It seemed Saelran had spent too long reading those scrolls.
The young magic caster looked up, impatience on his face as he stared at Saelran. "Have you made your choice?"
Hearing the question, Saelran finally shifted his gaze away from the books and said, "I have made my choice, but I still have one more question."
"Go ahead," the young magic caster replied, his expression softening slightly as he picked up the guidebook and spoke calmly.
"I saw two types of magic scrolls related to 'Paper Creation,' and I want to know the difference between them," Saelran asked curiously.
While flipping through the book, Saelran discovered that the unique magic of "Paper Creation" from this otherworld not only had a Zero-tier scroll but also a First-tier version.
Since Zero-tier magic existed only in this world, seeing two versions of the same magic at different tiers was something Saelran had never encountered before, and it piqued his curiosity.
Could it be that the people of this world had actually developed a life-type magic all the way to the first-tier?
You know, In the game "Oblivion Gate," magic tiers were fixed.
Whether you were level 100 or level 20, there was no difference in casting a first-tier magic. Its strength varied according to your "magic attack" attribute, but the magic itself remained the same.
There were some special spells, such as the third-tier "Fire Arrow."
Its power and range increased based on the amount of mana the user consumed.
However, a third-tier magic was still a third-tier magic. That would never change.
The low-tier magic-negation abilities possessed by Gurath Goat Covenant and other bosses in the Nine Gate of Helldusk could completely nullify "Fire Arrow."
Therefore, in Oblivion Gate, to hunt monsters above level 80, you needed at least eighth-tier magic.
"There is not much difference."
"If I may say, paper made using the First-tier 'Paper Creation scroll is whiter, smoother, and of higher quality. It is perfect for writing."
The young magic caster spoke lazily, as if unwilling to discuss the matter further. His gaze drifted over Saelran as if saying, "Hurry up and buy something."
Hearing this, a thought suddenly surfaced in Saelran's mind, a thought that even surprised himself.
Suppressing that thought, Saelran contemplated for a moment and said, "Give me the Zero-tier 'Paper Creation' and 'Heating' scrolls."
"Also give me the First-tier 'Odorless' and 'Magic Arrow' scrolls."
Hearing Saelran's selected scrolls, the young man nodded and stood up to walk to the back.
Behind the counter was a wall with several murals hanging above it, and the young man's steps carried him straight toward the wall.
Under Saelran's gaze, the young magic caster walked directly into the wall and vanished.
"Is that a magic barrier? I had no idea." Saelran was somewhat surprised.
Soon after, the young man returned with four scrolls in hand.
"Two Zero-tier scrolls, two gold coins each."
"The First-tier 'Odorless' scroll costs one gold coin and ten silver coins. The 'Magic Arrow' scroll costs three gold coins and ten silver coins."
"The total is seven gold coins and seven silver coins."
He then placed the scrolls in front of Saelran.
Hiss.
Hearing the price, Saelran's eye twitched. He hesitated for a moment before taking out eight gold coins from his pocket and placing them on the counter.
Although both were First-tier scrolls, the offensive spell "Magic Arrow" cost nearly three times more than "Odorless."
The young man glanced at Saelran with slight surprise but said nothing more, taking the gold coins and handing over six silver coins as change.
At this moment, Saelran had fourteen gold coins, seven silver coins, and four copper coins remaining. It was not much, but should be enough to buy supplies.
After collecting the scrolls and the change, Saelran turned and left.
He walked out of the Magic Caster Guild.
A thought passed through his mind, and he placed all the scrolls he owned into the inventory box, quickening his pace as he headed back toward the inn where he was staying.
He needed to return and test his earlier hypothesis.
The sun had already set and the sky was completely dark.
Although there were a few street lamps scattered along the roads and plazas, they were spaced far apart, barely enough to illuminate the path.
Perhaps because this was a border city, there were almost no people left on the streets at this hour.
Thud.
Thud.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from a narrow alley ahead of him, deliberately stepping heavily while flipping a dagger in his hand.
Saelran frowned and slowed his pace.
Not only had someone appeared in front of him, another figure now emerged behind him.
"Young man, how about treating us to a drink?"
The figure ahead stepped out of the shadows. He was a masked man dressed entirely in black, wielding a dagger.
The figure behind Saelran also stopped, blocking his path.
Saelran glanced at him briefly.
Just like the first man, he wore a black robe, even with a hood covering his head, making it impossible to see his face in the darkness.
"It seems I am being robbed," Saelran said while considering his next move.
"No, no."
"We simply want you to buy us a drink and maybe lend us some money." The dagger-wielding thief spread his arms and shrugged.
The man behind him remained silent, which only made Saelran feel more threatened.
"How do you know I have money?"
Saelran narrowed his eyes, drawing the short sword hidden beneath his black robe.
"The Magic Caster Guild? No."
"The Magic Caster Guild would never do this. And I just left their building. Considering their reputation, even if they were short on money, they would not bother with the small amount I have."
"And I only arrived in Antara today, so..."
Having guessed something, Saelran let out a cold laugh. "You were watching me when I entered the city, weren't you?"
If he was not mistaken, these two must have seen Captain Dalron of the Guard team hand him that pouch of money.
In fact, these men specifically targeted outsiders traveling through Antara, picking off those who wandered alone.
"Oh, a clever child."
"In that case, we will not waste any more words. Hand over all your scrolls and the money you bought them with, and we might spare your life."
"No."
The thief grinned darkly as he lifted his dagger, his tone turning cold. "I do not mind cutting off your legs and selling you as a slave, black-haired brat."
"I am sure many people would want a faith-based magic caster who can use 'minor healing' as a slave."
Saelran's eyes widened.
Had his information leaked?
Aside from the Guard team, only the Kalaleal grandfather and grandson knew he could use healing magic.
Yet it seemed neither side had any reason to betray him.
The Kalaleal pair could be ruled out, and the Guard team not only had their captain's life saved by him, but they also hoped he would join them.
They would not reveal his abilities.
Was it an accidental leak?
That seemed even less likely. The Guard team was ranked E; they had professional ethics. They would not be easily tricked into revealing important information.
Thinking more deeply, only the Guard team could have… Wait.
To be precise, they were not the only ones who knew he could use healing magic. Back at the Royal Capital Adventurers Guild, quite a lot of people witnessed him using healing magic.
The dagger-wielding thief was not just after his money; he wanted to enslave him.
Such behavior—
"The Gilded Fangs!"
Saelran suddenly uttered two words.
The thief who had been spinning the dagger in his hand suddenly stopped.