Ancient Artifact Exchange eting.
As the na suggests, this is a wizard group exchange eting centered around ancient relics.
The gentleman in the top hat, one of the initial founders of this eting, is nad Abel. He is a highly experienced third-level peak wizard, and there are rumors that he may have already advanced to a level 4 wizard.
Of course, this exchange eting doesn’t solely focus on exchanging ancient relics, as the number of such relics is too limited to have new discoveries every week. A group of wizards gathering together can’t just stare at each other in silence, so other topics gradually beca part of the eting, such as discussing strange occurrences, taking on different commissions, obtaining specific information, and expressing needs for various magic tools.
Ultimately, the exchange has evolved to what it is now—a small marketplace and a place where everything is discussed over tea.
The reason Richard joined this eting was simple: he wanted to understand the current state of the mainstream wizard circles and also to seek out things he lacked, such as the obscure blood magic he’s been quite eager to find.
Admittedly, he could discuss these needs with the black-faced elder Oscar and get them resolved. However, having left the Truth Society, he can no longer provide Oscar with as much information about the society as before, so he tries not to trouble Oscar with matters that others can handle.
He and Oscar had a relationship of equivalent exchange, and he hoped any favors he owed Oscar could be used in more important matters, avoiding any unnecessary waste.
Richard thought this as the elderly gentleman Abel, who announced the start of the eting, looked at him and said, "As is our custom, each eting starts with the people at the back, so let’s have Wizard Richard start his exchange."
"Clap! Clap!"
Scattered applause sounded in the room, a gesture of encouragent, as everyone adjusted their sofa positions and looked on.
Richard, seeing this, was not surprised as he had participated in this eting many tis and was quite familiar with the procedure.
Facing the expectant gazes, he nodded slightly and spoke, "All right, I’ll start the exchange. Actually, calling it an exchange isn’t accurate; I’m mainly here for your help this ti.
The help concerns two things: the first is the sa as before, continuing to seek various obscure blood magic, whether complete or partial, and I will offer a satisfactory price;
The second is slightly unusual—I’m looking for a weapon. This weapon doesn’t need to have any special effects but must be heavy and sturdy, and preferably in the shape of a wooden stick. That’s it."
After Richard finished speaking, the room fell into a brief silence. People exchanged glances but no one spoke up imdiately.
Just as Richard thought neither of his requests could be fulfilled, a thin warlock sitting on the sofa to his left raised his hand, looking over.
"Wizard Richard, hello, my na is Rees. We’ve t at the past two exchange etings," the thin warlock introduced himself, his skin rippling like water on his cheeks. "I think I might have both the items you need."
"Oh? Really?" Richard looked at him, slightly surprised.
Could it be so coincidental?
The other didn’t waste words and reached down, lifting up a cylinder over one and a half ters long, wrapped in black cloth. Removing the cloth revealed a straight gray-brown wooden stick, its surface etched with strange patterns and faint energy waves emanating from it, marking it as no ordinary object.
The other wizards looked on with curiosity, and Richard raised an eyebrow, asking Rees, "What is this?"
"This is said to be a branch of the World Tree," Rees, the thin warlock, explained.
Richard raised an eyebrow.
"Ha!" Rees chuckled upon seeing Richard’s expression, "Just kidding, it’s obviously not a branch of the World Tree, as that is but a legend. In truth, this is a magic wand."
"A magic wand? Is this really a magic wand?" Richard blinked, sowhat skeptical. Ignoring the energy waves, it looked more like an iron bar than a wand.
Rees seed to understand Richard’s doubt, adopted a serious expression, and confird, "It is indeed a magic wand. Its appearance is a result of its creation process."
Rees candidly shared his knowledge: "You all should know that there aren’t just one but multiple thods for making magic wands. Besides the common thod of selecting appropriate materials for creation by a staff-making wizard, there’s also the ’planting thod’.
The so-called planting thod is more complex and tedious but also more likely to et personal needs. Generally, it involves planting a magic wand vine seed, and from the mont it sprouts, applying different potions and spells to ticulously cultivate it into a specific shape.
A magic wand made from mature magic wand vine will better suit the caster in terms of length, diater, and other aspects compared to ordinary wands; however, it also costs more."
"If that’s the case, why don’t you keep the wand for your own use?" soone questioned.
Reese showed a bitter smile and sighed, "Actually, I would like to, but it’s a sad story: from a long ti ago, I aspired to have a wand completely customized for myself. To prepare, I spent three entire years from seeds to the final success.
But alas, I’m neither a farr nor a gardener, so I lacked knowledge about cultivation. In the first two years, the magic wand vine grew normally, but in the third year, sothing went wrong—due to my maintenance thods or other issues, it grew increasingly bizarre, becoming not at all what I had envisioned.
As you can see, its current length is almost as tall as , extrely sturdy, far surpassing ordinary steel, and incredibly heavy, weighing over forty pounds. Forget using it for spellcasting; carrying it around daily is already a big problem. Regrettably, I had no choice but to sell it."
In the end, Reese sighed and looked at Richard, asking, "Wizard Richard, what do you think? If you’re satisfied, I can sell you this unprocessed magic wand vine for five hundred low-grade crystal coins, and I’ll throw in a partial copy of the ’Som Wand Planting Guide’.
You should know that I just pulled this magic wand vine from the ground not long ago, and it can maintain certain activity for three days. You could take it ho, and even if not used as a weapon, plant it back into the soil. With ticulous care, you might still harvest a wand that suits your needs, so it’s definitely not a loss. As for , well, I’ve completely given up on the wand planting route."
You’ve already given up hope, yet you think I can change everything? Do you believe I have so unique planting talent... Richard thought with suppressed sarcasm, but didn’t show it on his face. After a brief consideration, he nodded to Rees and agreed, "Alright, deal."
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