Chapter 12: Everyone Is in the Scam

Night.

The luxurious guest room of the Jinqiangyu Lvdian.

Luosen wore a look of utter astonishment, simultaneously bewildered: "I don't know either."

Hmph~ Still making excuses!

Beierkan gave a cold chuckle and pointed his staff at Yadan.

Dispel!

A speck of watery light rushed into Yadan's body, and then nothing happened—Yadan's body showed no change.

The handsome little boy's big black eyes blinked like stars shining in the night sky, and his utterly innocent expression was like a tame forest fawn.

Dalete felt his heart about to melt, as if weeds were sprouting in his chest, compelling him involuntarily to lean toward Luosen.

"Beierkan, no change means there's no Transformation Technique—did you get it wrong?"

After all, he also knows some basic arcane knowledge.

Beierkan was also a bit dazed, but he insisted: "The Kuilin Eye has never been wrong; there must be Transformation power nearby."

He refused to believe it, raising his staff again and aiming it at Luosen.

Dispel!

Luosen remained a young man with an honest, simple face.

Dispel!

He then turned to Yadan and tried once more.

Naturally, there was still no change.

After successive failures, the White‑haired Mage's gaze visibly wavered.

"Knight, no matter what, there's definitely a problem. For safety's sake, I think we should call off this deal."

That was certainly true; Dalete, though reluctant, still decided to follow Beierkan's advice.

But before he could speak, Luosen suddenly slapped his forehead, looking enlightened.

"I think I know the reason now."

He explained: "Yadan once studied magic for half a year under a wandering mage, who said Yadan sensed the presence of a magic ring after just a week and showed outstanding talent; we had originally planned to let him keep learning."

"But Olivia—Yadan's mother—suddenly fell ill, forcing us to halt the plan."

Saying this, he looked at Yadan: "Kid, show what you've learned—like making a hand seal or something."

Yadan nodded, raised his hand, and quickly traced a standard hand seal for the Transformation Technique; as the seal was released, Beierkan's detection crystal glowed a bit brighter.

Luosen let out a long sigh: "The wandering mage said Yadan has already gained decent magical power; if he masters the right method, he can cast spells successfully. Too bad…"

"So the mage's device lit up just now perhaps because the child was mischievous, fiddling with a few failed spells."

This explanation is quite reasonable, and Yadan's displayed Transformation hand seal was both standard and swift—clearly the result of long practice.

Beierkan was mostly convinced, but out of caution he raised his staff again, lightly resting it on Yadan's shoulder, closed his eyes, and carefully sensed the power within him.

Luosen smirked inwardly: "Look, look—you're seeing only what was specially arranged for you to see."

These details were his secret additions; even Selena didn't know them, yet they were the key to success or failure.

After a long while, Beierkan shrugged: "The little fellow's power indeed has a solid foundation, its strength nearing the First Ring. How old is he this year?"

"He'll be ten after the Winter Veil Festival."

Beierkan's face showed feeling: "He's not even ten yet."

That's far stronger than he was back then.

Having said that, he turned to Dalete and whispered via Spiritual Whisper: "This little thing is a magical genius; with proper education, his growth potential is enormous."

Dalete felt ever more tempted.

Before, he had made Yadangdang a lovely pet, but now he had a new idea: to train the other party into a family mage.

Thus he got down to business: "Mr. Luobin, does your wife agree?"

Luosen also grew serious, straightening his back and showing a hint of tension on his face.

"My wife agrees, but she says Yadan is her treasure; 300 Ogre is too little—at least we need… 2000 Ogre."

Dalete's face darkened, and he tapped the table lightly: "Mr. Luobin, this price is far too high."

This is outright extortion! If it weren't for the child's magical talent, he would have turned hostile right now.

Luosen, 'nervous,' rubbed his hands, avoiding Dalete's gaze and instead stared at his own feet.

"Sir, I also think it's too high. But Olivia says she's not stupid; she knows the petty schemes of you rich folk."

"She demands a high price so you'll cherish Yadan; if someday you come to dislike him, at least today's high price will keep you from easily discarding him."

Having said that, Luosen quickly added: "I think that's unreliable, but Olivia insists I say it—I… I don't know what to do. Ah~~~~"

He bowed his head deeply, clutching it with both hands—a helpless, indecisive failure of a man.

Meanwhile, Beierkan was moved, for he too had been sold by his parents.

