Chapter 10: Deal with the Merchant

Lucian disguised as an adventurer strode through the bustling marketplace, his enchanted mana stone carefully tucked away in a small leather pouch. The morning sun bathed the town in a warm golden hue, and the air buzzed with the chatter of merchants hawking their wares and the clinking of coins exchanging hands. He weaved through the crowd, his eyes scanning the sea of faces until he spotted his destination: a small shop tucked away in a corner, its sign reading "Exotic Goods & Curiosities."

The shop was owned by Marcellus, a shrewd merchant known for his knack for dealing in rare and unusual items. Lucian had met him a few times in passing, but today's visit was different. He was here to offer something truly unique, something that could either mark the beginning of his burgeoning business or end it before it even started.

Taking a deep breath, Lucian pushed open the door, the bell above it jingling softly. The shop was dimly lit, filled with shelves of strange artifacts, potions, and oddities from distant lands. Marcellus, a middle-aged man with graying hair and sharp eyes, stood behind the counter, inspecting a small vial of liquid.

"Ah, young customer," Marcellus greeted him, setting the vial down. "What brings you to my humble establishment today?"

Lucian smiled politely, though he could feel his heart pounding in his chest. "Good morning, Marcellus. I've come to show you something… rather special."

The merchant raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Special, you say? I deal in all manner of special things, my boy. What makes yours worth my time?"

Without a word, Lucian reached into his pouch and pulled out the enchanted mana stone. It was a simple, unassuming object at first glance—a smooth, polished stone with a faint, soft glow. But as he placed it on the counter, Lucian subtly activated the enchantment with a flicker of his mana.

Marcellus leaned in closer, peering at the stone. "What is this? Just a mana stone?"

"Not just any mana stone," Lucian replied, his voice steady despite his nerves. "This one is infused with a very specific enchantment. Touch it, and you'll see what I mean."

The merchant hesitated for a moment, then reached out with a skeptical expression. As soon as his fingers brushed the stone's surface, his eyes widened in shock. A wave of warmth surged through him, starting at the point of contact and quickly spreading throughout his body. His breath hitched as an intense, primal desire washed over him, catching him completely off guard. For a few moments, he was lost in the sensation, his mind swimming in the intoxicating lust that the enchantment had conjured.

And just as suddenly as it had started, the effect began to fade, leaving Marcellus breathing heavily, his face flushed. He withdrew his hand as though the stone had burned him, staring at it in disbelief.

"What… What in the gods' names was that?" Marcellus demanded, his voice shaky.

Lucian allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. "That was just a taste of what this stone can do. It's an enchantment that amplifies emotions—specifically, desires of a… more intimate nature."

Marcellus blinked, still trying to process what had just happened. "I've never experienced anything like that before. How… how did you do it?"

Lucian shrugged casually, though he was inwardly pleased with the reaction. "I've been experimenting with different enchantments. This is just one of the results. It a one-time use item"

The merchant's shock gradually gave way to calculation. He was a businessman, after all, and the potential of such an item was not lost on him. "This is… quite remarkable, Leo. Such an enchantment could fetch a high price among certain circles. How much are you asking for it?"

"Name your price," Lucian said, keeping his tone even.

Marcellus rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his sharp eyes glancing from the stone to Lucian and back again. "For a single stone like this… I'd say it's worth at least one gold coin."

Lucian narrowed his eyes slightly. He had anticipated this—a lowball offer to see how desperate he was. But he wasn't just any novice looking to make a quick sale. "One gold coin might be fair for a regular mana stone, but this is no ordinary item. This stone has the power to elicit emotions in a way that's never been seen before. Any noble with a taste for the exotic would pay five, perhaps even ten gold coins for this."

Marcellus eyed him, gauging the resolve behind Lucian's words. After a moment, he nodded slowly. "Three gold coins, then. That's my final offer. But I'll only pay that much if you can assure me there will be more where this came from."

Lucian considered for a moment, then extended his hand. "Deal. You'll get more, and each one will be just as potent as this."

The merchant clasped Lucian's hand, sealing the agreement. "Very well. I'll have your payment ready."

As Marcellus turned to fetch the coins, Lucian allowed himself a moment of relief. The deal was done, and with it, the first step toward his goal of building an empire. He accepted the coins from Marcellus, tucking them into his pouch, and gave a small nod of thanks before leaving the shop.

His next destination was the local Adventurer's Guild. With the gold in hand, Lucian needed to restock on mana stones to continue his experiments and production. The guild was a large, imposing building near the center of town, a place where adventurers of all kinds gathered to accept jobs, trade goods, and share stories.

Inside, the guild was bustling with activity. Adventurers of all shapes and sizes filled the main hall, some poring over job boards, others haggling with merchants or sharing drinks at the bar. Lucian made his way to the counter where a bored-looking clerk sat, idly flipping through a ledger.

"Excuse me," Lucian began, drawing the clerk's attention. "I'd like to purchase some mana stones."

The clerk glanced up, eyeing Lucian with mild interest. "Looking to dabble in some enchantments or alchemy, are you? We've got a few in stock. What ranks are you interested in?"

"Five F-rank and two E-rank stones," Lucian replied, his voice calm and confident. "How much will that run me?"

The clerk did some quick calculations, tapping his fingers against the counter. "That'll be three silver coins for the F-ranks and ten silver each for the E-ranks. So, thirty five silver coins in total."

Lucian nodded and handed over the appropriate amount, receiving the mana stones in return. He weighed them in his hand, satisfied with the quality, before turning to leave. But before he could step away, the clerk called out to him.

"You might want to be careful, young man. There've been reports of goblins increasing in number around the outskirts of town. If you're heading out to collect materials, best be on your guard."

Lucian nodded in acknowledgment, though he had no intention of wandering the wilds anytime soon. With his purchase secured, he made his way back home, his mind already racing with plans for his next enchantments.

As he arrived at his family's estate, the sprawling manor loomed before him, a symbol of his noble heritage. The household staff greeted him politely as he entered, but before he could retreat to his chambers, a stern voice called out from the grand hall.

"Lucian! Just the man I was looking for."

He turned to see his father, Baron Lionhart, striding toward him. The baron was a tall, imposing figure, with a sharp gaze and an air of authority that commanded respect. Lucian had always admired his father's strength and leadership, but he knew this was no casual meeting.

"Father," Lucian greeted him with a respectful bow. "What can I do for you?"

Baron Lionhart studied his son for a moment, his expression unreadable. "I've received reports that the goblin population in the nearby forests has increased significantly. There have been disappearances—villagers and travelers alike. The annual goblin culling is coming up, and I want you to participate."

Lucian's heart sank. He had been hoping to avoid the culling this year, preferring to focus on his experiments and growing business. But there was no refusing his father, especially when it came to matters of duty.

"Of course, Father," Lucian replied, keeping his voice steady. "I'll be ready."

The baron nodded, satisfied with the response. "Good. The culling will take place in three days. Gather your gear and prepare yourself. The goblins are more dangerous this year, and we can't afford to take any chances."

With that, Baron Lionhart turned and strode away, leaving Lucian standing in the hall. He sighed, knowing that his plans would have to be put on hold, at least for the time being.

As he made his way to his chambers, Lucian's mind was already working on how to make the most of this situation. The culling might be a distraction from his business, but it was also an opportunity. Perhaps, in the chaos of battle, he could gather new materials, test his enchantments in combat, and even find ways to improve his products.