My Muscle System in the Mage World

Chapter 176: Getting a deal

Boom!

As Aur grasped the artifact, a heavy pressure enveloped him, causing his wrist to bend and nearly touch the ground.

With a grunt, he exerted all his muscle strength, slowly lifting the saber against the immense weight. Even with his full effort, it remained a daunting task to carry it properly.

The saber was unbelievably heavy, weighing at least 2 tons!

"This artifact is quite heavy, as it is crafted from one of the densest metals found in the wilderness," the old man explained with a bitter smile.

"But despite its weight, its quality is unparalleled, making it one of the top-tier artifacts available in the village."

Aur nodded in understanding, his grip tightening around the hilt of the saber. As he ran his hand along the smooth texture of the blade, he noticed an intricate pattern etched into its surface.

"I want to buy it," he declared simply, his determination unwavering.

The bald man was momentarily taken aback, his composure slipping as he coughed to regain his demeanor. "I see that the young lord has a strong physique, making it a perfect match for you," he remarked, attempting to regain his professional tone.

Aur looked sternly at the bald man, his expression resolute. "How much?"

The bald man maintained his smile, though it seemed strained now. "1200 contribution points, young lord, for a lethal artifact of this caliber, even in tier one."

Aur's frown deepened. "I will give you 400 contribution points at most."

The bald man's smile faltered, replaced by a hint of frustration. "At most, I could decrease it by fifty contributions, young master. That is my limit."

Aur fixed the man with a penetrating gaze. "The saber is too heavy for most wizards to wield effectively, and those who could use it may not have a need for it. Will you let it gather dust in storage, or will you allow me to put it to use?"

A bead of sweat glistened on the bald man's brow as he muttered a curse under his breath. "Damn it, my big mouth."

Aur remained steadfast. "So, will you sell it to me or not?"

"Even if this is the case, taking a loss is unacceptable," the bald man grumbled as he went into deep contemplation.

Aur just remained silent, letting the man think it over and over. Sometimes overthinking can lead one astray rather than finding the real solution as anxiety builds.

Our brains work in mysterious ways; the more you think about it, the more aimless you become.

Although it might seem like a gamble, since it wouldn't incur a loss, he preferred to be in control of things rather than letting everything go out of his speculation.

But this was inevitable; he couldn't control the old man's mind.

So Aur let the man think as time passed.

One minute… three minutes… twenty minutes!

After twenty minutes, the bald man suddenly looked up at Aur with a frown on his face.

"I can only sell it for five hundred contribution points, that is my limit."

Aur wore a reluctant expression on his face before he barely audibly said, "Fine."

"Okay," the bald man nodded his head excitedly.

"Give me your badge."

Aur handed him his badge, and the bald man went outside the room, leaving him alone again. He nonchalantly sat patiently. Aur wasn't afraid that the bald man would run away or something simply because he couldn't.

Many eyes were always in the shop of the academy, and the rules were followed strictly here.

If there was any breaking of the rules, the least sufferable consequence was being banished from the village, while the worst was being called a traitor. A traitor had a life which was definitely worse than death!

With unbearable, cruel torture that Aur couldn't even describe, he could only imagine it as horrifying. From being cooked to death while given drugs which could increase their sensitivity to sever fold, or being...

Aur shook his head just thinking about it.

The bald man emerged with a smile on his face.

"Here you are, young lord. Is there anything more you want to purchase?"

Aur nodded. "I need another lethal artefact, an axe preferably, and some materials."

He retrieved his ring, and a list of materials appeared from it.

The bald man was astonished when he saw the ring. "Tsk, a rich young master, probably from one of the elders," he muttered with disdain.

However, outwardly, he maintained his smile, which became much brighter as he respectfully took the list from Aur.

Aur neither had the time nor cared about what the bald man was thinking. After he completed his business, he was out of there with a satisfied expression but empty contribution points.

…

Aur walked out of the shop with a satisfied expression on his face.

After all, he had made a profit by purchasing a tier one lethal artefact for just twenty-five middle-grade mana crystals, if one were to consider its market value.

This was an incredibly low price for a lethal artefact. Even his robes had cost him around twenty middle-grade mana crystals, and those were also in the tier one realm.

However, lethal artefacts were typically priced much higher than normal artefacts, often costing three times as much or more.

Strapped to his back was an axe, while at his waist rested the black saber in its scabbard.

"I should imprint another spell from the thief path," Aur thought to himself.

There were many spells from the thief magic that Aur wanted to choose from.

He was even tempted to make it his vital spell when breaking through to the tier one wizard realm, but Aur held back for the time being.

Life magic suited him very well, although he didn't have much use for it at the moment.

However, once he had inscribed all the spells and with the enhancement from the vital spell, combined with his already robust physique, the power it could produce would be nothing short of terrifying!