Darkness Particles

After hastily stowing away his belongings, Leylin immersed himself in his cultivation again, subsequently drifting into a profound slumber after a long time of never sleeping.

It was a rest so profound that when he finally awoke, the sun was high, signaling the middle of the next day. With a period of contemplation, Leylin donned a comfortable robe and ventured into the streets beyond his home.

He had assigned Sean the housekeeper role and left the villa's maintenance to him. He had proven himself quite loyal so long as he was paid handsomely, so it was no source of concern for Leylin.

As he traversed the path that meandered through the villas, Leylin consulted the map he had acquired the other day, making his way toward the enigmatic Fourth Zone of Nightless City. 

"Good day, sir!" exclaimed the red-headed elder with a flourish, his shears snipping away at the overgrown grass with practiced ease. The morning sun cast a golden glow on his labor, illuminating the silver strands that peeked through his fiery locks. His smile, broad and unwavering, seemed to compete with the brightness of the day, offering a warm welcome that contrasted sharply with the crispness of the cool morning air.

Leylin, observing from a distance, couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance at the sight. This man was his sole neighbor, a figure perpetually surrounded by an aura of joviality, his smile ever-present and often bordering on the theatrical. To Leylin, it was all too much; the exaggerated display of cheerfulness grated on his nerves, a stark reminder of the facade that he tended to wear. It was a facade Leylin had grown to detest, a mask of mirth hiding the cutthroat that lay beneath. Yet, there he stood, the old man, pruning and preening as if the world was but a stage for his endless performance.

"Hello, pleasure too meet you. My name's Leylin Farlier." He responded, sensing a formidable Spiritual Force emanating from the elder. This was no nascent Magus's aura but that of one who had plateaued at Rank 1, amassing a considerable essence over time. Observing the energy particles swirling about the elder, Aralis surmised he was at least a semi-converted elemental Magus, his power reminiscent of the clone from the Lilytell elder that had pursued Leylin.

'I wonder, what might his true combat prowess be?' Leylin pondered internally. The light Magi excelled in theoretical pursuits and scholarly research, and Leylin detected no hint of a Dark Magus's aura in the elder. Clearly, he was a practitioner of the light arts.

"The pleasure is all mine! My name is Crew. It's been quite some time since we've had new neighbors! How long have you been here, young man? The city, I mean." The elder Crew exclaimed with a smile, setting his shears aside. His excitement at Leylin's arrival was palpable.

"I've just recently arrived in Nightless City. Its tranquility has already endeared it to me," Leylin replied, offering a respectful bow. The elder exuded a serene aura, his scent heavy with the musk of books and scrolls, the very essence of a scholar. Such a stark contrast to the instructors of the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, whose mere presence instilled a chill of dread among the acolytes.

"Hahaha… you've made an excellent choice!" Crew's laughter creased his weathered face with joy.

"Where might you be headed?" Crew inquired, taking a seat on a garden stool. "Would you care to join an old man for some red tea?"

"Thank you, but I'm keen to explore the city further, particularly the trading district," Leylin declined politely, his smile unwavering as he continued on his way.

The Third Zone of Nightless City bore little resemblance to its preceding sectors, particularly the Magi's quarters. Here, the villas stood apart, each marked with distinctive symbols. The city walls themselves were a marvel, constructed from meteorites that not only captivated the eye but also absorbed stray energy and radiation. Aralis estimated their cost at over two million magic crystals, a figure that rendered Leylin momentarily speechless.

The population was sparse in this zone, with only the occasional official Magi and their attendants visible. Leylin noted a few remnants of darkness in some of them as well, bodies entwined with the energies of vengeful spirits and fresh blood—a stark reminder of the city's underlying tensions.

Despite the recognition from his peers, Leylin and the other Dark Magi maintained a respectful distance, adhering to the unspoken rules of Nightless City.

Passing through a heavily fortified gate, Leylin entered the Fourth Zone. Here, a myriad of shops lined the streets, frequented by Magi of Rank 1 and higher. No acolyte or mortal was allowed into the Fourth Zone unless they were in the service of an official Magus.

Leylin's satisfaction was palpable. The Light Magi region, known as the trading hub of the South Coast, boasted Teljose City—one of its largest cities. Here, the finest offerings of the South Coast converged. Abundant resources were at his disposal, promising to fulfill his every requirement.

