The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth C.46: Measuring Magical Power

"This side here has the items that have been appraised, while on the opposite side are the items that are yet to be appraised. You might stumble upon a treasure if you're lucky, but you could also end up with nothing. The choice is yours."

Even amidst the disorderly arranged goods, he seemed to have some semblance of order as he categorized a few items for Karyl to see.

"And the grimoires are over here. Did you know that the competition starts in two days?"

"Not really. The Dawn Society and the Immortal Society always hold competitions to showcase their new members, don't they?"

"Indeed, it does give us quite a headache. Originally, only the competitions sanctioned by the Assembly of Seven Elders were considered legitimate."

Karyl chuckled softly. "Quite a proud tone for a black market dealer, I must say."

"Hmph, well... It's only natural for someone born in Azor. Though I'm dealing in these goods now, I once aspired to be a sorcerer," he admitted with a hint of embarrassment in his voice.

"Even though these two societies clearly have their own territories, they insist on holding these dangerous competitions here, in the City of Magic. And it’s us who end up paying the price. Every time they wreak havoc, destroying parts of the city, it's hard to look upon them kindly. Yet, they still claim to be the real deal and constantly seek to fight."

"I see."

"Just a few days ago, disciples from the two magic societies fought, and it ended with one of them dead. Have you ever seen one of these competitions? Though it's called a competition, it's no different than fighting for your life in an arena."

Perhaps he had no one else to complain to. The man rattled off the situation here to Karyl as if he had just been waiting for someone to listen.

He sure has a lot to say.

Letting his words go through one ear and out the other, Karyl casually browsed through the grimoires in the store.

These don't seem much different from the grimoires I got in Einheri. As expected...

Most of the items on display did not exceed 2nd class. The bigger issue was that grimoires above 3rd class were mostly managed by sorcerers, making them hard to find, but more importantly, Karyl was a newcomer.

"It seems you're just ignoring my words. I came here on the recommendation of Dushala. If you're only going to show me these lower-class grimoires, I might as well leave."

"Getting your hands on even 2nd class grimoires is not easy. Unless you pass a magical power test and join a magic society, getting your hands on higher-class grimoires is like plucking stars from the sky."

"That's precisely why I'm here. Dushala mentioned that there are grimoires up to 4th class available," Karyl said casually, tapping the books on the shelf as if uninterested.

"Ha... Are you a free sorcerer or something? Why not join a guild then? The guild provides you with grimoires if you become a mercenary."

But even as he spoke, the shop owner’s enthusiasm seemed to wane.

"You're not very good at business, are you? Telling a customer to just join a guild," Karyl commented, pulling out two letters from his coat. "These are introduction letters written by Dushala herself. Give them to Bargo Sira. And this is a recommendation letter from the sorcerer Beryl."

As Karyl infused his magical power into the recommendation letter and thrust it onto the table, the two pieces of paper slid into the table and effortlessly sank into the surface, as if it were a blade piercing through butter.

The shop owner swallowed hard at the sight.

"This should suffice as an explanation. Take me to your boss, and remember to show proper respect to a valued guest. Okay?"

"My apologies."

The shop owner quickly responded, opening the door behind the counter. Only then did Karyl nod in satisfaction.

But before he could take a step, he heard the shop owner’s voice.

"Excuse me..."

If the shop owner forcefully pulled out the letter, it could tear. Dushala's introduction letter was one thing, but this was a precious recommendation letter. The value of an official recommendation letter from a sorcerer in Azor was immense.

"Could you please take this out for me?" The shop owner's voice sounded almost tearful.

***

“A distinguished guest has arrived, and my incompetent subordinate has made a mistake. Please, come in.”

Beyond the back door, the basement was lined with a collection of items completely different from the junk seen upstairs.

At this rate, it rivals Tatur's black market in terms of magical goods. Karyl’s gaze swept over the wall adorned with grimoires and magical items. They say that the black market has everything except grimoires. In the realm of magic, the merchants of Azor hold a monopoly.

That meant they could demand exorbitant prices, being the sole suppliers. Karyl looked at the man before him. Without needing an explanation, he knew this was Bargo Sira, the one Dushala had mentioned.

From his posture, an air of arrogance was palpable.

Stroking his thick beard, the man spoke, “I hear you’ve brought a sorcerer’s letter of recommendation?”

“It’s from Baron Beryl. I’d like to purchase grimoires with it, if possible.”

“Ha, of course. Due to the Baron’s reputation... His recommendation might not be as popular, but the basic criteria remain the same.”

“How high of a class can I go?”

“After verifying your magical power with a mana meter, we can proceed. If it's low, up to 3rd class; if it’s high, even the 4th class may be within reach.”

“Mana verification? You have such a device here?”

