The Eerie Incident at the Magic Shop

They wore robes of all kinds, carrying various strange magical items in their hands. 

Those who had laughed at Owen and Erin moments ago now turned their heads and moved on.

Erin's eyes were wide with interest, taking in everything around her. "Master, this place looks really fun."

A slight smile played on Owen's lips, finding the scene before him equally novel and intriguing. 

These were sights unseen in Dragon Echo Valley, an experience that broadened his horizons.

The two of them walked forward.

Erin amused herself by teasing an owl perched on a tree branch, but the bird seemed uninterested and paid her no attention.

Owen sensed the extraordinary arcanergy of the owls in the magic shop, realizing they were no ordinary creatures.

A massive store caught Owen's attention. 

The building, about ten meters tall, was constructed from huge stone blocks, each etched with ancient runes and decorations, emitting a mystical glow.

A gigantic gemstone, shimmering with rainbow colors as if it were a window to an unknown world, was embedded in the door. 

"Gate of Miracles" was inscribed above the gemstone, lending the entrance an aura of wonder.

Two enormous wings were carved on either side of the door, spread as if in flight, conveying a sense of freedom and lightness.

Above the door was a small tower, from which a flag embroidered with stars and moons fluttered in the breeze, instilling a sense of peace in those who saw it.

Owen, with Erin in tow, walked through the gates, immediately enveloped by a powerful magical aura.

Inside, they saw magical tools of various shapes and colors, from wands flickering with mysterious light to hats adorned with jewels.

Behind the counter, an elderly witch was preparing a special magical potion for a young magus. 

She carefully added various herbs and magical ingredients to an ancient copper pot, stirring with a wooden stick. 

The liquid in the pot began to glow in mesmerizing colors, emitting an intoxicating aroma.

Without lifting her head, the old witch said, "Look around, everything is clearly priced."

Owen was drawn to a massive crystal ball. 

Inside it seemed to be a miniature world, complete with forests, mountains, and rivers. 

He saw little sprites dancing joyfully and a unicorn grazing leisurely on a meadow. 

He couldn't help but reach out to touch the crystal ball, longing to interact with the world inside.

"That's the Pseudo-World Orb, a legendary life-based magical artifact. Are you thinking of buying it?" 

The old witch, seemingly at the final stage of her potion-making, left her concoction and slowly approached Owen, her aged voice asking in a low tone.

Owen shook his head slightly and withdrew his hand. 

"I'm not interested in life-based artifacts. It's the miniature world inside the crystal ball that intrigues me."

The old witch's tone carried a hint of regret. 

"I shouldn't have created this thing. Who could possibly use something so big?"

Owen glanced at the crystal ball again. 

With a diameter of over four meters, it occupied a significant area. 

Such a large artifact would be more of a burden than an asset in battle.

Erin raised her eyebrows in surprise. 

"Granny, you can actually create legendary-tier magical artifacts? Does that mean your skill surpasses a level 6 arraymancer?"

Erin's sweet words seemed to please the old witch, who even managed a smile in Erin's direction. 

"What a pretty and smart girl." 

However, the wrinkles on the old witch's face were deep, making her smile rather frightening.

Owen was inwardly shocked, not expecting a level 6 arraymancer to be hidden within the magic shop. 

He remembered Berkeley mentioning that there were no more than thirty level 6 arraymancers in the entire Kingdom of Laine. 

Now, one stood before him, showcasing the profound depth of the Grand Magus Academy. 

No wonder the academy held the top spot among magical institutions in the human world.

Suddenly, a piercing alarm sounded, plunging the magic shop into chaos. 

Owen quickly stepped out from the Gate of Miracles onto the street.

The scene unfolding before him on the street made his heart race. 

A monstrous creature of immense size dominated the sky above the magic shop.

It had a fierce face, with green eyes flickering with malevolence. 

Its strong limbs caused the ground to shake with every movement. 

Owen could distinctly feel the tremors, yet the shops in the magic shop remained unaffected. 

Even the magi shopping on the street watched the scene with interest.

The creature's tail, resembling a gigantic python, coiled behind it, emitting a suffocating stench. 

Its deafening roar seemed to declare its dominance over the world.

Erin hid behind Owen, her body trembling slightly. 

"Master, what... what is that thing?"

Owen shook his head stiffly, not answering. 

The creature was overwhelmingly powerful.

Its appearance brought a cold wind that churned the clouds, as if stirred by some mighty force.

The old witch stood beside Owen, sighing. 

"The 'Eeries' are increasing. The world is not at peace these days."

Before Owen could ask what an 'Eerie' was, a figure swept across the ground, accompanied by thunder and wind.

"Hmm--Elwin is taking action," the old witch muttered again. "This must be the 374th Eerie."

Elwin's figure flickered like a ghost, his eyes flashing blue arcs of electricity. 

He clutched a mysterious container in his hand, an ancient enchanted box, covered in complex magical runes and exuding a mysterious aura.

Standing at the center of the magic shop, Elwin's gaze was sharp as a sword, cutting through the darkness, locking onto the Eerie mentioned by the old witch.

Suddenly, a piercing scream echoed from the monstrous creature in the sky. 

A dozen demons emerged from the darkness surrounding it, their eyes gleaming with malevolent red light and spewing toxic fumes in an attempt to engulf Elwin.

Unfazed, Elwin's eyes sparked with lightning. 

He slowly raised the enchanted box in his hand and began chanting an ancient incantation.

Owen strained to discern the words, but what he heard was a blur of sound, unable to make out Elwin's chant.

"Don't bother trying," the old witch whispered beside him. "It's not something someone of your level can comprehend."

Owen was taken aback.

As Elwin's chant grew louder, the runes on the enchanted box began to glow and heat up, emitting a powerful suction force. 

The Eeries, feeling this pull, tried to resist, howling in vain.

Under the spell of Elwin's incantation, the demons, as if guided by an invisible hand, were drawn towards the enchanted box. 

Their bodies twisted and contorted in mid-air, eventually transforming into streams of black light that were sucked into the box.

The immense Eerie was not spared either, helplessly drawn into the box. 

With a snap, Elwin quickly closed the lid.

Instantly, the sky above the magic shop cleared, as if the previous chaos had never existed. 

The magi standing on the street burst into applause for Elwin.

Owen also nodded slightly, clapping softly in respect.

Elwin transformed into a streak of light and disappeared rapidly, his destination unknown.

"Granny, what did you mean by 'Eeries' earlier?" Owen turned to ask the old witch.

But she had already shuffled back into her shop, resuming her work on her potion.

Her voice, weathered with age, slowly drifted over. 

"You'll understand once you've studied a few more years at the Grand Magus Academy."

She quickly cooled the potion and poured it into a glass bottle, labeling it "Emerald Water," before placing it on the counter behind her. 

"What are you looking to buy?" she asked, now resembling more of a merchant as she turned to Owen.

Owen had a myriad of questions, but seeing the old witch's demeanor, he knew she wouldn't divulge more. 

So, he let it go.

"I'd like to see some wands. Do you have any good ones I could try?"

"Hmm, are you looking for uncommon-tier or rare-tier?"

"Are those the only two types?"