"I need a lot of money." Rayven whispered as he felt that he really needed to get stronger. Now that he was aware of their problems, he might even be forced to fight, and he didn’t want to be powerless.
Albert heard his whisper and leaned back in his chair.
"Rayven... You’re worried about money? Did you spend your savings? Wait--have you forgotten about your parents’ preparation in case something happened?"
Rayven’s brows drew together. "Preparation?"
Albert nodded. "A savings account. It’s held with the Royal Bank of Hesa under your original family registry. It’s been sitting untouched all this time. Ahhh... Right, I should inform your parents that you’re safe."
As he said this, Albert quickly called for a steward to handle the matter of informing their relatives that Rayven had at least survived.
After the steward left, Rayven straightened slightly. "Uncle... Do you know how much?"
"Five hundred gold coins," Albert replied without hesitation.
Five hundred... That was a lot of money. It would be very difficult to spend those gold coins if he were a normal 14-year-old boy.
It was far more than he had on him now, but still not enough for what he truly needed. Not enough to reach the Coinbound System’s price for Magic Missile I.
It was 800 Gold Coins after all.
Since he had already used his Discount Voucher and he had no idea how to get another one, he needed. He really needed that Uncommon Grade Spell.
’Should I use basic suggestion?’ He thought for a moment. It costs 3 gold coins but if it could tell him how to get a Discount Voucher, it might be worth the price...
For now, he just kept his expression neutral, making sure not to let his thoughts show.
"You probably lost your identity card... I can help you get a new one issued," Albert continued. "Once you have that, you can access it again."
"That... would help," Rayven admitted. "But it’s still not much in the long run. Not for what I plan to do."
Albert’s eyes narrowed slightly as he didn’t expect that Rayven would need a lot of gold coins.
He couldn’t help but guess that Rayven was being forced to pay someone.
’Did he promise those three that they’ll get paid by hundreds of gold coins just to save him?’ Albert frowned as he considered this idea...
However, he couldn’t just jump to conclusions.
"And what exactly do you plan to do?" He asked.
"I want to start a business... Maybe a new trade route." Rayven said as he made sure to be careful with his words.
"Not just for goods... but for rare materials. I heard that magic beast parts could be a lucrative business. They’re always in demand for enchanters and alchemists. It’s risky work, but the profits can be massive."
Albert’s lips curved faintly... "Father... Your grandfather once made his fortune in part from that very trade. But you’ll need more than five hundred gold to make it work."
Rayven hesitated before asking, "Could you lend me more?"
Albert tapped his fingers against the desk. "From the Golden Coast? No. We’re already stretched thin. But..." He reached into a side drawer and pulled out a thin black ledger. "From my personal savings? I can spare one hundred gold coins. That’s all. Any more and I’ll be gambling with my own standing."
Rayven gave a slow nod. "I understand."
He didn’t take the gold immediately. Even with his parents’ savings and Albert’s offer combined, he’d still be short.
The system’s cost for Magic Missile I was eight hundred coins. Since no one could know that he could simply buy it directly
He needed more gold, and he had to act quickly.
That was when a thought hit him, the Sealed Catalyst of the Forgotten Star.
He still had it tucked away in his bag...
The appraisal he’d done before hinted at a value beyond normal trade goods. It was definitely a treasure... Latest content published on noⅴelfire.net
If he sold it, he might have exactly what he needed. However, it wasn’t easy to appraise it.
"Uncle," Rayven began, "do you know anyone who deals in rare magic items? I... might have one I could sell."
Albert raised an eyebrow. "Rare, you say? How rare?"
"Rare enough that it would be wasted in an ordinary market," Rayven said with a faint smile.
Albert studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "There’s one place. Aurora Hall Auction House. The most prestigious in Hesa. They deal only with the highest-quality goods — enchanted artifacts, rare beast cores, and items even the Royal Treasury would consider bidding on.
Their appraisers are among the best in the kingdom. If your item has value, they’ll see it."
Rayven felt relieved. It seemed to be a reliable establishment.
"And they’d accept business from someone like me?"
"Not normally," Albert said with a chuckle. "But I have ties to their director, Lord Darius Kessel. His family runs the Hall and holds one of the three noble titles that can rival the Velthams in influence. I’ll send a letter of introduction."
Albert then paused for a moment...
"But remember, Rayven... in a place like Aurora Hall, every word, every gesture is weighed. They’ll be judging not just your item, but you. And once something is sold there, it’s bound to attract attention if it’s as rare as you said... Make sure to request to hide your identity. I’ll put it in the letter, but it’s better to remind them."
Rayven met his uncle’s gaze and nodded.
"Thank you, Uncle..."