Chapter 84: Arcane Hermitage (3)
With “Stellar” taking her seat, the Gathering officially began.
The “Seeker” spoke first, his tone measured yet charged with conviction.
“Gentlemen, I assume you’re all familiar with how the Weave of Magic operates…”
“Spellcasters must establish specific conduits to connect with Primordial Magic—but those primordial energies…”
Before he could finish, a voice cut in sharply.
“No, no, absolutely not!”
“What about the Priest?”
“Didn’t your master teach you? Arcane Magic and Divine Magic are entirely separate systems.”
“I studied at the Faedran Imperial Armor Classademy of Magic—how could I possibly misunderstand such fundamentals?”
“Hmph. How laughable.”
These mages—none of them higher than tenth level—debated fiercely, diving from the mechanics of the Spellcraft Model to the very nature of the Weave of Magic, then spiraling into discussions of deities, personal connections, and hidden knowledge. Their argument soon devolved into a contest of influence and reputation, each striving to outshine the others in intellect and erudition.
They grew red-faced, passionate, almost desperate—clearly determined to make an impression and earn recognition among their peers.
Beside Kai Xiusu, “Tulip” remained silent, her expression cold.
“Show-offs,” she muttered under her breath.
From behind, Lanpu couldn’t resist whispering through Mental Communion:
“Utter nonsense!”
“These humans are all full of hot air—half a bottle, shaking wildly.”
He even used a proverb Kai Xiusu had once taught him. Had he not been restricted by his Status, he’d have joined the fray long ago.
“Seems like mage rivalry runs deep,” Kai Xiusu mused, watching the heated exchange with quiet amusement.
Meanwhile, “Stellar” occasionally interjected—calm, deliberate, her insights rare but profound.
“Interesting,” Kai Xiusu thought. As a Sorcerer, he relied more on instinct and willpower than intricate theory. He understood little of the academic debates, but he listened carefully, filtering through the noise for any useful nuggets.
Despite the pretentious posturing and self-important jargon, he found himself genuinely enlightened—though not by much.
By midday, the arguments had drained the room. The mages’ minds, though eager, were empty of substance. With nothing left to say, they reluctantly moved on to the next phase: trade.
At this point, Kai Xiusu’s eyes lit up.
He wasn’t some Player grinding day and night for scraps, penniless and desperate. He was the lord of Storm Ridge, master of an entire domain.
Every day, Goblinoid and Goblin laborers dragged gold from the deep Mine Shafts into his vast caverns. And Players, chasing the mythical “God-tier Gear,” willingly handed over their meager gold coins—just to gain access to his vaults.
The first item was presented by a mage known as “Goldseeker”—a dull black pearl, matte and unassuming.
“Mana Regeneration Pearl. Grants the wielder one additional spell of fifth level or lower per day. Starting bid: 200 gold coins.”
“210 gold coins,” said “Gray Hawk,” his voice flat, unemotional.
Kai Xiusu glanced at his Character Sheet. Confirmed: genuine Rare quality. No errors in description.
He didn’t hesitate.
“300 gold coins.”
“Gray Hawk” glanced at him—then said nothing.
Then, a quiet figure known as “Mindspeaker” emerged from the shadows of his long black robe. He placed a thick, leather-bound book on the table. The air around it shimmered faintly with a sharp, acrid scent—immediately drawing every eye.
“This was left to me by my ancestors. I haven’t the skill to use it yet… so I don’t know its true power. But I hope to fetch a fair price here.”
Kai Xiusu narrowed his eyes.
Even Lanpu—still hidden behind his steel construct form—felt a subtle surge in his pulse, as if something deep within his bloodline recognized the artifact.
> Compendium of Alchemy
> Quality: Rare
This weathered, heavy tome exuded a pungent, volatile aroma. It was a treasured heirloom of the Telfa Family, passed down through generations. Its metal fittings were forged from a Solidified Intermediate Substance capable of transforming between copper, iron, lead, silver, and gold.
When first discovered, the book contained the following spells:
Haste, Projection, Stone Skin, Ethereal Form, Magical Weaponry, and Masterful Craft.
It could be used as a spellbook—or as a magical artifact in its own right.
“Excellent. Buy it.”
Kai Xiusu felt a pang—his Red Dragon greed tugged at his soul, whispering of waste. But he pushed it down. This was worth it.
He declared, “500 gold coins.”
That sum was life-changing for a minor noble. For a wealthy house, it was merely a sting.
“Seeker” didn’t hesitate.
“700.”
“800,” said “Gray Hawk.”
Kai Xiusu, unfazed, raised his hand.
“1,000 gold coins.”
The room fell silent.
“Mindspeaker” stared, stunned. He hadn’t expected this. The price was nearly equal to a barony’s annual income. With this money, he could travel south, live like a lord, indulge in every luxury—his face flushed with excitement.
“It’s yours, sir!” he blurted, afraid the offer might be retracted.
Kai Xiusu calmly handed the book to Lanpu, who reshaped into a steel construct and took it without a word.
When the bidding ended, no one else spoke. Only murmurs floated through the air.
“Where did he come from?”
“That’s a thousand gold coins…!”
“Is he a duke’s son? He tosses that around like it’s nothing.”
“Probably a Heritage heir from a Sorcerer lineage… or perhaps a merchant from Victoria Harbor…”
…
The next items were bizarre and eclectic—magical gear of all kinds. Curious, yes. But to Kai Xiusu, most were… underwhelming.
So he stayed quiet, watching with mild interest.
“Tentacle Staff. When held, the tip extends three fleshy tendrils.”
“Can you control them?”
“Yes—target direction, but not the force or actions.”
“Then it’s useless. Pass.”
The vendor, “Blackrock,” wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. No one bid. Not even Kai Xiusu, who had just spent a thousand gold coins.
He glanced at Kai Xiusu—then looked away, smiling faintly.
He turned to “Stellar,” and for a moment, he thought he saw the faintest flush on her cheeks. But she remained silent, eyes down.
Defeated, he收回 his staff. Bad luck, he thought.
Next:
“Withering Rod—inflicts a Withering Effect on targets.”
“Bat Cloak—grasp the edges, and you transform into a bat.”
“Levitating Horseshoe—attach four to a horse, and it floats a foot above ground.”
“Why not just use Levitation?” someone asked.
Then:
“Mind Whip—when wielded by a Mind Flayer, it tears through a creature’s will, devouring its soul like meat.”
“And what if a normal person holds it?” someone challenged.
The mage who had just praised it so fervently fell silent. He scratched his nose, embarrassed.
“…Just a regular whip.”
(End of Chapter)
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