Exploring Silvertown 2

Argentum Magic Shop - the one and only authorized magic item distributor in Silvertown.

Although Silvertown is the most remote village in the Seirende Empire, there are a lot of travelers visiting this village. This is because of their close vicinity to the Silver Dew Forest.

Because of the rich amounts of medicinal herbs in the Silver Dew Forest, most of the travelers going here are mages interested in potion making and other individuals in the field medicine. There is a need to also cater to the possible needs of most of the travelers here who needed to prepare for their exploration of the Silver Dew Forest.

However, the Seirende Imperial Family had a treaty with the Elves of the Silver Dew Forest to limit and control human exploration in the forest. As part of the fulfillment of this treaty, Valentin de Seirende, Emperor of the Seirende, passed a decree that only one magic item shop will be allowed to do business in the Silvertown forest - the one who would win the bid.

But this is not a concern for the largest merchant family in the Seirende Empire, the Forgeworn Clan. They, among any merchant guilds and clans, are able to win the bid and bring themselves into Silvertown for business, being the only merchant guild to distribute magic items - the Argentum Magic Shop .

Although the shop is owned by a well known family, the Argentum Magic Shop is situated in a humble looking building. The façade of the building is very lowkey. Nothing on it speaks of extravagance and prestige.

Eli immediately entered the shop and examined the surroundings. The interior of the shop was actually far from what she saw from the façade.

The moment she entered, she found herself in a large hall with high ceilings and well lit ambience. The magic items are arranged very neatly on show tables covered with clear glass. Items were neatly displayed according to size, nature and function. It was like a luxurious jewelry shop.

However, Eli noticed that although the hall was large, there were doors that can be seen beyond the hall. She deduced that maybe the most valuable items are stored there and can only be accessed by distinguished buyers.

Eli proceeded window shopping. Items for different constitution types were lined up for sale. It seems that the people of Prasinos invented ways in compensating what their constitution is not able to do.

Casters can buy emblems and items embellished with mana stones for extra storage of magic power. Summoners can buy written caster incantations and spell bombs to compensate for their lack of casting ability. Devourers can buy weapons with casting powers, as well as buy spell bombs too.

'Well people will really try to compensate for their weaknesses.' Eli concluded.

As she continued to browse through the magical items, Eli heard an amused voice at the back saying,

"Interesting! Someone of Asani descent would come in town undisguised.."

"Hmm?" Startled Eli turned around to see who was talking. But she didn't see anyone.

Just as she was about to turn back the voice spoke again, "Young Asani, you should be looking downward, juuuuust a little bit!"

Eli then looked down and saw a little grandpa, wearing an elder's robe and pointed hat.

It was a dwarf!!

He looks like grandpa smurf! But he isn't blue… but he is so cute and cuddly!!!

Holding back her urge to pinch the little grandpa's cheeks, Eli politely greeted, "Greetings Grandpa Smur- Ehermmm! Elder.. May I know what you mean by calling me an Asani?"

"Ohh, haven't your parents ever told you about your appearance?" Grandpa Smurf, Ehem!! The elder dwarf asked intriguingly.

"Pardon, good elder, for I grew up without a parent.. May you be kind enough to tell me about it?" She embarrassedly said. She could have asked Wisey, but time didn't allow it.

"I see, I see! Poor young lass." The Elder dwarf apologetically said.

Then he proceeded explaining,

"Rumour has it that the people of Asani are loved by the Guardians and The Creator. They are blessed with an innate ability to change to their desired constitution. Unlike the other Prasinons, who upon being born, their constitution are already set for life, the Asani descendants are able to change their constitution once in their lives!"

"Change the constitution once... Good Elder, as far as I know, there were already available ways to compensate for one's weaknesses of the constitution. Why does it seem like the people of Prasinos venerate the Asani ability? My poor mind can't understand the need for it." Eli curiously inquired.

Her eyes are bright, full of the desire to learn of this mystery.

The elder dwarf chuckled, seeing Eli's courtesy and curiosity. He kindly replied. "Haha, young lass, you do know of the three main constitutions here in Prasinos right?"

Eli nodded, "Yes"

Then he continued, "Then you should know that there are still rare or extinct constitutions. Young lass, imagine if the Asanis chose to change their current constitution into one of those rare ones!"

"That would be ridiculously advantageous!" Eli exclaimed.

"Indeed!" The elder dwarf replied with a smile, then continued, "However, not many people know that even though Asani people had a chance to choose from this almost legendary constitutions, to achieve such, they should be able to pass the guardians test! In short, only the worthy ones are still able to get a hold of this rare constitution!"

Eli was shocked. This sounded so familiar.

Why does it feel like she was scammed by the Great One and the Guardians? Did they just trick her in using her one and only chance to choose her constitution?

However, Eli calmed down. The answer is no longer important. She did benefit from their arrangement and getting answers from them will no longer fit her plate right now.

"Asanis are indeed formidable." She mumbled.

"Indeed, but why do you speak as if you are not one of them?" The elder asked.

"Maybe because I never knew I was one. I didn't feel like I belonged with them." She honestly said. Indeed, both her and Elise never knew of Asanis.

"Well, perhaps that is the case. However, you aren't exempted from the dangers that come with it. Although many people marvel of the mystery surrounding your blessings, many forces desire your kind's abilities. That is why, I do not recommend you to go around town looking like this!" The elder, truly took a liking with Eli, said with concern.

