Chapter 5: Proving the Value of the Elixirs
Hearing the voice, Sylvus opened his eyes slightly and saw the same young man from yesterday, the one who had a kind heart but was clearly poor.
Behind him were two men dressed in black robes, their auras revealing that they were at the level of Archmages .
"If you're here to buy elixirs, you're welcome. If you're here to cause trouble, leave."
After saying this, Sylvus closed his eyes again, not bothering to pay any attention to the three men.
"Hmph, such arrogance. We are from the Sacred City's Enforcement Hall, responding to a report from Kennan here."
"Your shop is being accused of selling unknown items at exorbitant prices and of assaulting an old man. You must be the owner, right? I suggest you come with us quietly, or don't blame us for using force!"
One of the men spoke coldly, his tone filled with authority.
Both men were from the Enforcement Hall, a group highly respected in the Sacred City.
Had it not been for Kennan, a member of the prestigious Sloane family, they wouldn't have bothered to accompany him here.
"Meylan, bury them all."
Sylvus, still sitting with his eyes closed, gave the command in a calm tone.
He was still irritated by yesterday's events, and he wouldn't mind making these three disappear from the world permanently.
"Understood, boss."
Meylan was taken aback for a moment, not expecting Sylvus to be so ruthless, but he dared not disobey his orders.
After all, even if Meylan didn't act, Sylvus, with his power as a Mage Emperor, could easily bury the entire Sacred City, let alone these three.
As Meylan stepped forward to carry out the command, Kennan quickly intervened.
"Wait! Boss, we're not here to cause trouble, we're here to buy something."
"Kennan, what are you saying?"
The man who had spoken earlier frowned at Kennan.
They were from the Enforcement Hall, directly under the royal family. Why should they fear a shady shopkeeper?
"Sirs, let's not rush to arrest him. We need to catch him red-handed first. If we find evidence of his crimes, he won't be able to deny anything."
Kennan explained, "Besides, the old man might be injured. If a fight breaks out, he could get hurt even more."
Hearing this, the two men exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
"Fine, let's take a look at what this shop is selling and see how outrageous it really is."
"Boss, should I...?"
Meylan looked at Sylvus, unsure of what to do next.
"If they're here to buy elixirs, then they are welcome."
Sylvus smiled slightly.
He could already guess what they were thinking, but he decided to complete his beginner's task first.
Besides, he was confident that once these three tried his elixirs, they wouldn't dare accuse him of being a greedy merchant.
"Boss, show us the pill you gave to the old man yesterday. I want to see if it's really worth a million magic crystals!"
Kennan said as the three of them entered the shop.
"Sorry, but you're not qualified to take that pill. You're just a magic apprentice."
Sylvus replied indifferently.
Although the Grade Eight Great Rejuvenation Pill was meant for healing, it still contained a significant amount of power.
Given Kennan's strength, consuming it would lead to only one outcome: his body would explode and he'd die.
"Not qualified? What about us?"
One of the Enforcement Hall men asked, clearly dissatisfied.
"If you want to be overwhelmed by its power and die, I have no objection. But first, you'll need to pay me a million magic crystals."
Sylvus responded calmly.
If they wanted to die, that was none of his business. But they had to pay first—otherwise, whom would he collect the debt from after they died?
"Hmph, you're just making excuses because you know that pill isn't worth a million magic crystals. You're too scared to show it to us!"
Kennan sneered.
Sylvus simply closed his eyes again, unconcerned. If they wanted to buy, they could. But first, they had to pay.
"Then tell us, what elixir do you have that's suitable for us?"
The other man from the Enforcement Hall asked.
"Meylan, give the magic apprentice a Grade One Spirit Energy Pill, and the other two get Grade Three Profound Energy Pills. But they must pay first."
Sylvus instructed.
Though the names were different, both pills had similar effects: they could increase magical energy.
Once these three took the pills, they would likely break through to the next level of their cultivation, and the effects would be immediate.
"Right away, boss."
Meylan went over to the shelves, searched for a moment, and then placed three pills in front of the trio.
"These are Spirit Energy Pills, valued at five magic crystals each. These are Profound Energy Pills, valued at 200 magic crystals each. Pay first."
"What? These tiny pill cost five magic crystals? And these two are 400 magic crystals? Are you joking?"
The trio exclaimed in disbelief.
They had no idea what these pills were or what they did, yet Sylvus was asking for such a high price. It only reinforced their belief that this was indeed a scam.
"You're here to catch me red-handed, right? You won't even make a small investment?"
Sylvus chuckled from the side.
The three exchanged glances, their eyes eventually falling on Kennan.
"Kennan, your pill is the cheapest. You try it first. If this shopkeeper is trying to scam us, I promise we'll make him pay you back double."
The two men from the Enforcement Hall said to Kennan.
Kennan's face twisted in frustration. They were basically pushing him into a trap!
What if this pill was dangerous and poisoned him?
Besides, five magic crystals were his entire life savings.
Still, seeing the mocking look in Sylvus' eyes, Kennan gritted his teeth and eventually pulled out five magic crystals, placing them on the table.
"Sirs, you better not go back on your word!"
"Here's your pill. Take good care of it."
Meylan collected the five magic crystals and handed the Spirit Energy Pill to Kennan.
Kennan looked at the dull yellow pill in his hand, hesitated for a moment, then swallowed it.
"How do you feel, Kennan?"
The two men asked curiously as Kennan consumed the pill.
"It's sweet... and I feel something special happening."
Kennan said after savoring the taste.
"Any other effects?"
The two men frowned.
Five magic crystals could buy a Second-Grade potion.
If the pill had no other effects, it would be clear this shop was running a scam.
"Effects? I don't feel anything else, except my body is getting warmer, and... ah!"
"Boom..."
Before Kennan could finish his sentence, he let out a shout as a surge of energy erupted from his body. The surrounding magical energy began flowing toward him.
In just a few seconds, the once Nine-Star Magic Apprentice broke through to the One-Star Mage level right on the spot.
"What's happening? How did his cultivation break through?"
The sudden change shocked both of the men from the Enforcement Hall.
Even Kennan was dumbfounded. He never expected to suddenly break through to become a One-Star Mage.
"I... I..."
"Boom..."
Before Kennan could finish speaking, his magical energy flared up again, and the surrounding energy continued surging into his body.