Chapter 56

Foldo gulped as he heard this. Since meeting Darius, he had never heard him sound as grave and serious as he was now. In the little time Foldo had spent with him, his master had been laid back and calm, giving the apprentice the impression that there was nothing the Adept mage couldn't do.

The older man nodded and waited for Darius to inspect the items fully. Darius' eyes roved over all the items as he Analyzed them one by one before he sighed, for what he had seen was truly shocking.

[Egg of a Hellhound - Miscellaneous

Durability: 2/2

Description: This egg contains the offspring of a special race from Armadon. Hellhounds are hard to breed but are in high demand due to their special and unique ability to track the scent of souls.]

[Digital Tablet - Technological

Durability: 10/10

Quality: Average

Uses: Infinite, as long as there is mana provided

Description: This creation of modern technology functions like a PDA for its owner. Unfortunately, without any connection to the Continental Network of Gravitas, the user cannot access the appstore, play online with friends, or download music.]

[Dagger of Death - Weapon

Durability: 40/40

Quality: Perfect

Uses: 3

Description: An item forged by the God Hephaestus as a gift for Asmodeus. The dagger has the ability to end the life of anyone struck by it that is not a God, regardless of the victim's strength or the wielder's weakness. However, it will shatter after repeated use if not wielded by Asmodeus himself.]

[Reaper Contract - Scroll

Durability: 1/1

Quality: Poor

Uses: 1

Description: An ancient document that the Demon Lord Barbatos handed to her contracted necromancers during the divine war. It takes a brave and confident necromancer to attempt to form a connection between themselves and a Reaper.]

[Phoenix Quill - Miscellaneous

Durability: MAX

Quality: Perfect

Uses: Infinite

Description: An item made from the tail feathers of a true Phoenix, this quill has gained its undying properties. Any text or parchment written on with this quill will also be benefit from this trait, creating a document that cannot be destroyed by anything other than a God.]

[Cupid's Heart - Weapon

Durability: 100/100

Quality: Perfect

Uses: 2

Description: The favored arrow of the cupid race. It allows the feeling of organic love to sprout between two people struck by its head in tandem. In the hands of any non-cupid, it can only display this ability once.]

[Tome of Demonion - Unique

Durability: MAX

Quality: Perfect

Uses: Infinite

Description: An item created from the laws governing the Armadon Continent. It allows the user to summon any Demon to fight on their behalf or perform other tasks as long as the proper price is paid.]

[Entry Token - Miscellaneous

Durability: 50/50

Quality: Average

Uses: 1

Description: A special pass meant for outsiders of Gravita. It allows the owner to teleport to the visitor's center of Gravitas for 24 hours before forcefully being sent back.]

[Soul Gem - Unique

Durability: ?

Quality: ?

Description: A unique item that can only be made when a Lich's phylactery is destroyed and reforged with extreme craftsmanship. A person can use it to store their true soul within so that they revive after death. The cost for it being their body deteriorating every time one comes back after death.]

Darius listed them all to Foldo one by one, slowly highlighting the possible advantages and disadvantages of each item to his dumbstricken apprentice who was profusely sweating.

He had always considered these items to be somewhat special, but now he was hearing that he had been holding onto items that might tempt even deities were they to know about it.

Especially the likes of A Stitch in Time, Dagger of Death, and the Tome of Demonion. Foldo could not believe he had been strutting about with ticking time bombs in his Bag of Holding.

He continued shaking for a minute longer before he gritted his teeth and breathed out. With a solemn face, he got onto his knees and prostrated before Darius, and spoke honestly.

"Master Darius, I have no confidence in being able to use these items while keeping my life intact, so I would like to grant them to you, as a gift for your tutelage!"

Darius smiled lightly. "You're truly clever Foldo. You weighed the pros and cons, rightfully realizing that despite these items being godly, you lack the power to sell or use them without losing your life for doing so."

Darius crossed his legs and narrowed his eyes playfully. "As such, it is indeed a much better choice to offer it to the master whose power and connections you have yet to uncover, in exchange for more resources in magecraft, which is more pertinent to you."

"That way, you kill two birds with one stone. This will allow you to see the limitations of your new master's power based on how he is able to utilize these items and remain unscathed or not. All the while gaining my favor and more resources for becoming a Journeyman mage, which is more of a realistic goal for you at this time."

Foldo froze with his head on the floor, his heart thumping in his chest rapidly as he had indeed defaulted into his cunning mode thereby forgetting that his master was even more vicious than he was.

How could he do something like this?! He literally swore to Darius that he would never try to go against his Master!

While Foldo was panicking and trying to find a good reason for Darius to not strike him, the latter merely found his first follower's reaction amusing. It was apparent that the older man had been too overwhelmed by the identified items making him act before thinking clearly.

It was similar to being told that there was a giant spider on your back. No matter how brave one normally was, it would likely lead someone to enter a state of panic where they might do something unwise like make sudden moves or try to swat it off, which would lead to unfavorable results.

Foldo had fallen into this trap.

Just as he was about to say something to extricate himself from this mistake, Darius chuckled and spoke calmly.

"Stand, Foldo. This is your first offense. I like a cunning subordinate like you because idiots would simply ruin my plans when I rely on them. Still, let me give you a piece of advice, my 'dear' apprentice. Make sure this will be the only time."