Abe the Wizard

Chapter 5 Edmund Auction House

For the perfection of the ruby, Abel had a clear understanding. The Heradric cube was considered a divine artifact, and anything synthesized from it would naturally be flawless. In the same category, it could only be the most perfect. The value reaching 300 gold coins came as a surprise to Abel; the 100-fold difference from 3 gold coins to 300 gold coins made him realize the preciousness of the Heradric cube even more. If people were to find out about such a treasure, it would be a disaster.

This was already the safest shop in Liberty Town, and the price offered was satisfactory to Abel. He took out the last ruby from the bag and handed it to Ivette, shaking the bag to indicate that it was now empty, and said to her, "I have one more identical ruby. The price can be as you said."

Ivette took the second ruby, examined it, and couldn't help but praise it with the unique singing tone of the nobility, "A fiery and passionate gemstone, both equally perfect."

"I need some knight training drugs. Do you have any recommendations?"

Just like Abel's elder brother Zach, who used drugs every month, it was a magical potion made by an alchemist. It could enhance the formation of Qi during practice. The drug was called "Qi Condensing Potion," but no one explained more to him because his level was too low.

"Edmund Auction House can offer you the primary 'Qi Condensing Potion' at a price of 10 gold coins per bottle." Ivette paused, smiled charmingly, took a sip of coffee from the table, and continued, "I won't hide it from you, the primary 'Qi Condensing Potion' contains a lot of impurities. Regular use can cause harm, and generally, after using it for a month, one must rest for a month to allow the body to recover."

"What about the effectiveness of the primary 'Qi Condensing Potion'?" This was what Abel was most concerned about, so he asked.

"The best way to use it is to take 5 bottles every month for training. The effect of these 5 bottles can make the training in one month equivalent to two months of training, followed by a one-month interval before taking another 5 bottles." Ivette was very clear about the effects of the auction house's products. She could see that the young man in front of her was completely clueless about this.

"If there are primary 'Qi Condensing Potions,' are there higher-level ones?"

"Of course, the intermediate 'Qi Condensing Potion' requires taking 5 bottles every month with a half-month interval before taking them again. The effect of 5 bottles is equivalent to four months of training. The advanced 'Qi Condensing Potion' requires taking 3 bottles every month without stopping, and the training for each month is equivalent to five months of training."

Seeing the young man in front of her staring wide-eyed, Ivette couldn't help but laugh and say, "We currently only have intermediate 'Qi Condensing Potion' at the auction house, priced at 50 gold coins per bottle. The advanced 'Qi Condensing Potion' is only available at the main store."

Abel knew that the purchasing power here was limited, so he didn't bother asking about the price of the advanced 'Qi Condensing Potion. It must be frighteningly expensive. There weren't many wealthy people in Liberty Town who could afford the intermediate 'Qi Condensing Potion.

Ivette hesitated for a moment, seeming to have a good impression of the young man in front of her, so she leaned closer to Abel and said gently, "According to the alchemy master at the auction house's headquarters, if a squire uses 'Qi Condensing Potion' for training, the more they use, the harder it is to become a formal knight. Because regardless of whether it's the primary, intermediate, or advanced 'Qi Condensing Potion,' the residual drugs will accumulate in the body after use. The more you use, the more residual drugs there will be. When attempting to advance to a formal knight, these residual drugs will hinder the success rate."

Abel felt the kindness of Ivette, and for the first time in their interaction, she was able to tell him such important information. This made him extremely grateful, and he couldn't help but speak with respect, "Miss Ivette, thank you for your reminder. This is very important to me. Are there any potions without such risks?"

"Of course, that would be the master-level 'Qi Condensing Potion' created by the alchemy master's inspiration. The production of this potion is not guaranteed. It is said that a master can produce around ten bottles of master-level 'Qi Condensing Potion' each year. Furthermore, these potions do not appear in the public market; they are directly given to the master's relatives and friends, or bought by major aristocrats and the royal family. Our Edmund Auction House's alchemy master will bring out around five bottles for auction every year, and each bottle is priced at over 1000 gold coins. A single bottle of master-level 'Qi Condensing Potion' can save a squire one year of training time." Ivette's tone revealed both envy and pride as she answered.

If it weren't for the Heradric cube, even if Abel's training speed was slower, he wouldn't have bought the 'Qi Condensing Potion.' Based on his previous training, it had already been shown that Abel's knight aptitude was not poor. Compared to his father and elder brother, he could definitely be considered a genius. At only 12 years old, although his body resembled that of a European on Earth, he was still very young, with enough time to train. Becoming a formal knight was just a matter of time.

But now, after hearing Ivette's introduction to the master-level 'Qi Condensing Potion,' Abel's heart stirred. Each bottle could save one year of training time, without any negative effects. This was really too perfect. It was just some gold coins, right? These gold coins were also easy to come by. Let's give it a try. With a determined mind, Abel raised his head and said, "Give me 54 bottles of primary 'Qi Condensing Potion.' Will the remaining money be enough to buy a hand crossbow?"

Having experienced the dangers on the way here, Abel had already realized the dangers of this world. Even walking on the main road, one could be attacked by fierce beasts. The Shadow Panther had been killed by him, which was partly due to his calm and composed nature, but luck also played a part. He couldn't rely on luck every time, and equipment was also important.

After buying the potions, he didn't dare to buy the greatsword and armor even if he had the money. He still didn't have the ability to protect his secrets. The hand crossbow was a good choice, just like the dagger his elder brother Zach gave him, both were weapons that could be easily concealed—dagger for close combat, hand crossbow for ranged combat.

"How about this hand crossbow made by dwarves?" Ivette went out and brought back the primary 'Qi Condensing Potion' and a dull gray hand crossbow, placing it on the table in front of Abel.

Picking up the hand crossbow, it wasn't heavy; it weighed only 2 pounds. Whether it was the crossbow arm or the handle, even the bowstring was gray. It looked very inconspicuous, with some unsightly pits on the handle. Abel looked up at Ivette with a puzzled expression.

"This hand crossbow is second-hand. The gemstones on it have been removed, leaving only the hand crossbow to be sold to me." Ivette pursed her lips and smiled lightly, then continued, "A hand crossbow made by dwarves, brand new, costs at least 500 gold coins or more. This hand crossbow can be considered a fine piece made by dwarves, but it was only abandoned because the gemstones were removed, and the color is not popular, which is why it has been left until now."

"I'll take it." Abel could see that Ivette had been very kind to him, although he didn't know the reason. Based on his experience as a person from two different worlds, this woman wouldn't deceive him.

"Be careful with the use of these potions, you're still young." Ivette neatly arranged the 54 bottles of primary 'Qi Condensing Potion' into a box and handed it to Abel, reminding him once more in a soft voice. Then she also handed him several arrows specifically for the hand crossbow.

"Thank you, Miss Ivette. I will be careful." Abel's serious attitude made Ivette understand that he had taken her reminder to heart.

When he left the auction house, Abel's pockets were now filled with 54 bottles of primary 'Qi Condensing Potion,' a hand crossbow, and five crossbow arrows.

And upstairs at the window of the auction house, Ivette stood behind the window, watching Abel's departing figure, and couldn't help but think of her own brother, who had left home two years ago. Her brother was almost the same age by now.