Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 57

Episode 57: Huge Reward

Adventurer's Guild Lorien Branch.

The forests around Lorien were always bustling with adventurers, as they were frequented by money-making demons and demi-humans. However, today, there were more people than usual.

Soul tree.

A young wizard who subdued a giant tree of ridiculous size with the Bloody Sword Layla.

Verden was mainly active in Gray, so his name was gradually spreading among some nobles and related people, but it would be safe to say that he was completely unknown on the surface.

That's why the ripple effect was even bigger.

A new strong person who suddenly appeared, a being you had never heard of, neither an adventurer nor a mercenary.

Jealousy, admiration, curiosity, and things to say at drinking parties.

Adventurers gathered to see the rumored wizard for their own reasons. And after some time, a man with an unfamiliar appearance entered the guild.

“Is that the wizard from before…….”

Gray hair, blue eyes… … Certainly not an ordinary appearance.

Some adventurers drank their glasses in silence while observing Verden. They were trying to gauge his skills through their own experiences.

“You’re just as young as I’ve heard. At that age, you created such a huge firestorm… No matter how much I think about it, I can’t believe it.”

“Well, it’s not that ridiculous. They say that Bloody Sword is in his 20s. I’ve never seen his bare face though.”

“You can’t see them both on the same level. The physical prime comes when you’re young, but the magician’s prime comes later. Of course, it depends on the talent, but at that age, that magic is definitely out of the norm.”

“What if it’s just a coincidence? What if he’s old but looks young?”

“How would you know? If you’re really curious, go and ask.”

Dozens of gazes flying in from all directions. Rumblings can be heard everywhere.

Although his senses were heightened by the Rune Ring, Verden ignored it and walked forward. The staff member who had been waiting in advance guided Verden to the guild master’s office on the top floor of the guild.

I came face to face with a middle-aged man wearing a blue coat.

“This is my first time seeing you in person. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Payvaltz, the leader of the Lorien Adventurer’s Guild.”

“My name is Asher.”

“Of course I know, you’re the one who saved Lorien. So let’s cut to the chase and get straight to the point. Is that okay?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Thank you.”

Payvaltz explained the compensation that would be paid to Verden.

“First of all, the reward for the Soul Tree conquest. To cut to the chase, the total amount is 480 million elk. The guild determined the danger level of the Soul Tree, and calculated the expected damage amount through consultation with the city. In addition, there is an additional reward for rescuing Bardell, etc., and that is the total amount.”

… … 400 million?

As Verden blinked silently, Payvaltz added.

“Compared to the records, the soul tree you subjugated did not seem to have reached full growth. That means the danger did not reach the level of a special entity. However, it is true that Lorien almost ended up being destroyed, so I exempted the tax, took the budget from the city… no, I received it and increased the additional compensation.”

This is where the pitcher Bardel comes into play.

He persuaded the mayor to give him the budget, saying it was a reward for saving his life. Bardel was a very influential figure in Lorien, so even the mayor could not easily ignore him.

“It may be less than you expected, but it is a reasonable amount. If you don’t understand, I will explain the details in detail.”

“No, it’s okay.”

Verden answered without hesitation.

To be honest, I thought it would be around 300 million elk at most.

I don't deny that Soul Tree is a dangerous alien species, but the subjugation itself ended smoothly. And not only are they giving us more compensation, they're even exempting us from taxes. There's no reason not to accept it.

“But what you mean by priority is… there are other benefits?”

“That’s right. It’s probably better to show you this than to explain it in words.”

Payvaltz took out a large wooden box from under the desk.

As I unlocked the device, a green tree trunk appeared inside.

“These are the only ones that were left intact in the wreckage. Judging from the traces of the shattered core nearby, I suspect they were the stems that supported the core, which is why it took some time to estimate the cost.”

Is it valuable as a material?

Since it had never been discovered before, it needed to be analyzed. The results were quite surprising.

“Its durability is higher than that of most metals, and it has been confirmed that it has its own repair function and higher water solubility and conductivity than Mithril. In short, it can be seen as a rare material with considerable potential.”

There are a total of 4 trunks of the Soul Tree discovered.

The Adventurer's Guild distributed the materials based on the contribution to the conquest. As a basis, they referred to the opinion of Layla, a platinum-rank adventurer who had conquested the Soul Tree with Verden.

“She said that Asher, your strength was the key to successfully carrying out the expedition without much damage. So, we decided to give you two of them, Leila one, and the guild will purchase the remaining one, and add a portion of the profits to your rewards.”

As a result, the total compensation paid to Verden personally is 570 million Elk. And two trunks of the Soul Tree.

If the materials were sold, and converted into total value, it would amount to a whopping 1.3 billion elk. That means the value of the materials is considerable. Verden's eyes were struck by the enormous compensation that was beyond his expectations.

“If you agree, please sign here…….”

Whirlyrick.

Verden immediately wrote his name on the paperwork, of course under the pseudonym Asher.

