Chapter 189: Settling Old Accounts

Inside this Arcane Shop, Xia Duo had been waiting while listlessly looking at the various goods in the store, from potions and Scrolls to Magic Wands and Strange Objects; everything was available.

If not for the Magic Aura constantly flickering on the shelves, the counter, and at the entrance, Xia Duo would have had the thought of robbing the place and slipping away.

However, as Xia Duo walked back and forth in the shop, the manager's gaze remained fixed on him, making him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Just as he was growing impatient and preparing to question the manager about when the Mage coming for the trade would arrive, a burst of chaotic chatter came from outside the door.

"Captain, do you want to go have some fun after we finish drinking later?"

"Need you to say it? Hasn't the Captain had his eye on that 'Heiyishanbao' for a long time? When have we ever come here and not gone to send her Gold Coins!"

"Ahem—both of you, quiet down. The Mage is going in to restock on Scrolls; we'll wait for you outside."

As they were speaking, a "Mage" dressed as an Adventurer walked in through the door. Xia Duo turned around and happened to meet the other person's gaze.

"It's you?"

"Lord Mage!"

The two spoke almost simultaneously, but compared to Xia Duo's composure, that Adventurer "Mage" was not so composed.

The person in front of him was wearing the exclusive Mage robe of the Tower of Time; he was clearly an Official Mage of the Tower of Time, while he himself was only a "Mage" in the polite words of his companions.

The other party recognized him, yet he had no impression of them at all. He had to consider whether he had inadvertently offended the other party, so he asked tentatively, "My Lord, do you know me?"

"Know you? How could I not know you?" Xia Duo said, almost through gritted teeth. He recalled that back then, it was this guy who charged him 5 Gold Coins for a single 【Light】 spell.

That was the only 5 Gold Coins he had on him. Although Xia Duo later successfully passed his Apprentice period, one had to know that at the time, he had to carefully calculate even the cost of a single piece of Parchment.

If he had those 5 Gold Coins, his room for maneuver would have been much greater. Therefore, seeing this "culprit" who caused him to lose 5 Gold Coins again, it would be strange if Xia Duo had a pleasant expression!

"Do you still remember the 5 Gold Coins from last year's Midsummer Festival?"

5 Gold Coins? The Mage Apprentice dressed as an Adventurer first showed a confused expression, but then he thought of something and couldn't help but open his mouth wide, exclaiming: "You are that Commoner from back then? No, you are that person from back then?"

"Hmph!"

"My Lord—" Huoier was somewhat at a loss. He had completely remembered the situation from back then. It was true that casting spells for money was the custom, but it was wrong that the weak Commoner from back then had become an Official Mage now.

Since it was wrong, then—

Huoier took out his money pouch and handed it to Xia Duo with both hands, "I accidentally offended you last time, my Lord, please forgive me!"

As long as he wasn't attacked immediately, it meant there was still room to talk. Huoier's reaction was quite fast, and Xia Duo was also a bit stunned. Originally, he just wanted to say a few words, but there was no reason to refuse Gold Coins delivered to his door.

If he didn't accept it, it would only make the other party feel uneasy. Xia Duo took the money pouch and weighed it; the sound was a bit mixed. He opened it to look, and there were about 10 Gold Coins, along with some scattered Silver Coins.

There were even Silver Coins!

Xia Duo was somewhat amused and annoyed. He didn't even know how long it had been since he had touched Silver Coins. Seeing the other party's slightly nervous expression, Xia Duo counted out 5 Gold Coins from inside and put them away.

"Today I will also cast a spell for you; these 5 Gold Coins will be my fee."

"Yes, yes!" Huoier agreed hurriedly.

Almost without any hesitation, Xia Duo applied a ball of light to the money pouch and then returned it. He really didn't care for this small amount of money; taking back the 5 Gold Coins could be considered settling his previous obsession.

As for the so-called spellcasting fee, Xia Duo had always scoffed at it. If one could really make money by casting spells, then who would pay for the spells he consumed in experiments and practice!

It was nothing more than an excuse for the strong to exploit the weak.

Xia Duo knew that even if he were only a Mage Apprentice, he shouldn't have only this much money on him, but the matter back then couldn't be said to be anyone's fault. In the end, it was a matter of strength and status.

If he were still an ordinary person now, the other party would definitely not have this attitude.

And he only possessed the qualification for tolerance now that he had changed his status; otherwise, he would still have to obediently pay up at the other party's word.

However, this matter would end here. Xia Duo waved his hand, "Go about your business."

After saying this, Xia Duo turned around.

Hearing these words, Huoier felt relieved and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes!"

Afterwards, he seemed to have forgotten the purpose of coming to the shop, turned around, walked out the door, and left.

The manager in the shop saw Xia Duo drive the customer away and wanted to say something but hesitated. However, how could Xia Duo let him speak first? Instead, he asked first, "Why hasn't your Mage arrived yet?"

"This, this—" the manager was a bit nervous, "The Mage is usually busy with official business, but he will be here soon. Please wait a moment longer, my Lord."

After dismissing the manager, Xia Duo muttered to himself, why hadn't he come yet? As for being busy with official business, Xia Duo didn't believe it. Compared to himself, a truly busy Mage should be in the Mage Tower.

How much business could a Mage outside have?

Xia Duo had never dealt with Mages outside, but he had been to the local Mage Guild. That lazy appearance—if not for the Mage status bonus, they could completely be called a bunch of idlers.

Even though it was a seller's market now, Xia Duo had set a time limit for himself; it was impossible to wait indefinitely. Besides, having waited so long, he would definitely have to haggle later!

Seeming to hear Xia Duo's inner voice and knowing that if he didn't come, the customer would leave, a middle-aged Mage dressed meticulously with shiny, oily hair arrived at the Arcane Shop within the limits of Xia Duo's patience.

"Customer, sorry to have kept you waiting!" This Mage greeted him as soon as he arrived, his attitude quite amiable.

"..."

Originally, Xia Duo was prepared to complain a few times, but when he saw the appearance of the person who arrived, he swallowed his complaints back down; it was incredibly uncomfortable.

This person was actually the Mage Guild staff member who had previously certified Xia Duo's Spellcasting Level; he should be an Intermediate Mage!

"Does the Mage Guild also moonlight in selling Learning Scrolls?"

"Uh—" the middle-aged Mage was a bit startled, but he quickly covered it up, "Although I am a member of the Mage Guild, I am also a specially appointed Consultant for the Eagle Chamber of Commerce! How should I address you, customer?"

"Just call me Xia Duo."

"Mage Xia Duo, I wonder which kind of spell Learning Scroll you wish to purchase?"

This middle-aged Mage seemed to have forgotten that not long ago Xia Duo had just done a Spellcasting Level certification with him, but Xia Duo didn't mention this matter either and asked directly:

"What do you have?"

"【Light】, 【Sending】, 【Arcane Mark】, and so on, we have them all!"

"..."

Are you fooling a child? I need to buy these from you? Added to the previous wait, Xia Duo's unhappy expression was no longer hidden.

"Do you have any 1st Circle or 2nd Circle ones?"

"Yes, of course! Even for a 3rd Circle Spell, Ge Li Fei Zi has them here." Ge Li Fei Zi revealed a cunning smile, "I wonder what Spell the guest needs?"

Xia Duo took a deep breath, knowing that he probably wouldn't be able to haggle today; being ripped off was a certainty, but if the price was too outrageous, he also had legs to walk away!

"I need 【Summon Mount】."

"..." Now it was Ge Li Fei Zi's turn to be sullen, and he asked somewhat exaggeratedly, "Just this? Nothing else?"