Eren listened to Malcolm’s speech with keen interest. He was relearning the ways that were available to the battlemages.

He could barely remember the vestiges of memories that were offered to him under the effects of the state of epiphany. They had offered him choices Malcolm talked about. It was just that he picked artifact smithing to focus on keeping those memories relevant in his mind.

Malcolm offered Eren some time to process these things before adding up.

“I’m not saying that it is right or wrong but most rankers including some high-ranked battlemages think your class is the absence of having class. With no class-specific mana circuits added into the picture, your class doesn’t normally allow anyone to excel in a particular field.”

“I see. Thanks, Sir…”

“Just call me Mal. I’m not interested in you following any ranking hierarchies and codes of conduct. At this point, you are my customer and I’m simply a shopkeeper. This should be enough for both of us.”

Malcolm interrupted Eren’s way of formally addressing him. And the latter smiled before nodding his head.

“Alright. Thanks, Mal. I know nothing is offered for free in Gilaahan. Everything has a price. Even the information you consider basic knowledge should have a price. Tell me what it is.”

Malcolm smiled wolfishly when he heard Eren speak. He took out another book and opened it up to navigate to a particular page.

“I need a battlemage that has just started their path for the experiment. We can also include experiments related to you using Hex gears. I’m also interested in Hex gears and want to, let’s say, draw inspiration from them.

Here is an opportunity for you to determine if you are indeed traveling in the correct direction on your path or not. I’ll also not charge you for giving you any information I have on Hexers. Win-win for both of us. Am I right or am I right? Hahaha.”

Malcolm laughed and was about to write Eren’s name in his diary when he heard the latter’s words.

“I’m sorry, Mal. I am not interested in any experiments. It’s fine if you charge me. Just tell me the price beforehand.”

Malcolm raised his eyebrows while the hand that was holding a pen in his hand froze in its place. He pointed the pen at Eren and was about to say something. But then it looked like he had run out of words. He could only accept the fact that Eren wasn’t interested in his endeavor to craft something revolutionary and lucrative.

Eren didn’t like to be part of the experiments while they are performed under the gaze of an Awakened ranker. He didn’t want him to find out about his infinite mana core.

Malcolm sighed and took his diary and pen back into his storage. He then shrugged his shoulders and responded.

“Alright, Eren. 50 Mana Quartz for the information provided so far. And you’d have to pay more if you want detailed information about each of Hexer’s Creeds.”

Eren nodded, hunting the shopkeeper to produce another old book. He sent it levitating at Eren before speaking up.

“100 Mana Quartz. A special discount since you’d already be paying for the information covered in that book.”

Eren appreciated Malcolm a bit more as he lifted his book and started reading a few blocks of texts that were written inside. Once he knew that he had what he was looking for, Eren closed the book.

“Mal, how can you be so honest as a businessman?”

Eren asked while looking at the shopkeeper with a curious gaze. The latter was taken aback a bit by Eren’s sudden question. However, he adjusted his stance and replied while flashing a mild smile.

“Hehe. I’m still thinking about my interests, Eren. if that’s what you are asking. It’s just that I’m playing the long game instead of profiting from something that might only happen once per customer.

A lot of young businessmen burn their hands by acting on short-term gains. They don’t understand that each ranker is a walking cash bank. The money is bound to come to them sooner or later. And we’d want these cash banks to arrive at our doorsteps time and again to empty some of their fortunes.”

Malcolm took a final look at Eren’s stuff, Malcolm said. He looked at Eren questionably, getting a nod from him in return. The shopkeeper then clapped his hands and all of Eren’s stuff that he had put on the ground disappeared.

Eren then asked Malcolm about any paid information he had on Hexers as well as their creeds. He also asked Malcolm about lightning, wind, and fire element spells in exchange for the spell scrolls and spell books he had from the underground space.

These scrolls and books were meant to be used as an exchange. So he hadn’t brought them out earlier. Eren also cast one Awakened rank spell.

Eren had thought about copying these spells and spell books manually. A few pages of the books or parts of the scroll would have 3D mana circuit renderings, thanks to the etched runes. This was not something Eren could replicate at his current level as a ranker.

So all he could do now was to buy and sell these spells. He didn’t splurge on his spending. A spell for each of the three elements of lighting, wind, and fire. These spells were enough for him to base his current battle style on.

Then Eren and Malcolm discussed the price for making the dead ranker’s gear suitable for him. After a long debate, they both settled on a price. Turned out Eren had to pay the difference that was between the amount that he was entitled to receive for all his gains and the amount that he owed to Malcolm for the spells, information, and gear alteration.

Eren and Malcolm talked for a bit after their transaction was over. It was late in the night when he left Malcolm’s shop. He only had 40 Mana Quartz in his pockets after coming out of the shop. His newfound wealth had diminished quite a lot.

The money was used for his growth, however. And he was happy about it.

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