“……Okay. Then, this concludes the confirmation of the compensation. I will deposit the money into your account within 5 days at the latest. As for the materials, you can just take this box.”

"thank you."

“It is I who should be thankful.”

Verden carefully collected the materials.

My head was filled with thoughts about how to use this.

Payvaltz looked at the sight carefully.

'It's equipment made from Mahbat's leather. It seems like they're active on the Gray side.'

Otherwise, there's no way they'd have such expensive equipment.

Unless you are employed by a noble or wealthy person, the only people in the duchy who can earn that much money are the Adventurer's Guild or the Grays.

'You don't think you'll be an adventurer now, do you?'

Well, if that was what he was thinking, he would have been active in the Adventurer's Guild a long time ago.

Well, even if we recruited him, there was no way he would settle down in Lorien like Bardel and produce results, so there was no need to bring him up.

Payvaltz has neatly given up on signing Verden.

“Then have a good trip.”

* * *

Now that he has received his payment, there is no reason for Verden to remain in Lorien. I have heard that Leila has also left Lorien after receiving her payment.

I went back to the inn and listed the things I had.

Breath of the elements.

Magic Crystal.

The trunk of the soul tree.

Mandrake extract.

These four are materials that cannot be used alone.

Here Verden must think.

What should I choose first to help me grow in the future? Of course, selling is out of the question.

'Should I change my weapon first?'

An orb made from the breath of the elements and magic crystals.

Although we cannot be certain, if it is the trunk of a soul tree, it may be possible to use it as the frame of a staff that can withstand the power of the orb.

Of course, there are other necessary materials, but the most important overall outline has been established.

'The problem is who will create the staff.'

Using Pale, you can probably get information about great magic item makers.

However, the current assets are not enough to cover the secondary value and production costs. Even a rough estimate would require at least tens of billions of elk.

It is not for nothing that the Breath of the Elements and Magic Crystals are stored in the Magic Tower's treasure vault.

'then…….'

Verden's gaze turned to the side.

Mandrake extract, the core ingredient of magic.

If you calculate it based on last year's prices, the value of the remaining materials is close to 400 million. It's not a small amount, but it's more than enough to cover the compensation you received this time.

And the production difficulty is also lower for the Magic Nuclear.

“Then it’s decided.”

Instead of desperately saving money to buy powerful weapons, you should strengthen your magical abilities. That is the right decision.

'If you save it for nothing, you might not be able to use it on time.'

Use everything you have, whenever possible.

Verden has grown so far, and will continue to grow, and its growth will never stop.

The vast sky with no limits.

Even now, Verden was taking one step upward, and then another.

* * *

Cohen's slums.

After passing through the squalid streets, he arrived at Pale's Arrowhead. As he entered, an old man reading a newspaper turned to Verden.

But the reaction was different from before.

“Welcome.”

A greeting from an old man who had always been consistently ignorant.

The tone of voice that had been warning him when they first met also changed to a more polite tone. Berden tilted his head at the sudden change in reaction and went inside.

And when I went down to the basement, the bandaged man I saw before was waiting for me.

“Come. Welcome. Mr. Asher. I will show you around.”

The old man's reaction changes and the bandaged man appears.

I've walked this path several times to receive requests from Pale, but this is the first time, other than the first day, that the bandaged man has guided me along the way.

‘… … What’s going on?’

I don't know right now.

Verden followed the bandaged man, his senses sharpened. However, he did not stop at the level where the tavern was, but instead found another staircase and went down even further underground.

“It’s different than usual.”

“I’m sorry. This is Lord Pale’s order… so please understand.”

The bandaged man turned his head and bowed over his shoulder.

I had nothing to say when he came out in such a humble manner. I couldn't even sense the slightest hostility in his voice or attitude.

'It doesn't seem like you're trying to do anything.'

After thinking for a moment, Verden followed him without saying a word.

Before long, we reached the end of the underground level.

A hallway with magic items that illuminate the ground installed at regular intervals. The walls were adorned with paintings and decorations, and the edges were lined with old antiques, neatly decorating the entire hallway.

'And a trap.'

It's not a magic circle.

Small niches cleverly hidden in some walls and hallway edges. Judging by their size, they look like they could fit an arrow or a small window through them.

It's an old-fashioned trap, but it's enough to catch the unwary by surprise. If his senses hadn't been heightened, even Verden wouldn't have noticed it so easily.

'Of course, you must have used magic detection before that.'

At that moment, the bandaged man stopped walking and pointed to the door at the end of the hallway.

“Mr. Pale. Is. Waiting.”

With that, the guidance was over. The bandaged man bowed to Verden and went back the way he had come.

Verden, who had been standing in place for a moment, approached the door. As he pulled the handle, a faint fragrance from inside the room wafted past his nose.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Asher.”

Pale, the information officer of Southern Gray.

He sat down in his luxurious chair and bowed slightly to Verden.