“Oh, I was planning to go to Deton Manor as well to buy so backup materials for ‘Psychologist.’ Want to go together?” Avena gave her usual polite, distant smile. Under the table, she discreetly gestured toward Ciel with a beckoning motion.
Adele couldn’t see Avena’s gesture, but from Ciel’s perspective, it was obvious.
She wants Adele to be my third sponsor?
Ciel imdiately understood Avena’s intent and spoke up. “Deton Manor?”
“Oh, right, Ciel, you haven’t been to Deton Manor before,” Avena murmured as if deep in thought. “But with just Nia and , we only have two sponsors...”
“Too bad, Ciel. Looks like you’ll have to stay ho and read more books. There’s still plenty left for you to go through for the next few days. Adele and I will head to Deton Manor—since we’re missing one sponsor, you won’t be able to join us.” Avena sighed in a deliberately resigned tone, then subtly glanced at Adele.
Adele had been hesitant at first.
Ciel was clearly just a regular person—was it really okay to bring her to Deton Manor?
But then she heard the alternative: staying ho and reading books for days. Her mories of being forced to study endlessly resurfaced.
What a nightmare!
No way, I have to save her!
“I can be Miss Ciel’s third sponsor,” Adele offered. “If you don’t mind, it’s a simple enough favor.”
Plan successful!
“Great, thank you, Adele,” Avena smoothly dropped her feigned reluctance and stood up, turning to Ciel. “Let’s go ho and get the money.”
“Adele, we need to stop by ho to grab our funds first. Can you wait here for a bit?” Avena asked.
“Uh... sure, no problem.” Adele nodded. She wasn’t in that much of a hurry.
Adele had a vague sense that sothing felt off... but she couldn’t quite pinpoint what.
Once they were in the carriage, Ciel couldn’t help but say, “Wouldn’t she have agreed even if we just asked her directly?”
“If we did that, wouldn’t she start wondering why you wanted to go?” Avena tilted her head slightly, looking satisfied with her maneuvering.
She enjoyed this unspoken understanding with Ciel—it put her in a good mood.
“Alright, fair enough.” Ciel nodded, then asked, “How much is my share?”
“I already calculated it for you.” Avena reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a small notebook. Flipping to a specific page, she handed it to Ciel.
As Ciel read, Avena explained, “Usually, a first-tier potion without a recorded Reconstitution Ritual costs around 800 su pounds. Due to the rarity of the ‘Avenger’ potion, the price is about 50 pounds higher, but this potion can’t be sold as a whole.”
“I’ll have a trusted contact dismantle the potion and sell its materials separately. That reduces the price significantly—probably around 500 pounds—since no one else has the formula to recreate the potion.”
“After deducting the 100 pounds used to protect and employ your sister, you’ll receive 400 pounds.”
As Avena spoke, Ciel remained fixated on the notebook, unable to look away.
“As for Sherlon’s materials, the main ingredient for the second-tier ‘Plaguebearer’ potion can sell for around 1,150 pounds. Since this ritual is particularly inhumane, its price is lower due to the low success rate and lack of buyers. The fully extracted third-tier potion ‘Source of Cholera,’ without the ritual or notes, usually sells for around 6,000 pounds.”
“After taking my 30% share and adding your 400 pounds, you’ll receive a total of...”
Before Avena could finish, Ciel had already read the number aloud.
“5,405 su pounds...” Ciel felt her breath hitch. This was the first ti a number looked this dazzling to her.
If Avena’s estimates were correct, and first-tier potions cost around 800 pounds each...
She could buy six potions in one go—and still have money left over!
Su pounds had significant purchasing power, directly tied to gold.
This sudden windfall made Ciel feel dizzy.
So much money... what should I do with it...
Buy a house?
The thought barely surfaced before she dismissed it.
She was too used to being broke—her brain hadn’t fully adjusted yet.
This money was for strengthening herself. Power was her real foundation.
