Ashen Dragon

With the seating of "Venus," the gathering began.

The "Seeker" spoke first:

"Everyone, I believe you all have a considerable understanding of the Magic Web's operation..."

"Spellcasters need to connect to the primordial magic through specific bridges, but these primordial energies..."

Immediately, someone countered.

"No, no, no, it is not like that at all!"

"What about the priest then?"

"Didn't your mentor teach you? Arcane Magic and Divine Magic are different systems."

"I graduated from the Fadlan Court Magic Academy; how could I not understand these things!"

"Hmph, it's laughable."

This group of mages, none of whom had even reached the Tenth Level, discussed everything from the operation of spell prototypes to the essence of the Magic Web, even touching upon deities, until the debate transformed into a contest of backgrounds and experiences.

They argued fiercely, seemingly eager to showcase their knowledge and wisdom to gain the others' recognition at this gathering.

Ms. "Tulip," sitting next to Cassius, didn't understand and merely sneered:

"Show-offs."

However, Ramp, standing behind, couldn't resist quietly using the Text Transmission Spell to say: "Full of errors!"

"These humans are truly like a half-full bottle, wobbling around."

He even used a proverb Cassius had once taught him; if his identity couldn't be exposed, he would have joined the chaotic debate long ago.

"It seems competition among mages is quite fierce." Cassius observed the red-faced mages and mused to himself.

Ms. "Venus" also continually expressed her views, though she remained much calmer, and her opinions were more profound yet less frequent.

"Quite interesting."

As a magician, Cassius relied more on his will and perception to cast spells and wasn't deeply knowledgeable about complex theoretical knowledge. He could only listen quietly, trying to glean some useful information.

Despite the presence of much pretentious boasting, he still felt he had gained a lot.

However, these individuals were not truly profound scholars; after only a morning of debate, they had little left to say and had to move on to the next segment—item exchange.

When this part arrived, Cassius's eyes lit up instantly.

He was not a player type who worked tirelessly day and night only to end up poor; instead, he was the lord of the entire Stormy Ridge.

Every day, kobolds and goblins brought gold from underground mining into his spacious cavern in a steady stream, while players willingly handed over their scarce gold coins to him in exchange for so-called "Divine Gear."

A mage code-named "Gold Digger" first placed a matte black pearl on the table.

"Mana Regeneration Pearl, enabling the holder to cast one additional Fifth Tier spell or lower daily, starting at 200 gold coins."

"210 gold coins."

The mage known as "Grey Hawk" responded with a voice that was indifferent and calm.

After checking the panel to confirm it was a genuine [Rare] item with all descriptions accurate, Cassius declared straightforwardly: "300 gold coins."

"Grey Hawk" glanced at him but remained silent.

A person, who had been silent all along and code-named "Heart Whisperer," pulled a thick, pungent-smelling book from his black robe and placed it on the table, suddenly capturing everyone's attention.

"This book is an heirloom from my ancestors. I don't have the capability to use it, so I don't know its effects. I hope to sell it for a good price here..."

Cassius, watching the book, narrowed his eyes slightly.

He could even feel that Ramp, connected to his bloodline, had a somewhat faster heartbeat.

[**Alchemy Principle**]

Quality: Rare

This faded, hefty book with a pungent smell is a treasured heirloom passed down through the Terfa Family for centuries.

The metallic fittings on the book are made from a solid intermediary substance capable of transmuting between copper, iron, lead, silver, and gold. When discovered, this book contained the following spells: Acceleration Spell, Projection Spell, Petrification Spell, Gaseous Form, Magic-infused Weapon, and Miraculous Craftsmanship. It could be used both as a spellbook and as a magic artifact.

"Good stuff... buy it!"

Preparing for a lavish purchase, though the Red Dragon's greedy nature still pained him a bit.

He shouted the price: "500 gold coins."

For minor nobles, this amount of money was quite substantial, yet for heirs of major families, it was merely a slight discomfort, still easily affordable.

The "Seeker" also unhesitatingly raised the bid: "700 gold coins."

"800 gold coins."

"Grey Hawk" joined in as well: "850 gold coins."

However, Cassius did not hesitate and continued to bid: "1000 gold coins."

"Heart Whisperer" hadn't expected that something dug out from his family's tomb could be worth so much. This nearly equaled an annual income of a baronial territory, with which he could already indulge in lavish pleasures in the prosperous south. This made him visibly excited.

"He's yours, sir."

He hastily said, afraid the other party might regret it.

Cassius unhurriedly handed the book to Ramp, who had transformed into a Steel Golem behind him.

After his aggressive bidding, there was no further movement, only soft murmurs of discussion.

"Where is he from?"

"That was a thousand gold coins..."
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"Is he a duke's offspring, capable of casually offering a thousand gold coins?"

"Probably an heir from a magician family or a merchant from Victoria Port..."

...

The subsequent items were various bizarre and peculiar pieces of magic equipment, quite amusing but somewhat "chicken ribs" to Cassius's eyes.

Thus, he did not bid again but watched with considerable interest.

"Tentacle Scepter: When holding the scepter, three fleshy tentacles can extend from the tip."

"Can these tentacles be controlled?"

"You can control the tentacles to attack targets, but… you cannot control their actions and strength."

"Then forget it, sounds uninteresting."

The seller "Black Rock" inexplicably wiped a cold sweat, and except for the woman with unclear intentions earlier, no one made an offer.

"Black Rock" even specifically glanced at the wealthy Cassius, but the latter merely smiled without speaking.

He looked at "Venus." Was it his imagination, or were her cheeks slightly reddened? Nonetheless, she stayed purposely silent.

Disillusioned, he took away his precious wand, quietly cursing his bad luck.

"Withering Staff: Can inflict a necrosis effect on the target."

"Bat Cape: Grasping the edges of the cape can transform oneself into a bat."

"Floating Horseshoes: Equipping a horse with four of these allows it to hover one foot above the ground."

"Why not just use the Levitation Skill?"

"Mind Whip: In the hands of a Heart Snatching Demon, this weapon can strip a creature's survival will and devour its mind as if tearing off its flesh."

"And in the hands of an ordinary person?"

Someone questioned.

The mage, who had fervently praised the item earlier, immediately fell silent and awkwardly rubbed his nose:

"Like any ordinary whip."