"Whether they succeeded or not, as Wizards and Wizard Seedlings of the Tower of Dawn, you would inevitably be caught up in the disaster when it came, perhaps even killed."
"Helping me is also saving yourselves."
Leo pondered for a moment, then asked, "Wizard Es, this is a matter concerning our Tower of Dawn. Why do you know so much about it?"
At his words, Esmond gave a bitter smile.
He said, "I have no way to explain that. My identity has been sealed. Even if I wanted to explain, I cannot tell you from what position I learned these internal matters of the Tower of Dawn."
After thinking for a moment, Leo said, "Wizard Es, perhaps you can tell me about those Wizards hiding within the Tower of Dawn. I can find the Wizards from our gathering and expose their identities. Wouldn't that save more trouble?"
Esmond shook his head. "I already said that information about them has been sealed as well. Unless one is also a Formal Wizard, I cannot even reveal their names to others."
"If you do not believe me, I can try telling you the names of the five Formal Wizards who trapped me here."
Esmond opened his mouth and spoke five names.
"Uriel, (), (), (), ()"
Afterward, Esmond looked at Leo. Seeing the confusion on Leo's face, he revealed a helpless, bitter smile.
Leo frowned as well. When Esmond had spoken just now, he had once again fallen into that state where he had clearly heard the words, yet could not form any memory of them.
Leo asked, "Hughes, did you hear their names?"
Hughes shook his head.
Seeing this, Esmond said, "Just as you saw. It is not that I deliberately wish to conceal anything. I truly cannot explain everything to you now."
"Not only sound—even the words I write will be affected by the spell's effects."
"To break through this influence and obtain definite information from me, you would need to be a Formal Wizard."
Leo fell silent.
What Esmond said was fairly logical.
But Esmond had destroyed their ship, forcing them to trade with him if they wanted to leave this island... That had left Leo with an instinctive distrust of Esmond.
Rather than a transaction, Esmond's actions felt more like creating a situation where Leo and Hughes had no choice but to make one.
Leo ran the Prismatic Dragon Scale across his fingertip.
The Prismatic Dragon Scale showed no reaction.
In other words, whether he lied or not, at least he bore me no ill intent.
"So, do the two of you agree to my transaction?"
Esmond did not notice the Prismatic Dragon Scale testing him for hostility. He looked at the two of them, a trace of anticipation flashing through his eyes.
Leo said, "All right, Wizard Es. We accept your transaction."
Leo had made this choice out of helplessness.
If there had been another way, Leo truly would not have wanted to make this deal.
After all, the other party was a Formal Wizard.
Yet they truly had no other way to return now.
Not to mention how they would leave this boundless sea.
Just the fact that Formal Wizards would occasionally keep watch over this island meant they could not remain here for long.
Trading with Esmond was undoubtedly the safer option for the time being.
Seeing that Leo and Hughes were willing to trade with him, Esmond also breathed a sigh of relief. "Leo, Hughes, I do not deny that this task itself carries a certain degree of risk."
"For Wizards, equivalent exchange is an important principle."
"Besides one hundred Magic Stones, you may also make other requests of me."
After Esmond finished speaking, Leo and Hughes exchanged a glance.
Then Hughes said, "Wizard Es, I would like a potion that can help me become a Wizard."
Esmond heard this, yet made no visible movement.
A bottle of potion appeared on the table.
Esmond said, "This is a Mind-Nourishing Potion. It can stabilize your spiritual energy and bring it closer to a more stable state. The more stable your spiritual energy is, the faster the improvement brought by the Meditation Method will be. Its side effects are also minimal. Taking just one bottle will be enough to ensure that you become a Wizard, and it will not negatively affect your spiritual talent or body."
"Thank you for your gift." Hughes immediately clutched the bottle of Mind-Nourishing Potion.
Leo watched the Mind-Nourishing Potion, and the Codex entry for it surfaced in his mind.
It was one of the potions recorded in the Grand Compendium of Potions he had obtained from Woodpecker Hut.
Its price was definitely far greater than that of the Dawn Arcane Potion Leo had consumed.
"And you, Leo?"
Esmond then looked toward Leo.
All kinds of thoughts flashed rapidly through Leo's mind.
Spells, potions, Codex entries, questions...
Leo felt that he lacked every one of them.
But in the end, his thoughts settled on the Stone Sea Dragon Scale he had acquired earlier.
As for the Rainbow Dragon's scale, it was far rarer than a Stone Sea Dragon Scale.
If Esmond became interested in it then, Leo would have no way to keep the Rainbow Dragon's scale.
Leo asked, "Wizard Es, do you happen to understand Magitech Studies?"
Esmond smiled. "Magitech Studies is one of my specialties. Do you wish for me to forge a Magitech Device for you, or answer your questions regarding Magitech Studies?"
Leo said, "I hope you can help me forge a Magitech Device."
Leo took out the Stone Sea Dragon Scale and placed it on the table.
Esmond picked it up and said, "This is a Stone Sea Dragon Scale. Such dragon scales can occasionally be found among Stonefish scales."
Esmond recognized the origin of the material at a glance.
Whether it was Nova or the Formal Wizard before him,
These outstanding Wizards all possessed ample stores of knowledge.
Leo said, "Wizard Es, I hope you can use this Stone Sea Dragon Scale to make me a defensive Magitech Device in the form of clothing."
However, Esmond said, "The type you mentioned is not included among Magitech Devices. What you described belongs to the field of tailoring. We collectively refer to such things as enchanted items."
Leo was startled. "Does that mean you cannot make it, Wizard Es?"
Esmond smiled. "I was merely correcting you. If this is the compensation you request, I can make it for you."
"Wait a moment."
Esmond took out the Stone Sea Dragon Scale, then cast Arcane Hand.
The Arcane Hand gathered strands of thread.
At some point, a piece of cloth appeared in Esmond's hands.
Then, in the time it took Leo and Hughes to blink, a robe was resting atop the mushroom table.
Esmond said, "It is done."
"This is the Stone Sea Dragon Robe."
"As long as you pour spiritual energy into it, it can form a hard defensive layer without changing its appearance."
Esmond pondered for a moment. "The defensive ability of this layer is related to your Magical Pressure. The higher your Magical Pressure, the stronger its defense will be."
Finally, Esmond emphasized, "Also, this is a Wizard item of perfect quality."
Leo did not notice what Esmond had emphasized at the end. He picked up the robe and discovered that its style, colors, and everything else were exactly the same as before. He said, "Thank you, Wizard Es."
After tailoring compensation for each of them, Esmond handed them each a letter.
Before you continue