Chapter 514 - 209: I Didn’t Mean to Show Off...

"The price?" Nana Mage sounded a bit embarrassed. "I only know that a Great Mage-level Destiny Barrier requires trade goods worth ten thousand gold pounds..."

’Ten thousand gold pounds!?’

Wei’en almost blurted out the classic retort—’Why not just rob someone?’

’Casting Magic only requires consuming Spiritual Power, yet she dares to ask for ten thousand gold pounds. Does she really think I’m not a Wizard?’

’And this is just for a Great Mage-level Destiny Barrier Spell. For a legendary-grade one... wouldn’t the price be a hundred thousand gold pounds?’

"My apologies, Nana Mage, but I think it would be best if you could help me contact a Wizard who can cast a legendary-grade Destiny Barrier for me. I’ll discuss the specific terms with them in detail."

Although Wei’en didn’t want to be ripped off like a fool, he was the one asking for a favor. After mulling it over, he was unwilling to let this opportunity slip by.

"Of course, His Excellency Faceless," Nana Mage agreed. "I was wondering if I could get your contact information? Do you have a contracted Messenger?"

Wei’en shook his head. "Apologies, I only have the standard-issue communicator provided by the Ghost Soul School."

’A Messenger?’

’What is that? Is it as convenient as a communicator?’

"In that case, I’ll trade one to you after the gathering. It’s a new gadget from the Nightmare Sect. Although it’s only for sending letters, it’s much more convenient than a Nightmare Worm and doesn’t require a special trade contract."

"Alright."

Then, the two summoned a Nightmare Worm and used it to write a trade contract, leaving behind both of their marks.

Watching Nana Mage’s smile grow wider, Wei’en couldn’t help but feel a bit frustrated.

’I wonder if the tens of thousands of gold pounds that haven’t even warmed my pockets yet will be enough for that legendary-grade Destiny Magic...’

"I almost forgot to ask you, His Excellency Faceless."

"Go on."

Nana Mage walked around a pillar and glanced toward the altar. Seeing that the number of attendees had already exceeded one hundred, she felt a surge of joy and asked, "I was wondering if you might offer some guidance on tonight’s theme?"

"Me?" Wei’en said coolly. "I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. I’m not particularly well-versed in Elemental Magic."

"That’s fine. As long as you’re willing to offer an idea, I’m sure the other Wizards will listen attentively."

’An idea?’

Wei’en thought for a moment and no longer refused. "Alright."

He wasn’t an expert in Elemental Magic, but if it was just a matter of providing an idea, he could still contribute something. He did, at least, have some insights into the composition of certain Elemental Magic Runes.

For instance, after upgrading the Magic Runes for spells like the Blink Spell and Spirit Shield to the perfect grade, he had corrected some of the flaws in their design.

In that regard, he believed no Wizard was more qualified to speak than he was.

"That’s wonderful! I—we are all looking forward to it!"

With that, the two of them returned to the altar. Nana Mage went to the center of the altar and began speaking in low tones with Tren Mage, who had already arrived.

Meanwhile, Wei’en scanned his surroundings, spotted Flanta standing by one of the outer pillars, and walked straight over to him.

"His Excellency Faceless?" Flanta had his head lowered, lost in thought. When he noticed Wei’en approaching, he glanced up and spoke.

"It’s me."

"My apologies, His Excellency Faceless." Flanta bowed slightly. "I was delayed by some matters at the School..."

"No need to apologize. I just happened to have finished another batch of Anomaly-Suppressing Potions and wanted to trade them to you." Wei’en chuckled; this Enhanced Mage from the Blood Spirit School was as polite as ever.

"About that..." Flanta hesitated for a rare moment.

"Is there a problem?"

Flanta gritted his teeth and said, "I’m very sorry, but I can’t scrape together the gold pounds to buy those Anomaly-Suppressing Potions at the moment."

"Oh?"

Wei’en glanced in surprise at the number on his forehead. It was the same as the last time they met...

’His Origin Power hasn’t increased, which means the money wasn’t spent on acquiring corpses of Holy Professionals. Did something happen to him?’

"It’s like this. Two days ago..."

As Flanta recounted his story, Wei’en began to understand.

It turned out that within the Blood Spirit School, besides using the corpses of Holy Professionals to enhance one’s Origin Power, there was another method: traveling to an ancient ruin controlled by the school to harvest a potion-making ingredient called the Blood Illusion Flower.

However, at Flanta’s level as a Wizard, it was difficult to make any headway in the ruin, so he had hired one Great Mage and two Advanced Mages to accompany him.

At first, they successfully located the Blood Illusion Flowers and were overjoyed to find five of them.

However, just as Flanta was about to harvest them, disaster struck.

The Great Mage not only snatched the Blood Illusion Flowers but also tried to kill him.

If he hadn’t begged desperately for mercy, offering up all his money and possessions, and proposing a contract to guarantee he would never reveal what happened in the ruin to anyone from the School, he feared he would have been killed right then and there.

"...And that’s what happened," Flanta finished with a bitter smile. "I hope you can keep this a secret for me, Your Excellency Faceless. Otherwise, if the other Blood Spirit Wizards find out, the contract will..."

Wei’en was silent for a few seconds before speaking. "I’ll still trade this batch of Anomaly-Suppressing Potions to you. You can pay me the gold pounds after you’ve sold them."

It wasn’t that he didn’t have his doubts about the story’s authenticity, but with the guarantee of a trade contract made through a Nightmare Worm, he didn’t believe Flanta would dare keep the gold pounds for himself after selling the potions.

Besides, he believed Flanta wouldn’t be foolish enough to disregard a friendship with a Ghost Mage of ’immense potential’ like himself.

"Really?"

"Yes. And you don’t have to pay a premium this time."