Wizard: Start consuming attributes from the equipment slot.

Chapter 56 An Unexpected Rejection

"Now that it's confirmed that this place is really as you described, I'll go back and report immediately... You take your men and keep an eye on this area. Gar will stay here to help you. If you encounter any trouble, try not to cause any conflict or attract attention."

After instructing Viper on what to do next, Victor showed no sign of relaxing.

Because compared to what he was about to do, exploring underground pipes was actually a piece of cake.

Leaving everyone else behind to watch the entrance to the underground tunnel, Victor returned to the academy alone this time... He inevitably became more vigilant along the way, carefully observing whether any red marks appeared on the minimap.

Fortunately, it seemed he was just a little nervous, and nothing suspicious happened until he returned to the academy.

Viktor couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, then quickened his pace and returned to the laboratory building.

Manugs was already waiting on the third floor. He was slightly surprised by Viktor's hurried appearance. Although the apprentice was still very young, he had always been very reassured by his composure.

This was the first time he had seen Viktor so flustered that he didn't even care about his appearance, so he couldn't help but ask out of curiosity:

"What's the matter that makes you so eager to see me, Victor?"

Viktor is indeed very conscious of his image; it seems to be an ingrained habit.

I was in a bit of a rush on the way, so I just quickly cleaned myself off to remove the stench from the underground pipes. I was indeed a little unkempt.

He reached out and tugged at the hem of his shirt, smoothing out the obvious wrinkles. Calming himself, he regained his usual composure and bowed slightly in apology.

"I'm sorry to bother you so early in the morning, tutor."

"However, there are indeed some situations this time that I am unsure about, so I need to consult you."

Manugs looked at him with even more surprise, because generally speaking, after becoming a wizard, even if he is just an apprentice, he should understand that there is no such thing as a free lunch. You have to pay for what you get. This is the wizard's principle of equivalent exchange.

Now that Viktor was saying this... If it were any other apprentice, he probably wouldn't have paid any attention, but the good impression Viktor had left on him during their time together gave him some patience, so he said:

What do you need from me?

"Then let's stop beating around the bush and just say it now."

Viktor nodded, and without wasting any words, quickly and simply explained the situation from beginning to end:

"In short, mentor, I have discovered a considerable number of high-quality magic crystals, but I don't know how to handle them and need your guidance."

"These magic crystals were found by one of my mortal subordinates in the underground pipes of the West District. Although their value cannot be estimated precisely, I think they are worth at least ten to twenty thousand magic stones based on current market prices."

"But since it appeared in an underground pipe, and its value is far too much for a wizard apprentice like me, I would like to ask you for advice on what I should do next."

Upon hearing Viktor's explanation, Manuggus's eyes once again showed surprise:

"A magic crystal worth at least tens of thousands of magic stones?"

"Are you sure it appeared inside the underground pipes in the West District?"

Victor nodded:

"That's right, mentor."

"To rule out any misinformation or lies, I just went down there myself and can confirm that it's true."

Manugs suddenly chuckled softly and asked in return:

"The magic crystals you mentioned, they don't all contain death magic, do they?"

Upon hearing this, Viktor paused, a look of doubt flashing in his eyes, and asked curiously:

"You know, my mentor?"

"Could it be that it's not a secret after all?"

Manugs shook his head, adjusted his robes with both hands, and continued:

"No, that's not it. I don't know why magic crystals grow there. I just have a general idea of ​​why they appear there."

At this point, a smile involuntarily appeared on his face. He turned to look at Viktor, seemingly having figured out why Viktor had come to him to ask about this matter:

"So, you came to report to me because you felt you weren't confident you could consume such a large amount of magic crystals?"

That's what Viktor thought, but of course he couldn't say it aloud, without batting an eye or breaking a sweat:

"My intention is that since these magical crystals are in the underground pipes, they belong to the academy. However, I am of lowly status, while you are both a formal wizard and a respected academy instructor. Therefore, I have come to inform you first so that you can make the decision for me."

"You... are indeed quite cunning."

But while this might fool others, Manugges certainly saw through it.

But sometimes, it's precisely these blatant lies that are most endearing. Manugs wasn't angry at Viktor's little lie; instead, he looked at him, a slight smile playing on his lips, and after a moment's consideration, he said:

"No need to notify the college."

"Those magical crystals you mentioned were probably left behind by a formal wizard who escaped from the academy decades ago. At that time, he came to Dawnstar City to provoke us, but he was easily defeated and fled by our vice-dean, 'Lady Mara,' and then there was no further news."

"It now appears that this guy died silently in the underground pipes of Morningstar City."

"Since the academy didn't find those magic crystals, it won't care. Now that you've seen them, you have the right to deal with them."

"However, I... you should know about the wizarding principle of equivalent exchange, right?"

"What price do you think you should pay to gain my support?"

Viktor was taken aback, then fell silent.

But he wasn't heartbroken over the magic crystals. As he had said before, he had an inherent contempt for wealth, so he was just wondering how much he should pay to avoid being taken advantage of.

After a silence of about five seconds, he looked up at Manugges:

"Mentor, I am willing to offer all these magical crystals to you, only asking that you guide me further and become my true... 'mentor'!"

Manugs' expression froze slightly, clearly surprised by Viktor's answer.

But what followed was contemplation. After observing Viktor for a while, he shook his head and rejected Viktor's suggestion:

"I'm your mentor now, so your conditions don't really count as conditions."

"Give me 50%, 50% of the magic stones after the sale... I won't make a move, but this matter will be handled in my name. You don't need to worry about any formal wizards or higher interfering with you."

"But similarly, I won't offer you any other assistance."

Whether you can extract enough benefit from these magical crystals depends on your own abilities.

"This is also a small test I mentioned before regarding whether or not to recommend you to the academy."