Chapter 10: Meeting a Wizard.

William Golden, the head of the Goldrian Caravan, fell into deep thought.

Is the contract facing difficulties? No. Everything, down to the details, has been perfectly arranged.

The finest bone china... Ah, Uno named the luxurious plates bone china, not porcelain, because bone powder is added during the manufacturing process.

In any case, Uno almost gave the bone china and fountain pens to the Goldrian Caravan for free, accepting only a few hundred gold coins. These items will surely play a significant role in connecting the caravan with new networks in the future.

William's ambition stretches across the entire Aron continent, but Uno's interests are simple: to become stronger.

It's almost as if he has no ambition at all. It would have been easier to deal with if he had demanded a lot of gold or profit sharing.

William's concern is precisely about this aspect. Although the magical contract has set all rights and obligations, it still feels burdensome.

'The scales are too heavily tilted. The more I think about it, the more he seems like a thief.'

Currently, the craftsmen of the caravan are disassembling and studying the mass-produced fountain pens. Once they receive the bone china manufacturing technology, the benefits the Goldrian Caravan will gain are immeasurable.

Is it just profit? The influence of the caravan! The influence of Goldrian, which was limited to Ant City, will spread throughout the kingdom.

However, the only condition from the apprentice mercenary Uno was...

'He just wants to become stronger? Just that...'

Of course, the standards for becoming stronger vary widely. But for someone who is not a wizard, the highest level would be an Aura Master, which is too simple.

First, bring in the best alchemist to create and administer a potion that enhances mana. Then, hire a retired royal guard knight to set up a systematic training plan.

If performed diligently, depending on talent, one can achieve the dream of becoming an Aura Master within three to five years. Uno agreed with this, and William thought he had done his part.

'No, it's not fair! Even if I lose out, it's not right.'

William made a decision.

He needs the best. A path that no one can easily access, something only possible as the head of the Goldrian Caravan, something that even William himself must put in maximum effort to obtain.

Only that level of effort can balance the fountain pens and bone china. Only then can his conscience be at peace.

'Then I must go there.'

The highest power group in Ant City, a place that any ordinary person would fear. William is no exception. Every time he goes there, his legs tremble.

He is also worried about Uno. To William, Uno is a person full of secrets. The items he brought are treasures never seen before in the Aron continent.

Where? How?

William is curious, but he did not pry into those secrets.

'They won't let it go...'

The powerful dislike uncertainty. In this regard, Uno is a mystery. They will dig deep. Can he handle it?

'I should at least make a proposal. The choice is ultimately his own.'

He will provide a full explanation. The most certain way to gain power, and the penalties that come with it. Uno will make his own judgment.

Yunho agreed to William's proposal.

"Should the person come? Yes, of course! We can go right now."

If there's a way to become stronger faster and more stably than anyone else, why would he refuse?

Of course, the part William is worried about also concerns him. Well, what's the problem? He can be honest about it.

So he came here with William.

'Sapphire Tower Ant City Branch'

The best way to become a knight was right here.

"Welcome, William. It's been a while. Are the mercenaries we sent to your caravan doing well?"

"They have always been a great help."

"You're still as smooth-talking as ever. I sent relatively gentle ones because of you, but you know how prickly wizards can be. They always try to climb on top of you. I know, being a wizard myself."

The Goldrian Caravan and the Sapphire Tower Ant City Branch have a kind of partnership. That's why William and the branch head, Russ Naiden, have been in contact for a long time.

However, Yunho, a young man with bright blonde hair, couldn't understand why the branch head was speaking so casually to the caravan head. Moreover, William's submissive bow was also puzzling.

He had received a thorough explanation beforehand.

Russ Naiden, the direct disciple of the Sapphire Tower head, and the youngest 7th-class mage. The highest power in Ant City, or even in the Varian Kingdom, ranking in the top five.

But isn't Yunho from the Eastern country of etiquette?

'You brat!'

While William and Russ Naiden exchanged friendly words, Yunho couldn't join the conversation, feeling like a forgotten bundle of straw. When would they get to the main topic? He could only wait.

Then, finally, William made his move.

"I want to purchase an Ego Guide."

"Huh?"

"Whatever the price, I want to buy it. I'm talking about the 'Triple Slot Ego Guide.'"

William's casual statement made Russ Naiden's eyes light up with surprise.

"This is surprising. I thought you had some business, but I never dreamed it would be this. An Ego Guide, and not a single slot, but a triple slot?"

While he said he was surprised, Russ Naiden's face was full of curiosity.

Then his gaze fell on Yunho. Suddenly? Why the interest?

"To implant an Ego Guide, the person must be present. So, William, it's not you, is it... this young man?"

"Yes, that's right."

Russ looked at Yunho for a moment, then smiled as if something had occurred to him.

"So, have you recovered your memory? Your name... was Uno, right?"

"Um?"

"Three years ago. When you were found with amnesia."

"That's true, but how do you know?"

He knew him.

"Ah! Don't misunderstand. I didn't dig into your past or spy on you. I just saw you once, the day you were found in the dungeon. I just remembered. I have an exceptional memory."

Russ then asked William.

"Are you trying to strengthen your caravan's mercenary force? This young man must have caught your eye. In that case... I accept. Ah! No payment is needed. Consider it a gift from me, in light of our long friendship. But be satisfied with a single slot. As you know, the Triple Slot Ego Guide is not something given to just anyone."