“While this is only enough to buy a small 3,000-square-foot house with a garden in Ansu, if you’re using it for first- and second-tier potions, it’s more than enough.” Avena’s tone remained calm.
A 3,000-square-foot house with a garden in Ansu cost 5,000 pounds... nearly 300 square ters...
To Avena, it was a “small house,” but for Ciel, it was an impossible dream just days ago.
These capitalists are insanely rich! Even robbing transcendents doesn’t make as much money as they do!
With Avena’s wealth, wouldn’t she be able to climb the transcendent ranks without any obstacles?
“What about fourth-tier potions? How much do they cost?” Ciel shifted her gaze from the 5,405-pound figure to Avena, handing the notebook back.
“They’re priceless.” Avena shook her head. “Even third-tier potions are rare finds. Beyond that, money becos aningless.”
Figures...
Otherwise, the transcendent paths would have been monopolized by the wealthy long ago.
“Do many nobles or businessn beco transcendents?” Ciel asked curiously.
“So do, but not many. Once they reach a certain level of wealth or status, they often learn about the existence of transcendents. However, few actually choose to walk the path,” Avena explained. “The mortality rate is too high. Not everyone qualifies for a transcendent path, and if they lose control, it could an the destruction of their entire family.”
“If they go through all that effort just to beco a first-tier transcendent, they’d still be vulnerable to bullets. And on top of that, they’d have to endure the constant whispers of their potion... Not everyone can accept that trade-off.”
That makes sense.
Lower-class individuals rarely had access to transcendent knowledge. anwhile, the middle class, who might have access, often found the risks too great. Only families like Avena’s, deeply involved in the supernatural, had the ans to pursue it.
As they conversed, the carriage arrived at Avena’s estate. Ciel didn’t get off—she had nothing to retrieve.
Her second-tier “Judicator” potion and personal belongings were safely stored in the guest room, which was far more secure than carrying them around.
After acquiring suitable potions at Deton Manor, she would have to begin planning her ascension in the simulation.
Through previous simulations, she had started to discern patterns in how Fate Points were awarded.
Breaking a predestined death earned a considerable amount. Killing above her tier was also rewarded highly. Over-completing a Reconstitution Ritual, exploring the “Other Side,” and, lastly, doing nothing at all (which only yielded a consolation prize) also granted points.
To ensure her simulations remained cost-effective, she needed to maximize her Fate Point gains each ti.
Even first-tier rituals had to be done on a grand scale to earn the most points.
And in each simulation, she would need to make as much progress as possible toward her second-tier “Judicator” ritual. She hadn’t opened the sealed envelope containing its requirents yet—she planned to do so after her purchases.
Roughly five minutes later, Ciel had finalized her path forward in her mind. Avena returned, carrying a small black handbag, and climbed into the carriage. “Crown Guard” Nia sat up front with the driver.
“Here.” Avena handed the black handbag to Ciel. “It has anti-theft protection, but be careful with it.”
“Got it.”
Ciel accepted the bag with both hands, barely containing the excitent in her heart. Slowly, she unfastened the golden clasp and opened it.
Inside lay a neat stack of hundred-pound notes.
She reached in, grasping the thick bundle of su pounds, feeling its weight. A wave of indescribable satisfaction washed over her.
So much money...
Ciel resisted the urge to sniff it. She stiffly snapped the clasp shut and held the bag close.
Sitting across from her, Avena observed the way Ciel hugged the bag with an amused thought.
Ciel... seems very interested in money...
Too bad she’s still wearing a mask—I can’t see her face. But if I imagine it, she must look like a little cat guarding its food. So cute.
“Ciel, let see the dicine Adele gave you,” Avena requested.
“Sure.” Ciel pulled the vial from her pocket and handed it over.
Avena examined it briefly, tested it with a small tool, and returned it. “It’s safe.”
Ciel took the dicine, lifted her mask slightly, and swallowed the pill before securing her mask again.
“Take your mask off first.” Avena said with mild exasperation. “Put the bag aside and co here—I’ll help you disguise yourself.”
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