Chapter 23: Appraisal
Chapter 23: Appraisal
It was a day off for Karl, and he had a carriage waiting to take him to the manor outside the city.
He had accumulated numerous questions about meditation techniques and spells during this time, and he urgently needed an experienced person to answer them. After all, knowledge wasn't solely derived from books.
Unlike the previous two times, today, the area in front of Adolph's manor was bustling with carriages and people, a lively scene.
"You've come at an inconvenient time," Sebel greeted him and explained, "There's a gathering of wizards happening in the Dark Swamp, and Master left yesterday to attend it."
She then pointed to the busy crowd, "They'll be taking their goods and leaving in the next few days."
"The Dark Swamp?" Karl had seen this area on the kingdom's map, located about five hundred li north of Signo City, and he couldn't help but wonder, "Are there people living there?"
The Dark Swamp, true to its name, was a vast region, as large as a city-state, filled with various dangerous marshes.
Even more so, it was permeated with a miasma that corroded flesh and blood.
Not only were humans scarce, but so were plants and animals. It was a genuine no-man's land.
"Ordinary people can't survive in such an environment, but wizards can," Sebel explained, "The Grey Robe Mage, Addison, lives in the Dark Swamp. He's a full-fledged wizard."
"From time to time, wizard apprentices from various parts of the Gando Kingdom gather there to exchange knowledge and resources."
"Exchange?" Karl's heart stirred, "Can I learn spells there?"
"Of course, as long as you have enough mana stones," Sebel turned, her expression serious, "And, you must return alive."
"Hmm?" Karl furrowed his brows, "Is it that dangerous?"
"Of course," Sebel nodded, "The world of wizards is always filled with various risks."
"It's not just the dangerous creatures, but also fellow wizard apprentices. For a spell or an enchanted item, conflicts between father and son are common, let alone strangers with no connection."
Karl's face paled slightly.
If people knew he had mastered spells in a short time, would it attract envy and covetousness?
How could he explain that he could construct complex spell models despite being a beginner in meditation techniques?
He couldn't tell anyone!
What if Adolph harbored ill intentions? He had no power to resist.
'I originally planned to reveal a bit of my talent to attract attention, but now it seems better to be cautious. It's never wrong to be careful.'
"But you sure have a lot of patience."
Sebel led him to the living room and waved for the servants to leave, "Most people who first encounter the wizarding world are filled with curiosity and questions."
"After learning meditation techniques, it's been a while, and this is only your second time here."
"I didn't want to disturb Master," Karl smiled awkwardly, "And also..."
"I have to pay for the lessons, and I'm just a declining noble. Master's fees are quite expensive for me."
Even asking questions came with a price.
Adolph had corresponding spell lessons, each lasting half an hour, for one gold coin.
During these lessons, he would explain spells and answer questions.
In the wizarding world, knowledge came at a high price.
"That's true."
Sebel nodded and smiled, "Why not ask me? My lesson fees are only half of Master's, and I can answer basic questions too."
"Really?" Karl's eyes lit up.
Most of his questions were about the basics of the wizarding world and common knowledge, so it didn't matter who he asked.
"No problem," Sebel assured him, "I believe Master won't mind."
She was Adolph's adopted child, not an outsider. Still, Karl had a question, "Are all wizards short on money?"
"Of course."
Sebel sighed, "Especially those of us who research potions. Various spell materials and resources require money, and not every wizard apprentice is like Robert."
"Robert?" Karl asked.
"Doctor Robert?"
The doctor who could increase a man's height by a few centimeters.
He was actually a wizard apprentice? But upon further thought, it made sense; after all, only magic could possess such a miraculous ability.
"It's him," Sebel said, supporting her chin. "Although Robert is just an intermediate wizard apprentice, he has mastered a unique spell related to flesh and blood, I've heard."
"His wealth even surpasses the master's, it's truly enviable."
Um...
Karl smiled awkwardly, unsure if Sebel knew the specifics of Robert's spell.
He quickly changed the subject, "Let's get back to the lesson."
In the classroom, Sebel looked at Karl with surprise.
"Your understanding of meditation techniques and lesser force fields is profound. It's hard to imagine you've only recently started studying spells."
"What a pity!" She sighed, her face filled with regret. "I was hoping to earn some more lesson fees from you, but it seems this plan won't work. After a few more lessons, you probably won't need to seek me out anymore."
"The Lord of Dawn closes one door but opens a window," Karl said. "Perhaps it's because my innate talent for cultivation is lacking that my understanding of spells is so quick."
"That's an interesting way to put it," Sebel laughed. "Unfortunately, if the Lord of Dawn closed your door, he'd probably seal the windows shut as well."
"Hmm..."
"Don't be surprised. Most wizards are polytheistic, so I was just joking about the Lord of Dawn."
Karl's expression turned serious, indicating his understanding. For wizards who pursued knowledge and truth, it was impossible to wholeheartedly believe in a single deity. The fact that the Theocracy allowed these 'heretics' to exist also spoke to the power of wizards.
"Senior Sister," he began, "I came here not only to learn spells from the teacher but also to have some items appraised by him."
"Since the teacher isn't here, can you help me with the appraisal?"
"Of course," Sebel said, straightening her chest. "As an apothecary, appraising items is a basic skill. But as you know..."
She made a universal hand gesture.
Karl nodded, understanding. "Knowledge comes with a price."
"Exactly. How much?"
"Since you're my junior brother and this is your first appraisal, I'll charge you for two lesson fees."
"Two lesson fees, that's just one gold coin. No problem," Karl said, relieved.
This was an amount he could afford.
He opened the package he had brought and laid out its contents on the table.
"Hmm?"
Sebel instinctively picked up a black stone, then her expression turned to disappointment. "I thought it was a stone..."
"Where did you get this ore? It has a hint of the shadow attribute. It can be used to forge weapons and armor, making it a decent material."
"I got some war spoils from the battlefield," Karl explained. "Some of the items were unknown, so I brought them here for appraisal."
"I see."
Sebel had only asked out of curiosity. She put down the black stone and picked up the tail of an unidentified beast.
"This is an Ashrat's tail. It tastes like grass roots and is one of the ingredients for making rage potions. Collecting a hundred of these can be exchanged for a mana stone."
"The Shadow Spider's silk is said to be used for making invisibility cloaks, but this amount is too little to be of value."
"..."
"Hey!"
Sebel pinched some powder and examined it closely, her expression gradually turning excited.
"Necrotic dust, this is a good thing!"
(End of Chapter)
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