Spirit Crystal

Chapter 17 Spirit Crystal

Near a park where the evacuees were placed, a young man and woman were seen standing under a shaded tree.

"I'll be right back quickly. You can stay at the coffee shop to wait for me," Ceid said while pointing to a nearby coffee shop.

Instead of a shop, it was more like a cafe. It has a casual environment, suitable for people to relax and read. With potted plants, bookshelves, and cozy furniture, it is a place for people to hang out in a quiet atmosphere.

Sitting while being served coffee and snacks is the elderly favorite pastime. And it seemed that the beast tide had made the cafe's business flourish.

Looking in the direction Ceid pointed, Ayda nodded with a smile.

"Okay, I'll wait for you there. Feel free to stroll around."

Ceid felt funny hearing that from her. Isn't he the one giving shelter to her? Why does it feel like he was the one being taken care of?

Ceid shook his head in his and went towards the evacuation center.

He needed to return the room given to him by the center. He no longer needed it, so he should return it. He reckoned the manager here would be short of rooms to give to other evacuees.

He didn't face any trouble when he returned to the room or when returning the key.

He didn't even meet anyone from his room. They were probably busy elsewhere as everyone still needed to work to provide for their living. Being stranded in this city meant they were out of jobs for several days, probably more than a week.

They could not stay still and do nothing, could they?

After getting his bag back, he then returned his key and completed the process smoothly.

They didn't ask much about it since the center was merely providing help to the evacuees. If the evacuees managed to find somewhere else to stay in the city, they would be glad to have the room back.

Many individuals waited in line for a place to stay. Evacuees continue to arrive daily, although the number of people has reduced significantly.

After the transfer, Ceid went for a stroll around the plaza. There were many amusing things since he last walked around it. Besides the usual stalls and hawkers erected along the road, he could also see several stages and platforms.

But since it was still in the morning, the platform was empty.

Ceid estimated that performers were invited to perform at night, or people could use it to entertain themselves.

Another intriguing fact was that dozens of makeshift schools were constructed around the plaza. At the moment, children were seen attending the school.

As a result, the periphery was relatively calm, with grownups enjoying the rare opportunity to be outside.

The vibrant square plaza buzzed with life, filled with laughing, talking, and strollers.

Among the stalls, haggling and the melodic calls of vendors were heard from afar. The stalls overflowing with colorful fabrics, handcrafted trinkets, and exotic spices lined the cobblestone paths.

As Ceid strolled past them, he continued to enjoy the experience that reminded him of his hometown. He planned to buy several things here and there as souvenirs.

He didn't put away his backpack in the storage space since he might need it to 'store' items he bought.

An intangible tug, not of material weight but of potent curiosity, pulled him towards one of the cluttered stalls. The stall was brimming with an eclectic mix of ornaments and trinkets.

The item that captured his curiosity and attention was a weathered stone amulet nestled amidst intricately carved figurines and gleaming crystals.

An unusual energy pulsated from it, faint yet undeniable, sending shivers down his spine.

[Ding]

[An unusual energy signature detected.]

<Host, I'm detecting an unusual energy signature emanating from that amulet.>

<Preliminary analysis suggests it's a Crystal Equipment. It is quite possibly Spirit Crystal.>

Ceid's eyebrows furrowed. It seemed that he was not mistaken. It was indeed a Spirit Crystal. But how could it be found here?

Spirit Crystals, exquisitely crafted by skilled artisans in higher civilizations, were not rare in those worlds.

But it is a rare matter to find a Spirit Crystal in mid-level civilization worlds. It could be considered a luxurious item, a symbol of strength for those in power.

Why?

Because it allows the owner to install an AI Support System, such as the WiBodath System, into it and use the Spirit Crystal to integrate the system into their consciousness.

This way, they could directly connect and create an account with the Sord Interdimensional Network!

In practice, it was equivalent to earning citizenship in the higher civilization worlds. As a system that helps manage the universe's network, having an account in it meant they could communicate and trade with the highly advanced race.

In simpler terms, one could integrate a similar system like Wyd to one's consciousness and integrate with higher civilization worlds. That's how powerful Wyd is.

It may not be a controlled item, but it still needs to be bought from the affiliated stores in those worlds.

