Chapter 96: Shade Merchant Company
"Oh, it seems you don't really like to stay here as a contracted mage," Charles asked in a surprised tone.
A bitter smile crept on Rebecca's charming face as she shook her head and remained silent.
In the meantime, Charles also nodded his head in understanding and asked about study fees.
"We usually collect fees once a year and it should be around 400 to 500 gold coins for a first-year student. If she plans to stay in the Tower hostel, the fees will increase above 800 gold coins."
'Too expensive.' A frown appeared on his face.
'Well, it can't be helped.' He let out a deep sigh and said.
"She will be a day scholar then." He paused for a moment and soon asked.
"I'm also planning to work as a teacher during my free time. Can I get a job here?"
"Which department are you specialized in?" She asked in interest.
'Departments? Mr. Runeth, do you know anything?' Charles was totally clueless about such a thing, so he instantly asked the Holem's Crown.
'Tell her that you know Ritual Creation, Divination, History of Elements and its link with the Universe, Void Secrets, and Inspection.' The Holem's Crown spoke in a casual tone.
'You sure know a lot. Moreover, you knew Divination?' Charles was startled inside.
'No, but you will have an easy time perceiving the futures if you concentrate on learning through Stars. It's the same as Fate Vision skill.' The Holem's Crown stopped for a moment and soon added.
'I will tell you how to study the futures by comprehending the secrets behind the constellations.'
Meanwhile, Charles grumbled inwardly and soon spoke with a nod.
"I'm good at creating ritual circles and Inspect materials." Although the Holem's Crown told him that he could also see future visions, he knew nothing about the constellations and thought of skipping that department. Moreover, he felt that studying the constellations and telling one's future through it might not be a simple task for him in the current situation.
'It might take years for me to learn about this strange astrology.' He thought.
On the other hand, Rebecca thought for a moment and soon said with a hesitant look on her face.
"It is possible to get a job in those two departments, Mr. Oswald. But I need to get permission from Head Administrator." She deliberated for a moment and soon added with a smile,
"I will go and discuss your job with the Head later and let you know if there is any job available."
Charles breathed out a sigh of relief and nodded. After that, Rebecca brought them back to the first layer and told them more information about other departments.
Then, she told him to bring Rhea for official registration tomorrow and even gave an official badge for her.
"Keep it with you all the time. If you end up in any troublesome situation, press the red crystal in the center of this badge thrice and guards or mages will come for your rescue." She paused for a moment as she turned her gaze towards Charles and said with a polite tone.
"I will also tell the Head Administrator about your request, Mr. Oswald."
Charles wasn't bothered too much about it because he knew that Rank-3 mages were very rare in this Tower, and the possibility of them rejecting his request was almost none. That would only happen if a specific person noticed an anomaly in the 'Fate,' but Charles already found a way to counter it.
After asking few more questions, Charles bid farewell to the silver-haired woman and brought the kids out of the magic tower.
Once they walked out of the Mystics Borough, the guards at the entrance gate apologized for their earlier mistakes and even returned the badge to Jessie.
On the other hand, Charles silently waved his hand and moved towards their next destination.
The group made a few turns and soon reached a street called Shady Street in South Borough.
'Hmm, Black market…' Charles's gaze swept across the nearby buildings and soon landed on an old three-storied building located on the furthest corner of Shady Street.
Nodding his head, he swiftly took out the black gem from his hand and asked,
"Who is good at bargaining?"
All the kids glanced at each other and soon pointed their fingers towards Jessie.
"Good," Charles smiled as he tossed the gem towards her and added.
"Selling this Rank-3 [Phantom Stringer] Class Gem is forbidden in the Moon Kingdom, but they are very rare and countless peoples would fight for it. Use your skill and sell this for a better price. And, you can't sell it for less than 1,300 gold coins."
In the meantime, Jessie caught the gem and asked in curiosity.
"Why it is forbidden to sell here, Teacher?"
"Well, I got this gem by killing a demon-worshipping member. So, of course, these kinds of things are forbidden to sell in the open. That's why I'm asking you to sell this gem at the black market. If you manage to sell it for 1,500 gold coins or above, I will get you a [Learner] class gem." He said with a smile.
In truth, he planned on letting them walk on the path of mystics and use their skills for his next plan. But he knew that if he gives them too much without expecting much in return, they would feel suspicious. Although a Rank-1 class gem would only come around 100 gold coins, it was still a large amount in the kids' eyes.
Jessie nodded her head with a serious expression on her face as she heard his words and took a step forward towards the three-storied building.
At that time, Noel suddenly felt that he also needed to achieve something if he wants to get his own class gem in return and asked in excitement.
"Teacher, what should I need to do to become a Mystic?"
A chuckle escaped from Charles's mouth as he stepped on the earthen road and said in amusement.
"You already have a 'Genius' level sword affinity and if I didn't give you a class gem, it will be like wasting your potential. I will give you a [Blade Wielder] class gem in advance, but you have to show your worth to me in 2 months."
"Show my worth?" Noel's ear perked up as he heard his words.
"Yes. Once you become a [Blade Wielder] class Mystic, your first mission is to go to the Tower of Elements and become a tower guard within the next two months. If you don't achieve that, I will strike you off. Losers don't have the qualifications to become my disciple." Charles said in a sharp tone, causing the kids to clench their fists subconsciously.
After a long silence, Noel finally took a deep breath and said.
"I will not disappoint you, Teacher."
"Good." Charles nodded and soon saw that they had already arrived in front of the three-storied building.
'It's a branch of Shade Merchant Company.' He muttered inwardly and soon entered.
They walked past some customers and soon arrived at the main hall.
Candles lit all over the corners while the chandelier hung up in the ceiling and illuminated the grand hall like daylight. Multiple glass boxes were placed on the tables along with the materials locked inside, and ladies in black uniforms stood there with a polite smile on their faces.
Meanwhile, tens of customers, including mages in different colored robes and other mystics, stood everywhere, and some even argued with the staff over the prices.
With a single look, anyone could tell that the materials placed in the boxes were for sale. Charles's gaze swept past those goods and soon landed on the other end of the hall. There, he finally saw the seller's way and stepped forward.
