Chapter Sixteen: Transaction

Seeing the crystal shards scattered on the floor, Chers' mouth formed a perfect "O". After so much buildup, this outcome was beyond his wildest imagination.

Hudson, standing beside him, was also helpless. He had just started to mobilize his mental energy when the Magic Crystal Stone was drained dry; he didn't even have time to control it.

The only gain was that the compass in his mind had solidified a bit. However, the change was so subtle that it would be easily overlooked if one didn't observe closely.

"Uncle Chers, could it be that the crystal wasn't stored properly, and the magic within had already dissipated? And the last bit of it just happened to be absorbed by me?"

Hudson tried to make excuses.

His coin purse wasn't exactly overflowing, and a single Magic Crystal Stone cost tens of gold coins. If he had a chance to get something for free, he'd definitely try to seize it.

Knight Chels, having recovered from his shock, nodded along. Although it was a bit far-fetched, it was the most logical explanation.

He had never heard of a magic talent test that could drain a crystal. Normally, this Magic Crystal Stone would be enough to replenish a Beginner Mage's magic three times.

To drain a Magic Crystal Stone in an instant would require a Saint of Magic to be present. Clearly, that was impossible, as legendary Saints of Magic hadn't appeared in thousands of years.

What he couldn't understand was that the Magic Crystal Stone had been fine just moments ago; it didn't look like its magic was about to run out. How did it disappear so suddenly?

Could it be the work of someone from the Mage Association?

But for no reason at all, why would those research fanatics play such a prank?

Recalling the origin of this Magic Crystal Stone, Chers found no clues and sighed helplessly.

There was nothing he could do but consider himself unlucky. He couldn't investigate it further. Even if he confirmed it was a prank by some big shot from the Mage Association, he'd just have to grit his teeth and accept it.

Having lost money, Knight Chels, who was already not well-off, found himself in an even worse situation. Glancing at Hudson, who looked utterly confused, he said with a sigh:

"I only have an attribute-less Magic Crystal Stone here, so I can't test you again. However, judging from what happened earlier, you should have talent for magic cultivation.

As for your specific talent attributes, you should find an opportunity to get tested at the Mage Association!

I also have basic meditation techniques and incantations. If you want them, I can copy them for you, but there's a fee.

The Mage Association charges a hundred gold coins, but given your father's friendship with me, I can give you a 20% discount."

Whether it was his imagination or not, Hudson felt that Knight Chels seemed a little guilty when discussing prices.

Hudson didn't know if it was a scam or not. But in order to obtain Magic Crystal Stones and magic cores legitimately, even if he knew it was a trap, he had to jump in.

"Then thank you, Uncle Chers. But it would be even better if you could also sell me a few magic cores and crystals, especially if they have different attributes."

Hudson said with feigned excitement.

The opportunity to become a Mage was definitely a cause for joy for a young boy. To achieve his goal, Hudson decided to maintain his youthful facade to the end.

Perhaps seeing Hudson's firm attitude, or perhaps to raise funds to cover his losses, Chers slowly said, "Alright then!

But Hudson, you need to think carefully. Magic Crystal Stones and magic cores are not cheap, and I don't have much good stock here."

After speaking, Chers opened a box and took out his treasures, saying to Hudson:

"I won't rip you off; I'll stick to market prices. Tier 1 magic cores are 50 gold coins, Tier 2 magic cores are 150 gold coins, low-grade Magic Crystal Stones are 20 gold coins, and mid-grade Magic Crystal Stones are 50 gold coins. Special attributes will cost extra.

As for higher-tier items, I don't have them, and you won't need them for now. Once you become a Mage, it won't be too late to find a way to get them."

In his words, Chers also revealed a hint of envy. As a magic fanatic, not having magic talent was his greatest sorrow.

This "sorrow," however, was purely considered being melodramatic by outsiders. To abandon being a perfectly good genius Knight and insist on pursuing Mage studies was simply a sign of a brain-addled individual.

In the eyes of many, if Chers hadn't fallen into the rabbit hole of magic research, he would have become a Silver Knight by now, with chances of becoming a Golden Knight as well.

Without any hesitation, Hudson directly selected twelve low-grade Magic Crystal Stones and one Tier 1 magic core from the box.

As for other items, while he was tempted, his coin purse couldn't afford them. He could only choose the ones with the best cost-effectiveness.

A mid-grade Magic Crystal Stone contained roughly twice the magic of a low-grade one and was similar to a Tier 1 magic core. However, its price was 250% higher, mainly because the magic contained within was more refined.

For ordinary Mages, the more refined the magic in a crystal, the easier it was to extract. Whether it was for creating magic arrays or for magic cannons, the extraction of magic needed to be considered.

Hudson was different; his golden finger didn't have picky eating habits. As long as it could absorb magic, the refinement of the magic wasn't important.

If it weren't for the fact that there were only twelve low-grade Magic Crystal Stones available here, he would have bought a few more. As for that magic core, it was purely out of curiosity.

Unlike the last time, when he had absorbed it haphazardly, this time Hudson was prepared to study it thoroughly.

For him, who had transmigrated from a technologically advanced society, Magic Crystal Stones were very easy to understand; they were simply mineral deposits containing energy. It was just that their application was more mystical than that of coal or petroleum.

But magic cores were different. These things grew inside magical beasts, were completely natural with no additives, and possessed immense power.

Existence implies reason. If something exceeded one's understanding, it only proved that one's understanding was insufficient.

"Meditation techniques and basic incantations: 80 gold coins. Twelve low-grade Magic Crystal Stones: 240 gold coins. Plus one Tier 1 magic core: 50 gold coins. The total is 370 gold coins.

Hudson, you need to think carefully. This is not a small sum, and once the transaction is complete, I won't offer any refunds."

Chers reminded him solemnly.

As someone who had been through it, he understood the allure of magic very well and was worried that Hudson might impulsively use funds allocated for this operation.

However, as an outsider, it was not appropriate for him to say it directly. After all, nobles valued their reputation, and stating it directly would be questioning Hudson's ability to pay, or his integrity.

Hudson could only inwardly lament at the situation before him. After all, he was still too young. If he were a few years older, using this money wouldn't have drawn any attention.

"Don't worry, Uncle Chers. I know what I'm doing and won't joke about the thousand-year reputation of the Coslo family."

As he spoke, Hudson had already pulled out a stack of gold notes, counted out the exact amount, and handed it over.