Earth's Greatest Magus
chapter-1919

?Emery, although not typically inclined towards activities that depended on chance, willingly engaged in Klea's enthusiasm. "Let's take a closer look, Emery," she encouraged.

Having once held the prestigious title of the queen of Egypt, Klea's upbringing involved an extensive study of historical artifacts. The mere sight of these enigmatic objects held a captivating allure for her. The room they entered was brimming with a diverse assortment of rocks, varying in size from small to moderately large. Multiple long tables adorned with a layer of dirt displayed each piece, meticulously categorized into three distinct grades, each assigned fixed prices: 10,000 spirit stones, 100,000 spirit stones, and a million spirit stones.

Klea meticulously examined each item, her focus gravitating towards the high-grade relics that hinted at untold stories. Her exploration eventually halted at one particular piece, concealed beneath a layer of a lustrous violet crystal. "What do you suppose lies within this crystal? There appears to be some inscriptions... possibly a concealed spell," Klea inquired, her eyes reflecting a genuine curiosity that resonated with the mystery embedded within the artifact.

Before Emery could approach the crystal Klea had pointed out, three figures approached them. Two youthful magus were accompanied by an elderly one trailing behind. The blond-haired magus among them spoke up.

"It's just a letter from a lost dynasty more than 20,000 years ago," he stated nonchalantly, his gaze fixated on Klea. "The crystal, however, is quite exquisite—suitable for a beautiful woman like you."

Klea, maintaining her poise, gave the man a mere fleeting glance before gracefully turning away. Undeterred, she continued her quest, examining other items within the room with a singular focus on unraveling the mysteries they held.

Observing Klea's dismissal, the other young man grew visibly irritated. With a tone of arrogance, he declared, "How dare you ignore my lord Croft!"

Emery, sensing a potential conflict, prepared to intervene, but Klea subtly restrained him. There was a quiet confidence in her demeanor, suggesting a recognition of the Croft family name. Calmly, she turned back to acknowledge the magus with a slight smile, "Thank you for the information."

As Klea made the decision to gracefully walk away from the crystal, the blond man spoke up with a diplomatic tone, "I didn't mean to intrude, but I can tell that it's your first time encountering this blind sale, and I don't have the heart to see a woman like you waste time on the wrong items."

Intrigued, Klea turned to face the man. She responded with a friendly tone, seizing the opportunity to glean more details about the blind sale.

The revelation unfolded that the likelihood of stumbling upon valuable items in the vast array of mysterious relics was minimal. The shop, not oblivious to the value of its collection, had taken precautions by subjecting the artifacts to thorough evaluations by expert appraisers. Consequently, the truly priceless treasures had already been claimed by discerning buyers. However, the shop strategically left a selection of appealing items on display—some priced above their actual value and others possessing a captivating allure, such as the crystal that had captured Klea's attention. These artifacts served as enticing bait, designed to attract potential buyers to spend on worthless items.

Hearing the man's explanation, Klea nodded in appreciation and expressed her gratitude, yet a tinge of disappointment lingered on her face. "I guess there is no point in staying then, thank you," she remarked with a hint of resignation.

The man halted her departure with a courteous gesture. "My lady, if you're willing to wait for a few seconds," he suggested, his tone carrying a mysterious undertone.

He revealed that the older magus accompanying him was, in fact, a Master appraiser. The seasoned magus pointed towards a specific relic within the higher grades, priced at a staggering 1,000,000 spirit stones. Without hesitation, the nobleman chose the artifact, seamlessly completing the transaction.

A member of the staff assisted in breaking the stone open, revealing a shiny amulet within. The unexpected discovery surprised both the staff and the attending magus. "Congratulations, Lord Croft. This tier 5 amulet is worth at least 1,500,000 in the market," the staff member exclaimed, confirming the unexpected windfall.

The blond man, seemingly unfazed by the turn of events, extended the amulet towards Klea with an air of nonchalance. "This is my gift to you, in return for your affection,"

Amused by the unexpected turn of events, Klea turned to Emery with a smile before replying, "My apologies, but I already have a man." She dismissed the alluring item, turning to Emery's side and saying, "Let's go."

To her surprise, Emery didn't seem ready to leave just yet. She looked at Klea and said "I will find you a better one." These words seemed to irk the blond man even further, and he retorted with irritation, "Rubbish! Master Burin has looked around the place and found nothing better!"

Emery, unfazed by the man's outburst, calmly surveyed the surroundings, employing his spirit sense combined with [Nature Grasp] to connect with the earth elements on the stones. Emery delicately felt the shapes and markings within the rocks, his senses attuned to the subtle energies that emanated from each piece.

His proficiency in appraisal, honed through years of experience in apothecary, served as a foundation for Emery's confidence. However, what truly bolstered his assurance was the addition of a new artificial lifeform, equipped with the ability to effortlessly extract information from mysterious markings.

As he delved into his investigation, Emery's discerning gaze led him to one of the lower-grade tables—a seemingly unremarkable, dirt-covered stone slab modestly priced at 10,000 spirit stones.

Confident in his choice, Emery turned to the staff and declared, "I will purchase this one." His decision sent ripples of curiosity through the onlookers.

The nobleman, already exasperated by Emery's earlier actions, couldn't contain his frustration any longer. "How foolish! There has never been a treasure worth more than 100,000 among the low-grade piles... never!" he proclaimed incredulously, his disbelief evident in both his tone and expression.

With the purchase finalized, Emery casually broke the seemingly mundane stone slab. Removing the dirt, he unveiled a slab adorned with inscriptions that emitted a soft, ethereal glow. The Master appraiser, overseeing the process, looked at the revealed markings with evident shock. "It's... a divine item," he exclaimed, his voice filled with awe and surprise.

He holds in his hands a relic imbued with the wisdom of a supreme being from at least 20,000 years ago. This divine item was no ordinary stone slab—it contained a profound technique, a treasure estimated to be worth at least 5 million spirit stones.

Emery casually gave the item to Klea, receiving her joyful embrace, while at the same time, a raging stare from the noble.