Chapter 311 - 292: Reluctance to Leave (Part 2)

Chapter 311: Chapter 292: Reluctance to Leave (Part 2)

"You still look half-asleep."

Zelir walked over to Gray and patted his shoulder. "Don’t tell me you’re still in contact with that lady from the Nobility. Can’t quite let go?"

"It’s not that bad. I’ve got my Adventurer’s professional integrity to think about now."

Gray waved his hand dismissively.

"We agreed to break it off yesterday, and she was fine with it. We just spent one last night together before parting ways... so we had a little too much fun."

"Zelir, perfect timing."

Nearby, Marcus’s steady voice called out.

He had his Scale Armor spread out on an armor stand.

He was using a Flat-Headed Hammer borrowed from a blacksmith to knock out dents and straighten plates that had been bent from impact.

Then he carefully inspected the leather straps that held the scales together, looking for any tears.

If a strap was frayed, he would cut it off and lace a new one in its place.

"I was actually planning to look for you this afternoon..."

Marcus wiped the sweat from his forehead. "I wanted to ask, does the Mage’s Guild have a place that specializes in selling Magic Potions?"

"Yeah, there’s a trading counter," Zelir said.

"We were hoping you could make a trip there for us and buy some Magic Potions."

Marcus said, "The shops in the Adventurer’s Association are too expensive... I feel like they’re marking up the prices."

As he spoke, Marcus handed over a list from his pocket.

It listed several types of Magic Potions they wanted to buy: all Healing Potions, plus some specialized Antidote Potions.

It also noted the market prices from the shops in the Adventurer’s Association.

Zelir glanced at it and couldn’t help but let out a low sigh.

"Whoa... these prices are a lot higher."

At the Mage’s Guild, a decent-quality Healing Potion was only about Seven Gold Coins a bottle.

The asking price on the list was Ten Gold Coins, and the quality was probably even worse than what the Mage’s Guild offered.

The prices for the Antidote Potions and other items were also obviously inflated.

’Then again, it makes sense...’

People without access to the Mage’s Guild had to buy from outside sources, which naturally meant going through a middleman and paying extra.

"No problem, leave it to me." Zelir tucked the list away.

This one supply run would save them nearly Ten Gold Coins.

"By the way, was there something you came to see us about?" Marcus took out a jar of grease.

He dipped a finger in and carefully applied it to the stiff, worn joints of the Scale Armor.

"Oh... it’s nothing major. I just came to let you know that the carriage situation is sorted out."

Zelir said.

"We’ll be traveling with a merchant caravan that’s heading straight to Sengu Town. We’ll be acting as their Guard Team, so we’ll even get paid for it."

"Are you serious? That’s fantastic!"

Marcus’s eyes lit up. "That’s a huge help."

He had just been worrying about that very thing.

This close to the season when heavy snows block the mountain passes, the cost of hiring a long-distance carriage was astronomical.

Besides, carriages were usually rented for short periods. A trip to Sengu Town would take a long time, so no one was willing to rent one out for that long.

Buying one outright would be another massive expense.

Marcus’s original plan had been to travel from town to town, finding short-haul caravans to take them bit by bit toward Sengu Town.

"A caravan? Don’t tell me this is Lady Bev’s doing again?"

Gray was still leaning against a spinning wash drum, shaking his head with a sigh.

"We’ll never be able to repay her kindness. Speaking of which... did you ever sort things out with her? You looked pretty down yesterday."

"It’s sorted." Zelir let out a relieved sigh.

"That’s more like it."

Gray nodded in satisfaction and began turning the handle with renewed vigor.

"A man has to take the initiative. Just be upfront, and anything can be sorted out."

"Alright, enough with the wisecracks."

Zelir held up the list. "Well, I’m heading out then."

"Alright. Thanks for getting the Magic Potions," Marcus said, waving goodbye.

Aside from Gray and Marcus, Valles was also busy with his own preparations.