Given how intricate the refining process is, average artisans would not be able to refine it. Only the Crystal Refiners who had undergone specialized training could refine Crystal Equipments.

One could imagine how rare it was and how immense the potential it signified. So, finding such a coveted treasure in such a dusty street stall on a low-civilization world like Blanc Planet seemed... implausible.

He knelt, feigning casual interest, while his fingers traced another amulet's rough surface.

The stall owner, a woman with wrinkles etched like maps across her sun-weathered face, beamed warmly.

"Ah, a young man with an eye for beauty! This amulet brings good luck, you see," she cackled, her voice husky with age.

"It certainly has an interesting attraction," Ceid replied, his voice measured. "Tell me, how did you come by this piece?"

A shadow of nostalgia clouded the woman's eyes. "It belonged to my late husband. He was a merchant who traveled far and wide. He claimed he found it in a hidden cave, though I never quite believed him."

Intrigued, Ceid pressed on. "It seems it has special meaning to you."

"Would you be willing to part with it? I find myself drawn to its charm."

The woman's eyes narrowed, a flicker of shrewdness replacing the warmth. "For the right price, anything is possible."

She had a bright smile as she started to negotiate the price.

A silent negotiation ensued.

Ceid bargained back and forth with the old lady.

While displaying a look of hesitating to raise the price, he offered to include several other trinkets.

He wanted to add two more trinkets and a set of earrings to the purchase, hoping to obtain a better price. One of the additional items was the amulet he was looking at.

His offer did not attract attention as the stall began to be crowded.

The woman's initial resistance gradually softened, 'swayed by his sincere interest' and the attractive price for her trinkets. Finally, with a satisfied grunt, she handed him the amulets.

After a while, the old lady happily accepted the payment and sold her trinkets and earrings without problem.

As the amulet nestled comfortably in his palm, Wyd's voice echoed in his mind with a trace of excitement and caution.

<Host, while I cannot conclusively confirm it, the data points strongly suggested this is undoubtedly a Spirit Crystal.>

<Its presence here, in this humble location, is highly unusual and suspicious. I strongly advise the Host to remain careful at all times.>

Ceid's gaze hardened.

Indeed. Someone from a higher civilization must have left it behind.

It might be someone who strayed and was stranded here, a fleeing criminal who came here, or for other reasons. Nonetheless, I must take note of all possibilities.

"But the most crucial question was why it was kept unused. How did it wind up in this unsuspecting market?"

Generally, once the Spirit Crystal was bought, they would be immediately used and integrated into the buyers' consciousness. This way, buyers could raise various requests and customization in the store.

It was the same experience for Ceid.

When he bought Wyd's spirit crystal from the store, he asked for an advanced one where storage space could be added. This way, once he became Beast Master, his beasts could stay inside without worry.

<Indeed. It was rarely bought away as a gift the integration process needed professionals to integrate it into consciousness.>

It was one of the reasons even mid-level civilizations rarely had one.

Ceid left the plaza with more questions in his mind compared to in the morning.

Soon, he rejoined Ayda outside the coffee shop.

Ayda did notice Ceid had something on his mind, but she tactfully didn't ask about it.

Next, they went to the nearby supermarket. But after looking around, they only bought the necessary items they needed.

Because the kitchen and penthouse were not yet ready for occupation, they would not require food or other supplies. So they'll get takeout for lunch later.

After shopping, they decided to return to the Azure Building.

-

When they had just entered the Sharl Community, they noticed soldiers were swarming and asking around the area.

When they reached Grandmother Lucia's bakery, they saw two soldiers asking questions to Grandmother Lucia. Her granddaughter Stacy was timidly hiding behind her leg.

When they approached the four of them, they heard one of the soldiers saying, "...thank you for your cooperation. If you find someone suspicious in the area, please immediately report to the authorities."

Hearing his words, both Ceid and Ayda thumpted.

Both of them were suspicious people, albeit for a different reason. One was an alien who came to 'visit' while the other was someone who had been avoiding chase.

As they finished talking to Grandmother Lucia, the two soldiers noticed Ceid and Ayda approaching. So, they said goodbye and went away.

They probably thought that Ceid and Ayda were some of the residents living in a nearby household.

Their look did not match the description given in the army's order, so they did not arouse any suspicion. They were still astonished when they met again later.