"Especially with the little one you had to protect." He said looking at Eli's baby bump, full of concern.

Seeing the genuineness of the little grandpa for her well being, Eli gave a bow and gave a reply, "Thank you elder for your kind warnings! May I know how I should address this problem??"

Seeing Eli's sincerity, the elder liked her more and more.

Chuckling, he then replied, "First, you may start by buying disguise magic items, come I'll show you the best ones and I can give you a discount!"

Beckoning Eli to the section where disguising magic items are displayed, the elder chose the one that was neither the cheapest nor the most expensive.

Upon his explanation, this one works best for Eli's circumstance. It only veils Eli's appearance as an Asani and does not change the structure of her body. Other types of disguising items may be too invasive for her Little Han.

Thanking the elder, she also took the advantage and inquired for the items needed to build a teleportation array for summoners. Soon she finished all the shopping and proceeded to pay for the items.

As she didn't have money yet, she took out the gems given by Guardian Sylvain as payment.

"Uhm Elder, I forgot to acquire money for I was so excited to visit your shop. May I know if your shop accepts these gems as payment?" Eli embarrassingly took a few gem stones from the pouch and handed it down to Elder dwarf.

Upon seeing the piece of stone, the Elder dwarf exclaimed in surprise, "Heavens!!"

Then he beckoned the shop assistant and ordered him to get the private room ready. Right after instructing the assistant, He discretely beckoned Eli to follow him to the room.

They entered into a soundproof room with visible arrays, possibly not allowing eavesdropping nor spying. After they sat down on the couch, the elder dwarf asked alarmingly,

"Who did you allow to see these things other than my shop?"

"Only this shop.. So far.." Confused, Eli scratched her head, seeing the elder dwarf's seemingly reprimanding attitude.

"Geez, you young lass! You are a handful!" The elder dwarf sighing in relief, still exclaimed at Eli's naivety.

"These aren't just gemstones, these are supreme grade mana stones!" He exclaimed.

"One gem's worth is able to hire a grade A Knight! These aren't easy to find! What's more, this few you have offered can actually buy out this humble shop!" He said exasperatedly.

He held his little arms wide open in distress and exclaimed, "Then you just carelessly showed it in public! Aisssh! You naive young lass!"

"I.. I'm sorry. I didn't know… this was just given by the guar- by a mysterious looking mage I helped before..." Eli explained. She decided not to tell the elder about the guardian, so as to not give him more shocks.

"Sigh!" Remembering Eli's background, he just let out a sympathetic sigh and said, "Alright, alright.. Instead of you paying these mana stones out, why not, I buy it out?"

"Really?!" Eli asked in surprise.

"Yes, however, my treasury funds are only able to buy out a dozen of these supreme mana stones. If you are willing, can you sell this dozen to me?" He said with an honest expression.

From her conversation with the elder dwarf, Eli had the confidence that the grandpa did not intend to take advantage of Eli. So she trusted her judgement and nodded,

"Sure, Elder, would it not be a disadvantage for you in any way?"

"Great!! And no, it wont, I will use some of these stones to create more magic items, then send the others to the head store, so they can make some too. So don't worry I'll definitely profit from it a lot! Hahahaha!!!!" The elder dwarf said straightforwardly without any hint of shame.

Eli also laughed. Although grandpa is kind, he was still a businessman. It was natural for him to think of profit. Eli as a salary woman in the modern world did not find anything wrong with it.

Soon the assistant knocked and with permission, he entered holding a tray.

In the tray lay a crystal card, a parchment paper and a stylish looking pen. The assistant carefully placed the itmes on the table in front of Eli and the elder dwarf.

"Now we will make a contract verified by mana. Then you will take this crystal card, it will hold the amount of money I paid. You can use it to withdraw money and purchase things."

"Oh just like a debit card!" Eli replied mindlessly.

"A debit card?" The elder dwarf asked, curious upon hearing a foreign word.

"Ah never mind, I have the habit of making up words to call the new things I have just encountered." Eli said with a shrug.

"Very well, now we shall make a contract.." Dismissing the foreign word as Eli's quirky habit, he proceeded to start the contract. Giving Eli some instructions they soon started the contract signing.

Written in the parchment is the contract content -

"I, Elise Fayre, allow Andvari of the Forgeworn Clan, buy my supreme stones for the amount of 24 million Shinies …"

As soon as they placed a drop of blood on the parchment a magic circle appeared on the parchment paper. It floated up in the air, while another blue magic circle appeared swallowing the contract.

Then a deep professional sounding voice declared,

"Contract between Elise Fayre and Andvari of the Forgeworn Clan witnessed by the Central Bank of Seirende. The amount stipulated has been lawfully transferred to the crystal card named under the seller Elise Fayre."

Soon the magic circle dimmed and a sparkle of light flew on the crystal card that was laid on the tray. The ray of light acted like a laser, slowly printing details on the card. After it finished printing, the ray flew back on the dimmed magic circle and completely faded along with it.

"Woahh!!! That's convenient!" Eli said in surprise. Talk about seamless banking!

She's loving how magic was used in the area of banking. Back in the modern earth, there were a lot of processes carried out in order to authenticate, verify and complete a transaction. Here in Prasinos, you can even do it easily and remotely! How convenient!

In a blink of an eye, Eli, the broke transmigrator became a millionaire with just a dozen gemstones!