Jonathan slipped into Canina's study without making a sound. The guards on patrol never noticed him.
"Hello, Marquis Bred!"
Jonathan was wearing a cloak and hiding his appearance. His voice was hoarse, so no one could possibly recognize him.
Seeing someone suddenly appear in his study, Canina's face changed dramatically. He cried out:
"Who are you? Why are you in my study?"
"Shh. Don't speak too loudly, or I guarantee I'll slit your throat before your guards arrive."
"Are you with the Saber?!"
"Of course. I'm here to collect the rest of my payment. I've already killed the man. Whether you like it or not, you're paying up. Otherwise, I'll have to take you or someone in your family as compensation for my losses."
"Fine, I'll pay. I'll have the money delivered to you tomorrow."
"That's more like it!"
"Marquis Bred, we'll meet again."
Jonathan had no scruples. After speaking, he darted out of the study and then slipped out of the marquis's residence without a sound.
Canina was ruthless, too. To clear himself of suspicion, he stabbed himself, then shouted that there was an intruder, throwing the whole residence into chaos.
His little act really did make people less suspicious of him.
When Jonathan heard about it, even he had to admire the man's cunning.
Plenty of people at Ulada Magic Academy were talking about these events.
Some criticized the corruption and darkness of the nobles, while others believed an assassin organization was throwing the Bandas Kingdom into turmoil.
Jonathan couldn't be bothered with it. He began devoting more time to cultivating his battle aura.
A month and a half passed in the blink of an eye.
On a boulder in the back hills of Ulada Magic Academy, Jonathan sat cross-legged, drawing in the elements of heaven and earth with all his strength, absorbing them into his body and silently refining them at speed.
He felt that every muscle, bone, and internal organ in his body had reached the limit of Level 6.
Half an hour later, he let out a long roar.
The birds and beasts nearby startled.
Joy showed in Jonathan's eyes. "I finally broke through!"
However, since he had already broken through to Level 7 once, the Dao Fruit's trait didn't activate this time.
"A sixteen-year-old Level 7 warrior. My talent as a warrior is indeed among the best on the Yulan Continent, but compared with my talent as a mage, it's still far behind."
At his current rate of cultivation, it would take about a year—in other words, until the end of next year—for him to break through to become a Level 8 mage.
"But once Cesar arrives, I'm afraid I won't be able to hide my spiritual power from him."
Jonathan sighed softly and put the matter out of his mind. He went to see Xue Yan, told him the news, and verified it in person. Then he had Cross inform headquarters and pass the news on to Cesar.
After that, he went to an auction house in Black Phoenix City and consigned the Level 7 and Level 8 Magic Crystal Cores he had on hand.
The auction house said its next auction would be in five days.
Jonathan planned to come back and see how things went then.
Of course, he had disguised himself. If anyone discovered that a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old boy possessed Magic Crystal Cores of this caliber, they would only grow suspicious.
He couldn't keep his identity and strength hidden forever. If people looked into him in the future, many of his secrets would come to light.
Five days later.
Still concealed by a black cloak and using a disguised voice, Jonathan arrived at the auction house.
There were plenty of people there, most of them nobles from Black Phoenix City.
"Welcome to the Black Phoenix Auction House. We have several rare treasures up for auction today, and we hope they'll satisfy you all."
"I'll keep this brief. Let's begin with the first treasure."
"A Level 7 Velociraptor Magic Crystal Core. Magical Beasts are usually stronger than warriors and mages of the same level, and Velociraptors are especially renowned for their strength and defense."
"Usually, only warriors above Level 8 can hunt this kind of Magical Beast."
The auctioneer showed the crowd the Magic Crystal Core, which looked like a ruby.
"Velociraptor Magic Crystal Core. Bidding starts at fifty thousand gold coins, and each bid must be at least three thousand gold coins higher. Let the auction begin!"
As the auctioneer's gavel came down, shouts immediately rang through the hall, one after another.
Jonathan joined in a few times, but he didn't bid too aggressively. Once the price passed seventy thousand, he stopped.
A Level 7 Magical Beast's Magic Crystal Core usually went for between sixty and ninety thousand.
Velociraptors were fairly common, and their attributes were ordinary, so seventy thousand was already a good price.
But with bidding, people could easily get carried away, driving the price higher and higher.
In the end, the Magic Crystal Core sold for the high price of eighty-six thousand.
After watching several more lots, Jonathan began to lose interest. There was nothing he wanted.
There were some rare herbs among them, but he didn't study that sort of thing, so they didn't interest him.
Before long, it was time for his Level 8 Magic Crystal Core.
It was an Evil Eye Spider Magic Crystal Core. These Magical Beasts specialized in mental attacks, and their cores had the dark attribute, making them extremely rare.
It caused quite a stir.
It was extremely valuable even as a collector's item.
Bidding for the core started at seven hundred thousand gold coins. Eager bidders came one after another, and the price soon surpassed a million.
After it passed a million, however, the number of people calling out bids gradually dwindled.
"Congratulations to the guest in private room number three for purchasing this rare Evil Eye Spider Magic Crystal Core for 1.56 million!"
After a while, the auctioneer continued, "Our next lot is a research manuscript left behind several hundred years ago by a Level 9 Great Mage."
"The research focuses on three areas: the use of Magic Crystal Cores, Micro Magic Arrays, and improvements to magic."
His words caused a stir.
But the auctioneer's next words poured cold water on their excitement. "Unfortunately, only the theory on Micro Magic Arrays is close to completion. The other two are still lacking."
"So it's unfinished!"
There were very few mages present, and they had no time to study these theories anyway. Their interest immediately waned.
"Why not tell us about the Micro Magic Array? What does it do?"
The auctioneer replied, "I'm not very familiar with the details, but it seems to be used in making Magic Weapons. It can increase the number of weapons produced, and the weapons are powerful."
"However, inscribing a Micro Magic Array requires spiritual power of Level 7 or higher. And once you start a magic array, you can't stop partway through; you have to finish it in one go."
"That's far too difficult. Mages are rare to begin with, and they're all so noble. Who'd be willing to put in all that effort? They certainly don't need the money."
"Exactly. Even a Level 9 warrior wouldn't have any use for it, would he?"
After hearing their comments, the auctioneer said, "But these are the theoretical studies of Master Feltes, after all. He's known as the greatest mage of the past several thousand years on the Yulan Continent when it comes to magical theory."
"Even if his work can't be put to practical use, it still has great value as a collectible."
"You have a point there. Then hurry up and start the bidding!"
The auctioneer showed no annoyance at being rushed. He continued to smile.
"A complete set of Master Feltes's manuscripts. Bidding starts at one hundred thousand gold coins, and each bid must be at least five thousand gold coins higher."
Most of those interested were drawn by Feltes's reputation and mainly wanted the manuscripts for their collections.
But Jonathan was genuinely interested. He had read Feltes's books in the library at Ulada Magic Academy. They were far ahead of their time and had helped him enormously.
So he joined the bidding.
Before you continue