Chapter 484 Priced Out
Jonathan patted Torrence''s shoulder andughed. “What are you scared of? If I were really wary of Mr.
Fekro, I wouldn''t have said those words and lifted the spiritual imprint. Since we''ve gone through a
battle of life and death together, we''ll be friends forever, and friends need to look out for each other.”
Feeling touched, Fekro uttered emotionally, “That''s awesome! I''m already in my forties, but I''ve just
learned what it feels like to truly live. Besides, I have friends now!”
Those words came straight from his heart, sincere and true.
At the same time, Torrence breathed a sigh of relief and said to Fekro, “I''m sorry, Fekro. I''ve
misunderstood you.”
In response, thetter waved his hand dismissively and said, “It''s okay. I''ll use my actions to prove to
you guys that trusting me is the right decision.”
Meanwhile, there was a sweet smile on Yeverie''s face. She had always been fond of Jonathan''s
charming personality. Because of his personality, the people around him are all willing to die for him.
At that moment, Yeverie was feeling very frustrated because rabelle wanted milk from her.
She avoided rabelle continuously, but thetter''s eyes turned watery because it couldn''t get what it
wanted. Yeverie''s heart ached when she saw the look on rabelle''s face.
Left without a choice, she stuck her finger in rabelle''s mouth, and only then did rabelle suck on
her finger happily. However, that was just a temporary solution because none of them had milk to fill up
rabelle''s tummy.
Nevertheless, their priority was to set up an air-purifier magic formation to prevent rabelle''s dragon
breath from leaking.
There and then, Fekro started teaching Jonathan how to set up the air-purifier magic formation. The
thing about setting up the air-purifier magic formation was that it was asplicated as building an
airne. Building an airne was hard because one needed to design and build the console, engines,
and other parts of the ne.
Obviously, the air-purifier magic formation didn''t have all thoseponents. Yet, it was still as
complicated because itprised one hundred and eight minor magic formations.
Indeed, the air-purifier magic formation was a major magic formation that needed many minor magic
formations to set up. Besides, all these magic formations had to work together to keep the air-purifier
magic formation running. Like mechanical gears, everything had to be precise to make the magic
formation work. Otherwise, it would just break down.
That was the toughest aspect of the formation.
Two hourster, Jonathan finally understood how to set up an air-purifier magic formation. “Have you
had enough rest?” he asked Fekro.
Fekro nodded. “I can maintain the shield.”
“Good. While you''re maintaining the shield, I''ll set up the air-purifier magic formation!” Jonathan said.
Meanwhile, Yeverie asked Torrence, “Mr. Torrence, could you fetch some goat milk and heat it up with
a fire talisman? rabelle is hungry.”
That prompted a nod from the man.
“Okay. That''ll work. However, something crucial is missing. You need to have a magic gem to maintain
the magic formation!” Fekro uttered.
Upon hearing that, Jonathan smacked his own forehead and said, “D*mn it! I forgot about that!” He
then rose to his feet and added, “All right, then. I''ll find a magic gem. You guys should stay here and
wait for me.”
“Okay. You need to return within three hours, though! It''s hard for me to maintain it for too long!”
Jonathan nodded in response.
Obviously, Torrence had to stay put because he needed to protect the others.
At that moment, Jonathan was very worried about something. What if those old mages can''t hold
Theos back? What if Theos is still in Pollerton? That''ll be dangerous! I guess I should go to Pollerton to
check things out.
After having a brief discussion with the others, Jonathan bolted away from Cauver Hill at lightning
speed.
At that time, night had fallen, and the moon was hanging in the sky.
Since Jonathan still had plenty of spiritual energy left, he used Distance Shortening Magic to travel.
Without Yeverie and the rest holding him back, he was able to move extremely fast.
An hourter, Jonathan arrived at Lerton.
Lerton at night was brightly lit, and Jonathan felt like he was in a different dimension. The lights there
originated from fire talismans and magic formations with fire elements.
That was why the entire city was brightly lit.
Along the way, there were row upon row of merchants on the street.
Apparently, an unwritten rule existed in Lerton. The merchants who resided there were predominantly
ordinary individuals,cking knowledge in both magic andbat.
However, despite theirck of magical orbat abilities, the merchants in Lerton held a significant
and respected position within Pollerton. They enjoyed a level of reverence and protection from the
public, with an unwritten rule that forbade any acts of robbery or harm towards them. Any individual
who dared to break this rule would face not only public shame but also be a target of collective
retaliation.
That was because Pollertoncked a formal legal system. Despite this, both the old mages and thugs
still required essential goods and services for their survival.
If they were to rob the merchants, no one would want to run a business there.
Hence, everyone in Pollerton reached a consensus andplied with the rule of respecting the
merchants instead of robbing them.
Due to that rule, Lerton became as bustling and prosperous as it was.
The thugs and old mages would pay generously when they purchased from these merchants.
However, even the elites and Magicians were not exempt from the risk of being robbed as soon as they
left the stores. Without sufficient strength and protection, they could easily fall into a life of misery and
vulnerability.
When some of the thugs found themselves in dire straits, they would seek employment with the
merchants.
However, individuals with magical orbat abilities were prohibited from owning businesses in the
city
That was the rule in Lerton.
There was even a Merchants'' Association in the city.
