Infinite Mage — Chapter 188: Nor’s Haven (2)

Chapter 188: Nor’s Haven (2)

Shirone’s⁠ prediction was accurate,‌‌‌ and the merchant⁠‍‌ deduced that they‍‌ hadn’t been in‌ Purgatory for long.‍

“Hmm,‌⁠ I could negotiate,‍‌ but I doubt‍ you could afford‌⁠ it. Spirits are‌ incredibly rare in⁠ Purgatory. I’m just stopping by on‍ my way to‍⁠ the mainland.”

Shirone‌‍ felt a pang of fear at⁠‌ the outright rejection,‍⁠ though he expected⁠ it to be‍‌ valuable.

Could⁠⁠‍ he buy it‌ for three White‍‌ Elixirs? If he⁠ overestimated and lacked‍ enough Elixirs, Amy⁠ would be deeply‌‌ disappointed.

Realizing⁠‌ he needed a basis for his⁠ decision, Shirone paused‌ the negotiations to⁠ ask a question.‍⁠

“I‍ heard that spirits‌ can be contracted.⁠ Is it possible‍‍ with this one?”⁠‌
“Contract? Ah, a contract. Of course,‌⁠ it’s possible. But⁠ what would you⁠ do with a contract with a fire spirit?”

“With‍‌ a fire spirit, I could use⁠ fire magic, right?”‍

“Technically, yes… but valuable⁠‍ spirits aren’t usually wasted on contracts.⁠‌ If a spirit‍ enters a village,⁠ it makes life‌ much easier. So,‍ typically, villages pool⁠‌ their Elixirs to⁠ acquire one. Those‍‌ living on the⁠‍‌ outskirts of the‍ community, who live‌⁠⁠ in harsh conditions‌ and have surplus⁠ Elixirs, might buy‍⁠ with the intent‌ to contract, but‍‍ they’re essentially risking⁠‍ their lives. I don’t see you‍ living that kind⁠ of life.”

“So,⁠ a contract is‌‌ possible, right?”

When‍ Shirone pressed, the‌ merchant nodded reluctantly.⁠

It‌ was a common⁠⁠ reaction on the‍‌ mainland. People who couldn’t afford it often tried to‌‍⁠ haggle or send⁠ in teams to⁠‌ devalue the item.‍⁠‍

If people from the⁠ outskirts of the community joined in,‍‍‍ the auction would‍‍ end there, but⁠ such people rarely‌ cared for special‌‍ spirits. Most of‌‌ the time, it‌ was a nerve-wracking battle on a razor’s edge.

Amy‌‍ fidgeted with her‌‍‌ fingers. She was a haggling expert‌ but couldn’t say⁠ anything now.

In‍‍ a world where⁠ gold was common,‌ she would have emptied her savings‍ to buy it.⁠⁠‌ But in Purgatory,‌‌ only life-and-death items held value.

In‌ this situation, she‌⁠ didn’t want to‍ cause trouble for Shirone by showing⁠⁠ her desire to‍ possess it.

Shirone‍ already knew. For‍‌ a mage, enhancing‌ magical power was‌⁠ everything, so he‍ wanted to get‌ it if possible.‍

Sensing‍ the critical moment,‍⁠ Shirone asked again.⁠‌

“So, how many Elixirs‌⁠‍ would it take‍ to buy the‌⁠ spirit?”

The merchant chuckled dismissively.‍‌ But seeing Shirone‌ waiting intently, he‌ thought seriously.

“Hmm,‌⁠ if you were‍ to buy it‌‍ here, at least…”⁠‍

Shirone’s heart pounded. Any‍ price within his‌ Elixir stash would‍ be good.

It⁠‍ was evidently a high price, as⁠‌ the merchant took⁠‌ his time before‍ speaking.

“One‌⁠ White Elixir…”

Disappointment‌‌ filled Shirone and‌‍⁠ Amy’s eyes. The‌ unit of measure⁠ being White Elixir⁠ meant the likelihood⁠ was slim.

After⁠‌ contemplating, the merchant‌ looked up and⁠ named his price.⁠

“At⁠‌ least one.”

“What?‍ One?”

Shirone‍⁠‌ doubted his ears, which had never⁠ betrayed him before.⁠‌⁠

If‌⁠ it was just‍⁠ one, he could‌ afford it.

Realizing‌⁠ the same, Amy⁠‍ trembled with anticipation,‍ as if someone might snatch it away.

Shirone‍‌ evaluated everything. Initially,‌‌‍ he hoped only to afford it, but mages are‍ quick to discard‍ irrelevant thoughts.

Seeing‌ Amy bite her‍ lower lip, he‌ couldn’t help but⁠⁠ smile. She whispered‍‌‍ softly,

“I⁠ want it.”

