogant."
Even sly Siegfried seemed to shrink a bit before Kiriel.
Losing interest, Kiriel snorted and raised her staff.
"It's an artifact."
"Artifact? But I didn't sense anything."
"Of course. It has Anti-Mage properties."
"Anti-Mage!"
Anti-Mage was a mage's natural predator. It nullified all magic outright—dispersing mana itself.
That's how it passed through the shield like air.
"One of the most valuable in my collection."
If it truly had Anti-Mage power, it wasn't just valuable.
It was national treasure level.
And this rundown shop owner had it...
He knew she wasn't ordinary, but what kind of figure was she?
"You get the value of Anti-Mage now, kid? Finally see Granny as impressive?"
"How far can it pierce?"
Jamie countered with a question.
Even Anti-Mage couldn't nullify all magic. If it could, humans would've toppled dragons and reigned supreme.
That didn't diminish its value. Nullifying even 1st-class spells made it invaluable.
"Up to 5th-class."
"...Where the hell did you get something like that?"
"Heh. Secret."
He hadn't expected an answer, but he coveted that staff badly.
Crude as it sounded, if it nullified up to 5th-class, he'd need great mage level to match her evenly.
No 6th-class mage spams 6th-class spells endlessly.
"Shall we end the chit-chat?"
Siegfried, who'd been listening silently, stepped forward.
"Right. We were talking about your item."
"Yes. You told me to hear you out."
"Yeah, yeah. I got it."
"Oh! Really?"
"Why would I lie, you rotten punk?"
"Ooh!"
"But it's not here yet. Won't arrive till the day after tomorrow at earliest."
"Guess we'll stay two days then. No problem. I can sightsee in the meantime. Was planning to broaden Young Master Jamie's horizons anyway."
Siegfried, pleased with his perfect plan, asked Kiriel,
"So, what's the price?"
"We can haggle then. There's a catch."
"A catch?"
"Yeah."
"What kind?"
"The problem is I have no intention of just handing it over to you."
Siegfried's beaming face froze solid.
Silence fell.
Jamie glanced between them.
Siegfried spoke first.
"You definitely said last time you'd pass it to me right away if you got it."
"I did."
"So why the change? Some bastard offer more?"
Siegfried was pissed; his tone stayed even, but his words sharpened.
They'd only traveled together a few days, but this side of him was new and surprising.
Kiriel remained utterly relaxed.
"Fool, no offers yet—how can you talk 'more'?"
"Fair, but... then why?"
"I'm not saying I won't sell to you."
"What does that...?"
Siegfried scowled, utterly lost on her intent.
Then Jamie spoke.
"You need a favor?"
"Ho, sharp kid."
"Favor?"
Siegfried tilted his head at the word.
Her? Needing to ask someone for help?
Catching the thought, Kiriel replied.
"Even I ain't omnipotent, kiddo."
"What's the favor?"
"Day after tomorrow, secret auction here."
Secret auction.
Umbrella term for underground auctions dealing in unspeakable goods.
Like continentally banned异族 slaves or drugs... things that'd cause uproar if public.
Not always illegal, though.
Legally fine but cursed items sparking bloodbaths just by possession, or treasures so valuable they invited assassins.
Siegfried asked,
"What do I need to snag there?"
"You up for it?"
Siegfried nodded at Jamie's question.
"It's essential."
"Not illegal, so no worries."
Kiriel grinned and continued.
"What you gotta get is the 'Shadow Sheep's Heart.'"
Shadow Sheep.
A beast close to spirits, unbound by the material world.
"Bring it, and I'll give you what you want dirt cheap."
Siegfried's face twisted.