The most powerful old mage in Pollerton had established the Merchants'' Association, even though he
hadn''t been seen in public for many years. The rules and regtions he had set up a century ago had
contributed to the prosperity of Lerton. A hundred yearster, the Merchants'' Association''s primary
objective was to safeguard and uphold the rights of the city''s merchants.
The founder of the Merchants'' Association, known as Narma, was renowned for being an incredibly
powerful old mage.
As of that time, Narma had be a figure of legends and tales, rarely seen in the streets of Pollerton.
As Jonathan strolled through the bustling streets of Lerton, his eyes took in the colorful array of shops
lining the thoroughfare. There were stores selling clothes, gems, dry goods, and so on.
Interestingly, magic gems were sold openly on the streets.
It was important to note that the possession of magic gems was strictly regted in Paradiso, with
ordinary citizens prohibited from owning them.
Jonathan took the rest of the money from Torrence, and he had nine thousand and five hundred to
spend.
When he saw a store specialized in selling magic gems, he entered without giving it much thought.
The shop owner was a middle-aged man, and he was apanied by his wife and beautiful daughter.
When Jonathan entered the store, it seemed as though the middle-aged man was just about to close it.
Despite that, they weed Jonathan with a warm smile as he stepped into the shop.
“Hello there. Are you looking for a magic gem?” the shop owner asked.
Jonathan nodded and smiled. “Yes. What are your rmendations?”
“Certainly! Please have a look at our collection of magic gems. We offer a range of options, from Grade
Five to Grade One products, catering to various budgets,” the shop owner kindly offered.
Jonathan''s eyesnded on a Grade Five magic gem as he began to examine the collection in front of
him. Gosh! The edges on this Grade Five magic gem are so rough!
Jonathan''s gaze swept over the Grade Five, Grade Four, and Grade Three magic gems, but none of
them managed to pique his interest. Even the Grade Two magic gems failed to impress him.
In the end, his eyes fell upon the Grade One magic gems, and his face lit up with excitement. These
gems were crystal clear and truly caught his attention.
“May I have a closer look at the blue gem?” Jonathan asked.
By that time, the shop owner''s wife had already taken their daughter home, leaving Jonathan and the
shop owner alone in the store.
With a bright smile on his face, the shop owner presented the blue gem to Jonathan and exined,
“Sir, you have a discerning eye for gems. This particr blue gem has a remarkable purity of seventy
percent.”
“Seventy?” Jonathan raised an eyebrow in surprise. “I''ve owned gems with a hundred percent purity
before this!”
The shop owner was taken aback. “Really? Gems with a hundred percent purity? That''s remarkable! I
would love to see them if you have them with you.”
Jonathan had a sudden realization, and he chuckled sheepishly. “I used to have gems like that, but
unfortunately, I don''t have them anymore. If I did, I wouldn''t need toe to your shop.”
The shop owner''s expression turned sympathetic as he asked, “Why don''t you have them anymore?”
“I pawned one of them off and dumped the other.”
“Dumped?” The shop owner was heartbroken to hear that. “But why?”
“It''s a long story. So, how much are you selling the blue gem for?” Jonathan questioned.
Instead of answering the question, the shop owner redirected the conversation and asked, “May I
inquire about the price at which you pawned the other gem?”
“Ten thousand.”
The shop owner was astounded to hear Jonathan''s response. “That gem was worth at least thirty
thousand! Its demand far exceeds its avability!”
Jonathan was unfazed. “Well, it''s all history. How much for the blue gem?”
“Twenty-five thousand!” the shop owner offered.
“What?” Jonathan was stunned. “You''re robbing me blind!”
“Sir, that''s the market price! But I assure you, the quality of this blue gem is worth every penny. If you
find a lower price at another store, I''ll dly give you the gem for free.”
Jonathan suddenly felt troubled. “Sir, you know I pawned off my premium gem, right? I only have nine
thousand and five hundred now. Could you please consider helping me out? I really need this gem, and
I promise to find a way to pay you the remaining bnce in the future.”
The shop owner swiftly put away the blue gem and instead presented a Grade Five magic gem. “This
one is priced at eight thousand,” he stated, followed by a regretful smile. “I apologize, but I don''t offer
credit sales.”
Jonathan felt a headacheing on as he examined the Grade Five magic gem. “How can this stone
be worth eight thousand?” he asked, perplexed.
“Well, that''s the market rate!”
In the end, Jonathan let out a sigh of resignation and said, “Never mind. I''ll check out other stores.”
With that, he turned around, ready to leave.
The shop owner didn''t attempt to make him stay either.
After taking a few steps forward, Jonathan suddenly turned around and asked the shop owner in a
mysterious tone, “By the way, have you heard about what happened in Lerton today? I heard there was
some big news.”
The shop owner couldn''t contain his curiosity, so he asked, “Are you talking about the old mages linking
up to fight Theos?”
That was precisely the information Jonathan was seeking. He nodded and asked, “So, you''ve heard
about it too?” Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.
“Absolutely! The news has spread like wildfire!” the shop owner eximed.
“What happened next? I was in a hurry earlier, but it seemed like those old mages, who usually exuded
arrogance, became powerless in the presence of Theos.”
“Indeed, I thought the same. Grondor and Sahir were known for their strength, and the Devilish Three
were feared for their dominance over their enemies. However...”