Wizard: The exploration panel keeps me pure.

Phoenix Crest

[Rank: Zero Ring]

[Pollution level: +0.0001/day (user)]

[Evaluation: This is an identification credential from the bloodline wizard organization "The Phoenix's Nest." Its former owner seems to have left behind a map; you'll find what you're looking for there.]

No modifications are recommended.

Looking at the information on the panel, Ron immediately thought of the map he had obtained before. He hadn't had a chance to properly examine it with the panel back in Digglis City when he was interrupted by that old madman named Ray Smith.

These days I've been either busy traveling or familiarizing myself with the tasks Maas assigned me, so I haven't had a chance to take a good look at them.

Even the storage bags seized last time were not thoroughly inspected.

After all, he was living under the same roof as this senior, and although the other person was very friendly to him, he still tended to assume the worst about others and was afraid that the other person was spying on him.

I originally planned to take a good look at the items on my body using the panel after everyone left.

However, he never expected to encounter something related to that map again today.

"It's getting more and more like the story of a protagonist in a novel. Finding bargains at a trade fair, who would believe it unless someone is pulling strings behind the scenes?"

Ron murmured to himself, while also weighing whether or not he should buy the item.

Finally, as if he had figured something out, he raised his hand and said, "Mr. Tuva, I'm very interested in this seal. How can I exchange it with you?"

The city lord was about to put the seal back when he was suddenly asked a question, and his right hand stopped in mid-air.

For the third time, everyone's eyes were focused on the boy, their expressions ranging from curiosity and confusion to mockery.

But Ron didn't care about any of that. He had figured it out. Since the panel said it would benefit him, why bother with whether it was a "trap" or not? Taking the benefits and improving himself was the most important thing.

This method is the most effective way to avoid being manipulated.

"Haha, it seems our newest member, Mr. Ron, is quite interested in my stuff. Well then, I won't ask for more; the five magic stones are yours."

The Tuva city lord spoke in a hearty tone. If those present hadn't known that this item had already failed to sell at auction several times, they might have genuinely thought he was taking care of a newcomer.

"Junior Ron, why don't you reconsider? Although this thing is a magical item, so many people have handled it, and none of them have been able to figure out anything about it. I'm afraid it's not very valuable."

"Five magic stones is not a small amount. Our reward for guarding the area is only one and a half magic stones a month. It's really not worth using it to buy this stuff."

It must be said that Mas, as a senior, is very considerate of his juniors.

Seeing that he was interested in this thing, she immediately whispered to him about its advantages and disadvantages.

However, these words were destined to be spoken only to the deaf.

"Senior Mas, don't worry. I have some connections in the academy, so these magic stones are nothing to me. Besides, I really like them, so you don't need to try to persuade me."

Knowing that the other party was acting in his best interest, Ron also had his own reasons, so he could only politely decline the other party's suggestion.

If you were really rich, you wouldn't have come here.

The middle-aged man thought to himself, of course, he would never say such offensive words.

Seeing that he couldn't persuade the boy, he shook his head and stopped talking about it.

"Mr. Tuva, I'll take this. But I didn't bring enough magic stones today. Could you perhaps wait until after the gathering so I can go back and make the deal later?"

"Hehe, no need for that trouble."

As he spoke, the other party tossed the seal in his hand to him and said, "I trust the students of the Red Moon Tower. Here, take the item first, and you can have someone send the magic stones over later."

Upon hearing this, Ron didn't stand on ceremony, thanked the other party, and sat back down in his seat.

In the following time, the city lord took out several more items.

Unlike the phoenix emblem on his hand, these items greatly attracted the attention of the others in the room, and each item was snatched up by the crowd.

Ron had no interest in the witchcraft and materials that were so sought after.

Ultimately, only this group of wild wizards would find it precious. He had seen countless similar items at the academy's trading post, so naturally he had high standards.

The entire trade fair passed by in this somewhat boring time. During this period, he made a few purchases, but they were all worthless trinkets.

He didn't take it to heart; at that moment, he just wanted to go back and study the things he had as soon as possible after Mas left.

Finally, the trade fair was drawing to a close.

Seeing that no one else was willing to propose a trade, the Tuva lord stepped forward again:

"Well then, that concludes today's trading session. See you next time, everyone."

As they left the city hall and sat in the carriage on their way back, Mas asked Ron with a smile, "How are you feeling?"

"It was a novel experience, quite interesting."

"Okay, that's good. I'll pack my things when I get back. I'm going back to the academy today, so I'll say goodbye in advance."

"Then I wish you all the best, senior."

"Thanks."

The carriage traveled straight ahead and soon returned to the villa. After parting ways, the two went back to their respective rooms.

After dinner, Mas picked up his luggage and said goodbye to Ron.

Standing at the second-floor window, watching the figure waving goodbye outside, he smiled and returned the smile until the figure disappeared from sight.

The boy then regained his usual indifference and carefully checked his room again before taking out the emblem he had acquired that day, as well as the storage bag he had previously forgotten.

He set the emblem aside, used his mental power to open the storage bag, and took out everything inside.

A small mountain immediately appeared in the room, with books neatly arranged on the floor.

He picked up a book at random and flipped through it. It turned out to be the experimental notes of a high-ranking wizard apprentice. He picked up another book next to him, this time it was a study notebook.

After flipping through all the books, Ron roughly understood the whole story.

That old madman named Ray somehow inherited the legacy of this unknown high-ranking wizard apprentice; these books are the complete record of his life: travelogues, diaries, experiments, studies...

Unfortunately, that guy didn't know its value and didn't pay any attention to these things.

Having only learned meditation techniques and two witchcrafts from the inherited crystal, he began to commit evil deeds, relying on his strength.

"No wonder a mid-level wizard apprentice is so weak; his methods are even wilder than those of a novice wizard."

At least those wild wizards know the importance of knowledge, but this guy is different. He just relies on his talent to become a mid-level wizard apprentice, and he doesn't even bother to read any books.

Ron couldn't help but mentally complain, then stopped thinking about it.

He picked up the inheritance crystal again; he was quite interested in the sorcery related to shadow stealth.

【Shadow Serpent - Mimicry and Stealth】

[Rank: Zero Ring (Advanced Apprentice-Level Mimicry Magic)]

Energy consumption: 0.1 mana/second (current proficiency)

[Contamination level: -0.0001/time]

[Evaluation: The Shadow Serpent, an apprentice-level monster, possesses mimicry magic, granting abilities such as stealth and movement.]

[We recommend improving the pollution conversion rate through the following methods]

Option 1: Study subjects such as Mimicry Monster Studies and Shadow Serpent Anatomy; Option 2...

"This is good stuff."

The information on the panel filled him with joy: advanced apprentice-level witchcraft, worth twenty or thirty magic stones alone.

But there's more than just this one spell here. Ron immediately picked up another crystal ball:

[Secondary Shadow Energy Ball (Intermediate Apprentice Level)] [Shadow Entanglement (Low Apprentice Level)] [Shadow Lurk (Low Apprentice Level)]

Magic stones, all of them are magic stones.

"I wonder if the academy has any records of these witchcraft techniques. If not, we could make a fortune by reselling them."

Of course, now is not the time to think about these things.

He turned his gaze back to the pile of things in front of him, looking at the map and the phoenix emblem next to it, and was once again shocked.