Amy,‌‍‍ the only daughter⁠ of the Karmis⁠ family, grew up‍ never knowing material⁠‌ desire. But when‍ it came to‍⁠ magic, she was⁠ just another mage.⁠

The‍ merchant misunderstood Amy’s⁠‌ desire as resignation.⁠ White Elixirs were rare even for‌ mainland merchants, so⁠ it was natural⁠⁠ for newcomers to⁠⁠ Purgatory to despair.‌⁠

Thinking‍‌⁠ of his daughter,‍‍‌ he consoled Amy.‌‍

“White‍⁠‌ Elixirs are hard to come by.‍ I’ve already given‌ you a big⁠‍ discount. It’s risky‌ going to the⁠ mainland. It’s only‍ because I assumed⁠‍ I could sell⁠‍ it at Nor’s⁠‍ Haven and return‍ home safely. I calculated it precisely⁠ because you seemed‍ serious. Don’t be too disheartened. Someday,‌‍ you might get‍⁠‍ lucky and find‌⁠ a fire spirit.”⁠

“I’ll‍‍ buy it.”

“Huh?”‌‍

“I⁠ said, I’ll buy‌ it.”

As‌‍ Shirone searched his⁠⁠ inner pocket, the⁠ merchant blinked in‌‌ disbelief. He couldn’t⁠ decide if he‌‌ should be angry‍ or laugh at‌‌ the joke.

But⁠‍ seeing the three⁠ Elixirs rolling in‌ Shirone’s hand, he‍‌ fell off his⁠‍‌ chair in shock.

The rainbow spectrum confirmed‌‍⁠ they were White Elixirs.

“Here.‌⁠ Can I take‌‍‌ it now?”

The‍ merchant, speechless, nodded.‌ Shirone handed him‌⁠‍ the White Elixirs.⁠‌

Simultaneously,‌ Amy cradled the spirit trap to‍ her chest.

She‍‌ felt its warm⁠⁠ presence.

The‌‍‌ warmth of fire.‌

This⁠‍‌ was Amy’s essence.‍

“Hey,‌‍‍ is it okay?‍⁠ Isn’t it hot?”‌⁠

The‌ merchant, confirming the⁠ Elixirs’ authenticity, regained⁠⁠⁠ his senses and⁠ asked.

A fire spirit was⁠‌ still fire until contracted, and touching⁠‍‍ a hot iron‍ cage should cause⁠ burns.

“Huh?‌ No, it’s just warm.”

“That’s‌ strange. Can I check it again?⁠ I’m worried because‌ it might be⁠⁠ defective.”

“No,‍⁠ it’s fine. This‌ is definitely a fire spirit.”

Amy‌⁠‌ lovingly watched the⁠‍‌ fire spirit bounce⁠ in the air.⁠‌‍ She then spoke⁠‌ to Shirone via‍‍ the mental channel.‍

-Shirone,‌ it’s a Spirit‍ Zone.

-Spirit‌‌ Zone?

-Yes. It’s amazing. It’s‍‍ real fire, but‍ it’s also connected‍⁠ to the mind.‍ I can feel⁠‌‌ it constantly.

Mages⁠‌ don’t get burned‌ by the fire‍‌ they create. Though‍ it’s real fire,‌ the creator is⁠ a mage.

According‌ to Amy, spirits⁠ also seemed to‍⁠‌ have a fixed⁠‍‍ Spirit Zone. They‌ had become a form of mental transcendence.

“So,‍‌ how did you‌⁠ get the White‍ Elixir?”

“It⁠‌ came from the‍‍⁠ Vortex Serpent.”

“The‍ Vortex Serpent? You destroyed the law‍⁠ of the valley?”‍

“It‍ just happened.”

It‌⁠ wasn’t strange for‍ a mage powerful⁠ enough to defeat‍⁠‍ the Vortex Serpent to possess White⁠ Elixirs.

Though‌ rare, such people⁠‌ did exist in⁠‌ Purgatory. Merchants called⁠ them border people⁠ or those from‌‌ the community outskirts.⁠

“But how do you‍‌⁠ form a contract?”‍

“I‌‌‍ don’t know exactly, but I’ve seen⁠‌ border people do‌‍ it. They hold‍‍ the spirit and⁠ mutter something, and‍ it disappears.”

Spirits‍‌ lack reason, so‌ it likely wasn’t‍ a keyword activation.‌ The remaining possibility‌‍ was Incantation Magic.⁠

Speaking‍ and repeating it⁠ was key. Resonating‍‌ with fire was crucial.

Using⁠ the key given‌‍ by the merchant,‍‍‍ Amy unlocked the⁠‌ iron cage. Holding‌‍ the spirit in‍ both hands, she‌⁠ improvised an incantation.‌

“Fire spirit, dwell within‌ me.”

As⁠ the fire spirit‍ entered Amy, a warm sensation filled‍‌‍ her abdomen.

Contracting‍ with a spirit⁠⁠ was akin to discovering a new‍⁠ battery. Separate from the ignition battery,⁠ she could now‌‍ ignite a new‌ fire.

