Chapter 53: Chapter 53
"Wow, this is what they mean by don’t judge a book by its cover," Mart thought as he looked at the goods and potions they were selling, some several coins cheaper and of higher quality, "if I didn’t think they might be adulterated, I’d be regretting it," Mart thought as he considered that he could have saved a little over 100 gold coins. Mart looked at everything for several minutes, then feigned disappointment and said to Selis and Asfil in a mock pedantic tone:
-Girls, follow me!
Both Asfil and Selis had to restrain the urge to laugh, it seemed so fake to them because they were used to the relaxed and sometimes cordial attitude with which the Mart they knew treated the people he appreciated.
They went up to the second floor, and there were third and fourth level products, Mart saw the potions and the demonic potion that restored demonic energy was at 60 gold coins.
"Oh, this is for real; now it pains me to think that they may be adulterated," without realizing it Mart showed real disappointment, which attracted the attention of a white haired demon with wrinkles on his face that had dark gray goat horns on the sides of his head, the demon was wearing a black colored wizard robe with gold trim.
-May I know what you want, young Sevec?
"Mother of mine, do you know who I am or did Selenia tell you?" thought Mart but he acted haughtily as he said:
-A few friends told me that they sell a product here with which I will be able to excel during training. But apparently those bastards lied to me.
- Now I have an idea of what you need, if you wish you can follow me. -He indicated the demon in charge of the store, whose voice had a sinister air.
Arriving at the third floor, all the products and potions were fifth level, Mart couldn’t help but think as he saw the quality of the potions, "They have a great alchemist these conspirators."
-This way. -The demon in charge pointed to a private section and upon entering they saw a counter whose structure was made of silver and on which there were black pills lying on small white cushions, each pill had a price according to its quality.
-These pills will gradually improve their abilities, especially those skills in which they excel the most. The higher the level of the pill the greater their efficiency.
Mart looked at the prices:
-Dark Shadow Pill, Level 1 (10 gold coins).
-Dark shadow pill, Level 2 (100 gold coins)
-Dark shadow pill, Level 3 (1000 gold coins)
-Dark Shadow Pill, Level 4 (10 000 gold coins)
-Dark Shadow Pill, Level 5 (1 000 000 gold coins)
"This is not a robbery; I thought I had enough money. System, how much is the efficiency of each pill?
[Level 1 Pill ( +0, 001 chosen attribute)]
[Level 2 pill ( +0, 022 chosen attribute)]
[Level 3 pill ( +0, 291 chosen attribute)]]
[Level 4 Pill ( +3, 89 chosen attribute)]
[Level 5 pill ( +40, 10 chosen attribute)]]
"Yes, this is a scam; only level 4 and level 5 pills are worth it, and they are outlandishly expensive, or am I just miserably poor; well, if I consider the reality, a level 4 and 5 pill must be a danger to any demon," Mart looked at the attendant who was watching him carefully and asked arrogantly:
-do you have any pills on the sixth level?
-No, young Sevec, our alchemist has not achieved such an accomplishment.
"Mmm, come to think of it those abominable beings that attacked the prodigies were only level 5, I don’t think it’s a coincidence," Mart looked thoughtful and after a few seconds he said:
-Give me three level 2 pills, we’ll test their efficiency and then I’ll come back if I’m satisfied. -Mart said.
-As you wish. -Expressed the manager and placed the three pills in nice wooden boxes and handed them to him after Mart gave between internal moans, three hundred gold coins.
"System can you detect the manager’s rank?" asked Mart as he walked away from the manager.
[Host’s power is insufficient]
After seeing that notification Mart pushed away the idea of spending the night in a hotel and paid for another magic vehicle that charged them 5 gold coins which Mart did not bargain for.
"Glory and Ruin, was the name of the book Emy recommended, I think it was accurate; wouldn’t it be better to let it all fall and found a new country; well, if I didn’t have the reputation I have, maybe. I have to write down what I saw today and see if I can get something out of it," Mart was completely frustrated, after going to the herbalist store.
The vehicle left them in front of the academy, Mart said goodbye to Asfil and Selis and headed to his room, where he soon began to write down in his notebook everything he saw in and around the herbalist store.
••••
The night had arrived and Mart found himself throwing the pills in the air, and fixing them.
-Don’t take that, it will hurt you. -Said a female voice with a cold and captivating tone.
- I didn’t warn you before not to come near me, what choice did you make?
"Tell me you chose me; so I can get the information I need," Mart sat on the edge of the bed and put the pills away in his magic bag.
Mart jumped toward the window and Selenia tried to dodge him but he stepped outside her room and headed toward the outdoor training grounds. Soon after she followed him.
-Let’s fight each other, so you can ease your pain. Mart, who had already deployed 10 spiral-tipped blades, said.
Bang!
One of the blades exploded upon impacting a magical barrier of the ideal size just to stop the attack.
Bang! Bang!
Two more barriers appeared, seeming to appear spontaneously just to protect Selenia, just like the slashing magic that hurt Mart the times he laid a hand on her.
-What are you doing? Have you gone crazy? -Selenia exclaimed pretending a cool attitude, but she seemed to be getting nervous.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three blades were fired one after the other and the third one was close to reach Selenia, but a last barrier got in the way.
-I won’t hold back! I don’t think you can resist 4 blades in chain. -Mart expressed confidently.
[Proud trait activated: all attributes will increase by +20 (as long as you keep bragging)].
-What do you want Mart? -Selenia asked.
"Information; I won’t deny that I like you and you’re beautiful; but information, for now," thought Mart at the moment she exclaimed:
-I love you, I told you before; but you come closer, and you go away treating me with contempt; don’t you do to me, what he did to you? -said Mart.
-I don’t understand you. Stop making fun of me! -exclaimed Selenia and hundreds of cutting blasts lashed Mart’s body, who did not defend himself.
Mart fell to his knees covered in wounds and blood on the ground. Selenia ran and took him in her arms and he said to her:
-You think I’m lying now; it drives me crazy the memories where you were so happy, and that I can only witness your frustration.
[High level charlatan: special reward.]
"Damn this hurts," Mart thought as he struggled to stay conscious.
-So why did you make me suffer so much? -Selenia asked, pain in her eyes.
"Damn, it actually frustrates me to see her like this," Mart sighed and told her:
-Selenia, I’m not the Mart you loved; whatever it is, I only have his memories, I don’t even feel like him. You can stay by my side or go on your way, you can watch me, you will realize that there is little of that Mart left, or practically nothing.
-Mart, or whatever you say you are, there’s no turning back for me now. -Selenia said with pain.
-This is why. -Mart took out the pill.
-It’s because of that; that’s a road of no return. -She said.
-Does Director Pesec know? -Mart asked.
-No, or so I think, if he knew, I doubt he would have let me into the academy. -She answered, shedding tears on Mart’s face.
-I thought he was the one who cursed me. -Mart added, his breath coming in gasps.
-He wouldn’t do that to a student, it was.....
"Who was it?" thought Mart, who was slipping into unconsciousness, but he struggled to pull out a vial of his blood and used what little strength he had left to say:
-Drink it, it’s the miracle you need?