Lola

On the third day after returning from the Mages Association, Green had already moved into Wilson Castle, receiving treatment second only to Dr. Wilkins.

When Viscount Paul learned that Green had passed the Mages Association's registration assessment at such a young age, he was delighted. On the spot, he promised to find an opportunity in the future to help Green restore his Lineage's honor, and presented him with two hundred gold pounds as a congratulatory gift.

Green understood that this was Viscount Paul's attempt to win him over. Two hundred gold pounds was enough to buy a rather respectable house in a decent part of Landon City.

Green was quite satisfied and gladly accepted the gold pounds, which was tantamount to tacitly agreeing to become an Attendant of the Wilson Family.

At teatime, Green sat in Peony Cafe beside Landon Street. Across from him sat a mature woman with a fashionable allure.

"Mr. Wilson, I guarantee on a merchant's honor that this is definitely an antique containing magic power. Asking thirty gold pounds from you is already the lowest possible price."

The woman wore a pained expression and pressed a hand over the wooden box on the table. Inside lay an amethyst pendant.

Green chuckled. "Beautiful Ms. Lola, don't forget that I am a registered magic apprentice. I have more authority than you in judging whether an item contains magic power."

The beautiful woman named Lola's expression darkened. Her full name was Lola Claudi, and she was both an adventurer and a black-market merchant—a money-grubbing, unscrupulous businesswoman.

However, Lola had a solid reputation in business and possessed considerable connections, always able to get her hands on good things. Green had met her through Vincent precisely because he wanted to buy magical items that could absorb Psychic Energy.

A pained look appeared on Lola's pretty face. Clearly, she had misjudged things this time, mistaking an ordinary antique piece of jewelry for a magical tool.

It was no wonder, really. This amethyst pendant was indeed convincing enough to pass for the real thing, and even had a faint magical glow on its surface. If the Graveyard had not reacted after Green got his hands on it, he would not have been able to tell that it was a counterfeit.

"Damn it! That bastard Roddick actually dared sell me a fake!" Lola muttered under her breath, a dangerous glint flashing through her narrow eyes.

That antique dealer named Roddick was probably in for some bad luck. The revolver and dagger at Lola's waist were not merely for decoration.

"Beautiful lady, there's no need to be angry. Do you have any other magical tools or items containing magic power?" Green had found Lola through Vincent in order to collect magical items that could be converted into Psychic Energy for the Graveyard. Vincent had sworn up and down that Lola's connections were wild enough not to disappoint him.

The last time, absorbing the Psychic Energy from the Wind Blade Bracelet had recruited five skeleton soldiers. Though their combat strength was decent, it was still far from enough.

Green estimated that even if he summoned all five skeleton soldiers, they could at most handle two or three Intermediate Magic Apprentices. If they encountered an Advanced Apprentice Knight or an Advanced Apprentice Mage, they would definitely be flattened. He needed to obtain more Psychic Energy, unlock Graveyard buildings, and recruit more troops.

Lola snorted and pulled another pitch-black object from the leather bag at her waist, setting it on the table with a sour expression. "Take a look at this. If this still won't do, then forget it."

Green picked it up. It was a silver ring, its surface oxidized all over and engraved with simple magical patterns, yet it had no magical glow at all. From its appearance alone, no one could tell it was a magical item.

But the instant Green's hand touched the ring, he immediately smiled. "This one is not bad."

"Fifty gold pounds!" Lola's eyes lit up as she immediately named her price.

Green merely gave a dry laugh, shaking his head. "Fifty is impossible. I can offer five gold pounds."

"Are you kidding? This is a magical item!" Lola instantly widened her eyes, and her voice rose an octave.

"It is indeed a magical item, but it is already damaged beyond repair. No one in all of Landon City besides me would want this sort of thing, so it is worth only five gold pounds. If that won't work, then forget it." Green smiled, certain that Lola would not find another buyer.

"You..." Lola nearly rose to her feet, glaring furiously at the hateful young Undead Apprentice across from her. But she knew her own situation best. This damaged magical ring had been sitting in her hands for nearly half a year. Selling it to Green for five gold pounds would not make her a profit, but at least she could recover the cost.

"Seven gold pounds. That's my cost price!" Lola still wanted to fight for one last bit of profit.

"Five gold pounds!" Green remained unmoved, holding firm to the price.

"Fine, you win, you miser." Lola accepted with a pout.

Green paid readily. He had received two hundred gold pounds, an amount roughly equivalent to one million yuan back on Earth.

Once the transaction was complete, Green took the ring and casually slipped it into his pocket. Yet the instant it entered his pocket, he directly absorbed its Psychic Energy. In an instant, the Graveyard's Psychic Energy value jumped from [0] to [7].

There was no unexpected delight, but neither was it disappointing.

"Beautiful lady, it has been a pleasure doing business with you." Green rose and shook her hand. "If you have more next time, please contact me. I will offer a reasonable price."

"Tch!" Lola reluctantly extended her hand. Failing to make a profit from this transaction left her in low spirits. But just as Green was about to leave, she suddenly remembered something and called out to him. "Do you need a lot of these broken magical items? I mean the kind that are badly damaged and completely unusable."

Green smiled. "Of course, but I need to inspect them in advance. Not every fragment is useful."

"I know someone who should have quite a few things like that." A little fox-like expression appeared on Lola's face. "But if you want me to take you there, you'll have to pay an introduction fee."

Green smiled faintly. "How much introduction fee do you want?"

"Not much, two gold pounds!" Lola said haughtily, determined to make two gold pounds off Green no matter what.

"Fine. Let's go now." Green paid the introduction fee without hesitation. Lola was a local snake in Landon City, with numerous connections and a wide network. With her help, collecting magical items containing Psychic Energy would surely yield twice the result with half the effort.

"Now... all right!" Lola hesitated slightly, but still nodded. She rose and left the cafe with Green, and the two boarded a carriage together.

Inside the carriage, Lola reminded him, "The place we're going is rather special. Watch what you say and don't cause trouble. I know you're Vincent's clansman, but the Wilson Family's reputation cannot protect you there. Still, you are a Necromancer. That guy is a snob, so he should be more polite."

"You're not taking me to the underground black market, are you?" Green frowned. He had heard Vincent mention Landon City's underground black market. It was filled with bloodshed and deceit; the people there were either desperadoes or murderers, and not a single item they sold was legal.

Lola gave a mysterious smile. "What you're talking about is just the poor fools setting up stalls in plain sight. I'm taking you to see One-Eyed Kerry Jin."

Green had never heard that name before. But judging by Lola's expression, this Kerry Jin was probably a formidable figure in the underground black market.

Still, Green was not afraid. With his current strength, even if he encountered an Advanced Apprentice Mage, he could still hold his own for a while. In present-day Landon City, Advanced Apprentice Mages were already considered high-end combat power, and no formally ranked powerhouse had clearly appeared in the past decade or so.

Under Lola's directions, the carriage traveled west along Landon Street. After a few minutes or so, a light drizzle began to fall.

Green was about to look outside through the carriage window when he was mildly surprised. It had been sunny just a moment ago, yet in the blink of an eye it had turned overcast and begun to rain. What kind of weather was this?