The reason why the value of the enhanced 'Magic Shield' was so great is simple. First, it has the effects of a Low-grade Rank 2 Rune. Still, it only needs the energy from a typical Rank 1 being to be activated, without causing any problems or diminishing their reserve to a dangerous level. Second, despite the other two runes having effects over their limits, not everyone needs a higher sensor or to mark an enemy. Still, no one wouldn't need a powerful barrier that could save their lives.
The old man begins to assess all the runes left and realize that there was a progressive advancement in the quality of the work. There were only a few of the runes that could display a performance beyond their theoretical limits. He took this as a display of the talent and hard work of Zatiel through the years.
The old man's guess was technically right. Zatiel was indeed talented and used the millennia of years of knowledge as a runemaster in his previous life to reach this level in such a little time.
"I haven't introduced myself, my name is Tritus Fonder, Vice-Head of the Empire Commercial Association. May I know your age, and how long have you been a runemaster?" Tritus could feel a great vitality in Zatiel, meaning he wasn't very old. Still, the term could be relative. After all, Heinz was also considered someone young, and his body was full of life, but he has lived hundreds of years.
"I am less than thirty years old, as for my time as a runemaster, it's been almost ten years since I inscribed my first rune."
Zatiel didn't feel the need to lie; after all, the identity of a genius will be helpful. For greed, anyone who knows the most essential thing about runes will be able to tell that the reason for their performance was just excellent work and nothing more.
Tritus suspected that Zatiel was very young. But hearing that he was not even half a century greatly surprised him since he felt the high power on his body.
That, together with the fact that he had trained as a runemaster for less than a decade, was enough to shock him.
'This person is an absolute genius in all aspects. There have been cases of talented runemaster that, due to the low amount of energy, cannot advance with their skills on inscriptions because of their Rank. But this will not be the problem here,' The old man put a thoughtful expression as he evaluates some things.
As for the chance of lying, no Rank 1 being will do something so stupid, that can be found out with ease through the record from the Tower, so Tritus trusted Zatiel words.
As the old man deliberated, Nein was looking at Zatiel as if he was a monster. He has lived for hundreds of years, but his skills as a runemaster are inferior to the young man in front of him. In these cases, most individuals would feel envy and anger against those more skilled than them.
But Magi are rational beings and becoming an enemy of someone just because he is better than you was stupid. So besides shock, there was only praise in the middle-aged man's mind.
"It has been a long time since I saw someone so talented and young, I wonder if you would like to join the association as an internal runemaster?"
By the aptitudes that Zatiel was showing, Tritus was sure that he would become a Rank 2 Runemaster in the future. If he continues improving himself, Rank 3 was possible, and having someone like that working under him would be extremely rewarding and helpful for his advancement.
Although Zatiel's expression was respectful to the old man, his proposal's absence of interest was evident. Still, Tritus was not someone who would give up so easily.
"Before you answer, let me tell you. If you join the association, we will give you all the materials and diagrams you need to practice your skill as a runemaster for free. Also, you will get 100% of the revenue your runes get on the market. Besides, we will also proportionate whatever resources you need for your ascension in the Ranks. Of course, there will be conditions and some tasks you need to realize, but I promise that it will be nothing compared to what you will get."
The proposition that Tritus was offering was something anyone would want. Practically they give you all the things you need to enhance your abilities as runemaster and your power. Also, you will get a background that will protect you and ensure your safety.
Despite all that, Zatiel wasn't interested. Even though the deal sounds impressive, it will surely connect him to the Empire. Thus making him a center of attention of influential individuals due to his consistently extraordinary skills and will restrict his actions.
Of course, he could be with them for the time being and leave them in the future, but he was sure that those connections would not break so easily, as no one would let a genius escape his grasp.
"I thank Lord for his compliment and greatly appreciate his offer. But I don't have the desire to join any type of power for the time being, and would like to remain a simple member of the Empire."
Zatiel's words were simple but also hinted that it was not just with the Empire that he didn't want to create a connection, but any organization.