Leylin's eyes scanned the signs as he made his way to the central plaza: "Old Gelling's Medicine Store," "Cape of Good Hope Refined Gold Goods," "Clothes Manufacturing Shop," "Refined Gemstones Store," "Mythical Creature Trading Store…" The diversity was staggering.

Yet Leylin, guided by the information he had gathered from Sean, made a direct path to the plaza's heart. There, eighteen pillars stood, each as thick as a human skull, around which Magi occasionally congregated, their hands tracing the stone as if in communion with some unseen force. 

Some of the Magi who looked directionless and lost gained a sense of purpose in their movements after interacting with the pillars. They hurried along their way out of the market or towards a certain shop.

[This is it, you've reached the trade plaza,] Aralis announced, a spark of anticipation in her voice.

Leylin joined the queue behind a red-robed, middle-aged man. The plaza was sparsely populated, and soon it was Leylin's turn. He approached a pillar, pressing his palms against its rough surface.

An icy Spiritual Force surged from the pillar into Leylin's forehead, his skin taut as dark rays flickered across his visage. He felt a pressure as the Spiritual Force delved within him.

"Data transmission interface detected, awaiting permission to enter," a voice intoned within his mind.

"Allowed," Leylin commanded, and a deluge of scripts and diagrams flooded his consciousness, coalescing into what resembled a hefty tome. Leylin's Spiritual Force delicately touched the book, turning to the first page.

"Material types," "Finished goods types," "Knowledge types," "Potion types"… The index was densely packed. Leylin hesitated only briefly before selecting the "Knowledge types" category.

A burst of silver light heralded the appearance of numerous sub-clauses before Leylin's eyes: "High-level dwarf enchanting studies," "Comprehensive details for flame runes," "Introduction to crafting of medicines," "Soul research data"… The array of high-level academic knowledge was vast, some disciplines entirely foreign to Leylin.

Yet, conspicuously absent were data on high-level meditation and information regarding the advancement of a Magus—seemingly intentionally obscured.

With a keen glint in his eye, Leylin navigated to the "Material types" section. Blue-gold stone, bayern flower, wilted tree essence, black rose, light-blue lizard heart… The list of materials was extensive, some unfamiliar to Leylin, others depicted with uncanny realism.

"Search—crystallized Darkness energy particles," Leylin instructed, and the majority of the data vanished, leaving only a scant few lines in the tome.

"Seeking to purchase the egg of a Fire Ingesting Bird at a favorable price, willing to trade the following: wood spirit 200 grams, crystallized Darkness energy particles 100 grams, Firestone 800 grams, Rotten Cloud medicine, various liquids…"

"Storefront offering: crystallized Darkness energy particles, dragon grass, ghastly sunflower…"

The offerings were meager, one trader even stipulating the egg of a Fire Ingesting Bird as the sole acceptable barter.

Leylin's brow furrowed in consternation. To enhance his elemental conversion rate, Aralis had suggested the ingestion of crystallized energy particles aligned with his elemental affinity. Such high-concentration crystals, naturally occurring under stringent conditions, could significantly accelerate a Magus's elemental conversion when consumed.

Yet, these crystals were exceedingly rare and valuable, particularly those attuned to Darkness, resulting in a paltry two entries within the entire database.

'Nevertheless, this is preferable to searching for the information on my own,' Leylin reasoned, using his Spiritual Force to respond to the seller of the crystals. A message materialized: Elm Street #231—the address of the shop he had noted earlier.

Depositing a high-grade magic crystal into the stone pillar's interface, Leylin acknowledged the steep fee required for information from the trading plaza, a reminder of the lucrative control exerted by the powers behind Teljose City.

After departing the plaza, Leylin swiftly located the small shop at the provided address. Tucked away in a narrow alley, the shop was dim and dust-laden, its shelves lined with glass jars containing various organs and tissues suspended in a pale yellow solution. Among them, Leylin discerned shapes eerily reminiscent of human embryos.

"Welcome, welcome... Tell me, what do you seek?" inquired a female witch emerging from behind the sales counter, her tall pointed hat casting a long shadow. Her face was etched with fine lines, her nose hooked like an eagle's talon.

