Next Stop
'The academy's quest isn't even that high up my to-do list. After all, I have 3 years to complete it. Kroft's contact got me an excellent quest with a prolonged time limit, so I can take it slow and focus on gathering power, money, and intel.' -Leylin pondered, as he kept his eyes closed and his body in a lotus position on the cave floor.
[Speaking of the academy, how do you think they're faring against that mysterious crisis?] -Aralis suddenly inquired.
'Don't know, don't care. Those useless chimps can burn for all I care. The top brass at Abyssal Bone Forest will hold out just well, and they're the only ones I need alive to reach my eventual growth into an official Magus.'
'And even though I could've searched for news and rumors concerning the academy in the market today, the cons far outweighed the pros. There surely were various spies trotting about, both from Abyssal Bone Forest and external parties. If I were to negligently expose my identity, it would be the equivalent of me drinking a bottle of poison.'
[Then, are you planning on staying out of the loop regarding the academy?]
'Of course not. I'll just have to be patient and wait till I've journeyed enough across the Poolfield Kingdom before I can safely begin making inquiries. Such a huge matter will definitely be a hot topic at Magi gathering points. I only have to be careful not to expose any information about myself in the process.'
[In other words, you'll wait until the information comes to you.]
'It is the best approach, yes. The academy issue is not crucial for my short-term improvement, and thusly, it will be dealt with later. What's important right now is to hurry and convert all my stockpiled potions into magic crystals.'
[Are you desperate for more funds? I do not think your coffers are that close to emptying out.]
'No, I am simply fed up with carrying these vexingly large chests with me everywhere I go. Additionally, cash is more liquid than commodities. It is a matter of elementary trading pragmatism.' -Leylin mentally shrugged.
[Then, will you go back to Lone Forest? You seemed interested in setting up a stall there.]
'I originally studied that option, but after doing business at the potioneering store, I realized it won't do. I cannot afford myself go anywhere near the Walkers' market anymore. After all, I have just sold a number of potions there. It may draw the attention of that Magi family if a newcomer acolyte starts selling too many potions in their turf.'
Leylin mentally called up the holo map and located his current position. He had stopped ordering Aralis to do that for convenience's sake.
'From the academy to Eastwoods Province, which is where I need to go for my quest, there are 5 other provinces in-between. I will sell out my potions along the way and try to get rid of some of the excess baggage. I'll be able to move faster once I do, making myself less of a target for any hostile party.' -Leylin thought confidently.
[Seems like you thought of everything, Doctor.] -Aralis sincerely praised.
'Not everything. I still need you to produce a number of simulated scenarios with some hypothetical data I will provide. I must revise my countermeasure plans in case I get hounded by 'them' once more. Therefore, listen closely. You know I don't like to repeat myself...'
[Ready and able.] -The A.I. promptly replied.
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Just like that, two months had passed.
On a path to the Jersha Province, a sturdily built black horse carrying a wooden chest and a black-cloaked man on its back could be seen cantering along.
The cloaked man had bright red hair and was extremely handsome. This was naturally Leylin using Transfiguration to disguise himself.
Ever since that time, as Leylin journeyed, he had found a series of Magi gathering points and small-scale trading sites from time to time, where he had sold most of the potions in his stock.
As he only sold a few each time, he did not awaken the avarice of other potioneering experts. Occasionally, some foolish acolyte blinded by greed would accost him, but they were utterly annihilated since they could hardly be called his match.
The most dangerous instance in this couple of months was when a level 3 acolyte brought a group of other inferior acolytes to try to ambush Leylin. Nevertheless, it was not difficult to evade them with the help of Aralis' detection capability.
Throughout these past trades, Leylin had also managed to acquire several precious materials and books on specialized arcane knowledge. Once Aralis had scanned and stored the materials in her databank, Leylin resold those books together with the spell models he had been carrying since leaving the academy. He could've just obliterated them, yet he would not let them go to waste when he could earn back the crystals he paid for them and even some additional profit.
After selling a huge portion of his merchandise and getting rid of those heavy spellbooks, Leylin could now fit all of his belongings into one chest. He had also killed his three weakest horses and burned the carriage since he did not need them anymore.
Furthermore, according to his projections, he could simply travel with a knapsack once he sold the remaining potions.
His earnings amounted to roughly 2500 magic crystals. However and thanks to the exchange centers found in most Magi gathering places, he had swapped the bulk of his magic crystals for mid and high-grade versions, which were worth 10 and 100 low-grade crystals respectively.
'Aralis, I want to see my updated stats. The summarized version.' -He ordered.
[Data arranged. Here you go.] -His assistant informed in a soft tone.
//
Dr. Fang Ming (Leylin Farlier's body)
<Power Scaling>
Level 2 acolyte || Knight
<Physical Stats>
Strength - 2.81
Agility - 2.96
Vitality - 3.05
<Mystical Stats>
Spiritual Force - 4.60/4.60
Mana Energy - 4.0 (M.E. is in synchronization with S.F.)
