Mage's Profound Truths

Chapter 12: Old Man Aita

The carriage gradually came to a stop. Moss lifted the curtain and said softly, “Young Master Merlin, we’ve arrived.”

Merlin nodded. He jumped down from the carriage, and as soon as he stepped out, a gust of cold wind slashed across his face like a knife, stinging sharply.

He quickly used both hands to cover his face. Only then did he truly realize how painful it had been for Moss to sit outside all this time.

“Moss, I won’t be coming out for a while. During this time, just wait inside the carriage.”

A grateful look appeared on Moss’s face. He nodded slightly and promptly climbed into the carriage—being out in the cold wind was indeed a kind of torment.

Seeing Moss enter the carriage, Merlin then turned around and walked inside.

At the counter was still the charming Lin. Although Anson and Gutt weren’t with him this time, Lin clearly remembered Merlin. When she saw him, she immediately smiled and respectfully opened the secret passage.

Merlin slipped into the passage with practiced ease. Inside, there was no cold wind, and it felt much warmer.

Soon, Merlin arrived at the underground hall. Perhaps it was still early, or maybe the weather was too cold, but the hall was nearly empty.

Nathan didn’t seem to be around either, so Merlin wandered alone, casually browsing.

There was no sunlight in the hall; everything was lit by candles. These candles were made from the oil of a strange sea beast, and though expensive, they emitted no unpleasant smoke, instead giving off a faint, natural fragrance.

The antiques were displayed on stone pedestals, enclosed within even more expensive transparent crystals for people to view.

However, Merlin knew nothing about antiques. He circled once and didn’t find anything like the illusion-inducing relief, which only proved how extraordinary that piece was.

As he was admiring the antiques, Merlin suddenly heard light footsteps behind him.

“Miss Carys?”

He turned around and saw a familiar face—it was the very woman the chubby Gutt couldn't forget. Indeed, she was very beautiful.

She wore a white fur coat and tight cotton pants that accentuated her long legs. It seemed that women never forgot to dress up, even in such cold weather.

Carys looked at Merlin in slight confusion—it seemed she didn’t remember him.

Merlin didn’t mind. He smiled and said, “Miss Carys, we met a few days ago, right here. I was with Anson and Gutt...”

Carys relaxed her brows and nodded thoughtfully. “I remember now. You're Wilson Merlin?”

Merlin also nodded in confirmation and took two steps closer to her.

“Miss Carys, Anson mentioned that you are very knowledgeable about antiques, especially those from the Morta Empire. I’ve recently become interested in some particularly unusual Morta-era items. But I haven’t found anything satisfactory here from Mr. Nathan.”

“So if you happen to have some special items, would you mind showing them to me?”

Merlin watched her intently. He knew she had a large antique collection—maybe the mysterious relief he needed was among them.

“Strange and curious antiques? You have the same taste as an old gentleman I know. He also collects unusual items from the Morta Empire. If you have time, I can take you to him now. Maybe you’ll find something you like.”

Carys stood quite close to Merlin, and her warm breath brushed his neck, sending a tingling sensation through him. Her perfume was also fresh and pleasant.

“Then I’ll trouble you to lead the way, Miss Carys.”

Merlin gladly agreed. As long as he could find the mysterious relief, even just a clue, he would be satisfied.

Merlin followed behind Carys and walked out with her.

Outside, snow still floated down. The cold wind sliced the face like knives.

Carys had a carriage too. She quickly got in, and it slowly pulled forward.

“Moss, follow Miss Carys’ carriage.”

Merlin woke Moss and drove their carriage to follow hers.

Because of the cold and snow, the road was frozen and slippery. Both carriages moved slowly, and it took half an hour to reach their destination.

Carys and Merlin arrived at a wooden old-style house. In front of it was a garden, though currently it was a mess—snow had crushed the small trees that hadn’t grown thick branches.

It had snowed all night, and the wind was strong, so the little garden was basically destroyed. They would have to replant it in the spring.

Carys shook her head slightly at the mess and said helplessly, “Mr. Aita’s garden is ruined again. Poor Mr. Aita, he spent months fixing it up, and now it’s all gone.”

Then, led by Carys, they entered the house and smoothly went up to the second floor. They stopped in front of a faded, old wooden door.

Carys turned back to remind him, “Merlin, Mr. Aita likes peace and quiet. So please be a bit quieter inside.”

Merlin nodded. It seemed the person she wanted to introduce him to was inside.

“Mr. Aita, are you home? It’s Carys. I’ve come to visit you today.”

