Wizards: Starting with Synthetic Gems

Chapter 92 Crash Course in Archaeology

Inside the private room, Locke lit the small, semi-automatic furnace on the workbench, heating the cold-patterned meteorite to a semi-molten state, and then poured the cold-patterned meteorite onto the clivia flower.

This is a crucial step.

If not handled properly, the clivia flower will be ignited by the high temperature in an instant, turning into waste along with the cold-patterned meteorite. All the investment you made in the early stages of the [Grass and Trees as Soldiers] magic model will be in vain.

The instant the cold-patterned meteorite molten iron came into contact with the Clivia flower, the surface of the Clivia flower flashed with the patterns of the Ogan tree. Locke's magic power was continuously poured into it, and a large amount of life energy gathered together, which caused the Clivia flower and the cold-patterned meteorite molten iron to begin to combine.

Half an hour later, Locke wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. The cold-patterned meteorite had completely adhered to the clivia flower, forming curved, arched leaves with cold-colored stripes on its surface—the patterns created by the cold-patterned meteorite.

Locke flicked the leaf blade with his finger, and the blade made a metallic sound while still retaining the soft touch of his finger on the leaf.

This is a special effect that can only be created by plant magic, combining the tactile sensation of metal with that of plant leaves, and possessing the characteristics of both.

Locke had a thought, and the leaf blade folded in half like origami, bending inwards with great flexibility. At the same time, Locke gave a second command, and the leaf blade swung in mid-air in the room, flashing with a cold light.

The leaf blade, enhanced by the cold-patterned meteorite, possesses the characteristics of both plant leaves and the cold-patterned meteorite, thus its effect is even more powerful, achieving a synergistic effect greater than the sum of its parts.

Leaf Blade was tucked into the sleeve of his left-hand wizard's robe, and he concealed himself.

Locke stepped out of the private room, took out two hundred magic stones from his astral ring, and handed them to the dwarf Tyne.

Then he left the Kentry Forge Workshop, and the Tyne Dwarf returned to the depths of the shop to continue overseeing his Flame Forge Alchemy Array.

Locke walked to the front of the shop next door, glanced up at the white, finger-bone-shaped signboard, and stepped inside.

The shop's overall color scheme is black and white, making it feel like you've stepped into a coffin shop. The shelves are filled with skulls, as well as bones or specimens of unknown creatures.

Locke stepped onto the black yak hide carpet and scanned the shop, finding no one inside.

"Is anyone here?"

No one responded to Locke.

Locke frowned, as this was the first time he had encountered such a situation in the Chimera Market.

He glanced around, his gaze drawn to several wooden boards hanging in the center of the shop—

This shop sells information; therefore, we do not engage in casual conversation or answer pointless questions. Please read the shop's description if you have any questions. The shop owner will not repeatedly answer customers' irrelevant questions.

Locke raised an eyebrow, surprised that this archaeologist was such a 'funny' person, with a very eccentric personality and a temperament quite different from that of the usual white wizards.

He continued to read.

"Second-tier wizard level questions cost 50 magic stones per answer, while first-tier wizard apprentice level questions cost 200 magic stones per answer. Certain difficult questions may require an additional fee. Formal wizard level questions require detailed discussion with the shopkeeper."

This store does not answer trivial questions. For basic questions, please consult books, ask others, or conduct your own research.

'This store does not offer refunds. If you are not satisfied, please do not ask me any questions in the first place.'

'This shop also offers a corpse interrogation service. It costs 100 magic stones per session, and the corpse will answer three questions for you. However, this is contingent on passing the White Wizard Association's ethical review mechanism. The shop is not responsible for any consequences arising from such an encounter.'

Locke looked at the last small blackboard hanging on the wall. 'This shop welcomes all challenging problems; some particularly interesting ones can even be answered for free.'

"Meanwhile, our shop is currently offering a six-month intensive archaeology course. The tuition is 1000 magic stones. Requirements include being a second-class wizard apprentice or higher, possessing at least a minor negative energy particle affinity, and having a passion for ancient knowledge rooted in history. Whether you learn it or not is entirely your responsibility; tuition is non-refundable." Locke approached the small blackboards hanging on the wall and finally saw the shop owner. The old man was sitting on the floor behind the counter, fiddling with a Naga skull in his hands.

He held the Naga skull to his ear, seemingly listening intently as it whispered its secrets to him.

Locke walked over and asked, "Shopkeeper, have you recently started an archaeology training program?"

Historian McCarthy frowned in displeasure and glared fiercely at Locke. The man had a very gloomy and strange appearance, like an old vampire, with sunken pupils and a sinister look in his eyes, as if Locke owed him a lot of money.

McCarthy picked up a humerus bone from the floor, then, holding it, tapped the first small blackboard hanging on the wall. It read: 'This shop sells information; therefore, no small talk, no answering pointless questions.'

Locke smiled.

There are many first-class wizard apprentices in Lilith's Hut who choose to teach to make money, specifically targeting second-class wizard apprentices who are eager to learn but have lost their way.

These courses are generally scams. Although they do teach some things, their main purpose is to make easy money, so the quality of the courses is questionable.

Locke wasn't sure if the crash course in archaeology offered by this shop was also in this situation.

Anyway, it's already been made clear that there will be no refund regardless of whether you learn it or not.

Locke returned to his original topic. "I would like to have you appraise a ring of mysterious origin, and I would like to request that we sign a confidentiality agreement."

"I don't want to leak the information."

McCarthy finally reacted, and he said impatiently, "We can sign the contract."

"My shop's reputation is far more important than your little bit of information."

Locke thought for a moment before taking out the ring that Count Augustine had given him from his astral ring.

McCarthy stood up, took the ring from Locke, and examined it with a magnifying glass.

He looked at it for a while before a hint of interest appeared in his eyes. "This is not something from the southeastern corner region, otherwise I would definitely be able to recognize its origin."

"But this is a ring forged from a mixture of [Still Iron], [Replica Bronze], and [Nibelung Mithril]. Putting aside everything else, just destroying it is something even an apprentice-level wizard cannot do."

McCarthy said, "This is not an item that a wizard apprentice can possess. That's all the information I can provide."

"It's a question equivalent to a second-class wizard apprentice. Just pay me 50 magic stones."

Locke hadn't expected that the ring in his hand was not only made of still iron, but also might not belong to the Southeast Corner Region.

McCarthy's expression suddenly changed. He sniffed the air, then abruptly leaned close to Locke. "This smell... no way... you have ancient creature bloodline modifications in you..."

McCarthy's initially cold, even impatient gaze instantly changed, his eyes fixed intently on Locke. "This first-class wizard apprentice, do you possess ancient creature bloodlines? It should be the Orkney Ancient Giant Bear..."

"In this day and age, you actually managed to obtain the bloodline of the Orkney ancient giant bear." McCarthy's attitude towards Locke changed, and he became enthusiastic. "The House of Historians welcomes guests like you who possess a multifaceted appreciation for the times."

"Consider that question a gift."

(End of this chapter)