The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 46

43. Measuring Magic Power

“These are the appraised items. And those over there haven’t been checked yet. You might hit the jackpot, or you might find nothing. It’s up to you.”

Amidst the chaotic collection of stolen goods, the dealer seemed to have established some semblance of order, sorting a few items to show Caryl.

“And the magic books are this way. Did you know the competition starts in two days?”

“Not really. The Eternal Light Society and the Immortality Society are always holding competitions to scout new members, aren’t they?”

“Well, they do cause us a lot of trouble. Officially, only the competitions sanctioned by the Council of Seven Elders are considered legitimate.”

Caryl chuckled softly.

“That’s quite a boast coming from a black market dealer.”

“Well… it’s only natural for someone born in Azor. I might be doing this now, but I once dreamed of becoming a wizard myself.”

He lowered his voice, as if embarrassed.

“Even though they have their own bases, they hold these dangerous competitions here in the magic city, and we’re the ones who suffer. They wreck the place every time, so of course we don’t like them. Yet, they claim to be the real deal, constantly asserting their authority and fighting.”

“I see.”

“Just a few days ago, disciples from those two magic societies fought, and one of them died. Have you ever seen one of these competitions? They call it a competition, but it’s just fighting for your life, like in an arena.”

Perhaps he simply needed someone to listen.

The man poured out his grievances to Caryl, as if he’d been waiting for the opportunity.

‘He’s certainly talkative.’

Listening with half an ear, Caryl examined the magic books in the shop.

‘They’re not much different from the ones I got in Einherjar. As I expected…’

Most of the items on display were 2nd class or lower.

Magic spells above 3rd class were difficult to obtain because wizards closely guarded them, but the bigger issue was that Caryl was a new customer.

“Weren’t you listening? I said I came with Dushala’s introduction. I’ll leave if you’re only going to show me these low-level books.”

“Even 2nd class magic books aren’t easy to come by. Unless you join a magic society through a magic power assessment, getting anything higher is like reaching for the moon.”

“That’s why I came here. Dushala said you had 4th class magic books or higher.”

Caryl said, casually tapping the books on the shelf as if he had no interest in them.

“Ha… Are you a free wizard? Why not join a guild? If you become a mercenary, the guild will provide you with magic books.”

However, the owner remained nonchalant.

“You’re not very good at business, telling a customer to join a guild.”

Caryl took two letters from his pocket.

“This is a letter of introduction from Dushala herself. Give it to Bargo Sira. And this is a letter of recommendation from the wizard Beryl.”

“…”

*Swoosh-*

Channeling his magic power, Caryl thrust the recommendation letter into the table. The two letters pierced the wood as easily as a blade, sinking in without resistance.

The owner swallowed hard, unsure of what to do.

“That should be explanation enough. Take me to your boss. And you shouldn’t be so rude to a valued guest, right?”

“I-I’m sorry.”

At Caryl’s words, he hurriedly opened the door behind the table.

Only then did Caryl nod, satisfied.

As he was about to descend the stairs behind the door…

“T-That…”

Even if Dushala’s introduction was acceptable, the precious recommendation letter would be ruined if he tried to pull it out carelessly.

The value of a formal wizard’s recommendation letter from Azor was immense.

“Could you please take it out?”

The owner’s tearful voice pleaded.

* * *

“We have a distinguished guest, and my foolish subordinate has been rude. Please, come in.”

The basement behind the back door displayed items far superior to the junk he’d seen upstairs.

‘At this rate, it’s comparable to Tatur’s black market for magic-related items.’

Caryl glanced at the magic books and weapons lining the walls.

‘The black market has everything, except for magic books. When it comes to magic, Azor’s merchants have a monopoly.’

That meant…

‘Because they’re the only suppliers, they’re exploiting it as much as possible.’

He looked at the man in front of him.

Without needing an introduction, he knew it was Bargo Sira, the man Dushala had mentioned.

His arrogance was palpable in the way he sat.

Stroking the thick beard covering his chin, the man said,

“I heard you have a wizard’s recommendation letter?”

“It’s from Baron Beryl. I want to buy a magic book with it. Is that possible?”

“Haha, of course. Because of the Baron’s reputation… his recommendation letter isn’t as sought after, but the basic conditions are the same.”

“What’s the highest class I can get?”

“We can trade after verifying your magic power with a measuring device. If your magic power is low, you can get up to 3rd class. If it’s high, you can get up to 4th class.”

“Magic power verification? You have such a machine here?”

At Caryl’s question, Bargo smirked.

“Of course. Sometimes wizards write these letters too easily. We get guys who buy them here and resell them, so please understand.”