Thus he looked at Dalete and whispered via Spiritual Whisper: "Knight, buying a boy with outstanding magical talent for 2000 Ogre isn't much of a loss." "This boy is very smart; if I teach him, I feel his future achievements will far surpass mine."

Those words instantly swayed Dalete.

2000 Ogre is a huge sum, but gritting his teeth he could still scrape it together.

If that money could truly bring the family a loyal and excellent talent, it would indeed be very worthwhile.

But the other side is a civilian, obviously easy to bully, so he glanced at Dalete, signaling with his eyes: could they use a dirty trick? For instance, use magic to dazed the boy's parents, prompting them to offer a low price, or simply not pay and hand the child over directly.

Beierkan whispered back: "Knight, if you intend to raise this boy and later employ him, you'd better not mess with his parents."

"Payment and goods cleared up front is the safest way."

That's also correct.

Dalete nodded, turned to Luosen, and said: "All right, then 2000 Ogre. Let's sign the contract."

Luosen looked up, shocked: "Sir, you are really generous."

Dalete shrugged: "Yeah, I am indeed generous."

But he didn't feel great inside, because this way he couldn't freely play with the little boy, as it would damage the boy's loyalty.

But having said that, he could still be close to him in daily life.

Thinking this, his mood improved a lot, so he got up and went into the bedroom; after a while, he took out a deposit ticket and a contract from the bedroom.

"This is a deposit ticket from Morning Star Bank, printed with an inimitable magic symbol; each is 500 Ogres, four in total, exactly 2000 Ogres—look closely."

Luosen took the deposit ticket with trembling hands, examined it carefully, and nodded gratefully: "I recognize Morning Star Bank's deposit tickets; this is indeed genuine."

Good, now sign the contract.

Luosen immediately picked up a pen and wrote his and his wife's names on the contract—one called Luobin, the other called Aoliwei.

Now, leave your child, take the money, and go treat your wife's illness.

Luosen placed the deposit ticket preciously against his chest, then deeply bowed to Dalete: "Thank you very much for your kindness, sir."

He then turned to Yadan: "Child, from now on follow this uncle, listen to his words well, understand?"

Yadan nodded obediently and also deeply bowed to Dalete.

Dalete's heart melted; he hurried forward to support him, and greedily gazed at Yadan's handsome face, praising him endlessly.

Good, good, good~ Really nice~

Suddenly he felt strange again: "Luobin, why does Yadan never speak?"

Luosen gave an embarrassed explanation, pointing to his throat: "Yadan has been unable to speak since childhood, but rest assured, he is very smart—smarter than most children—I guarantee it!"

Dalete believed this, for as soon as he saw Yadan's big, bright, dark eyes, he knew this child was absolutely not stupid.

"Not being able to speak—hehe, that's even better."

Then let's do that.

Luosen bowed to Dalete again, then turned and left the VIP guest room.

In the lounge, he walked slowly, but as soon as he left the room and closed the door, he immediately quickened his pace and vanished in the blink of an eye.

In the VIP guest room, Dalete looked at the obedient, adorable little boy, feeling an odd itch in his heart, as if a small cat were scratching his heart with its soft little paws.

He endured, endured again, but finally couldn't hold back.

No, I must properly play with him for a while.

So he turned to his magic consultant: "Beierkan, I want to get intimate with the little guy."

Beierkan shrugged: "Knight, although I don't approve of what you're doing, you're the one paying, so I can only advise you to keep things in moderation."

Haha~ I will.

Dalete waved at Yadan: "Come~ let's go into the room with uncle."

Yadan obediently followed.

The two entered the bedroom.

About five minutes later, Dalete walked out of the bedroom feeling refreshed.

Beierkan saw this and smiled faintly: "Knight, it seems you are very satisfied."

Dalete smiled slightly: "That's right, I am very satisfied; this money was well spent."

He paused, then a hint of doubt appeared on his face: "But I don't know why, I feel this little boy is a bit strange."

"It's not that he's bad, but he's just not quite like the little boys I've met before."

Beierkan blinked: "Specifically, in what way is he different?"

"Um, hard to say, but he smells a bit off—fine at first, but after sweating, he seems to have a bit of a muttony smell."

Beierkan blinked: "Maybe the parents neglected him or something—no!"

"I need to examine him properly!"

This white-haired Dharma Master seemed to have thought of something, his face instantly turning very solemn.

(End of chapter)