Bargo’s lips curled up into a sly smile as he replied to Karyl’s question, “Of course. Sometimes, sorcerers are too generous with their invitations. We have this to prevent reselling by those who buy here, so please understand.”

“Azor has truly gone to such lengths. To think a mere shop would have a mana meter.”

“Ha, we also run a guild, so you can trust that it’s an accredited device. It won’t cause you harm.”

“A magic guild?”

“It’s just a small guild. Don’t concern yourself with it. Ha ha.”

Karyl nodded at Bargo’s words. That guild must be the Ulkas.

“Occasionally, those with high magical power who don’t wish to be affiliated with any group come here to buy grimoires. Those without power are usually merchants.”

“That makes sense.”

Bargo then pulled out a large device with a crystal orb from behind the wall. “Have you ever had your magical power measured before?”

“No.”

“That’s unfortunate... Then you might not be able to purchase 4th class grimoires. Let’s hope for a good result.”

Karyl wanted to snort at his words. It was his first time being tested, but he had seen plenty of machines like this before. During the period when the magic unit was formed following the descent of the Oracles, anyone with at least 3rd class magic was drafted due to a shortage of personnel.

I’m glad. If this machine merely measures the amount of magical power and not the elements or mana veins... Then it wasn’t a problem for him.

“Please place your hand upon this crystal orb for accurate measurement.”

“If you sell grimoires based on the level of magical power, does that mean you have grimoires of 4th class or higher?”

“Ha... 4th class or above? That would require a mid-level sorcerer. Do you have any idea how many mana veins one has to open to achieve that?”

“However, there are freelance sorcerers who obtain grimoires from guilds.”

“True, but it’s no easy feat for an individual to purchase all of them unless they’re nobility. And for a mid-level sorcerer, 5th class grimoires... would cost a fortune just to acquire one.”

“I see.” Karyl responded calmly at Bargo’s ambiguous words.

“Of course, if you have the money, you can acquire even higher class grimoires here.”

“Someone of that rank wouldn’t be unaffiliated. But if one can afford it, there’s no reason not to sell.” Bargo added, looking down on Karyl as if he were insignificant.

I don’t know how he got Dushala’s introduction letter, but what a funny kid. Even Berchi Blano of the Ivory Tower, a Grand Sorcerer, only managed to open six mana veins and reach 5th class in his mid-twenties.

Such individuals were considered geniuses. Unless a dragon had polymorphed into a human, a mere child, barely fifteen years of age couldn’t possibly possess the magical power of a mid-level sorcerer.

At most, they could be a 2nd class sorcerer. Given his confidence, maybe he was 3rd class. Honestly, that would be quite impressive... He considered various possibilities. Did Beryl, that old fool, take on a new disciple? Though past his prime, he was once hailed as a genius.

He had opened four mana veins at fifteen and five by eighteen, reaching 4th class and joining the ranks of sorcerers. Well... His life went downhill from there, but...

Despite his downfall, the magical knowledge in his head was still intact. But still, he’s just a kid.

Bargo activated the measuring device.

“Raise your magical power to its maximum. The length of the lines engraved on the crystal orb’s border will determine the capacity of your power.”

“Hmm.”

The spherical crystal orb was encircled with a black border.

“Let’s see.”

Karyl effortlessly began to draw upon his magical power, feeling a warm sensation flowing through his mana veins and gradually enveloped his body. All eyes were fixed on the crystal orb.

Suddenly, Karyl hesitated for a brief moment, but it lasted only a few seconds.

“What...!?” Bargo Sira exclaimed, his eyes shaking violently.

The previously unmarked border of the crystal orb filled up rapidly, like a bandage wrapping tightly until it was completely full.

“4th class?!”

The mana meter was a device used to verify if one possessed the magical power required to join the ranks of sorcerers.

“Is it finished?”

“...Yes?”

Karyl, however, poured even more magical power into the crystal orb, unrestrained. The orb glowed with a faint light as his magic engulfed it, causing it to crack and ultimately shattering under the force, breaking into pieces.

Whoosh—

A rush of wind swept through the room, causing Bargo’s hair to flutter. The once calm air now whirled violently, as if a storm had been conjured by the unleashed magical power. The room became filled with the dense scent of magic.

The mana meter couldn’t withstand it...?

That could mean only one thing—the child standing before him possessed 4th class or higher magical power.

No, in fact, it was impossible to determine the limit. Karyl had the potential to surpass the records set by the most renowned Grand Sorcerers in history.

Bookshelves shook and papers flew around the room. Despite the mess surrounding him, Bargo Sira stood frozen, his mouth agape in disbelief.

“It’s broken.” Karyl’s stunned expression was utterly priceless.

“This... this is impossible.”

Karyl chuckled softly, his voice laced with amusement. Then, he calmly addressed the dazed man, “Bring the highest-grade grimoire you have in the store.”