"I noticed the listing on the trading board," Leylin began, his voice cutting through the din with a practiced ease. "Do you have crystallized Darkness particles for sale?" His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, fixed on the merchant before him, a wiry figure swathed in cloaks of deep emerald.

"Ah, what have we here? A Magus versed in the cultivation of Darkness energy particles..." The elderly Magus chuckled, her eyes suddenly alight with a verdant flame.

"You reek of blood!" The old witch cried out in exaggeration, her voice echoing through the dimly lit store. Her gnarled fingers clutched the edges of her tattered cloak, and her eyes bore into Leylin like twin obsidian orbs. "This can only mean one thing… you are a Dark Magus, correct?"

Leylin's response was curt, his patience thin as a spider's thread. "What I am is not your business, old hag. Do you have the merchandise I seek, or not?" He dropped his mask of politeness in an instant, revealing the cold determination that had carried him through countless treacherous dealings.

The old witch cackled, her laughter a haunting melody that sent shivers down Leylin's spine. "Hehehe… Don't worry, young one," she rasped, her voice like dry leaves rustling in the wind. "I'm a Dark Magus too, though that's a matter from over two hundred years ago. Ah, just remembering those times makes me feel nostalgic…"

Leylin's posture sharpened. "I'll ask again: do you or do you not have what I am looking for?"

The merchant sensed a serious buyer in Leylin's steely gaze. She leaned forward, her wrinkled face inches from his. A glint of interest flickered in her eyes, like a candle struggling against the encroaching darkness. "Indeed," she replied, her voice a low murmur to keep the curious onlookers at bay. "I have the very item you seek. Darkness crystals... They are rare, harvested from the darkest depths of the Shadowlands during the lunar eclipse."

Leylin's raised a brow. The Shadowlands—the forbidden realm where reality bled into a nightmare. The lunar eclipse—the one night when the veil between worlds grew thin, allowing access to arcane secrets. These were no ordinary particles; they were the essence of forbidden power.

"Bring out the merchandise so that I may examine its quality," Leylin stated firmly, his resolve unwavering. "I will pay in magic crystals." From within his cloak, he produced a small pouch. The faint glow of the crystals within cast an ethereal light on his determined features. 

The old witch's eyes widened. She reached out, her fingers trembling as she accepted the pouch. "You're a bold one, to come here and openly buy such an ingredient," she whispered. "These particles can unlock hidden gateways, rewrite destiny, and bind souls..."

"For you young aspirants eager to leapfrog the arduous path of magic, the cost of crystallized Darkness energy particles is steep, beyond the reach of a Magus fresh into advancement. I suspect your coffers lack the depth in magic crystals to make such a purchase. Thus, as a gesture of goodwill from one who has trodden the path longer, I offer you an alternative…" The old woman's voice trailed, rich with unspoken promises.

Leylin's frown deepened, his patience fraying at the edges. The city's penchant for oblique conversations grated on him. "And what might this 'alternative' be?"

"A barter of equals," the elder Magus intoned, her gaze piercing. "At our echelon, mundane resources dwindle into insignificance. It is only through exchanges with peers that we can acquire what is truly of value…"

Leylin's unease grew. "What is it that you seek?"

"One thousand," the elder Magus declared, a fervent gleam in her eyes. "A thousand spirits, pulsating with raw energy. Deliver them to me, and the trove of Darkness crystals shall be yours."

The old witch, her eyes alight with fervor, leaned forward eagerly.

Leylin recoiled, his voice laced with disbelief. "Have you lost your senses, crone? To amass a thousand spirits within the domain of the Light Magi is tantamount to a death wish." His indignation was palpable.

The extraction of spirits was a delicate and dangerous endeavor. To fulfill the old witch's demand would mean the end of tens of thousands, a massacre that would not go unnoticed.

Should Leylin dare to reap such a harvest, he would find himself a prime target for the Light Magi's wrath.

"I do not bid you to undertake this task here. The Dark Magi's realm is ripe for such endeavors," the old witch retorted, her expression indifferent.

