Chương 105: Creating Magic

"You'll know when we get there." Bev led Zelier through the bustling crowds with practiced familiarity. After passing several shops, the two stopped in front of a stall shrouded in a soft, radiant glow. Zelier glanced over it. It was a shop specializing in magical accessories. Various enchanted items were neatly displayed across the counter, each placed on deep blue velvet cloth that made them look even more luxurious. There were earrings, necklaces, rings, pendants, and all kinds of other accessories...

But every single one of them came with a hefty price tag. The stall owner was a sharp-looking gnome merchant. A gnome, not a dwarf. Zelier could clearly see the human-like features on his face. So he's short, which probably makes people mistake him for a dwarf. Maybe they assume he sells masterpieces crafted by legendary blacksmiths? Zelier thought. The moment the merchant saw Bev and Zelier, he immediately figured out who the real customer with spending power was.

"My beautiful lady, good day!" He rubbed his hands together, a bright smile spreading across his face as he hurried out from behind the stall.

"May I ask what you're looking for today? We've just received a new batch of the latest magical accessories. I'm certain they'll perfectly complement your noble bearing!" Another boring sales pitch. Looks like greedy merchants are the same in every world... Zelier casually shifted his gaze away. Since Bev wanted to buy accessories, he would just accompany her. After all, girls liked these kinds of things.

"Hmm..." Bev crossed her arms, looking rather picky. She looked Zelier up and down, her gaze sweeping over his neck, wrists, and waist.

"Why are you looking at me like that...?" Zelier asked awkwardly.

"I'm seeing what kind of accessory suits you."

"Wait, you're buying it for me?" Only then did Zelier realize what she meant, and a hint of surprise flashed across his face.

"Of course." Bev raised her brows, her tone carrying an unmistakably commanding air.

"And don't even think about saying you don't want it."

"The gift this lady gives you must be treasured properly... Now stand still and let me take a look."

"..." Zelier could only obediently stand there and let her examine him. Truthfully, he wasn't very interested in these little trinkets. Magical accessories did provide some enhancement to a mage's abilities, but the effects were minimal compared to something like a magic staff or mage robes. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Most importantly... They were ridiculously expensive.

In Zelier's opinion, buying these things was basically paying extra to become a sucker. Bev picked up a black obsidian pendant and held it against Zelier's neck. The merchant immediately began explaining.

"Excellent choice, miss. This pendant increases mana recovery speed. It's a very practical accessory!"

"Hmm... not quite. Zelier doesn't suit necklaces." Bev shook her head and put it back. After looking around, she picked up a waist pouch.

"This one is also excellent. It has rune circuits engraved inside, which can improve spellcasting efficiency." The merchant quickly introduced it. Bev considered it for a moment before shaking her head again.

"No... It's not pretty enough. It doesn't stand out." She continued searching. After a long while, her eyes finally landed on a silver bracelet. The bracelet had a simple yet elegant design. Its surface was polished smooth like a mirror, reflecting a cold but gentle shimmer. At the clasp, a blooming flower had been delicately carved into the metal.

"This Tranquility Bracelet was crafted by a master dwarf artisan. It's made from rare Moonlight Mithril." The merchant's eyes lit up the moment Bev picked it up.

"When worn during meditation, it allows the user to clear their thoughts more quickly. It significantly improves the speed and stability of mental energy condensation!"

"Zelier, give me your hand." Zelier obediently extended his arm. Bev placed the bracelet around his left wrist. The silver metal contrasted beautifully with Zelier's pale skin, giving him an elegant appearance and adding a somewhat refined, scholarly aura.

"Hmm... not bad." Bev nodded in satisfaction.

"Zelier, try it. See if it helps with gathering mental energy." Zelier adjusted the bracelet slightly before injecting his mental power into it. Sure enough... The so-called "significant improvement" was actually just a slight increase in the speed at which his mind settled during meditation.

"There's some effect, I guess..." Before he could finish the sentence, Bev had already turned around and started negotiating the price. Then she paid. The transaction was complete before Zelier could even say the words"but not much." Seriously? Forty whole gold coins! That was almost half the price of his magic staff! Zelier could clearly see the merchant's grin stretching from ear to ear. Who knew how much profit he had just made? Zelier felt a little pain for Bev's wallet.

But seeing how happy she looked, he didn't want to ruin her mood. So he sincerely thanked her.

"Thanks, Bev. I'll treasure this gift." Zelier adjusted the bracelet properly around his wrist and raised his hand slightly. The silver surface shimmered faintly.

"It really does look nice."

"Of course." Bev lifted her elegant chin slightly, looking both proud and pleased.

"My taste has always been excellent." The two left the trade district together.

"Alright... now it's my turn to repay you a little." Zelier said.

"Oh?" Bev raised an eyebrow, the corner of her lips curving upward.

"How are you planning to repay me?"

"Obviously by helping you complete your mandatory assignment. What else could I do?"

"Hehe, I knew you'd help me."

"Tell me." Zelier took the initiative.

"What task did you get this time? Don't tell me it's organizing the library again."

"Not this time..." Bev thought for a moment.

"But with your help, the efficiency would definitely improve. Come with me." Bev brought Zelier to a secluded courtyard behind the Mage Guild, surrounded by lush green vines. The courtyard was spacious and empty. In the center stood a large stone table covered with thick books. Zelier casually flipped through one of them. They were records of various elemental reactions. Besides those, there were also notebooks filled with complicated rune diagrams and countless draft designs.

"What are you working on?" Zelier asked curiously.

"Here." Bev pointed at the drafts on the table.

"In a few days, Blackstone Town will hold its annual Autumn Harvest Festival."

"Blackstone Town Hall wants the celebration to be more lively this year. They want a dazzling fireworks performance as the finale, so they asked the Mage Guild for help."

"Fireworks?" Zelier blinked.

"Shouldn't they ask craftsmen for that? What does it have to do with us mages?"

"Craftsmen can't make what we need." Bev waved her hand.

"The fireworks they make are just gunpowder stuffed into paper tubes. At best, they create a loud bang and some orange sparks."

"That's nowhere close to something truly spectacular."

"That makes sense..." Zelier nodded in understanding. From what he had observed, this world's development and application of gunpowder were still at a very primitive stage. The so-called fireworks were probably nothing more than enhanced firecrackers. They might be noisy and lively, but they lacked any real visual beauty.

"So this glorious and challenging mission has been entrusted to the Mage Guild!" Bev's voice carried a hint of pride.

"Then how do you plan to do it?" Zelier became interested.

"Start from nothing and create an entirely new fireworks spell?"

"Exactly!" Bev nodded firmly.

"Just like creating any other spell. Using strict logic and intricate rune structures, we design and construct a grand fireworks spell specifically for visual entertainment!"

"Can you really create one?" Zelier looked genuinely impressed. That sounded extremely difficult. Even a fireworks spell that didn't need to consider destructive power would still require an incredibly deep understanding of magical theory. If Bev could truly accomplish this... Then in the field of research mages, she would absolutely be considered a genuine genius.