In the dimly lit room, the air hung heavy with an air of secrecy and intrigue. The walls were draped with black velvet curtains.

"Freedom is not the best wish for a dark mage."

The beautiful woman thought as she took a deep breath.

Seated on an elegant black sofa, the woman in the black dress exuded an air of authority.

Her dark eyes gleamed with confidence as her fingers lightly tapped against the armrest.

Her dress, adorned with intricate lace and satin, clung to her figure, emphasizing both her power and grace.

Opposite her, the man in the impeccably tailored suit exuded an aura of quiet confidence. His posture was straight, his expression inscrutable behind his black-tinted glasses. His dark hair was neatly combed, and his suit, a perfect blend of sophistication and menace, accentuated his commanding presence.

"I can imagine what she thinks about the situation."

The man thought

Emotions danced in their eyes and played across their faces, hinting at hidden agendas and unspoken tensions.

The woman's voice, a smooth mixture of silk and steel, cut through the silence.

"Jareth invited him to join us," she remarked, her tone both intrigued and calculated. "But he declined, didn't he?"

The man nodded slowly, his gaze never wavering from the woman's.

"Yes," he replied, his voice laced with a hint of disappointment.

"It seems our reputation precedes us. He values his independence, his own path."

A flicker of annoyance crossed the woman's face, her brows furrowing slightly. "Independence can be a dangerous trait, especially for those entangled in our world."

She mused, her voice tinged with a mix of admiration and caution.

"But it also presents an opportunity. We can use him as a pawn, a means to an end."

The man's lips curled into a sly smile, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Indeed," he replied, his voice dripping with intrigue. "Do you think he would be controlled as easily as you think, Eleina?"

Eleina smiled and then nodded.

"Tower of Black Sun, built by our ancestor more than five hundred years ago, Alger, you know these things are better than me."

"I never saw a dark mage who, in search of power, stayed alone for too long."

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Alger nodded, but his face showed uncertainty as he added.

"Do you think that he would be invited to another dark mage organization?" In Red Copper Town, not considering the behemots of dark magic who have big dark cities under their control. There are still five organizations on par with us."

Eleina shook her head, and she darted her eyes up and down, feeling that her friend and cousin Alger were having problems with their organizations' confidence.

"I do not think something like that will happen."

"In the end, we are the first ones to come in contact with him, and humans, be they dark mage or light mage, all have an innate desire to get close to what they know."

Alger nodded and got up from his chair.

"You are right on that."

"I will be leaving for the time being to search where those two light mages had hidden the staff they had stolen."

"I will also contact Obsidian Keep City and Obsidian Keep to give them a report about the two mages from Secret Light who were in the Red Copper Town."

Eleina nodded and said nothing as she whispered.

"Skalain, you are an interesting guy. I would like to see what you are going to do in the future."

Skalain delved into his search for the elusive Shard of a Void Stone.

After hours of research, he discovered a crucial piece of information: the Pot of Magic organization in Red Copper Town was rumored to be the largest seller of magical items in the region.

"It makes sense that most of the places could not handle the trade of magical items."

"Only a magical organization with strong backing may handle it."

Skalain thought.

Skalain made his way through the bustling streets of the town, his footsteps echoing against the cobblestones.

The sun cast long shadows as he approached the grand building that housed the Pot of Magic.

Its exterior was adorned with mystical symbols and intricate carvings, a testament to the enchantments within.

"Yeah, this looks like a place that would trade magical items."

As Skalain entered the establishment, the air seemed to crackle with anticipation. Shelves lined with spellbooks, potions, and magical trinkets stretched as far as the eye could see.

There were ten people inside the building, and seven of them wore black robes like himself, and three of them wore quality clothes because of their temperament. They were nobles, and it was not hard to see.

Skalain approached the counter, where a middle-aged man with a long white beard and robes adorned with mystical symbols stood. The man's eyes glimmered with an otherworldly wisdom as he regarded Skalain.

"Greetings," the man said in a voice that seemed to carry a hint of ancient knowledge. "What brings you to the Pot of Magic today?"

Skalain met the man's gaze, his own eyes filled with determination. "I seek the shard of a void stone," he replied, his voice steady and resolute. "I've heard that your organization is known to possess such rare artifacts."

The man stroked his beard thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing slightly. "The shard of a void stone is indeed an important magical item." "It is hard to come by. Do you have enough gold coins to pay for it?"

Skalain nodded, understanding the challenges ahead. "I am prepared to pay a fair price for it."

The man's expression softened, a glimmer of admiration shining through. "Very well," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of approval. "I shall make inquiries among our esteemed members and contacts. If the shard of a void stone is within our grasp, you shall be notified."

The man also added

"The price range for a shard of a void stone is about thirty to fifty gold coins, but if I find it, I will be selling it to you for forty gold coins. Come prepared, will you?"

Skalain thanked the man, a sense of anticipation rising within him. He knew that acquiring the Shard would not be easy.

"I did not expect the shard of a void stone to cost forty gold coins. I need 37 gold coins to buy it."

Skalain then asked.

"How much time would it take a Shard of Void Stone to reach here?"

The man answered.

"About four to seven days at the very most."

Leaving the bustling establishment, Skalain stepped back into the streets of Red Copper Town.

"I need to find more gold coins."