When Rody arrived in the capital of Feric, he inquired at the Thieves' Guild about the Sky Warrior known as Prince Vincent. There were several princes named Vincent on the continent, but Rody initially narrowed his suspects to the second prince of the Great Frey Kingdom and the sixth prince of the Madagali Kingdom. Both were men in their thirties and powerful Sky Warriors. As for their appearances and detailed information, the Thieves' Guild quoted prices of eighty and one hundred gold coins, respectively, which made Rody abandon this quick method of investigation. After all, his current need wasn't revenge but to enhance his own strength.
Neither a Sky Warrior nor the one-armed, one-legged Sword Emperor were enemies Rody could easily take revenge on. Behind them lay the support of a powerful nation. To avenge the past events in White Stone Town, Rody needed to at least reach the level of a North Star Seven Star Magic Grandmaster or an Eighth Order Moon Halo Magic King.
But Rody's current strength might only be that of a five-star advanced undead mage. He dared not tamper with the Dark Gold Bone Hand and Dark Gold Foot, for they still contained remnants of the Sword Emperor's essence and were imbued with the will of the Black Dragon Lord Alfred. Rody was confident he could gradually disperse these influences with his mental power, turning them into limbs for his minions of darkness, but he feared this action might alert the Black Dragon and Sword Emperor.
Perhaps after learning some deception and disguise magic, Rody could freely use these items, which is why he eagerly wanted access to the magic academy's library.
As he watched the red twilight fill the western sky, Rody slowly made his way to the magic academy, pulling a wooden cart.
"Hey, Rody, are you a man of your word? If I earn two gold coins, will you partner with me?" Tommy, the chubby boy, panted as he ran down from a hill, his body trembling with exertion, followed by his dull attendant. Rody wasn't surprised that Tommy knew his name, as it could be checked in the reception area, but he was puzzled why Tommy was so intent on partnering with him.
"It was within a day to earn two gold coins," Rody replied indifferently, pulling the wooden cart step by step.
"I did it," Tommy beamed. "I made a bet with someone, odds of one to two, and thanks to you, I won. Now, I've earned two gold coins."
"Congratulations," Rody replied, then fell silent.
"I knew you wouldn't keep your word, but, Rody, I'm really sincere," Tommy pleaded earnestly, wiping his sweat. "I really want to partner up."
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"Why don't you start your own business with your capital? It doesn't require much. You could easily buy finished products elsewhere, set up a stall. Why insist on partnering with me?" Rody asked curiously.
"I want to partner with you not because of the fine women's jewelry and beast furs you sell, but because of your brilliant mind. Understand? I want to work with someone smart, to grow a business together. I provide the capital; you provide the strategies, creating a miracle unheard of before. I have a feeling that if we work together, we could create a sensation in the whole city!" Tommy's eyes sparkled with excitement, his fists waving in the air.
"Maybe, but why should I partner with you?" Rody smiled, "Do you think I can't create a sensation in the city by myself?"
"This... Of course, you can. But, Rody, remember what you said? How can you go back on your word?" Tommy eagerly pushed the wooden cart, smiling, "I'm smart too. You can tell from the fact that I earned two gold coins in a day. Shouldn't smart people work together? As my father says, smart people should join forces for a strong alliance."
"Your father must have also told you that smart people working together often succeed, but are unreliable and likely to get greedy when sharing profits," Rody smiled. "You're smart enough to understand that, right?"
"Yes, that's true... But, Rody, there are times when smart people can work together happily," Tommy persisted.
"Tommy, if you think selling women's jewelry has potential, I can sell you this stall. How about that?" Rody suggested after a pause. "That way, I can focus on reading. Earning money here is not our main goal. Learning is."
"oh my god, I dare say, apart from you, anyone else setting up a stall on the main road would just gather mold," Tommy quickly dismissed the idea.
"I'll tell you straight, after I sell these items, I won't restock. So, our room for partnership is small," Rody rejected the idea again.
"I understand. The best way to sell women
's accessories is through a store, the more luxurious, upscale, and expensive, the better. Your success relies on people's curiosity and novelty, using items uncommon in Feric's capital to attract female customers. Of course, it can't last long. But, Rody, we might collaborate on something else, understand? Feric has countless business opportunities, but the merchants here are all old-fashioned, adding water to wine, nothing more. We might seize some inconspicuous opportunities and make a fortune!" Tommy seemed to be from a merchant family, talking incessantly about money with a sharp mind.
"If you want to partner, then explore every corner of Feric, noting everything you see and hear daily," Rody proposed with a light smile. "In three days, we'll talk again. If your information has no value, then we'll forget about it."
"oh my god, hearing you agree makes my heart race," Tommy exclaimed, nearly flipping with excitement.
At the magic academy's entrance, several shiny, silver-armored men on tall horses passed by Rody, laughing loudly at the sight of him pulling the wooden cart. They stirred up dust around Rody, taunting the poor student.
Rody was tempted to conjure a spiritual warhammer to smash the leader's horse's head, giving the arrogant man a taste of eating dirt. But he suddenly felt a strange sensation, sensing someone in a dark corner observing him, as if seeing into his soul. Rody remembered he was an undead mage, unwelcome on the continent, and broke out in a cold sweat. Pretending to be devoid of magical power and knowledge, he lowered his head and continued pulling the cart.
"Don't push it too far. Want to fight? Get off your horses if you dare!" Tommy, covered in dust, furiously challenged.
"We don't attack incapable men, as they're not worth it," the leader, clearly seeing Rody and Tommy's one-star and two-star apprentice robes and knowing they were not magicians, arrogantly taunted, "Even a three-star junior magician wouldn't stand a chance against a four-star swordsman like me. Better understand what casting magic means before you rant!"
"Roar..." Suddenly, Rody made a weird howling gesture by his lips, startling all the horses into rearing up. The riders, caught off guard while laughing, tumbled off their horses.