1,500 magic stones…
Lynn's fortune had once peaked at nearly 5,000 magic stones, but he had burned through more than half of it to cultivate the Black Moon Spirit Body.
Now, all he had left on him was about 1,500 magic stones.
And that was only the starting bid for this Black Moon relic.
He fell silent for a moment, then let out a quiet sigh in his heart. He had no choice but to give up.
Moments later, the relic was sold for 2,400 low-grade magic stones.
That price was actually considered cheap for a Black Moon relic, likely because its function was unimpressive.
Lynn gave up on the thought entirely.
The gathering soon moved into the free-trade phase.
Those unwilling to participate often chose to leave at this point; about half the members did, including Black Crow.
But before the masked wizard departed, he deliberately approached Lynn and spoke bluntly:
"Lynn Kent, isn't it?"
Black Crow's voice wasn't particularly loud, but in a room full of wizards, even whispers could be overheard.
If Daphne hadn't anticipated this and quickly cast a silencing spell, Lynn's real name might have been exposed on the spot.
Lynn's face turned cold instantly.
Black Crow chuckled mockingly:
"Looks like the intel I got wasn't wrong, you really are Lynn Kent.
"A little apprentice from a minor faction, barely a First rank… and yet you think you have the guts to meddle in this?"
He stepped closer, staring at Lynn with a playful gleam in his eyes.
"I'll give you a choice. If you apologize right now and hand over your Black Moon relic, maybe just maybe I'll let you walk away with your life."
"Enough, Black Crow! Do you actually intend to make a move here?!"
Daphne snapped furiously from the side.
Black Crow turned to her, his voice low and cutting:
"A reminder, Rose, you're running out of time. Better to bow to me now than end up with nothing at all."
With that, he spun around and left, clearly convinced he had Daphne cornered.
Lynn and Daphne remained at the gathering for a while longer, though they spoke little.
Lynn glanced over the goods being traded, hoping for another Black Moon relic.
But that was wishful thinking; most of the items were of little interest or use to him.
Finally, once the meeting ended, the two slipped away and restored their true appearances in a safe place.
Lynn was just about to take his leave when Daphne suddenly produced a wooden box.
She opened it and thrust it toward him.
Inside lay a silver-purple belt, finely crafted, with a silver buckle engraved with the unmistakable mark of the Black Moon.
It was, without a doubt, a Black Moon relic!
"As you said, let's talk about profit," Daphne murmured.
But this time, her face bore none of her usual sweet smile.
Instead, it was calm, desolate like a blackened wasteland after wildfire.
"This is the relic that was just auctioned at the gathering?" Lynn asked.
"Yes." Daphne shoved the box into his hands with a rough, almost forceful motion.
Lynn wasn't offended. He only smiled faintly.
From the very start, he had seen things clearly.
From the moment Daphne had sought him out, he had already foreseen this situation.
Whatever the reasons, whether her choice or his, he could only end up standing on her side.
Since that was inevitable, Lynn's only concern was how to survive this crisis and come away with greater benefit.
And now, he had done just that.
Raising his head, Lynn looked at Daphne and asked calmly:
"What do you need me to do?"
"We need your concealment ability to investigate the connection between Black Crow and Nelson
to find out whether they're the same person."
Daphne's reply came with emphasis, her voice lingering on the word "us."
Lynn smiled faintly, slipping the belt away, and said:
"I'll uncover the truth about Black Crow and Nelson for us.
"But before that, I need more information.
"For example, what exactly do Black Crow and Nelson want? And what are they waiting for?"
Black Crow and Nelson weren't opponents Daphne could hope to confront directly. Yet somehow, the two forces remained in balance. There had to be deeper reasons behind it.
"Black Crow wants the Black Moon relic in my possession. He's threatened me more than once, sometimes openly, sometimes through hints to hand it over.
"As for Nelson… he hasn't said it outright, but I can feel his covetous gaze fixed on Tilo, the shop."
She paused, then added, almost reluctantly:
"And beyond the shop, Nelson… wants me."
Daphne tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her expression uneasy.
Her features were flawless, refined, delicate, her skin pale and smooth. A beauty, without question, someone who naturally drew the eye.
Lynn did not doubt her words.
Yes, wizards were seekers of truth, but that didn't mean they were immune to human desires. The kind of zealots who abandoned all for truth were rare even within wizarding civilization.
Most were still ordinary people who pursued strength while carrying their human wants and flaws.
"So if Nelson and Black Crow are the same man, the reason he hasn't forced your hand yet is because he wants you to submit willingly to claim you?" Lynn pressed.
Daphne shook her head.
"That's not the main reason.
"I told you before, I only hold inheritance rights to Tilo. I haven't formally inherited the shop yet; I just receive a share of the profits.
"So even if Black Crow killed me now, he still wouldn't gain ownership of the shop."
"If that's the case, then you needn't fear Black Crow. Focus on growing stronger. Once you're powerful enough, then inherit the shop," Lynn suggested.
But Daphne only shook her head, bitterness shadowing her expression.
Lynn quickly understood.
"There's a time limit on the inheritance?"
She nodded.
"Less than four months left. The deadline is year's end. If I haven't inherited by then, the shop will be reclaimed by the Silver Ring Academy.
"So, I either resolve the Black Crow–Nelson problem before then… or give up on Tilo altogether."
She gave a wan smile.
"Of course, Black Crow or Nelson probably won't let me simply walk away, even if I do choose to give it up."
Lynn was silent for a moment before asking:
"Even if you deal with Black Crow, what happens if, after you inherit the shop, White Crow appears?"
Daphne's face dimmed. She pressed her lips together and sighed.
"I can't think that far ahead. Right now, I only want to deal with the threat in front of me.
"After that… if I don't have the strength, then I'll have no choice but to abandon Tilo."
Her parents, her lifelong guardians, were gone. Her uncle, as steadfast as a mountain, was gone too.
It had all happened too suddenly. Daphne couldn't even remember how she survived that dark time.
But over the past six months, she had endured too many hardships, seen too much treachery and cruelty.
She had barely held herself together, only to run into Black Crow.
During her trial for entry into the Association, she had nearly lost her life.
Later, Black Crow's relentless pressure had left her with no escape.
She had chosen to flee to Emerald Forest City for respite, where she unexpectedly encountered Lynn and his Black Moon relic.
After careful thought, she had decided to bring him into the Association.
She had believed that, after half a year of being hardened by misfortune, she could handle this apprentice from a minor faction and bend him into a dependable ally.
But now… perhaps she had only invited a wolf into her home.
Daphne gazed at Lynn, sighing silently, trying to reassure herself:
"He may be as cunning as Black Crow, but at least in terms of strength, I still hold the advantage."
Lynn, of course, had no idea of her conflicted thoughts.
Had he known, he would've only smiled faintly.
After all, with Void White Lightning now at his command, his strength was not necessarily below Daphne's anymore.
Instead, he simply nodded and said calmly:
"If we're going to investigate Nelson and Black Crow's connection, I'll need the right opportunity.
"Next time he comes looking for you, let me know. But don't invite him out directly, that risks spooking him. Understood?"
Daphne bit her lip, her pride pricked by his tone.
But she wasn't a fool. She knew he was right. Finally, she nodded.
"I understand."
She hesitated, then asked:
"And if he never comes to me?"
"Then we wait," Lynn answered firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Believe me, the one who can't sit still will be him."
They spoke for a little longer before parting ways.
Lynn could hardly wait to return home and test out the Black Moon relic Daphne had just given him.
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