Chapter 43

◈ Chapter 43. It's been a while, Black (3)

For a moment, I savored the tea, checking the emotional content.

Click—

I put down the teacup.

To put it simply, it went like this.

"What a pity."

It seemed that even the Magic Tower had no way to lower the item's level restriction.

[Vampire Baron's Orb]

[Grade: Unique]

[Restriction: Lv.400]

[Effect: High probability of additional damage on attack.]

[Description: An orb filled with a vampire's blood. Whenever it comes into contact with magic, the blood bursts out and damages the target.]

High probability of additional damage on every attack.

I thought it might suit me well.

'Magic allows for creative manifestation.'

For example, imagine breaking a stone into small pieces.

And throwing them at the enemy.

Each small stone would have the additional damage effect applied.

The damage would be more than doubled.

I had the appraisal done to see if I could at least make use of that effect.

'Level 400 is too far away.'

My level is only 226.

'It's a lost cause.'

With that thought, my gaze naturally fell on the postscript.

-[Vampire Baron's Orb] has an effect that is difficult to examine even in the Magic Tower. It is questionable whether this alien effect is related to a demon's magical artifact. Therefore, I request a formal loan of [Vampire Baron's Orb] for research purposes.

"A loan request."

Indeed, demon items were rare.

Moreover, [Vampire Baron's Orb] was of a high level.

I didn't ponder for long.

Scribble—

I immediately began writing on the parchment with a quill.

I would accept the request.

Regardless of the immediate effect, it was just taking up space in my inventory. Besides, the Magic Tower wouldn't just take the item and run.

Moreover,

"Everything has a give and take."

Yes, there is a give and take.

I glanced down at the brooch for no reason.

'...This needs to have something to say.'

If they asked me to return the Hexagram Brooch,

I could perhaps delay by offering the [Vampire Baron's Orb].

Considering the level of magical artifacts in the Magic Tower, they might just forget about it.

'I'll bear the loss, but I'll hold on until level 400. Generously.'

Who knows?

Good research results might benefit me as well.

That baseless hope was brief.

I moved on to the next item.

[Pure Emerald Crystal].

It seemed that, as a material item, it could be crafted to meet my requirements.

Indeed, it was the Magic Tower.

Before crafting,

There was a rough description of what effects it might have.

-Appraisal results confirm the [Life Recovery on Hit] effect.

In the past, when Arcana was a game,

I could understand how the Magic Tower could sweep up players' money.

'To know the effect before crafting!'

It meant that equipment could be crafted appropriately for the effect.

There was a reason players spent a fortune on appraisals.

Still, I was using such a high-end service for free.

'A bit of a rise in status doesn't feel bad.'

Life recovery on hit.

Most importantly, it was a versatile effect.

It didn't discriminate based on class.

'Considering reselling it later...'

It would be better to craft it as an [accessory].

The appraisal results also recommended crafting it as an [accessory].

Most importantly, the level restriction could be adjusted to my level, allowing me to wear it immediately.

"There's no need to hesitate."

I picked up the quill again.

The last item, [Island Treasure, Silk Carp Scales Silk].

I checked the appraisal results I was most curious about.

[Island Treasure, Silk Carp Scales Silk]

[Grade: Unique]

[Restriction: None]

[Effect: When crafted, grants increased fire affinity to the crafted item / grants increased evasion probability / grants aesthetic stat opening effect]

[Description: Silk that cannot be exchanged for a gem of the same weight. Its rarity is such that no one can dare to evaluate its value.]

Most importantly, the question was:

The [aesthetic] stat.

'I couldn't find it even after searching the internet.'

No matter what, the Magic Tower must know, right?

But it was an unexpected result.

"Hmm."

...The Magic Tower doesn't know either?

The parchment clearly stated 'an unknown ability that has not been confirmed.'

True to its nature as a place that explores the unknown and truth,

A postscript was added, just like with the [Vampire Baron's Orb].

It was a polite loan request, whether it mattered or not.

Yes, it would be curious.

The unknown ability.

The [aesthetic] effect must be confirmed to satisfy that curiosity.

But,

"I'm sorry."

This is something I can't give up?

'This is for survival, not research...'

Of course, the lower the level restriction, the lower the absolute performance of the equipment.

But am I in a position to be picky?

No matter what material it is,

If it can help even a little, I need to craft and use it.

And most importantly, Grandfel's aesthetic sense.

"I already have a use in mind."

He had already decided what to make with the silk scales from the beginning. My gaze then fell on the empty jacket pocket.

Swoosh—

I ultimately wrote my reply on the parchment.

──────

[Vampire Baron's Orb] - Loan

[Pure Emerald Crystal] - Accessory Crafting

[Island Treasure, Silk Carp Scales Silk] - Handkerchief Crafting

──────

Handkerchief.

'...I wouldn't have imagined it if I were you.'

A handkerchief.

Still, it was an item that could satisfy both formality and aesthetic sense. If it had a decent effect, that would be even better.

'Well, you won't know until you see it, right?'

The effect of the [aesthetic] stat.

That was not up to me.

All I could do was

Add a few words to the postscript.

-I want the best result, regardless of cost.

Swoosh—

Very much like me.

-I expect the Magic Tower's capabilities.

.

.

.

...Still, something felt off.

Mathis Din Car!

I had forgotten the senior mage's message.

I checked the content belatedly.

Oh dear.

If it were a proof problem like [The Sage's Pastime], at least my mind would be at ease. But this was just a simple request?

-...I'll be waiting in the Floating Garden.

Of course, I didn't know his face, relationship, or purpose.

Broadly speaking, he was a colleague, right?

Strictly speaking, I was a temporary employee, but still.

'Is he still waiting?'

I hadn't even gone to the meeting place, let alone read the message.

'Wait, the Floating Garden...?'

It was a social space in the Magic Tower.

It wasn't hard to find.

There were books in the laboratory that described the structure of the Magic Tower.

Of course, my knowledge of the social space came from there as well.

However,

I didn't move from my seat.

This stubborn nature that values formality and procedure!

It had no flexibility.

Even with a colleague,

If it wasn't a mutually agreed-upon appointment,

Even if he waited for a long time at the meeting place,

There was no reason to meet.

I thought again.

'No matter how I think about it...'

Quitting my job was a stroke of genius!

Refusing to follow the instructions,

Imagining myself yelling at my boss.

Even with silver hair.

'...Just thinking about it is terrifying.'

I felt sorry for Mathis, but it couldn't be helped.

This stubbornness wouldn't budge.

I knew it well from experience.

Refusing interviews,

Telling players to learn manners first.

To put it simply, it was endless, that experience...

-Difficult.

That was it.

Just four characters.

That was my reply.

But immediately, words appeared on the parchment.

-Then, would tomorrow afternoon be fine?

It was a quick reply, as if the rejection didn't matter.

At this point, I was curious about his purpose.

A senior mage, who would surely nitpick about my qualifications.

I picked up the quill.

-That is also difficult.

But he found it difficult