//
'Strength and Agility increased notably as the result of continuous stimulation of my inner life energy. After it stabilizes, I can begin to gradually take on the next phase of Knight's training. As for my Spiritual Force, it only increased a little. This was the only return I got after those encounters with mystical creatures. Magus training, as I had foreseen, is only going to get more and more complex. But I am nothing if not steadfast.' -Leylin considered, as he mentally projected the map again.
On the huge map, the Jersha Province appeared highlighted in white. As the central region of Poolfield Kingdom, it was a hub of commerce not only for the country but for the whole South Coast. There were also many Magus families here. Although this was the capital of a regular human kingdom, it attracted all sorts of wandering Magi and even criminal Magi.
The latter classification was formed by those who had been exiled from their previous association and made up the bounty lists. They usually turned into wandering Magi and were very dangerous characters.
'In the Jersha Province, one may find a colossal Magus market controlled by the Redbud family, one of the three big families supporting Abyssal Bone Forest Academy. I will definitely be able to obtain useful goods and/or knowledge in there.' -Leylin smirked.
In these past two months, Leylin had discreetly been on the lookout for any news related to the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy. However, the information he got was all rather vague. He only knew that the academy was at war with some factions to its west. As for the details of its opponents and how the academy was faring, everything was still unknown to him. But not for long, he suspected.
'I've almost made it to Ellinel Market... In that trading center, I'll get rid of my remaining potions and ask about news of the academy before resuming my journey east.' -Leylin decided.
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Days later, next to a tiny village's ruined wharf, a lifeless atmosphere greeted Leylin as he examined the surroundings.
'According to my intel, Poolfield Kingdom's first Magus Market is hidden underneath this trashy human village.'
[The market should be right below. There are traces of mana radiation emanating from the village, and its inhabitants are gravely sick to the point where some might even die suddenly. I'm afraid after a dozen or so years, this village will become a ghost town.] -Aralis noted.
Leylin smiled warmly as he recalled that one time in his previous life when he murdered an entire riverside town using one of his genetically engineered flesh-eating fungi in a single week. It had caused his country's intelligence agencies to run around frantically trying to find the culprit, to no avail. In the end, they believed an enemy country to have been responsible, whilst Leylin continued to live his life comfortably.
The Farlier heir adjusted the black cloak on his body and covered his facial features with his hood, before coming to the entrance of a hut made of bricks.
The corroded door let out a dull noise as Leylin knocked lightly.
"Who goes there?" -An icy voice sounded from inside.
"I am a wandering acolyte who wishes to do business." -He replied with a similarly cold tone.
The large door opened and revealed a grey-robed figure. Immediately, Leylin felt a potent murderous intent oozing from this figure. The kind feeling this individual gave off was that he had defeated countless experts at the same level as him.
'As expected of an influential Magus family, their door guard is competent enough.' -Leylin instantly discerned the Redbud insignia on the figure's sleeves. The guard emitted the energy waves of a level 3 acolyte. He even carried a one-time-use magic artifact.
However, the guard's aura did not shock Leylin in the slightest. He could be staring directly into the eyes of the devil himself and even then he would remain unbreakable. Despite his reasoning of not being comparable to this door guard in terms of power, no one could bend Leylin's will or make him want to beg for his life.
"Regardless of this being your first time or not, I will specify the main rule of Ellinel Market. Any fights inside the market will be deemed as a direct provocation to the Redbud family. The security detail will act consequently." -The grey-robed figure said harshly.
"I understand." -Leylin nodded his head, keeping a stony expression.
"Alright. The entry fee is 1 magic crystal."
After Leylin paid the fee, the grey-robed figure tapped lightly on the fireplace, and steel machinery rumbled.
The fireplace swung to the right revealing a flight of stairs going downwards.
After entering the tunnel, the fireplace swung shut, and the passage dimmed once more with only a few magic lamps dimly glowing in the depths.
Leylin descended the stairs calmly. After he had gone a dozen meters underground, a huge cavern emerged.
The market was extremely huge; it was the size of several football fields. The ceiling was studded with some kind of stalactite that made Leylin wonder if they were natural.
In the middle of the market, buildings built using grey rocks were lined up in a row. Surrounding them was a circle of wooden huts. As for the street stalls, they were actually rather sparse.
Magi and acolytes wore robes of various colors: white, black, and grey-robed people could be seen stepping in and out of the shops.
Normally, official Magi would either wear black or white, and acolytes would wear grey. White represented the factions that were more peace-loving, for example, those focused on the healing arts and the like. As for the black robes, they leaned more towards combat, and their personalities were rather strange too.
Of course, the aforementioned pattern was true only with the conventionally attired Magi. There were also some Magi who wore various odd-looking costumes that were rather bizarre. Be that as it may, though, Leylin could care less for the fashion style of people he saw as mere objects.