"I see, although it is disappointing, I will not press the subject since you strike me as someone who doesn't change his mind easily. Since we're not going to be part of the same organization, I hope that we can create a profitable business relationship."
Although it was not what he wanted, having a connection with a genius was always helpful, so the attitude of Tritus was amicable.
"You have handed 65 runes, divided into three different types, with two groups of 25 of 'Ecolocalization' and 'Hunter's Mark', and a group of 15 of 'Magic Shield'. Runes that have an effect close to their theoretical power or not too great of a difference will be sold with a market value according to their ranks. As for those runes that perform over their limits, for the first two, they will be sold at 1.5 their original price, and the last will be sold at 2.5. Usually, the commission we charge for allowing an external individual to use our commercial channels is 15%."
When he reached this part, Tritus saw that Heinz signaled with his eyes and the old man nodded
"But this time, we will charge just 8% since you are a member of his Highness group."
After hearing this, Zatiel saw Heinz and gave a small bow, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Heinz only nodded and signaled for Tritus to continue.
"To all runemaster that wish to generate business transactions with the Empire, there is a clause in the contract that allows us to commission them to create a rune of our election, two times a year. The difficulty for the rune will be according to your Rank as a runemaster. We will provide the diagram and three sets of materials. If, after those three sets, you still haven't created the rune, you will have to use your money until you manage to do it. There are the main conditions of the contract, do you have a problem with any of them?"
Tritus' expertise in this field was evident as he explained all the aspects of the contract with clarity.
"I have none, but can 50% of the revenue be transformed into high energy food instead of magic crystals?"
Although Zatiel could buy the carcasses directly from the Tower, the amount of Rank 1 creatures in here was limited. It will be more practical getting them from the Empire right away.
This type of request was not uncommon as most individuals do not really need magic crystals, and what they want is resources for experiments or to be used in their path techniques. Tritus nodded without much thought, taking a contract from his ring and making some alterations before handing it to Zatiel
"Here is the contract, there are a large number of clauses that include all types of situations. I have changed the part of the revenue to be divided into high energy food and magic crystal equally. Feel free to revise it."
Zatiel took the contract and began reading it. All the points Tritus mentioned were there, and in essence, it says that he will create a purely business transaction with the Empire. This will bring no help whatsoever to him, besides selling his runes. But thanks to that, he will be able to break that relation whenever he wants, without repercussion of any kind.
After signing it, he returned it to the old man who took two crystals, with one he scanned the contract and the other handed it to Zatiel.
"With this crystal, you will be able to see when your runes are sold and how much stock of them remains on the market. Also, it will allow you to contact us to deliver more runes. If 75% of your runes have not been sold yet, we can refuse to take more from you, and when at least 30% is sold, you can request your payment. That is all, do you have any questions?"
"No, thank you for your help," Zatiel gave a small bow to the two. Before they were acting with arrogance, but now since they were showing him respect, he would reciprocate.
"There is no need for our young friend to thank us, it is our job. Your Highness we have been here a long time already, we must leave,"
Tritus and Nein say their farewell to Zatiel and Heinz, before the last created a portal in which they disappeared.
Now that they were alone, Heinz's attitude changed to a more relaxed one as he came to Zatiel and patted him on the shoulder as he laughed.
"I knew my brother was talented, but not to the level that you could make those two forget the fact that you made them wait seven days. You never cease to amaze me."
The reason why Heinz was acting differently before, was because letting others know that he has some type of relation with Zatiel was fine, as he could just say he was his subordinate. Still, if he shows a genuine connection, it will be dangerous, as the inner schemes from the Empire were always present. The cultivator was not someone so naive to let others find out his soft spots.
"There are very few things in the universe that with the right knowledge, and the power to apply can't be done. Anyway, since I am here, should we practice?" Zatiel was happy to finish with this. It will allow him to focus his mind on enhancing his power and not bother with resources and feel in the mood for some training.
"Hahaha, you don't have to ask me twice."
