The Dark Mage Of The Magus World-Chapter 105 - 106 – The Wisdom of Age

"So, the apprentice who stole the Moonstone Herb... he’s planning to sell it or trade it for other resources at the market?" Hutson asked, his gaze sharp with understanding.

Elusha nodded. "That’s the only possibility. Moonstone Herb is a high-tier alchemical ingredient, mostly used in advanced potion-making. A wandering apprentice like him wouldn’t have the skill or the resources to craft such elixirs himself. The only logical conclusion is that he’s preparing for the market."

It made sense. Moonstone Herb was useless to most apprentices unless they planned to barter or sell it. And with the timing aligning perfectly with the annual market...

The thief would be there.

Hutson considered the implications. "That still leaves two problems," he said after a moment. "First, do you know exactly where this market is being held? And second, even if I make it there, how would I know who has the Moonstone Herb?"

Elusha smirked. "The location is already confirmed. Don’t forget, I have access to the Adventurer’s Guild’s intelligence network." She leaned back, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders as she stretched lazily. "Some informants died in the process, but in the end, I got what I needed. The market will be in Ravenfall."

Hutson’s brows rose slightly. "And the second problem?"

Elusha chuckled. "That one’s easy. You don’t need to know who stole it—just wait for someone to put Moonstone Herb up for sale and buy it. There were two bundles taken. I want both. One for me, and the other... is yours, as payment."

Hutson considered this. If all he had to do was purchase the herb, then no battle was required. And with the herb in hand, he could complete Lari’s request. After that, he could return to his training, awaiting word from Moonlight Grove.

"Do you know what currency they use for transactions?" he asked. "Gold coins or magic stones?"

Elusha shook her head lightly. "Most transactions are barter-based or paid in gold. Magic stones are rare outside of sorcerer orders. Nearly all the mines are controlled by the major factions, and the stones primarily circulate within their networks. Only a handful ever make it to the open market."

As she spoke, she idly picked up a grape, biting into it with a soft pop. A bead of juice trickled down her chest, and she hastily dabbed at it with a silk handkerchief, the motion unintentionally drawing attention.

Hutson cleared his throat, forcing himself to stay focused. "If they’re priced in gold, how much does Moonstone Herb usually sell for? I’m not exactly rich."

He wasn’t exactly broke, either. He had around ten thousand gold and an Ocean’s Heart pendant, but that was meant as a gift for Lilian. Compared to the sheer wealth Elusha commanded, though, he might as well have been a beggar. No harm in playing the part.

Elusha glanced at him, her lips curving into an amused smile. "I’ll prepare one hundred thousand gold for you. The market price for Moonstone Herb is usually between ten to twenty thousand per bundle. Anything left over is yours."

Hutson’s brows lifted. "Generous. Why not just send someone else?"

Elusha rolled her eyes at him. "Because only sorcerer apprentices or full sorcerers are allowed in."

That explained it. "Got it. Hand over the money."

Elusha paused, her expression shifting. A slow, playful smile crept onto her lips as she leaned closer. "You know, you don’t have to take gold as payment. I could... offer you something else instead."

Her voice was soft, teasing—dangerous.

Hutson blinked. "What?"

Elusha tilted her head, golden locks sliding over her bare shoulder. "I’ve never been with a sorcerer before~"

Hutson nearly choked. "This woman is nearly thirty, and she still talks like this?"

He exhaled, shaking his head. "No. Gold will do just fine."

Elusha pouted, feigning disappointment. "Tsk. You’re still too young. You don’t understand the value of a mature woman. Gold? You can earn gold any time. Some opportunities, once missed, never come again~"

Hutson refused to take the bait.

She could have put out a request for any random sorcerer apprentice to make the purchase. But finding a reliable one? That was another matter entirely.

She didn’t trust them.

But she trusted him—or at least, trusted him more than the alternatives.

After a moment of consideration, Hutson nodded. "Alright. Give me the details of Ravenfall, and the gold."

He was genuinely curious about this market. Who knew what strange and powerful artifacts might surface there?

Elusha’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Good choice. Just don’t run off with my money."

Hutson smirked. "Run off? Please. I’m not that kind of man. Besides, Dino and I go way back. I wouldn’t disgrace his name."

As Hutson left the city lord’s estate, he glanced down at the storage ring on his finger. Inside, ten full chests of gold coins sat in tightly packed rows, their sheer weight pressing against the magical confines of the space.

It was almost too much gold. His storage ring, already limited in capacity, was nearly bursting at its seams.

Next stop—Ravenfall.

And with it, a market of secrets, danger, and forbidden knowledge.

Hutson nearly bolted from the estate, his steps quick and urgent, as though lingering even a second longer might spell disaster.

The air inside had been thick—stifling—charged with something beyond his control.

Lately, his training had relied heavily on Stellar Elixirs, and though the meditation techniques helped suppress the lingering side effects, they could only do so much. And in the presence of Elusha, with her effortless allure, the buried fire in his veins had surged, unruly and unbidden.

Now, out in the cool night air, he exhaled sharply.

No wonder so many sorcerers were eccentric.

With how frequently they ingested alchemical concoctions, each with their own bizarre side effects, it was inevitable. Some grew paranoid. Others grew obsessive. And some... lost themselves to impulses they could no longer control.

Hutson wasn’t about to become one of them.

Besides, Elusha was Dino’s kin. No matter what provocative signals she sent, that was a line he wouldn’t cross.

Though, if he were being honest... it certainly seemed like she wanted him to.

He smirked to himself. Ever since he’d grown into his frame—broad-shouldered, lean with honed strength, his features sharp yet composed—he had noticed the way others looked at him. There was a certain gravity to his presence now. A mystery that drew people in.

And women, especially, were curious about what lay beneath that quiet, enigmatic demeanor.

But for now, none of that mattered.

The market was set to begin in half a month, held in Ravenfall, a town not far from Rehn City.

Rehn’s roads were well-traveled. On horseback, the journey would take three days at most.

Hutson spent the next ten days in seclusion, meditating and refining his control over the lingering effects of the potions. When the time was right, he set out early, knowing that most sorcerer apprentices would arrive ahead of schedule.

Though the market’s official opening was still five days away, transactions, information exchanges, and hidden dealings had likely already begun. Those who understood the true value of such gatherings knew that the best opportunities came before the masses arrived.

This time, Hutson chose to travel alone.

He didn’t bring Ed to drive the carriage—Ravenfall would be crawling with sorcerer apprentices, and a regular man like Ed would be nothing more than prey in such a place. Better to avoid unnecessary risks.

Riding alone on horseback would be faster anyway.

For two days, Hutson rode hard, his pace relentless. The wind howled past him as he pressed forward along the main road, cutting through vast stretches of untamed wilderness.

Then—at an intersection—he saw another traveler.

A lone rider.

The man’s features were obscured beneath a heavy black cloak, his presence subtle but calculated. When he noticed Hutson, he didn’t approach—instead, he deliberately kept his distance.

Cautious. Good.

Hutson narrowed his eyes slightly, then spoke in a low voice. "AI chip, analyze his stats."

A flicker of arcane energy pulsed in his mind.

Strength: 3.1

Agility: 3.5

Endurance: 4.2 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Spirit: 9.8

Hutson’s lips curled into a slight smirk. "Interesting."

Who was this mysterious rider? And more importantly...

Why was he here?