Leylin shook his head vehemently, dismissing the old witch's proposal outright. "Cease these trifling games! You've made your needs known at the trade center, which leads me to believe you still have use for magic crystals. Spirits are not so scarce in the Nightless City. It would merely require more effort, more time to gather…"

"Very well," the old witch conceded, a hint of respect flickering in her eyes. "You are not like the other fledglings I have encountered… But heed my warning, young Magus, the value of Darkness crystals is not to be taken lightly!"

With that, the old witch retreated, her internal conflict evident as she withdrew behind the counter, her ambitions tempered by Leylin's resolve.

After rummaging through the drawers for quite a while, the old witch finally placed a conical glass bottle on the counter. The room was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of herbs and ancient magic. Leylin stood across from her, his cold green eyes fixed on the mysterious bottle.

At the bottom of the glass bottle lay a layer of semi-solid crystals. They emitted a faint, otherworldly luster, as if beckoning to the souls of those who dared to peer at them. Leylin's analytical mind kicked into gear. These were no ordinary crystals; they were something far more potent.

"I can offer up to three hundred grams of crystallized Darkness energy particles," the old witch crooned, her voice like the rustling of dried leaves. "Every gram will cost you one hundred magic crystals... It's not too late to accept my previous deal!"

The witch's smile was wicked, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. She believed Leylin would falter, that he would hesitate and reconsider. But Leylin's expression remained unreadable. He had come prepared, and his resolve was unshakable.

"My answer stands," Leylin replied calmly, his voice devoid of emotion. He withdrew a pouch from his robe, and the witch's eyes widened. She had expected him to count out a handful of crystals, but instead, he produced a larger pouch—a small fortune that was enough to take her entire stock of Darkness particles off her hands.

The price exceeded what Leylin had initially been willing to pay, but he knew better than to underestimate the value of these materials. Aralis, his A.I. assistant, had scanned them thoroughly. Authentic and exceptional quality—there was no doubt. The witch hadn't lied about their origins.

Leylin's wealth was considerable by common standards, but his expenses were equally substantial. His constant search for rare ingredients for his experiments drained his resources. Most of his magic crystals came from selling potions and from what he had harvested in Alfonse's secret mine. The Bloodbath at the academy and the looting of Tyler Fort had also bolstered his fortune. Unfortunately, the time to replenish his funds was soon approaching.

As for the witch's offer, it had never any merit, so he discarded it immediately. Harvesting 1,000 spirits for this small amount of ingredients was excessive. Even among Dark Magi, massacring humans for their spirits was considered the pinnacle of evil. Leylin had no intention of becoming public enemy #1, especially with the Lilytells and other factions already hunting him.

In the end, Leylin's priorities were clear. Progress in his cultivation was his absolute goal. Power was everything, and money was merely a tool. He would spend as many magic crystals as needed if it meant advancing toward his ultimate goal.

Leylin stepped out of the alchemy store, the weight of the glass bottle containing the enigmatic Darkness crystals felt reassuring against his chest, hidden within the folds of his robes. The air outside was crisp, a stark contrast to the musty atmosphere he had left behind.

He mused over his recent encounter; he had indeed misjudged the intensity of the old witch's passion for spirit research. Her eyes had sparkled with an insatiable curiosity when she realized the depth of Leylin's knowledge. As a Magus of considerable skill and secrecy, he had attracted her attention, her questions about spirits and Negative Energy becoming increasingly probing. Leylin, however, maintained a facade of indifference, offering dismissive answers to her barrage of inquiries.

Yet, the witch's perception was keen. She sensed the reservoirs of hidden knowledge Leylin possessed, and her desire to access it grew. In her eyes, Leylin was a veiled sage, a font of arcane wisdom she yearned to tap into. Her behavior shifted; she became indulgent, almost deferential, and extended an invitation to Leylin—an offer to join forces in a mystical experiment.

The proposition was delicate, fraught with implications Leylin could not ignore. After careful deliberation, he declined. But in a gesture of potential future collaboration, he left behind a secret imprint—a mark of his presence and a token of possible alliance.

Despite the witch's eccentricities bordering on madness, Leylin could not deny her utility. She was a wellspring of arcane resources, a collector of the rare and the occult. And Leylin, with plans that required a certain level of expertise and unorthodox approach, recognized the value in keeping such an ally within reach. She was, after all, a piece in the grand chessboard of his ambitions—a partner whose peculiar talents might one day prove instrumental in the fulfillment of his grand design.