Chapter 129 - The Spoils of Success and Failure
Carrying a large number of books back to the Headquarters, I spent the night reading through them. I couldn't get through all of them in one night, and I didn't open that mysterious blank book. Even though I didn't read it, as a studious person, I decided to look into what Wistaria in the Book of Wistaria actually was. To my surprise, I already knew the answer. I hadn't recognized it before because the spelling was different from what I had read previously, and it seemed too far-fetched.
Wistaria is a legendary figure in history, the kind of person everyone knows from fairy tales. For those who have studied a little or are researchers, her contributions are immeasurable and well-known.
Wistaria Falling Road is believed to have been a great magician who lived over a thousand years ago, the only person in human history to have mastered magic. According to records, no one other than Wistaria could perform first-class magic, the highest of the seven levels. Her significant achievements include defining the seven levels of magic, from first to seventh, as well as discovering imprint magic and refining the first magical minerals. There are many more secrets and techniques discovered or developed by Wistaria that are still unknown, and it is speculated that there are many more.
Her existence is the reason why first-class magic is still believed to exist today, even though no one else has ever been able to use it. Despite the uncertainty of its actual existence, people, especially scholars who are knowledgeable about magic, continue to support this belief. Otherwise, second-class magic might have been redefined as first-class.
Wistaria is an incredible figure but also a mysterious one. While there are numerous historical records of her magical achievements, her private life is entirely unknown. Beyond her name, there are no records of her physical appearance or even her gender. She remains a highly enigmatic figure despite her fame.
Anyway, moving on from Wistaria.
There is a very, very important fact that I know. It concerns a book said to have been written by the legendary great magician Wistaria herself. The existence of this book is mentioned in historical texts, but it has never been found, a fact of utmost importance.
I'm not sure if the Book of Wistaria I acquired is related to the famous Wistaria Falling Road. I can't verify its contents, so let's just forget about it, okay?
I did show it secretly to Frederica, a magic artifact enthusiast, but she just said, 'What is this?' and saw it as nothing more than a tattered old book.
The excitement around the flea market at the Kikyo Society shows no signs of cooling down. Everyone seems to be taking any free moment to check it out, perhaps out of a thirst for entertainment.
'I'm going to find a hidden gem of a sword this time!'
Roberta, who seems to have a deep attachment to swords, was full of enthusiasm. She even invited her partners Violante and Valeria to join her in the search.
'We're going too. You never find rare magic artifacts unless you take such opportunities.'
Frederica, along with her fellow magic artifact enthusiasts, was planning to scour the market for anything interesting.
'I'm going too! We can't let them beat us!'
Rosabel-san, bursting with vitality, also joined the search. She seems to have a keen interest in magic artifacts and potions as well.
Those simply looking to shop seemed to be having a good time, but the vendors had a more serious air about them.
It seems that Ophelia and Albert, among others, are taking the lead in securing booth spaces, but sales are reportedly slow.
'Turns out second-hand items don't sell that well.'
'There are too many similar shops. We need to stand out more, don't you think?'
'Maybe we should emphasize handmade items more and change the layout to highlight them.'
'Alright, let's gather everyone and brainstorm. We can't let this end as it is!'
They are experimenting and learning as they go. It seems to be a fun process, and the young members are also joining in the strategy meetings before heading out.
'Excuse me, President. I heard there's a used bookstore here.'
Ah, a book lover.
'I saw a few. The ones I bought were written in rare ancient languages.'
'Ancient languages, huh? Regular used books would be fine. Do they have those?'
'They do. I'm not sure if they'll suit your tastes, but you might as well check them out.'
'I will, when I have some free time.'
If there's anything interesting, I'll lend them to her.
The Kikyo Society was abuzz with discussions about what everyone had bought and sold over the days.
The flea market, which lasted several days, came to a grand conclusion.
Now, one noteworthy purchase deserves mention.