He had purchased a large batch of Glazed Arrowheads, which were renowned for their powerful armor-piercing capabilities.

These arrowheads were a local specialty of Black Stone Town. The price would surely be much higher if he tried to buy them elsewhere.

Valles had also sent his other equipment to be serviced.

After arriving at the Mage’s Guild, Zelir quickly bought all the Magic Potions on the list.

After paying, he didn’t rush off.

On second thought, Zelir also bought five Elemental Source Energy Crystal Stones, spending another fifty Gold Coins.

Now that the ruins near Sengu Town were open, large numbers of Adventurers had heard the news and were flocking there.

The prices of all kinds of combat-related consumables were bound to skyrocket.

’It’s better to stock up here in Black Stone Town.’

Zelir previously had one hundred seventy-six Gold Coins.

He had spent fifteen Gold Coins on custom formal attire, plus the cost of these five Elemental Source Energy Crystal Stones, on top of some daily expenses for food and lodging.

Zelir now had one hundred and ten Gold Coins left, not counting loose Silver and Copper Coins.

As for his personal stores...

Nine Elemental Source Energy Crystal Stones for Magic Refill, enough to completely replenish his Blue Bar seven or eight times.

Two bottles of Healing Potion, and one bottle of Surging Potion—whose healing effect far surpassed that of a regular Healing Potion—for emergencies.

He also had a bottle of high-quality Overclocking Potion, to be used when going all-out against a powerful enemy.

He had Night Peace, and he had the Magic Robe that reduced Mana Consumption.

’Excellent...’

Zelir nodded in satisfaction.

’His combat preparations are more than sufficient. This trip to the Lost Ruins, I have to make a big score!’

After all that was done, Zelir made a point to pay separate visits to Instructor Lena, Instructor Marvin, and Instructor Manlin.

It was a long journey with no certain date of return, so he felt he should inform them in advance. It was a matter of courtesy and respect for all the guidance they had given him.

"I knew you wouldn’t just sit idly in Black Stone Town all winter."

Inside the Room of Serenity, Instructor Lena gave Zelir a hearty pat on the shoulder.

Her wavy red hair flew with the movement, full of a fiery, Flame-like vitality.

"Exploring the Lost Ruins... Sounds pretty great! It’s perfect for a young, spirited Mage like you."

"Companions, adventure, a journey... it all sounds so exhilarating! Zelir, go for it! Instructor Lena has high hopes for you!"

"Thank you, Instructor Lena." Zelir nodded slightly.

Lante, who was standing to the side, had a face full of envy.

"Zelir, stay safe out there! By the time you get back, I’ll definitely be stronger!"

Needless to say, Lante desperately wanted to go too, but he was held back by his current level of strength. All he could do was...

Sigh.

"I’ll look forward to seeing your progress then, Lante," Zelir said with a smile.

...

"Sengu Town..."

Instructor Marvin adjusted his monocle, pondering for a moment.

"I know about the Lost Ruins there. Back when I was an Adventurer, I always wanted to go check them out... but I never got the chance in the end."

"But I have heard that other Upper Level Mages have explored those Lost Ruins."

"Other Upper Level Mages have been there?" Zelir asked, surprised.

"Yes... I’m not sure who, specifically."

Instructor Marvin said.

"But there must be something truly enticing in those ruins to make even an Upper Level Mage go out of their way to visit."

"Zelir, you must be careful. This isn’t like taking a commission from the Adventurer’s Association. Exploring ruins is far more dangerous."

Marvin said in a grave tone.

"Anything can happen in there: traps, hazardous environments, and... other Adventurer Squads."

"Underground, where there is no law, greed devours men."

"Often, a dagger in the back is more lethal than the monster in front of you. I trust you understand what I mean."

"Yes... Instructor Marvin, I know."

Zelir nodded solemnly. "I will be extremely cautious."

"To be honest, I still wouldn’t recommend you go."

Instructor Marvin shook his head. "You only just became a Junior Mage..."