Bab 47: A Day Off in Ionia

It was an early morning, I was still trying to regain myself since I'd been asleep since returning from Lumera sixteen hours ago. A yawn followed as water pooled out of my eyes slowly. A sign of fatigue.

"Come on!" almost immediately Hermoine gripped my left wrist and forcibly ran forward dragging me along with her. I could barely keep up as my legs were a bit weak.

As usual, Gallus was with us. We were on the verge of exiting the Nedveded Region and making our way to the capital city: Ionia.

"Hermoine I know you're excited but still, take it easy... I'm still a bit tired from yesterday." a day I'd like to forget and remember.

She hadn't loosened her grip yet, nor did she leave my wrist. So I just walked uncomfortably from behind. I wasn't complaining, it was delightful that she was so enthusiastic about our outing.

"I know alright! I'm not inconsiderate Nyxie.." not one bit. If she was then there's no way she'd have fought so valiantly for me after my catastrophic discourse with Lync.

Gallus stayed behind us. It was advisable that Knights protecting members of a particular nobility should stay behind where they could act as rearguards.

"Oh... and Hermoine...?" I called her name.

The pink haired girl stopped to face me, she'd release her grip on my wrist "Yeah?" she replied.

"It's nothing important, I just wanted to let you know that you look absolutely gorgeous in that attire of yours.." after all, they do say flattery will get you everywhere. So why not compliment her now.

Hermoine was attired in a black short dress, which was adorned with white lining on the bottom and red ribbons on the bottom

Additionally, she had draped over her shoulders a red short robe that boasted white trimmings. It is without a doubt that she was a beauty. The ensemble had the sophistication and elegance that is expected of a lady of her stature.

"Um.. well, thank you.." she seemed flustered, her face had turned a light shade of red. Her eyes averted my gaze, "You also li.." she didn't finish her sentence, instead she clicked her tongue and folded her arms, "Let's get going.." her attitude changed all of a sudden.

"Hm?" she wanted to say something, but chose not to. This piqued my interest but there was no use digging trying to address it. Hermoine is what you'd call eccentric, but it was amusing still.

I gazed at Gallus, my bewildered expression attempting to convey my incredulity at the recent events. Alas, even he was at a loss for words, as evidenced by his nonchalant shrug.

From my understanding, Ionia is supposedly the largest city in Elgard. Big whoop. The outer walls might be considered "gorgeous" by some, but let's be real, it's just a city like any other.

And don't even get me started on the fact that I have to constantly remind myself that I'm in a different continent. It's enough to make anyone feel sick to their stomach.

The market was filled with numerous choices, there were magical items, literature, fruits and potions. It all depended on what we wanted to buy.

The people in this place seemed to be thriving, indulging in public displays of eating and drinking and socializing as if they had no sense of propriety. Their boisterous laughter and excessive enthusiasm only served to create an atmosphere of warmth in the entire city.

The market area, which they called "Germania," was particularly notorious for its raucous energy, which was in stark contrast to the rest of the city, where the haughty nobles roamed.

I'd parted ways with Gallus and Hermoine. Mostly because I was engrossed by the high grade magical items they had on display, and to be honest, I wanted one of them.

All I had on me were 5 silver pieces, it wouldn't be able to afford Tier B magical staffs or higher.

According to Hermoine, magical staffs have great magic amplification traits. In other words, it bolsters the mana capacity of the user and helps give a magic spell better power and accuracy. Something I'd noticed from her staff [Lumino Dilhevia] it made me jealous she had one so cool.

"Psst! Young man, come on over!" one of the merchants called to me. It was one across from the display case of magic items I gazed upon.

"You mean me?" I pointed at myself. I was unsure if I'd been the one he was calling and yet I was sure it was me. Contradictive yes, but it happens to the best of us.

It only took some short steps to arrive at his shop. The set-up was pretty simple, but he made good money from his sales.

"You look like you love magic kid, am I right?" he asked me the moment I'd stood in front of him with a mild-mannered expression.

It was natural for merchants to act like they knew exactly what the buyers wanted. He obviously saw me admiring magic items and now he's acting like he didn't, just so I can be impressed. Merely a tactic used by traders to attract customers.

"Wow, I do love magic... how'd you know?!" I decided to play along.

The excitement on his face when he heard me say this. Immediately he ducked under his wooden counter and brought out something wrapped in a thick sheet of clothing. In addition, it was firmly fastened by tight bands.

