Leap

The bracelet signifies that for every 10 mana, I gain 1 circle of power. With this single accessory, I can instantly elevate my magic by half a circle.

Moreover, for someone like me who desperately needs mana stats, there couldn't be a better choice.

As my mana reached 20, I unlocked new spells, making this a double win.

'Sure, I feel a bit regretful about Bazel's Summoning Ring.'

I could tame a magical beast and summon it as my familiar. These beasts are categorized into low, medium, and high ranks.

The 'Bazel's Summoning Ring' is an artifact capable of holding a high-ranked beast.

Considering that a high-ranked beast typically has a power level of around 7 circles, the immediate strength it offers is superior to that of the bracelet.

'The problem is that I can't tame it myself.'

I could only use it if someone else tamed it and stored it in the ring.

Well, it wouldn't follow my commands, but still, summoning a beast of that caliber would be an incredible advantage.

Despite this, I chose the 'Lich's Bracelet' because I believe it's better to enhance my own strength rather than rely on summoned creatures.

'If I ever get the chance to enter again, I'll definitely choose that one.'

I fiddled with the 'Lich's Bracelet' and smiled contentedly.

Raising even one point of mana is usually a hassle, but here I was gaining five at once!

I was also excited about the new spells that would come with it.

"What's got you grinning like that? Did you eat something funny?"

"It's nothing."

Inside the detective agency.

Eddie, who had been reading a book, shot me a sharp glance as if he disapproved of the lively atmosphere.

Today, we all came out together under the pretext of shopping with Liu and Lisa.

It had been a while since we went out, so we treated ourselves to some premium Bertisan beef as well.

"Is that really such an amazing artifact? You look really happy."

"I should mention that you can't buy it with money."

"Is it really that good? Can't you get it for ten thousand gold coins?"

"It's priceless."

Liu tilted his head in confusion.

The reason it only counts as 2 circles when I use it is that once I reach 9 circles, it will effectively become 9.5 circles.

Considering how exponentially more experience is needed as one levels up, this bracelet is undeniably overpowered.

"Where did you find such an extraordinary item? It looks remarkable just by glancing at it."

"Ah, you really know your stuff, Elder."

"Hmm… My own artifacts suddenly seem lacking. I made them just as you requested."

"Why say something so disheartening? What I asked for had an entirely different purpose."

"Ha ha! If you say so, I'm grateful."

Racto showed me the necklace and belt he crafted himself.

The artifacts looked luxurious and bore the emblem of Cherbille.

I could almost see how proud he must have felt while engraving this design.

"Here, try wearing it. If it doesn't fit right, we'll need to adjust it."

"Thank you!"

I picked up the belt and was surprised by how light it felt.

Was this even possible? It felt like wearing feathers!

Seeing my reaction made Racto chuckle heartily.

"The performance of an artifact is important, but comfort is even more crucial—especially for someone like you who relies on physicality."

"You truly are remarkable."

I knew Cherbille was impressive, but experiencing it firsthand was even more astonishing.

My heart raced with anticipation at what its performance might be like.

As soon as I donned the belt, a notification popped up before me:

[Item: 'Unidentified Belt' equipped.] [Mana storage function added.] [Mana capacity: 0/100]

"Wait…!"

It can store 100 mana?!

Here's the kicker: 100 refers to percentage.

In other words, this belt can hold my entire mana capacity!

"Wow…"

In 'Last Saber,' mana is an incredibly vital resource; hence belts with mana storage options are highly sought after.

Typically, those classified as high-grade hold around 60 or 70 percent—this one boasts an astonishing 100 percent!

There's no other way to describe it than utterly insane!

"The Cherbille family truly is remarkable…"

"Huh? How do you know this? You haven't even tried it yet."

"Oh… It just feels great to me—ha ha!"

"How's the size? Is it comfortable?"

"It's absolutely perfect! I can hardly tell I'm wearing it."

"Ha ha! There's no better gift than seeing a satisfied client."

"I'm not just satisfied; I'm extremely pleased!"

Naturally, my gaze shifted toward the necklace.

If the belt was this impressive, how about the necklace?

To me, what mattered most were the options contained within the necklace.

Swallow.

I slowly lifted the necklace as if handling something precious and put it on.

A gasp escaped my lips before I even realized what happened:

[Item: 'Unidentified Necklace' equipped.] [Additional experience points for magic stat increased by +50%.]

"Elder… truly…"

If I could bow deeply in gratitude right now, I would have done so without hesitation.

The highest bonus I had ever received in-game was +20 percent.

But +50 percent? Was such a thing even possible?

"I see you're quite fond of that one," Racto chuckled.

"How did you manage to hide such talent… You truly are a master among masters."

"Haha! The mana circulation feature was challenging due to lack of requests; I've struggled quite a bit with that one."

They wouldn't understand what additional experience points meant in our context.

What I had requested was functionality to assist with mana circulation—essentially meaning additional experience points—and +50 percent was unheard of!

"This will be an enormous help. Thank you once again!"

"Just let me know anytime. What you want will be my top priority."

Indeed, Racto is the best among those I've recruited.

If I posted this online, people would accuse me of fabricating stories and burn down communities all day long.

Well, considering it's a dead game with few players anyway…

"Wow! You really seem pleased! Today your face is brighter than ever!"

"I tend to have quite an appetite for material things."

"So that's why you wanted to buy out every artifact shop in Neka? Even those that barely make any profit?"

Eddie interjected with dissatisfaction written all over his face.

