Vince led Theodore out of the multi-stadium. Since commercial activity was forbidden in the vicinity of the research focused Magic Society, the two of them boarded a Sky Carriage to avoid the afternoon crowds of Manavil.
As soon as Vince clambered aboard, he called out, “The commercial district, please. Sector D, area 27-2 is fine.”
As the Sky Carriage lifted off, Vince turned to Theo. “ What do you think is your highest priority at the moment?”
Theo’s brows furrowed. “… Reach the 4th Circle.”
“Definitely.” Vince nodded.
A magician’s Circle was the most basic and important indicator of their ability. The number of Circles a magician had wasn’t just a measurement of their magic power. It affected the speed at which magic power moved through their body, the efficiency of the spells they cast, and the variety of spells they could cast.
Sylvia was a genius of the Blue Tower, so she was probably close to perfecting her efficiency with spells in her Circle.
However, Theo had his own advantage in battlefield experience. So instead of trying to shore up his weaknesses, he could use Gluttony’s ability to springboard himself into a higher Circle.
I wish I could go all the way to the 5th?Circle, but it’s impossible to reach the 5th Circle with just an accumulation of magic power.
If it were possible to reach the 5th Circle with just magic power, anyone with money could become a 5th Circle magician. Just like any field, there was a point where the investment of money started to show diminishing returns. A magician had to overcome this wall with their own research and diligence. Gluttony alone would not be able to push Theo to the 5th Circle.
Vince looked down at Manavil passing below him and said confidently, “There will be many good items in the commercial district that can help you.”
***
Ring! ．
A cheerful bell sounded at the front door of Fred’s artifact store.
Fred, the owner himself, tiredly looked up from the counter. While high-end artifact stores were busy year-round, the recent influx of tourists had increased the number of window-shoppers in his store. The high prices of his items tended to deter anyone who casually walked in.
He had been dealing with tourists all day, so his voice was a little hoarse as he said, “Welcome~”
However, his tiredness vanished the moment he took in Vince’s attire. Fred had seen countless magicians and artifacts since he first opened his store in Manavil. Anyone who walked in wearing a magician’s robe was a golden goose.
However, as Fred took in every detail of his newest visitor, Fred’s sense for money started ringing frantically in his head.
He is wearing a Red Tower robe… with Superior rank markings! He walks like a war magician, but he’s not wearing any visible artifacts. The kid next to him seems like his disciple? Perhaps I can make two sales today!
Typically, a magician’s largest expenses were for his research. For example, the Yellow Tower, known as the Alchemy Tower, consumed 30% of the kingdom’s yearly budget on materials. In the same vein, the research budget of the White Tower and the Blue Tower easily eclipsed the annual budget of a high rank merchant company.
The biggest exception to this rule was the Red Tower.
Vince hailed Fred. “Owner, show me all your best products, regardless of price. It doesn’t really matter, but I have an invitation to the magic contest.”
“Absolutely! Wait just one moment!”
Fred rushed excitedly into his back room.
As expected from a war magician from the Red Tower, their spending ability is different!
The only tower without a large research budget was the Red Tower, which many considered to be the headquarters of the war magicians. These magicians typically spent more time on the battlefield than in the library, so they only spent money on equipment and artifacts that would save their lives. Whatever money they earned typically was saved or was spent in service of those life-saving artifacts. As a result, a war magician from the Red Tower was a VIP customer of the highest grade among artifact stores.
Fred sprinted out of his back room with a large iron box.
“Sorry to keep you waiting!”
Kuuong!
He deposited the iron box containing dozens of artifacts on the floor of the store. It had been sealed tightly, but both Theo and Vince could feel an incredible amount of magic power leaking out. As Theo waited with bated breath, Fred reverently opened the lid of the iron box.
When he saw the contents of the iron box, Theodore’s eyes widened.
Ohh…!
Theo had gone through many artifacts at the black market store, and he could instantly tell that every artifact in the box would get a Rare rating! If he absorbed all of this, he would be able to fill up more than half of the magic power required for the 4th Circle.
However, Vince examined the artifacts for a moment and turned to Fred. “Didn’t I say regardless of the price?”
Fred looked at him warily. “But these are the best items in our store…?”
“No, there’s definitely still something.” Vince smiled at Fred and rapped the counter. “B rank, please take it out.”
After a long moment, Fred nodded. “… I understand.”