"I have prepared 100,000 gold. Please, the triple slot for this young man."

Russ's face twisted.

"Tsk! You're not getting the point. It's not about the money. The Triple Slot Ego Guide is a device created to train the tower's guardian knights. It's not leaked to outsiders except in special cases!"

"I want to be one of those special cases."

William placed a wooden box he had brought on the table. Inside was a set of bone china teacups, carefully wrapped to prevent breakage.

"Not possible... huh?"

Russ Naiden was immediately captivated by their beauty.

"Wow!"

He stood up and carefully examined the teacups as if they were works of art. William then took out a Montblanc luxury fountain pen.

Russ Naiden's eyes sparkled.

"Ah!"

He is a man of refined taste. His standards are high. He knew at first glance that these items, whose purpose he couldn't determine, were top-tier and not just anyone could possess.

He took the fountain pen, opened the cap, turned the barrel, and pressed the ink sac...

"Is this a writing instrument?"

"Try it."

Swish, swish, a few strokes were enough to tell.

"A treasure indeed."

"That's right. I'll give it to you as a gift."

"Such..."

Even someone who dislikes bribes would find it hard to refuse such exquisite items. Did he fall for it? It seems so.

But that was a misconception. Russ Naiden is a 7th-class mage, not an easy person to deal with.

He gently placed the teacups and fountain pen on the table, stood up, and said calmly.

"The Triple Slot Ego Guide was the subject of the deal. And these items are probably..."

Whoosh!

Yunho's eyes met Russ Naiden's intense gaze.

"Yours, right? You brought them."

What is this? An attack?

Yunho couldn't move.

'Grr.'

He tried to close his mouth, but resistance was impossible.

"Where did you get them?"

"From, from the dungeon..."

"Dungeon? A place overflowing with cheap items? I haven't heard of anything similar coming out of a dungeon, even after searching the entire continent."

Russ looked at Yunho with a mocking expression.

'You brat!'

But then,

"I believe you. I believe you. It seems to be from a dungeon. In fact, there is a very rare chance that proper items come out. Occasionally, Opus-level items come out, which is why our tower still has an interest in dungeons. But you? Ha! You don't have that ability. What are you really?"

The pressure increased, making his mind hazy. He wanted to tell the truth. Is this magic? It seems so.

'You want to know my true identity? Should I tell you?'

But Yunho resisted. A crazy brat, casting a spell on a first meeting?

"Resistance is futile. Speak the truth. Who are you?"

"I'm, I'm an apprentice mercenary, and I recently recovered my memory..."

"You can't escape. Your identity! How could someone with such mediocre abilities bring such treasures?"

"Me, me... I don't know!"

"You! How dare you! How dare you mock me, Russ Naiden?"

Restless, William stepped in.

"Sir, Sir Branch Head! Calm down."

"Stay out of it, caravan head! This is not your place to interfere! You! Speak the truth! Are you a dragon? Or a black magic practitioner? Did you come to tempt me with these items?"

Yunho's head was spinning. The immense pressure applied to his entire body! So, this is what a mage is like? So what?

"I'll spare you if you tell the truth."

"I, I... damn it, you f***ing..."

Yunho shouted out of frustration.

"Damn it! I, I received a divine message!!!"

"Really?"

Russ Naiden's strange expression.

"Divine message?"

The pressure that had been squeezing Uno's entire body disappeared instantly.

"Right! Are you deaf? It's a divine message. What's the problem?"

An answer he never expected.

"Divine... message, you say."

But he had no choice but to believe. Russ Naiden knew that this young man, Uno, was telling the truth.

'The Eye of Truth.' A spell cast by a 7th-class mage.

"So, it was a divine message."

And the silence that followed.

"Hmm."

Occasionally, Russ's exclamation escaped, but the silence continued. His eyes were fixed on Yunho.

"Hmm."

Yunho didn't avoid Russ's gaze.

Swallow.

William couldn't intervene. He just hoped the long silence would end.

Then, Russ Naiden's sigh broke the silence.

"God, still interested in his creations?"

Russ smiled. What was so amusing?

"An apprentice mercenary who received a divine message... Fine! I'll give it to you. The Triple Slot Ego Guide. Accept it as an apology."

Yunho was dumbfounded.

Are all mages like this? They were making a fuss a moment ago, but now they've changed their stance?

"Then, everyone, this way. We need to go underground."

Yunho followed Russ into the basement of the Sapphire Ant Branch.

During the walk, Russ's muttering continued.

"An Ego Guide, in appearance, is a simple object. A round disc-like thing."

Creak, Russ opened the door leading to the basement.

"To become a special item, it must receive a magical formula. This formula forms the ego. The place we're going to is where the transmission device is located. Think of it as a large artifact."

Finally, Yunho reached the basement.

'Huh?'

What he saw was a huge machine.

A machine with red and blue lamps flashing alternately, complex wiring, and glass tubes as thick as an adult's arm visible through the gaps.

'That...'

He had seen it many times before. In books.

'Could it be a vacuum tube? Then...'

Zzzt! Zzzt!

Familiar machine sounds.

'...A computer?'

What is this? Why is it here? The story is going off the rails?