“Azor has really gone too far. A magic power measuring device in a shop.”

“Haha, we also run a guild. You can trust it because it’s officially recognized. It won’t harm you.”

“Magic Guild?”

“Just a small one. Nothing to worry about. Haha.”

Caryl nodded.

‘That guild must be Ulkas.’

“Sometimes, those with high magic power don’t want to belong anywhere, so they buy magic books here. But most of those without magic power are just merchants.”

“That makes sense.”

Bargo retrieved a machine with a large crystal ball from behind the wall.

“Have you ever had your magic power measured before?”

“No.”

“Oh… Then you might not be able to buy a 4th class magic book. I hope you get good results.”

Caryl resisted the urge to scoff.

It was his first time using this particular machine, but he had seen similar devices countless times.

During the time when oracles were common and magic units were being created, there was a shortage of personnel, so even those above 3rd class were drafted into magic soldier units.

‘Fortunately, if it’s not measuring attributes or magic power veins, and it’s just a device that checks the amount of magic power…’

It wouldn’t be a problem for him.

“First, please place your hand on this crystal ball for an accurate measurement.”

“If you sell magic books according to magic power level, does that mean you also have magic books above 4th class?”

“Haha… Above 4th class? That’s mid-level wizard territory. Do you know how many magic power veins someone like that has to open?”

“But surely some free wizards get magic books from the guild.”

“Of course, but there aren’t many, and even a noble would have trouble buying all the magic books individually. A single 5th class magic book, for a mid-level wizard… It would cost a fortune.”

“I see.”

Bargo spoke meaningfully, but Caryl remained calm.

“If you have the money, you can get anything here.”

“Someone at that level would belong somewhere. But if you can use it to your advantage, there’s nothing you can’t sell.”

Bargo looked at Caryl with a hint of pity.

‘I don’t know how he got Dushala’s introduction, but he’s a funny kid. Verch Blano of the Ivory Tower, a so-called great wizard, barely opened six magic power veins in his mid-twenties and reached the 5th class level.’

The world called such a person a genius.

Unless a dragon polymorphed [changed shape], there was no way a kid barely fifteen could have the magic power of a mid-level wizard.

‘At best, 2nd class. No, judging by his confidence, probably around 3rd class. Which is still amazing…’

He considered various possibilities.

‘Did Beryl, that old man, take in a new disciple? He’s past his prime, but he was once considered a genius.’

He was the one who drew four magic power veins at fifteen and five at eighteen, reaching 4th class and becoming a wizard.

‘Well… he’s lived a miserable life ever since, his body and mind ruined…’

But the magical knowledge in his head might still be intact.

‘Still, he’s just a kid.’

Bargo operated the measuring device.

“Raise the maximum amount of magic power you can condense. The amount of magic power is determined by the length of the line on the edge of the crystal ball.”

“Hmm.”

There was a black border around the round crystal ball.

“Try it.”

Caryl slowly raised his magic power as if it were nothing. The warm energy in his magic power veins began to envelop his whole body.

Everyone’s eyes were on the crystal ball.

At that moment.

Caryl hesitated for a moment.

“…”

But the hesitation lasted only a few seconds.

“Wh-What…! ?”

Bargo Sira’s eyes widened.

The border of the crystal ball, which had been blank, began to fill rapidly, as if being wrapped in a bandage.

“4… 4th class?!”

A magic power measuring device was ultimately a device to confirm whether someone had the potential to reach the rank of wizard.

“Is that all?”

“…Yes?”

Then.

Crack-! Cracking—!!

Caryl began to pour more magic power from his veins into the crystal ball. Without restraint or concealment, a faint light emanated from his palm, which was wrapped around the crystal ball.

Crunch……!!

Kwaaaang……!!

The crystal ball cracked and shattered, unable to withstand his power.

Whooooosh–

Bargo Sira’s hair fluttered.

The calm air swirled violently, like a vortex.

He knew it was the wind created by the unleashed magic power.

The thick smell of magic filled the room.

‘The magic power measuring device couldn’t handle it…?’

That meant…

The kid in front of him had more than 4th class magic power.

No.

He couldn’t confirm the limit.

He might overturn the records set by the great wizards of history.

“…”

Bookshelves rattled, and papers flew everywhere.

His room was a mess, but Bargo Sira stood blankly, his mouth agape.

“It’s broken.”

Caryl’s expression as he looked at the shattered device was a sight to behold.

“N-No way.”

Caryl laughed softly.

Then, he said calmly to the dazed Bargo,

“Bring me the highest-level magic book in the store.”