The Frugal Mage

Rayven felt excited as soon as he saw the bulging pouch of gold coins.

It looks so heavy, and Rayven couldn't help but wonder if it could really be casually stored within his coat's inner pocket.

"This is 300 gold coins. It's the price of the Spell Rune I'm supposed to purchase for you. It was called Haste, and its original price should be about 500 gold coins."

'Ohhh… Not bad.' Rayven was quite happy to get this much gold. There was no way he'd be able to earn that easily in normal circumstances.

"I'll use it for my preparations."

After a few moments, Albert then asked Rayven if he was truly serious about this…

"This is dangerous… Even if you pull out now, no one's going to say something. He's more than 10 years already than you."

Rayven gently nodded as he knew that Albert was just concerned about him.

"It's okay, uncle… I'm confident. I just need to make preparations, so I bought myself seven days."

Albert's eyes softened slightly, and he could only accept it. "Rayven… I don't need to remind you. If you lose, it won't just be your pride at stake. Cedric will destroy you to make an example. He's already boasting that you'll crawl out of the stage on your knees."

Rayven coldly smiled after hearing this.

"Then I'll just have to make sure he runs out of breath before I do."

Albert chuckled at this, though he still felt a little worried.

***

Rayven then went to the dining hall to have his meal after leaving Albert's office…

As he ate a similar meal served to all the workers of the Golden Coast Trading, many of them couldn't help but appreciate his presence.

However, Rayven's mind focused on his system as he swiftly deposited a part of his gold coins to increase his savings.

[ 200 Gold Coins deposited. ]

[ Current Balance: 270 Gold Coins ]

He left the remaining 100 in his pouch. It was always better to have some coins on hand for small transactions or during emergencies.

Satisfied, Rayven left the dining hall…

He made his way toward the Thyruz's quarters. Thyruz was off-duty today, and he was seated comfortably near the courtyard… Instead of going to the dining area, he was normally served by servants due to his status as a Third-Class Enchanter.

"You've been busy…" Thyruz muttered as he saw Rayven approaching.

The latter chuckled since it was true... "You're not entirely wrong. I was planning to visit the market today, maybe… look around for something useful."

"Oh? So you didn't forget what I said about observing you…"

"Yes… You can join me. I might also need a bit of your knowledge…"

The old man stroked his beard and nodded. "Fine then, I'll join you. The market can be ruthless for greenhorns, and while you talk like an adult, your body still screams 'fourteen-year-old boy.' You'll draw sharks the moment they smell your inexperience."

Rayven didn't protest. He was well aware of how suspicious he'd look going around alone with a heavy pouch. Besides, Thyruz had decades of experience being an enchanter and also a traveler.

"That's what I'm hoping for…" Rayven said simply.

"Good. Then let's make it worthwhile," Thyruz replied…

Just like that, the two of them left the estate together as they went to the market area.

The first part that they visited was filled with vendors who were already shouting their wares or products. Many of them were necessary household items, and some were house decorations.

Of course, there were also those who sell spices, fabrics, trinkets, scrolls, and others as they all competed for attention.

'I hope my instinct gets triggered…' Rayven prayed silently.

Rayven and Thyruz moved as they went deeper into the market…

With their clean clothes and posture, merchants started calling them out and waved samples of their goods in hopes of drawing them closer.

Rayven's eyes swept from one vendor to the next, but his instincts—the strange, subtle tug that sometimes guided him toward hidden profit—remained frustratingly silent.

Nothing glimmered out of place. No disguised relics. No overlooked treasure buried under junk, even after using 2 Appraisal Skills or spending 2 Gold Coins.

'Tch. Not every day can be lucky, I suppose…' he thought as he started feeling disappointed too.

Now that he reached this point, his thoughts drifted back to the main problem, Cedric. An Adept Mage, older, more experienced, with spells that could easily defeat him if he wasn't careful.

'A frontal clash won't work… Mana Shield, Flameburst Wave, Wind Blades… I'd be roasted before I could even fight. No, I have to be clever. Force him to waste mana, stall for time, then strike when he's vulnerable.'

He wasn't sure about it, but it might be worth a try…

However, Rayven glanced at one stall and had an idea!

The vendor, a plump man, had his products scattered across a stained cloth.

There were sleeping darts in a small wooden crate and even some jars of dubious-looking pills with hand-scribbled labels "Stamina Booster! Guaranteed to keep you… awake all night!"…

As he continued looking at the items being sold, Rayven also noticed that a scented candle was labeled by the vendor, "It could repel feral beasts!"

That was actually quite a decent item whenever he needed to go outside, but he didn't need it just yet.

On the other hand, Rayven slowed as he came up with an idea.

'Sleeping darts… Telekinesis could move one unseen if I were careful. That spell or ability may not look like much, but it may actually work…"

The idea took root quickly.

The thought of dropping Cedric with something so simple, while the man was busy flaunting fire and wind Spells, made Rayven smile.

'Of course… it won't be that easy. An Adept's body might resist the poison, or he might sense the dart before it lands. But if I can time it with Mana Pulse… disrupt his focus for even two seconds…'

The pieces began to fall into place in his mind…