Chapter 20: Gifts

This was a finely polished stone mirror, with its light tan base seeping through its surface, glimmering with an enchanting, misty luster, making it exceptionally delicate and gentle to the eye. Its rounded edges were so smooth that it was impossible to tell whether they had been naturally worn down or smoothed by the touch of many hands over time. Lying quietly on the desk, it exuded an irresistible charm.

What material it was made of was beyond Komer's determination, despite his various attempts to identify it. The only certainty was that this item was surely made from an extremely rare and special type of stone. Not only did it serve to clear the mind and focus the spirit, but it seemed to offer considerable benefits to the health of the person who cherished it and kept it close.

Picking up the stone mirror between two fingers, a cool sensation slowly traveled upwards along his fingers and arm. It was unlike the magic power of ice or water. The even, circular halos of light made the stone mirror look exceptionally ornate and mysterious. With no other marks, patterns, or symbols, this unassumingly simple stone mirror always made Komer feel that it contained something extraordinary within, yet it was something he couldn't comprehend or recognize at the moment.

The sheepskin scroll had been in Komer's hands for a long time; he had repeatedly studied this scroll, which appeared quite ancient.

From the material of the scroll alone, one could tell the age of this artifact. Two hundred years ago, a wanderer from the east of the Cang Continent made a new vessel for knowledge—a parchment made of tree bark and cotton thread. Within just a few decades, this invention had spread across the entire Continent, being adopted by courts and Churches, as well as academies and households, replacing the expensive and highly inconvenient sheepskin and silk cloths previously used.

Despite considering himself to have a rich breadth of experience from three years of exile, Komer was still unable to decipher the text and symbols on the scroll, and where they originated from. Helplessly setting the scroll aside, since he couldn't read it, he could only wait for an opportunity to uncover its secrets.

Gently caressing the black ring in his hand, its appearance seemed unsophisticated and lacked fancy details worth noting. However, the archaic-looking inlay surprised Komer.

The dark gem did not seem like an ordinary Dark Stone, which, although capable of storing magic power, would hardly have much effect in the size of a ring. Most people preferred to use a Priest's blessing to lock into the Dark Stone, allowing the ring's wearers to borrow the luck and power of the gods. Although these powers were minor and the notion of luck was even more elusive—as apparently, the ring's previous master seemed not to have enjoyed the gods' care or favor.

Yet, within this dark gem, Komer could clearly sense the pulse of magic power, and its strength was proof that this Dark Stone's energy was not ordinary. The scale of magic power it retained could not have been infused from the outside. This could only mean one thing: the inconspicuous gem on the ring was perhaps a medium specifically for magic use, with a considerable capacity for holding power. That was another mystery Komer wanted to unravel.

Komer knew his knowledge of magic, particularly the fundamental concepts and historical origins, was unfortunately sparse. A few months of study had not transformed him, even though his teacher said he had an astonishing talent for magic, especially the dark and necromantic kinds. Yet Komer didn't take much liking to these types of magic, which tended to fill one with negative emotions.

He preferred the light and the joy of living under the sunshine. The job of a Mage was not something he relished, least of all the life of a Mage who forever dwelled in the shadows. Not even the title of Archmage would tempt him, despite his desire to have enough magical ability to strengthen his power, aligning with his aspirations.

Staring blankly at the corpse before him, Komer's thoughts were in turmoil. The corpse seemed unchanged, except for its slightly open eyes, which looked dark and deep, and its skin, turned golden by the Poison of Sappan Wood. But why was this man concealing so many strange enigmas?

The wondrous encounters and countless questions were difficult for Komer to fathom. How could a dead Thief bring him so much confusion and trouble? Yet, the gains were not insignificant; at least he had witnessed the renowned Thunderhorse Knights' elegance and acquired such a resource. Mmm, the value of that Crossbow Case alone was considerable. If taken to a pawnshop or an Auction House, it could probably fetch several thousand Gold Shield, a premium item filled with magical essence that was hard to come by, even for those with the means to afford it.

With these thoughts, Komer couldn't resist taking out the Crossbow Case to admire it again. Truly a fine item, the inconsistent magic elements surged forth the moment the case was opened, and Komer could distinctly feel the surge of fiery elements. Holding this item could provide him with additional security in his adventures through Caucasus.

He was to head for his territory to take up his responsibilities one month after his coming of age ceremony. In that month, Komer had relaxed himself thoroughly while also soaking in the captivating beauty of Cyprus for one last time. He didn't know how many hundreds of miles he would be away, and when he would return again.