Chapter Nine: Magic Items and Dinner

Although the deeper a mage understands the arcane arts, the more infinite the mysteries of magic seem, most ordinary people still think that using magic is simply about injecting power into a magic item.

In this world, there exists a category of items known as magic materials, which mostly consist of crystals or crystals found within magical creatures. These magic materials typically enhance magical abilities and serve as an outlet for one’s mana, making it easier to cast spells.

When these magic materials are processed, engravings of established magical pathways are inscribed onto them using special techniques. This allows people to use magic without needing to understand the underlying principles, or helps mages manipulate complex mana operations to cast spells more precisely.

The pendant-style magic item made from Fire Bear Crystals that Master DeVein showed me is a perfect example of the latter. The deep red pendant not only enables the wielder to directly conjure flames but also assists with the delicate control of the flame’s shape and properties, making it ideal for beginners in magic.

“And look,” Master DeVein touted, “you seem to have a good affinity with fire magic; this should help you grasp the principles of fire magic even further.”

“So, with this, I can control the shape of the flames?”

“Yes, but because the magical pathways in this pendant are delicate, you shouldn’t force too much mana into it, or you’ll break it,” Master DeVein continued.

Meanwhile, Reim chimed in, “Once you master fire magic, you’ll find you won’t rely on magic items; you can just cast spells through incantations. Of course, the highest level would be casting spells silently.”

“Now, will you buy it or not? If you part with your last Fire Bear Crystal, I can give you a 50% discount, so it’ll only be ten gold coins!”

A 50% discount and still ten gold coins? Are you trying to bleed me dry?

But, it does sound useful… What a dilemma.

“Want to give it a try? Yulia is over there testing out magic items as well; you should join her. After all, trying it out is free,” Master DeVein whispered like a devil in my ear.

Ah, there’s no helping it; I’ll go try it out.

Thus, I took the deep red pendant and headed to the room behind the Weapon Shop.

Inside, Yulia and Eleanor seemed to have finished testing and were sitting by the side, fiddling with their ornate magic items.

When Yulia saw me enter, she waved cheerfully and greeted me.

I smiled back and recalled how to use it as Master DeVein had said.

According to him, all I had to do was hold it in my hand or wear it around my neck, then inject mana into it.

I attempted to channel some mana into the red pendant, but it felt as though my mana was flowing into a strange path—gradually, I began to understand how to control it. Let’s start by conjuring a fireball.

A perfect spherical flame appeared in the center of the room out of thin air.

Next, I tried to create a Fire Wall. I mimicked Yulia’s technique as she conjured a Wind Wall, tweaking it for a while until I finally succeeded in creating a wall of flames.

Seeing that I had successfully conjured the Fire Wall, Yulia walked over, pulled out her own magic item, and showed me a more sophisticated application.

“Look! Can you do this?” Yulia smiled as she infused mana into her bracelet magic item.

She first conjured a tiny tornado out of nowhere, then split it into six equally-sized tornadoes swirling around her.

I quickly conjured a fireball and tried to replicate what Yulia did, but summoning two fireballs was already the limit for me.

Noticing my efforts, Eleanor walked over and said, “Well, for a beginner in magic, you’re doing quite well. Just practice more, and you’ll definitely be able to do what Yulia can. Also, when we start learning letters together, I’ll explain the principles of magic to you, too.”

But still, it’s so expensive! I glanced at the pendant in my hand, torn about whether to buy it or not.

If I buy this, I probably won’t have enough left for lingerie. And I definitely don’t want to wear what Lena has worn; I want to buy something new! So I’ll pass. I thought to myself and returned the pendant to Master DeVein.

It was as if he could read my thoughts when Reim said to DeVein, “Old man, if you only charge eight gold coins and five silver, I’ll buy it for Alice.”

“Deal.” Master DeVein eagerly agreed to the lower price.

Reim immediately pulled some coins from his pocket and handed them to his father.

Then, Reim took the pendant from DeVein and said to me, “Well, consider this an official gift for your formal induction as my apprentice and ‘sister’ as a hunter. Once you can handle yourself and become an acknowledged ghoul hunter, I won’t be giving you gifts anymore.”

“But, this is such a precious item…”

“Stop being shy. Just accept it,” Reim urged while taking the pendant from Master DeVein and placing it around my neck.

“Thank you.” I replied, blushing.

Reim seemed flustered as well; after placing the pendant around my neck, he quickly changed the subject, “By the way, if Alice really is to be registered as my little sister, we need to think of a birthday for her.”

“Well then, let’s choose the day before the Festival of the Gods!” Perhaps it’s a father-son thing; Master DeVein joined in the conversation.

Thinking this way, I’ll definitely pay you back once I earn some money. I silently promised.

Finally, after finishing my shopping at Master DeVein’s store, I followed Reim to the Lingerie Store that Eleanor recommended, buying clothing that cost nearly two gold coins.

Reim trailed behind us three girls into the lingerie shop, and his expression of not knowing where to put his eyes was truly a sight to behold. This guy looks older than my previous self, yet he’s this innocent? I wonder if he’s ever had a girlfriend.

Later in the evening, Reim, Yulia, and I enjoyed a lavish meal courtesy of Miss Eleanor.

“Ah, nothing beats a free feast; this is the happiest I’ve ever eaten!” Reim exclaimed, full and tipsy.

Meanwhile, Eleanor pulled out three gold coins and handed them to Yulia, “Could you and Alice help settle the bill? The innkeeper loves adorable kids, and seeing you two pay might get us a discount!”

“Eh, I don’t want to move after eating,” Yulia said, patting her belly.

“Yulia, be good. I’ll make you some new clothes suitable for movement tomorrow when I get back, so please do this for me,” Eleanor skillfully negotiated with Yulia.

With that, I was dragged by Yulia to pay the bill. Yulia, who had just fought with me half a day ago, was now acting as if we were the best of friends.

But I felt incredibly happy holding the hand of this adorable, doll-like blonde girl. With that thought, I took Yulia’s hand and went to settle the bill.

There’s no helping it; I have to put on my most charming face to get the innkeeper to give us a 50% discount.

Wait a minute! If I knock it down to 50% and then with Yulia’s cuteness also achieve another 50%, wouldn’t this meal be free?

“So, is there something you wanted to say to me away from the others?”

“Be careful of the commander Dante at Poseidon Fortress. That guy is also Yulia’s protector and might run into Alice. After all, the commotion twenty years ago was due to your mother’s mixed bloodline. He might see through Alice’s mixed heritage and, according to the Special Ghoul Species Handling Regulations, remove her from your side.”

Eleanor said with concern, but quickly added, “However, you don’t need to worry too much; that guy is a lazy fool, and given his personality, he probably wouldn’t cause any trouble. In any case, I’ll do my best to keep him away from Alice.”