Given the number of days and booths, there were some hidden gems, and one of the Kikyo Society members managed to find one.
The first lucky one was Roberta.
'What do you think? It's a magic sword! A magic sword! Isn't it cool?!'
She had bought a sword that looked suspiciously like a magic sword. The sheath and hilt were painted black and red, giving off a magical vibe. It looked like a toy, with fake imprint magic patterns and cheap-looking decorations.
'What's that? A magic sword, you say?'
'Ahaha, funny, huh? You're joking, right?'
'Hey, Violante, talk some sense into her. That's clearly a fake.'
When she drew the blade, it was surprisingly simple, a beautifully crafted silver longsword that had nothing magical about it. The contrast between the sheath and hilt was striking.
Roberta, who had bought it with such pride, was being mercilessly mocked, which was quite pitiful to see.
But then—
'No, wait. Show me the blade again. This is... Frederica, Yukari, come take a look!'
Those who knew their stuff didn't miss it. The crucial part was the simple blade.
At first glance, it seemed undervalued because only a small amount of magical minerals was used. However, the real value was in the tip of the blade.
The tip had a slightly different color, not a mineral, but likely the material of a powerful magic beast. Not just any magic beast, either.
'The tip isn't a mineral. Frederica, can you appraise it?'
'I'll give it a try.'
When Frederica appraised it, it turned out to be a rare and powerful magic beast material found only in uncharted territories.
'That's impressive! So it is a magic sword! A magic sword!'
Roberta hadn't realized it, but she had accidentally acquired a valuable weapon. If she had inspected the blade before buying it, it might not have been entirely accidental. She seemed to like the sheath and hilt and planned to keep them as they were, though.
Incidentally, Balgar Clad of the Clad Family, who wields the sword Cloud Cutter, also used materials from a magic beast in uncharted territories. Considering this, the rarity of the material can be appreciated, though it's unlikely to be of the same caliber.
Of course, the one who found a hidden gem, as expected, was the appraisal mage Frederica.
She bought some tacky necklaces and rings that were far from practical for everyday use. They were quite unusual in design.
'...What is this creepy thing?'
The silver necklace had a lock that resembled a human bone, and the pendant was a realistic ruby heart. The ring had a carved face of a struggling monkey, making it look like a cursed item.
'This... I found value in them as magic artifacts, not as a design preference, of course.'
'So, what do they do?'
I found it amusing that Frederica was flustered and decided to tease her a bit with a mischievous question.
She recomposed herself and explained confidently, as collectors often do.
'Do you understand? This necklace is a great find. Wearing it allows anyone to cast fifth-class fire magic, though it has a limited number of uses. This ring seems to reduce pain. Both are invaluable and shouldn't be available at such low prices.'
They were sold at almost giveaway prices, likely because the design was so unusual, and the magical power and precious materials were undervalued. She continued with a long and detailed explanation, which was tiring to listen to.
'I get it. When you have something to report, let me know.'
Frederica bought them for research purposes and had no intention of using them regularly. She already wears a ring I gave her that enhances magical power, which suits her well. I hope she doesn't add a monkey ring to her collection. Just a feeling.
These were the notable finds I focused on.
On the other hand, the one who had the worst luck was Rosabel-san. Despite spending a lot of money, she ended up with something that seemed like a cheap knockoff and was a bit disappointed.
'Even with my keen eye, this can happen. So, young ones, be careful.'
Despite being the biggest loser, she acted superior. The younger members are more cautious, which is a good thing.
While some members were buying expensive magic artifacts and weapons, the young members were mainly buying household items and second-hand clothes.
Since the flea market items were mostly priced at rock-bottom rates, the young members, who didn't have much money, had a great time.
Reflecting on it, I was undoubtedly the one who made the most questionable purchase.
Incidentally, I haven't told anyone how much I spent.
But I'm rich, so it doesn't hurt, and the books were fun!'
Next time, 'A Bird's-Eye View of Exembra' continues.