Chapter 57
As soon as she laid out the seat, the man hesitated, then stealthily removed his lips.
“Uh, yes, exactly.”
“Yes.”
“From you, I can feel something very refreshing and crisp… yes, it’s like the cool, clear waters of a sparkling lake…”
“……”
What is this guy?
‘Is he really sensing the spirit’s energy?’
Seeing him describe it as if he could truly read the aura of her, the water spirit, Elshnain was taken aback.
Then the man finished speaking.
“It’s as if… you have overflowing potential to become a battle mage! That’s exactly the feeling!”
“Uh…? A battle mage?”
“Yes! I recognized it the moment I saw you! You are destined to be a battle mage!”
“……”
What nonsense is this?
Claiming to sense the potential of a spirit to become a mage.
Though a spirit’s power and a mage’s magic both manifest in natural forms, they are fundamentally different forces, like oil and water—they cannot mix.
Yet here he was, seeing himself in her and calling it magical potential.
‘What a complete quack.’
Setting aside her momentary surprise, Elshnain tilted her posture in skepticism.
“Ah, really?”
“Yes! Would you like to become a battle mage with me? I can make you a top-level expert in no time!”
‘Not just a quack, a scammer.’
She looked at him as if he were a dried anchovy, taking in his ridiculous claims.
The man couldn’t read Elshnain’s gaze and continued.
“You must know a few people, right? After becoming a battle mage, if you turn your acquaintances into battle mages too… you’ll reach diamond rank, and then the money that comes into your hands…”
Good grief, now it’s a pyramid scheme too?
Finding no further value in dealing with him, Elshnain spoke coldly.
“No. I’m not interested.”
Her voice was icy enough to freeze lava, but the man didn’t back down.
“No, really, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! I’ve never felt such tremendous energy in anyone before!”
“Ah, yes. I said I’m not interested. Goodbye then.”
“Ah…! Noble one!”
She had no idea when her title had become “Noble One,” but Elshnain turned sharply and left the deck.
“If you leave now, you’re missing a truly precious opportunity! I won’t give up! We will meet again! I know it!”
Ignoring his absurdly desperate cries, Elshnain departed.
Just before entering the ship, she glanced back and saw…
The man was using the exact same line on a couple nearby. Elshnain turned her face with a faintly irritated expression.
She couldn’t waste her precious time on nonsense.
‘Is an exhibition being held here?’
Elshnain had quietly climbed to the second floor using an invisibility scroll Ashurei had provided, avoiding the crowd.
It was dark and silent all around.
‘There were people by the stairs, but I guess none were placed here.’
She cautiously stepped forward, scanning the surroundings.
The corridor-style exhibition hall had ancient magic-themed paintings and sculptures along both sides.
‘So this side is just for art pieces.’
A small sign indicated this was like a lobby, with areas branching off on either side.
‘The section with magical artifacts is on the right.’
She stepped lightly, careful not to make a sound. Passing through an arched entrance at a corner, she entered a large hall. Display stands were arranged throughout, and various objects were affixed to the walls.
‘All of these are ancient magical artifacts?’
Elshnain decided to examine the walls from left to right.
‘So many ancient magical artifacts.’
It was said that long ago, dragons and humans coexisted harmoniously.
Back then, the continent wasn’t unified like now but divided into islands. Dragons and humans were so close that they joined the islands together for easier interaction.
At that time, magic was far more advanced, making it possible to move entire islands.
‘With ancient dragons leading the way, nothing was impossible.’
It was during the time when the gods had shaped dragons.
The first-generation dragons were far stronger than later ones, commanding nature itself like deities to serve humans.
‘All the magical artifacts were created for humans.’
Their love for humans was boundless, going beyond just teaching magic.
Seeing that only certain humans could learn magic and that there were limits, the dragons began creating magical artifacts for human use.
‘Most have been lost, but some remain.’
Some of these artifacts were displayed in this exhibition. Pausing briefly in front of an artifact that automatically washed your hair when activated, Elshnain continued to circle the hall diligently.
‘Huh.’
But the artifact she was looking for wasn’t there.
Letting out a small groan, she headed to the center of the hall.
‘Why isn’t it here? Maybe it’s kept separately?’
Or perhaps it wasn’t included in this exhibition cycle.
Scratching her head, she looked ahead—and her eyes caught something unusual.
‘Huh?’
In the center of the hall, in a display case covered with glass, lay a necklace.
A gemstone in the center emitted a mysterious glow.
‘Arwen’s necklace?’
Elshnain’s eyes widened.
“Oh my, what should I do? Elshnain, have you seen my necklace?”
“Huh? Necklace? Why? Did you lose it?”
“Yes… it must have fallen when I was hitting the demon’s head with a hammer. Ah, sigh.”
“Oh… I see.”
She clearly remembered it—it had been described as a very precious necklace.
‘This is definitely Arwen’s necklace. I can see her initials engraved.’
Beneath the gemstone in the center, small initials were engraved.
‘Why is it here? And why is it called an ancient magical artifact…?’
While Elshnain’s eyes widened in confusion, she heard footsteps from behind.
“Did I hear some noise here?”
“Yes, there was a sound… maybe a ghost?”
She had been walking quietly, so perhaps the sound seemed louder in the empty hall.
Leaving Arwen’s necklace behind, Elshnain quickly exited.
“How was yesterday?”
“Huh?”
Elshnain paused while spreading butter on soft bread.
“You said you went sightseeing.”
“Oh, yeah. It was… nice. The exhibition hadn’t opened yet, so I couldn’t see the ancient magical artifacts.”
“Really? You came back late, so I thought maybe you saw something interesting.”
Elshnain smiled awkwardly and chewed her bread noisily.
“Ha ha. The night sea was beautiful. I got so absorbed in the view that I lost track of time.”
“Is that so?”
Kilian lowered his long eyelashes and sipped his milk tea.
“From today, the exhibition opens, so there will be more to see.”
Elshnain nodded enthusiastically, finishing breakfast and following Kilian to the exhibition hall as he suggested.
“Wow. Amazing. A magical artifact that washes your hair.”
Pretending to be fascinated, she led Kilian to the central hall of the exhibition.
Finally, Kilian spotted Arwen’s necklace.
“…This is…”
“Oh, Kilian. Doesn’t this necklace look familiar to you? I don’t know why, but I’ve been seeing it from afar, and it seems familiar!”
She subtly glanced at Kilian.
Kilian stood rigid, staring intently at the necklace.
As if he didn’t notice Elshnain beside him, as if he were alone in the world.
Focused entirely.
“…Kilian?”
Of course, he reacted because it was Arwen’s necklace.
Elshnain took a step back. For some reason, her mouth tasted bitter.
‘To return Arwen’s necklace to Arwen… there’s only one way.’
All items in the exhibition hall were for sale.
‘So if Kilian finds Arwen’s lost necklace, he won’t resist buying it.’
Just as Elshnain thought, Kilian slightly raised his hand—a gesture to call a staff member responsible for sales.
The moment he did, an attendant standing nearby hurried over.
