Inside the private chamber, Locke ignited the semi-automatic small furnace on the workbench, heating the Cold-Vein Meteorite Iron to a semi-molten state before pouring it over the Clivia.
This was a critical step.
If mishandled, the Clivia could instantly ignite from the high temperature, turning into waste along with the Cold-Vein Meteorite Iron—rendering all his previous investments in the cantrip model [Plants as Soldiers] utterly worthless.
The moment the molten Cold-Vein Meteorite Iron touched the Clivia, Ogham Tree Markings flickered across its surface. Locke channeled his Mana continuously into it, gathering vast amounts of life energy, which caused the Clivia and the molten iron to begin merging instead.
Half an hour later, Locke wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. The Cold-Vein Meteorite Iron had completely adhered to the Clivia, forming curved leaf blades with cold-colored streaks—patterns left by the iron.
Locke flicked the leaf blade with his finger, and it emitted a metallic ring while retaining the soft texture of a leaf under his touch. This unique effect, achievable only through plant magic, combined the tactile qualities of both metal and foliage, embodying the characteristics of both.
With a thought, the leaf blade folded inward like origami, bending with remarkable flexibility. At his second command, it sliced through the air in the chamber, leaving flashes of cold light in its wake.
Enhanced by the Cold-Vein Meteorite Iron, the leaf blade possessed the combined traits of plant and metal, yielding results greater than the sum of its parts.
Locke concealed the blade within the sleeve of his left Wizard robe before stepping out of the chamber. From his Astral Ring, he withdrew two hundred Magic Stones and handed them to the Tyne Dwarf.
After leaving the Kentrey Furnace Workshop, where the Tyne Dwarf returned to oversee the Flame Furnace Refining Array, Locke approached the neighboring shop. He glanced up at the white, fingerbone-shaped signboard before entering.
The interior was dominated by black and white, resembling a coffin shop. The shelves displayed numerous skulls, unidentified bones, and specimens. Walking across the black yak-hide carpet, Locke scanned the shop but found no one present.
"Is anyone here?"
No response came.
Frowning, Locke realized this was his first encounter with such a situation in the Chimera Market. His gaze soon landed on several wooden plaques hanging at the center of the shop:
'This shop sells information. No small talk. No answers to meaningless questions. Read the shop's introduction for inquiries. The owner will not repeat answers to trivial questions.'
Locke raised an eyebrow. This archaeologist was unexpectedly "eccentric," with a demeanor starkly different from the typical White Wizards.
He continued reading.
"Second-Class Wizard Apprentice level questions: 50 Magic Stones per answer. First-Class Wizard Apprentice level questions: 200 Magic Stones per answer. Additional fees may apply for particularly difficult problems. Formal Wizard level questions require detailed discussion with the shop owner."
"This shop does not entertain trivial questions. For basic inquiries, please consult books, ask others, or conduct your own research."
"No refunds. If you're unsatisfied, don't ask questions in the first place."
"This shop also offers corpse consultation services—100 Magic Stones per session, allowing the deceased to answer three questions. However, this is contingent upon passing the White Wizard Association's ethical review mechanism. The shop bears no responsibility for any consequences."
Locke turned to the last small blackboard hanging on the wall. "This shop welcomes all profound and challenging questions. Particularly interesting problems may even be answered free of charge."
"Additionally, the shop is currently offering a six-month crash course in archaeology for 1000 Magic Stones. Requirements: at least a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice with secondary affinity for Negative Energy Particles and a passion for ancient historical knowledge. Whether you learn or not is your responsibility—no tuition refunds."
Locke approached the small blackboards on the wall and finally spotted the shop owner. The old man was sitting on the floor behind the counter, fiddling with a Naga skull in his hands.
He held the Naga skull to his ear, as if quietly listening to the secrets it whispered about itself.
Locke walked over and asked, "Shopkeeper, are you currently running an archaeology training course?"
The historian McCarthy frowned in displeasure, glaring fiercely at Locke with his sunken, sinister eyes—his gaunt, vampire-like features making it seem as though Locke owed him a great deal of money.
McCarthy grabbed a humerus bone from the floor and used it to tap the first small blackboard on the wall, which read: "This shop sells information. No idle chatter. No meaningless questions."
Locke chuckled.
Many First-Class Wizard Apprentices in Lilith's Cottage offered courses to earn money, preying on eager but directionless Second-Class Wizard Apprentices.
These courses were generally dubious—while they did teach some things, their primary purpose was to make easy money, so the quality was predictably poor.
Locke wasn't sure if this shop's archaeology crash course fell into the same category.
In any case, it was already stated upfront: no refunds, regardless of whether one learned anything or not.
Locke returned to his original purpose. "I'd like you to appraise a ring of mysterious origin and sign a confidentiality agreement."
"I don't want this information leaked."
McCarthy finally showed some reaction. "Contracts can be signed," he said impatiently.
"My shop's reputation is far more important than whatever trivial secret you're hiding."
After a moment's thought, Locke retrieved the ring given to him by Earl Augustine from his Astral Ring.
McCarthy stood up, took the ring from Locke, and examined it through a magnifying glass.
He observed for a while before a glimmer of interest appeared in his eyes. "This doesn't originate from the Southeast Corner Domain, otherwise I would have recognized its origin immediately."
"But this ring is forged from a mixture of Stillness Iron, Replication Bronze, and Nibelungen Mithril. Setting aside other aspects, merely damaging it would be beyond the capability of any wizard apprentice."
McCarthy stated, "This isn't an item a wizard apprentice should possess. I can only provide this much information."
"Consider it equivalent to a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice level question. You may pay me 50 Magic Stones for it."
Locke hadn't expected that the ring in his possession wasn't just crafted from Stillness Iron, but likely didn't belong to the Southeast Corner Domain either.
Suddenly, McCarthy's expression changed. He sniffed the air, then abruptly leaned closer to Locke. "This scent... it can't be... You've undergone Ancient Creature Bloodline modification..."
McCarthy's previously indifferent, almost impatient gaze transformed instantly. His eyes burned with intensity as he stared at Locke. "This First Class Wizard Apprentice, have you undergone Ancient Creature Bloodline modification? It must be Orkney Ancient Giant Bear..."
"In this era, you actually managed to obtain the Bloodline of an Orkney Ancient Giant Bear." McCarthy's attitude toward Locke shifted dramatically, becoming enthusiastic. "The House of Historical Scholars welcomes distinguished guests like you who carry such rich, multi-layered historical significance."
"Consider that previous question a complimentary gift."
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