Calis knocked on the door and called softly into the room.

“Creak.”

The old wooden door opened, revealing an old man around fifty years old.

The old man was short, with a slightly bald top and only sparse hair, but he had carefully combed the thin strands to the back of his head.

He wore a black overcoat, had a thin face with pale skin, and a neatly trimmed mustache beneath his nose, making him look very spirited.

Merlin was observing the old man, and likewise, the old man was also sizing up Merlin and Calis.

However, he only gave Merlin a quick glance before turning his eyes to Calis and said in a hoarse voice, "Calis, come in."

After speaking, the old man turned and walked back into the house. Merlin and Calis followed behind, and Merlin closed the door behind them.

Inside the house, the fireplace still had flames burning brightly.

The old man went straight to a wooden chair in front of the fireplace and sat down, saying in a hoarse voice, “Calis, tell me, what brings you here today?”

Calis smiled slightly and led Merlin over to the old man.

The firelight in the fireplace shone on the old man’s face, making his pale skin appear a bit more flushed.

The old man didn’t lift his head at all, still engrossed in a black-covered thread-bound book he held.

“Mr. Aita, today I’ve brought a friend to visit you.”

After speaking, Calis gave Merlin a look, signaling him to introduce himself.

Merlin nodded, slightly bowed, and said, “Mr. Aita, I’m Wilson Merlin. I’m fond of antiques, especially those from the Morta Empire. When Miss Calis mentioned that you had many unique Morta Empire antiques, I came to visit, hoping I wasn’t intruding.”

The old man added more firewood to the fireplace. The cracking sound of burning wood could be clearly heard.

After a long while, he slowly put down his book, stood up, and said calmly, “Follow me.”

“Mr. Aita has a strange temper?”

Merlin felt this old man Aita was rather eccentric and hard to read.

“Shh, keep your voice down. Mr. Aita is just a little reclusive, but he’s a good person. Come on, let’s follow him.”

Calis clearly knew Aita well and entered the next room with Merlin behind the old man.

The room wasn’t big, and with the three of them inside, it felt a little cramped.

But it was neatly arranged, with two large red-lacquered shelves lined up.

Instead of books, the shelves held various small antiques.

Some were damaged, others intact. Unlike the antiques Merlin had seen at Nathan’s, these were very unique.

Some porcelain pieces had odd shapes Merlin had never seen before.

For example, there was an old-looking bottle with two curved spouts on either side.

When Merlin tried to reach out and touch them, Aita suddenly barked, “Only look, no touching!”

Merlin withdrew his hand awkwardly.

There were about a hundred antiques on the shelves, all with unique designs.

But as Merlin scanned them, he found nothing resembling the relief sculpture he was looking for and felt slightly disappointed.

He casually asked, “Are these all the antiques you have?”

Aita seemed displeased with Merlin’s tone and said coldly, “It took me years to collect these. What, not enough for you?”

Seeing Aita getting upset, Calis quickly explained, “Mr. Aita, please don’t be angry. Merlin is just interested in Morta Empire antiques. He hasn’t been collecting for long.”

Then she whispered to Merlin, “Don’t speak carelessly, Mr. Aita is angry.”

Merlin nodded. Aita was temperamental, best to speak less and not provoke him.

Although the antiques here were unique, Merlin didn’t find the mysterious relief sculpture and looked disappointed.

He gently shook his head and said to Calis, “Let’s go.”

After they left the room, the strange old man Aita squinted and stared at Merlin’s back for a long while, his face showing a peculiar expression.

Once outside, Calis asked in a low voice, “Merlin, didn’t you find anything you liked?”

Merlin shook his head. Calis didn’t press further and simply said goodbye to Aita.

At this moment, Aita suddenly spoke, “Your name is Merlin?”

“Yes, Mr. Aita. Do you have something to tell me?”

Merlin looked at him with confusion.

“Would you like to learn antique appraisal from me?”

Merlin was stunned. Why would this eccentric old man suddenly want to take him as a student?

Though Merlin did want to learn antique appraisal to uncover the origins of the mysterious relief, he was uncertain about the odd Aita.

While Merlin hesitated, Calis looked delighted and whispered quickly, “Say yes! Mr. Aita is an absolute authority in Heishui City on Morta Empire antiques. Being his student is a rare opportunity!”

Merlin was surprised. Was this odd old man who lived in a shabby house really that capable?

“What, you’re unwilling?”

Aita’s expression darkened, seeming somewhat displeased.