A Superior of the Red Tower was indeed qualified to purchase that item. Fred had never brought that particular artifact out since he had opened the store. It was far too expensive for any magician to easily purchase. Fred bent beneath the counter.
Clink!?
The metal lock was released, and Fred slowly placed a pair of silver gauntlets on the counter.
Vince glanced sideways. “Appraise it.”
“Yes.”
Theo carefully picked up the glowing silver gauntlets and murmured, “Appraisal.”
[+ 8 West Wind’s Protection (Armor)]
[These are gauntlets made of mithril alloy by dwarven craftsmen. They boast an incredible defense as armor, but their true value lies in the magic engraved into the mithril. Application of magic power will create an air current that deflects most light projectiles. The previous owner of these gauntlets was said to have survived an army’s barrage of arrows without any injury.
* The rating of the gauntlets is Precious.
* When consumed, a considerable amount of magic power will be absorbed.
* When consumed, the digestion time will be one hour and forty-five minutes.
* When consumed, the skill in wind defense magic will increase.
* When worn, the Blessing of the Flowing Wind will be applied.]
Precious rating!
Theo’s eyes dilated as he read through Gluttony’s appraisal. These gauntlets were at the same level as the Carter Family’s Roaring Flames. Theo wasn’t that well versed in the artifact market, but he knew that these gauntlets couldn’t be valued anywhere below one hundred gold. That much money was the Miller Barony’s annual budget a couple of times over, so Theo’s natural stoicism was thoroughly shaken.
Theo stammered, “T-The price?”
Fred replied, “It’s one hundred and eighty gold, but with the invitation holder’s discount, I’m willing to accept one hundred and forty-four gold.”
Theo’s heart skipped a beat. “One hundred and forty-four gold…!”
As Theodore felt a little dizzy, Vince stepped forward and pulled out his wallet. He reached into it and took out a gold ingot stamped with the symbol of the kingdom. It was worth one hundred gold.
Vince placed two of them on the counter and said, “This should cover all of them. Is there anything else we need to do?”
Fred stared blankly at the two ingots on his counter. “Uh, no.”
Vince nodded. “Then I’ll take them now.”
Two hundred gold worth of artifacts vanished into Vince’s dimension pocket like a dream. Fred just stared at them as the two magicians left the store, leaving just the tinkle of the bell behind.
“… I’m done for the day.”
He placed a “Closed” sign on the door as he started to think of opening that expensive bottle of liquor he had at home. It was the least he could do after a jackpot like this.
***
Vince and Theo didn’t just stop at Fred’s store. Although there were only a few high-end artifact stores in Manavil that had a B rank artifact hidden away, Vince decided to sweep through all of the stores and purchased every item with a Rare rating and above. The amount of money he spent that afternoon was enough to purchase a luxurious manor and courtyard in the capital.
It was only after Theo arrived at their accommodation for the night that he could properly examine all of the artifacts they had purchased.
Wow, how much gold did Professor spend today?
He had never seen such a sight before. While most of the artifacts had been bought for simple consumption, there were a few quality items in the pile. Despite being asleep, Gluttony’s tongue lolled out like it could taste the fragrant magic power in the air.
Vince pushed the Rare grade artifacts forward first.
“Feed it all the Rare grade items. Let’s call this the appetizer.”
“I understand.”
After taking several deep breaths, Theodore pointed his left palm at the artifacts. He knew that there wouldn’t be a problem if he tried to feed Gluttony several things at the same time, but he was nervous at the thought of trying to swallow items worth a few hundred gold. It was a tremendous amount of money for a person from the countryside.
“Gluttony, eat.”
Gluttony started on its sumptuous dinner. Its tongue wrapped around necklaces, bracelets, boots, daggers, and armors. As the tongue sucked all the Rare artifacts into its mouth, a familiar voice rang in Theo’s head.
[The Necklace of Cleanliness has been consumed. The amount of magic power it possesses is common.]
[Proficiency with the 2nd Circle magic Clean has increased.]
[Stone Fist Magic Bracelet has been consumed. The amount of magic power it possesses is common.]
[Proficiency with the 3rd Circle magic Stone Skin has increased.]
[Sticky Boots have been consumed. The amount of magic power it possesses is common.]
[1st Circle magic…]
[············]
[It will take one hour and fifty-eight minutes to fully digest them.]