"This'll be perfect for you my good man.." he allowed me the privilege of opening it, sliding it across the horizontal upper surface of the counter.

Much obliged, I grabbed the magical staff and decided why not open it and see its properties. Just by looking at it I could tell it was a staff but what element I was unaware of. Only looking at the side, I could tell that it's length was roughly 130 centimeters, unsurprisingly taller than me.

The moment I unwrapped the weapon, behold, my first love.

The [Deus Argis] its material was made from a rough and bony wood that came from a tree called "Ancient Blunfin" that grew in the large forest of the Southern region of the Nelkan Continent.

The tip of the staff was adorned with a large magical stone that was the size of a soccer ball. The maker was from the Cross kingdom palace's Magic team, a wand-maker called Galith Reisenberg. A wand's Tier was determined by the wood and the manastone, both of which were Tier A materials.

My eyes sparkled as I'd held it in my hands, I didn't even want to let go.

"So how much do you want for it kid... sure you won't be able to use it now, but when you grow to become a fine Mage..."

The man did have a point. But what surprised me more was that he'd let me call my price, "Really? You're not gonna put a price for something this valuable?" it was very fishy.

The merchant nodded in response, still wearing a smile.

Who was I not to take up this opportunity? "I'll have it for nine gold pieces, how about that?!" I was unable to let go of the staff at the time, just holding it made my body vibrate with excitement.

It was a bit concerning, the merchant was silent for an uncomfortable period of time.

"Too small?" I awkwardly asked.

Forthwith, he had an instant outburst "Too small?! It's microscopic!" he barked out, "That mana stone costs about one hundred gold pieces! And you want me to sell the staff to you for nine?!" he attempted to grab the staff from my hand.

Unbeknownst, my grip was still tightly fixed to it. I couldn't let go so easily, this was a Tier A magic item just the same as the one Hermoine used. "You were the one who said I could name my price!" it was hard to talk while we were in a tug of war via the staff.

Continually pulling it back and forth; to opposite ends. Seemingly, we preferred to argued rather than to make a proper deal like two civilized individuals.

From behind Hermoine rested upon my shoulders, her sudden appearance made me lose grip of the staff. "What're you doing here Nyx, we've been looking for you everywhere!"

"Hah! I win!" the merchant waved the staff back and forth, his own way of celebrating.

When there is a Victor there is always the Vanquished, I cried out "Come on sir! Give it to me for ten gold pieces?! That's all I have!" I was somewhat causing a scene at the time. But for a staff like that, it was worth it.

"Wait, isn't that the Deus Argis, where'd a trader like you get it..?" she was excited and suspicious of the merchant at the same time, looking at the staff and how big the mana stone was amazed her. I'd come to learn she treated magic with the utmost reverence.

"For your information, I'll have you know Reisenberg happens to be a friend of mine.." the trader mentioned. He didn't appreciate Hermoine looking at him like he couldn't have something so valuable in his market.

According to what he said, Galith Reisenberg made the magic staff for him in order for him to sell and also jump-start his slowly failing business. Maybe that's why he was so desperate for me to name my price. But something as low as nine or ten gold pieces would only buy so few things to restock his market.

"But Nyx..." Hermoine uttered. She didn't look at me directly, rather she whispered into my ears. "If there's something you want, I can buy it for you." as expected, she'd be this supportive.

Naturally, she could. Being the daughter of the Wymarc House did come with its perks. I could equally afford it had I told my mother but I decided to turn down both alternatives for the sake of altruism, "That's a kind gesture, but do you actually have that amount of money?"

She wore her hands upon her waist, "I'll get father to buy it for me.."

I thought as much. I shouldn't endorse that, but I do want the staff, I really want the staff. Unfortunately, "Thanks but no.." it pained me to have had to say such.

"But why not?!" she cried out, I noticed she always wanted to help me in whichever way she could.

"Yeah why not?!" even the merchant complained, this was a chance for him to make 120 gold pieces at minimum. He wore a face of anger and frustration, it even made me uncomfortable.

"It wouldn't feel right if you spent that much of your parent's money.." I gently pushed her face away, "...and besides, I could always get another weapon it's not obligatory I get this one." even if the staff had indubitably become my first love.

The silent Gallus finally relayed his thoughts, "Sir, if you might permit me to speak... why not make a sword? You're certainly skilled in the basics of using a sword.." he went back to being undemonstrative soon after.

Rather than giving me an alternative, Gallus actually reminded me of something.