I planned to buy out those artifact shops using the reward money of ten thousand gold coins.

Eddie had major issues with that plan.

"I told you before! Artifact shops have terrible profit margins! You seemed smart but are utterly clueless when it comes to managing money!"

I understood exactly what Eddie meant.

Outside specific periods when demand spikes for artifacts—like during major events—the reality is they barely make enough to cover rent.

With limited demand leading to price competition among shops means they often end up at rock bottom financially.

"The poor profit margins mean no one else has bothered with them," Eddie argued back.

"That's normal! Why would anyone take over an artifact shop when there are far better opportunities out there? The costs are astronomical! It's like taking on something unsellable at full price!"

Eddie's argument held some truth but only partially.

Why would shop owners struggle through tough times if they didn't believe in potential windfalls?

"You're right; they're practically bankrupt most days. But what happens if a Great Mage War breaks out?"

"What…?! Are you serious?"

"When that happens prices for artifacts will skyrocket! They'll be impossible to find!"

For a moment Eddie seemed lost in thought before shaking his head vigorously in disbelief.

"Oh… But it's been nearly forty years since anything happened! How do we know when it'll occur? It might not happen until we're old and gray!"

Well… that's true enough.

In-game events like 'Dead Front' occur randomly too.

But I'm convinced that the Great Mage War is looming closer than we think.

'The Emperor's mission starting next February isn't just coincidence.'

To citizens of the Empire, the Emperor may seem noble and virtuous—but I know better than anyone how cunning and shrewd he truly is.

Thus, there's a high chance that missions will coincide with the onset of war—just like how Gutra's family met its demise back then.

That's why I'm preparing by acquiring artifact shops now; if war breaks out, these shops will be worth their weight in gold—like Bitcoin!

"Get ready to sit on a mountain of gold!"

"Sigh… I didn't realize you were such a risk-taker. You bet ten thousand gold coins on such a dangerous gamble? Wow… This bloodline thing really does make a difference in thinking patterns!"

"You've been complaining more often lately?"

"If only I'd invested that money into trade instead—I'd be counting stacks by now! To think such reckless behavior has made you my partner… sigh… what have I done?"

"I'll double your rent."

"You always bring up rent when things get tough! Fine! Raise it!"

Oh? Look at this guy; he still doesn't understand who holds power here!

"Triple your rent."

"T-That's fine by me!"

"Quadruple your rent."

"…I'm sorry."

He clearly doesn't realize who holds authority over whom here!

Leaving Eddie sulking behind me, I turned back to Racto and said:

"Elder, please prepare some artifacts for when that time comes. Don't overexert yourself though."

"Haha… If you're so certain about this then there must be some reasoning behind your conviction. Understood."

"I know this request may seem rude coming from me... but honestly speaking quantity matters more than quality right now; mass production would be ideal."

"I see what you're saying. I'll make sure to create enough while getting back into old form."

"Thank you for understanding! Once things settle down financially for us I'll help expand your workshop into something larger and more comfortable."

"Haha! I'll remember that promise."

After bidding farewell to Racto and giving Eddie a playful nudge on his back,

As we stepped outside into the evening sky painted with sunset hues,

I hastened my steps due to our scheduled plans ahead.

Thunderous Training

Boom!

A bolt of lightning struck down onto an open field.

Wherever its golden light landed lay shattered pieces of a 4-circle mana stone.

Kran gazed in awe as his eyes widened at this sight.

'How could he already be doing this...? This child truly is a genius.'

Just recently he had barely managed to split apart a 2-circle mana stone in half—not long ago at all!

And now today he completely shattered a 4-circle mana stone into fragments!

This was all thanks to Jed's mana rising by another 15 since then!

'It feels like he grows stronger just by breathing... Such terrifying talent...'

With Temud's blessing granting him +10 and Lich's bracelet adding +5,

Kran couldn't help but marvel at Jed's rapid growth which he remained blissfully unaware of.

'If he lives long enough he'll surely etch his name into imperial history.'

Should he become head of his family someday—Arahhan would experience its golden age once again akin to Temud's era!

Kran felt chills run down his spine at merely contemplating such possibilities; perhaps they were witnessing the dawn of monumental upheaval...

He watched Jed sweat profusely while attempting to conceal his astonishment underneath his calm demeanor.

"You haven't tired already have you?!"

"Huff... Huff..."

"Oh dear... Your stamina seems rather pathetic."

"…Master... I've been at this non-stop for six hours without rest!"

"I told you not to complain! Do as instructed until morning!"

"…You old fool."

"What did you just say? Did I hear something inappropriate?"

"It must've been an auditory hallucination."

As night fell their training commenced anew; unlike other mages who enjoyed warm meditation rooms,

Jed strapped sandbags onto his arms and legs before repeatedly sprinting up hillsides without pause—

Upon reaching summits he'd unleash 'Thunderbolt' until his mana ran dry before racing back up again!

"It isn't enough just using multiple spells; mastering each current spell perfectly matters most—it should feel as natural as breathing itself through repetition."

Kran intentionally pushed Jed towards physical limits while exhausting all his mana reserves,

This way even under extreme conditions he'd learn how to wield magic effectively while accelerating internal mana circulation processes too...

Kran's training methods were exceedingly harsh bordering on barbaric...

"Adept spellcasting requires precision too; adjusting targets along with controlling intensity must come effortlessly—I'm raising difficulty levels from here on out."

Whoosh!

Suddenly dozens upon dozens of Kran's clones surrounded Jed...