Summoning‌ the spirit, Amy‍‍ watched the fireball‌⁠‌ rise and circle⁠‍ around. Pleased, she⁠ recalled the name of the legendary⁠ ancient flame.

Jack-o’-lantern.⁠⁠‍

Known⁠‌ as will-o’-the-wisp, this phenomenon remained a myth despite countless‍‍ scholars’ theories.

But‌ no longer. The⁠⁠‍ Jack-o’-lantern existed as‍‌ ancient magic in⁠ Heaven.

The‌‍⁠ fire spirit had‍‌‌ strategic uses.

It⁠⁠⁠ activated independently of‌ Ignite and moved⁠ along desired trajectories.⁠‌‌ It could even⁠ split into multiple illusions.

Amy‌⁠ envisioned endless strategies:⁠‌ guided functions, tricks,‍ multi-shot capabilities.

Realizing⁠ Shirone’s gaze, she‍ extinguished the spirit.⁠‌

Though⁠ she should thank‍‍‍ him, the words‍‍ wouldn’t come out,⁠ feeling awkward.

It‌⁠ wasn’t like receiving‌‌ an expensive gift.⁠ Perhaps she had received Shirone’s heart.‍‌⁠

Shirone smiled, turning away⁠‌⁠ as if expecting‍⁠‌ her silence.

Amy‍ regretted not speaking.‍ Did he understand her feelings? Or‍‍ was the gift‌‌ without special meaning?‍‌

Despite his straightforward nature,‍ Shirone was sometimes‌⁠ unreadable.

Shirone meticulously inspected the⁠ items.

Watching⁠ Amy contract with⁠ the fire spirit‍ made him realize‍‍‌ that seeking items‌ to bring back‍‌⁠ to the original‍⁠⁠ world was naive.⁠⁠

Heaven‌‍ was perilous, and‍‍‍ reinforcing their gear⁠ immediately was crucial.‍ Finding such items,⁠‍ no matter the cost, would increase‍ their survival chances.⁠‍

Nor’s Haven mainly sold‌ essentials for the⁠⁠ heretics in the⁠‌ community.

But‌ a few merchants‍‌‌ had special items,⁠ which they didn’t‌⁠⁠ display due to‌‍ high prices.

Upon‍ learning Shirone had‍⁠‍ White Elixirs, a man discreetly placed‌‌‌ an item on‌‍ his stall.

Tess‌ ran over and⁠ pointed at the‍‍ item the merchant‌‌‌ displayed.

“Oh! Isn’t that…?”

A beetle-shaped mechanical device.⁠

A drone created with‍‌‍ Mecha technology.

Clove,‌‍‍ realizing Shirone was‌‍ a big spender,‍⁠‍ eagerly explained.

In‍ addition to the‍ known reconnaissance and‌⁠ language decoding functions,‌ it had radio⁠⁠ communication, map display,‍‍ and more.

“How‌⁠ about it? Want⁠⁠ to trade for⁠ a White Elixir?‌ You know drones‍‌ aren’t just about‍⁠ having Elixirs. They’re‍ exclusive to citizens.”‌‌

Shirone‍ found the drone‍ appealing. He had‌ experienced its reconnaissance⁠ ability through Kanya.‍ If Tes could‍⁠ use it, it would be an‍‌ excellent auxiliary tool.‍‍

Arin⁠⁠‌ suggested they might⁠‌ negotiate the price⁠‍⁠ down. She sensed⁠‍‌ the merchant’s initial⁠ offer was inflated.⁠⁠

But the low price‍⁠‍ was curious.

If‌ a fire spirit‍‍ was a commodity,‍ a drone was‍ a limited item.⁠‍‌ Shouldn’t citizen items⁠ be priceless?

-Arin, could there be⁠‍ a defect? Otherwise…⁠‌

-I‌‌ have the same‌ suspicion, but I’m‌ not sure. The‍‌ initial offer is‍ certainly inflated. You’ll have to judge⁠‌ the rest.

Tess‌‌ was fixated on‌ the drone. Given⁠ her fascination with⁠ ancient artifacts, she would accept it‌‌ regardless of defects.‌‍

Shirone⁠ asked on her⁠ behalf.

“How‌‌ did you get‍ this? I heard‍ it’s only issued‍⁠ to Mecha Tribe⁠⁠ individuals.”

“Of course, but there⁠ are heretics among the Mecha too.‌ They might steal‍‌‍ it before fleeing‍‍ to Purgatory. Just⁠ one can sustain‌‍ their livelihood. Look‌ here, the strip‌ between the drone’s‌ edges? That means it’s unused. It’s‌ fresh from the‌ factory. The original⁠‌ owner likely worked‍ in a Mecha‌ Tribe facility.”

“Where is that person?”⁠‌‍

“Who⁠‌⁠ knows? They might‌⁠‌ have fled or‍ died. Most Heaven’s items in the‌ market come from such circumstances. Those stealing Heaven’s items‌‌⁠ for Elixirs often‌ die in Purgatory,‌‌ leaving the items⁠ behind.”