19

Chapter Nineteen - "Magic Gem"

Seeing Forseti had made up his mind, El finally stopped trying to dissuade him.

During the following period, alongside his studies and training, Forseti also kept an eye out for Tialfi's green chips.

Despite expecting it, the rarity of these green chips posed a continual challenge for Forseti.

Over the span of two months, he scoured all the herbal shops in Asgard. Besides those retrieved from the Landveti Forest by Tialfi, Forseti managed to procure a total of five green chips, one of which was rendered useless due to a deviation in the pharmaceutical preparation.

Thus, in those two months, Forseti only produced 24 bottles of hair restorer, priced at two runes each. Sales were steady, yielding him a total income of 48 runes.

Combined with his previous earnings, Forseti now possessed nearly seventy runes in savings. He deemed it sufficient to begin constructing Verrigan's Fist.

Early one morning,

Forseti joined the Peters for breakfast.

"Have you heard?" Aunt, usually reticent, suddenly spoke up. "There's someone in Asgard selling a hair restorer. Just two runes per bottle, and it's cured several people's baldness."

"Two runes?" El was surprised.

Aunt continued, "Indeed, very cheap. If someone hadn't asked me yesterday to find out where to purchase this hair restorer, I wouldn't have known such a thing existed."

Forseti couldn't help but lower his head and eat in silence.

At this moment, Uncle Peter interjected, "A hair restorer capable of curing Asgardians for just two runes? The seller is clearly underselling. If it were up to me, I'd at least double the price."

Forseti remained silent.

After a while, Uncle Peter broached another topic, "Forseti, are you planning to enlist as a military doctor in a few days?"

Since their last argument, relations between Forseti and his uncle had chilled considerably. They had exchanged few words since, and Forseti's response was somewhat curt, "Yes."

Uncle Peter fell silent for a moment before remarking, "Then be an honest doctor. You're not cut out to be a soldier, understand?"

Forseti did not respond.

After breakfast, Forseti took his savings and headed for Ada Town. Situated at the heart of Asgard, Ada Town sprawled across a vast, fertile plain.

The largest magic emporium in Asgard, "Norvi Magic," stood in Ada Town.

Approaching Norvi Magic, the attire of passersby grew increasingly opulent—even in Asgard, magic remained the domain of nobility.

Curiosities abounded.

For instance, as Forseti neared the shop's entrance, a snow-white Pegasus descended from the sky. Its enormous wings stirred up a gust, prompting exclamations from the bystanders.

Forseti stood closest and nearly found himself shielded by the Pegasus' wings.

Is that... a Valkyrie Pegasus?

Gazing at the majestic creature, Forseti was briefly awestruck. Having seen Pegasi in films during his past life, he'd appreciated their aesthetics but little more.

Now, with a Pegasus before him, he realized its significance went far beyond mere aesthetics.

"Ah-"

The Pegasus folded its wings, shook its mane, and exhaled a puff of breath.

Forseti widened his eyes as he noticed sparks amid the exhale.

Examining the majestic, sinewy, metallic muscle structure of the Pegasus, Forseti was convinced it could dispatch him in two kicks—the first repelled by the Divine Shield technique.

After watching the Pegasus for a while, envy stirred within him.

Perhaps someday...

Entering the shop, a lovely maid greeted him, "Welcome, how may I assist you?"

Externally modest, the shop resembled an ordinary storefront. Yet inside, it dazzled in gold and blue splendor.

Forseti found himself staring, then quickly refocused when the maid repeated her inquiry, "I'd like to purchase a magic gem."

Materials for Verrigan's Fist included Jordan's Refined Ore and Cole's Gem. While the former could be substituted with Asgard Bronze, Forseti had yet to locate the latter.

"Magic gems are this way," the maid guided Forseti to a display case brimming with colorful gems, some radiating faint light.

"May I inspect them closer?" Forseti asked.

Maid: "Certainly."

Forseti retrieved his holy deed and opened the blueprint for Verrigan's Fist. Before coming, he'd prepared a page of paper, discreetly inscribing gem classification knowledge to assist in identifying them on the spot.

He picked up a gem and placed it on the blueprint, revealing: [51% substitution for Cole's Gem]

He tried another, [Unsuitable substitution]

Again, [33% substitution for Cole's Gem]

[Unsuitable]

[62% substitution for Cole's Gem]

[250% substitution for Jordan's Refined Ore]

Forseti was taken aback by this assessment.

What in the world? A gem that substitutes for 250% of metal?

Though perplexing, he knew better than to fashion a hammer from such a gem. Hammers required dozens of kilograms of metal. Could magic gems even be bought by the kilogram?

He tried again.

[24% substitution for Cole's Gem]

[76% substitution for Cole's Gem]

His eyes lit up at this. Holding the gem, he inquired of the maid, "How much for this one?"

The maid smiled, "You have a discerning eye. This is Nott's Tears, priced at a mere 7880 large gold coins."

Close to eighty runes!

Forseti shuddered inwardly, quietly replacing Nott's Tears and turning to the earlier gem with a 51% substitution rate, "And this one?"

"990 large gold coins."

Hearing the price, Forseti was slightly surprised.

Why such a difference?

Upon reflection, he realized the assessment only considered the gem's substitution potential for Cole's Gem and disregarded other attributes. Naturally, the price didn't correlate with the gem's actual value.

In other words, a high substitution rate didn't necessarily mean a high price.

Forseti thought for a moment, then apologized to the maid, "I apologize... I may have more questions."

"It's my pleasure," the maid maintained her smile.

"In that case, I'll continue," Forseti said, proceeding to assess gem after gem rapidly.

"How much for this?"

"4550 large gold coins."

"And this one?"

"17,980 large gold coins."

"And this?"

"9975."

...

This continued for over half an hour, gradually souring the maid's expression and tone.

[74% substitution for Cole's Gem]

Forseti inquired once more, "What about this one?"

"What more do you need? You've inspected hundreds of gems, finding hardly any common ground. Are you simply searching for the cheapest option to extend your browsing pleasure?" The maid finally lost her patience.

Forseti felt somewhat embarrassed, "...How much is this one?"

The maid exhaled, composing herself, "This is the Alfheim Sapphire, priced at 2920 large gold coins. Should you ask again, I'll have to ask someone to escort you out."

Forseti inspected the Alfheim Sapphire, its faint blue glow catching his eye. He stroked his chin in thought.

"Alright, I'll take this one."