Chapter Ten: Shopping Spree_The Arcane Fanatic

"The first rule is that you can't use the name Blacklock while in school. Instead, you will go by Blackwell." Max's Grandfather said to Max who responded with a raised eyebrow.

"The reason is quite simple actually. Think it through by yourself later."

"The second rule is to request as little as possible from us, the Blacklock Family. It's to stop overreliance. Just like the change to the name."

"And finally the Third rule... this one is a little different than the other two," Grandfather said before pausing gently.

"Make at least 1000 gold per year while in Trink's school."

Max was thoroughly confused after listening to his grandfather.

'The first two make some sense but the last one... What the hell?!' Max thought to himself as he began to question his Grandfather.

"No But's. This is a requirement that has been passed down by tradition. Simply put, you need to be able to prove that you can thrive without the Blacklock family. If you can manage to do so you will be rewarded handsomely. Your siblings have already accomplished this task for their entire stay at the school. They paid in advance." He said curtly.

'It makes sense I guess but... Really?!' Max thought to himself as his shoulders slumped in response.

"Now, time for your shopping spree," Grandfather said before leading Max out of the house into an automobile that was waiting outside. It was decorated with blues and purples that outlined the car perfectly.

After entering the car it hummed to life and began gently coasting down the street. It was gentle at first but quickly became rocky as it picked up speed and reached 120 miles per hour at an astonishingly short amount of time.

"Grandfather, why so quick?!" He shouted in question but Max's Grandfather simply laughed in response.

After the car reached the peak of its speed a blinding flash of purple light filled the car and they were transported to a different place. It was a strange market of sorts. They were not even in the car anymore as they had seemingly disappeared from the car and the Blacklock Manor instantly.

After appearing Max's Grandfather led him through the small market with ease as he ignored Max's constant questions and protests.

The first shop they arrived at was a small stall made out of books. All the books were weathered and old but none had any damage to them despite their use as a building material. An old man sat inside the stall and nodded to them as they arrived.

"Another student of the Skyland?" He said with a chuckle as he saw Max's ruffled figure.

Max's Grandfather smiled and laughed in response and nodded.

'So the place where the school is located is called the Skyland. I can check that off my list of things to figure out I guess.' Max thought to himself as he turned into the conversation between his grandfather and the strange old man in front of him.

"Indeed, my young one here is in search of some books for his first year's study at the school and we have heard great things of your new place here Marvin." He said casually.

The old man rubbed his glasses a bit and looked at grandfather a little harder before something clicked in his head.

"Ah! Young Onyx! It has been quite the time since you have come down to the old Rolling Wagon. How long has it been... 20 or 30 years?" The old man said in a raspy voice, his gold-framed glasses bobbing along with his head as he spoke.

"It's been about 24 if I remember correctly. Had to go to a different Emporium for my two twins sadly, too much bad business here in Blue Sky Emporium." He said simply before taking his hands into his pocket and fetching a small handful of platinum coins and passing them to the old man.

"Fix him up with the better books would you?"

Marvin nodded and gave a small chuckle before snapping his fingers and a large number of books appeared in front of him.

"Would you like an expanding tome vault as well? It will hold almost any book inside of it and can be accessed with just a flip of a page or a word." Marvin questioned the small Max in front of him.

Max thought for a moment before nodding and looking at his Grandfather who only smiled in response.

"It's quite good for a beginner but I recommend you get an expanding space for your books later. It is rather expensive," He said with a wink towards Onyx before continuing "But it doesn't damage the books as much as this will." He said gesturing to a small leather-bound notebook he pulled out of the air.

Max nodded before asking a question he deemed a little stupid.

"Expanding Spaces? What are those exactly?"

Marvin smiled a little before answering.

"Something akin to that little envelope you have in your bag but a bit better. Not hard to get your hands on a good one just quite expensive though I doubt that matters." He said before winking.

Max turned his head towards his Grandfather who gave a short nod before realizing that Marvin had seen through his bag somehow and discovered that he had a storage item on him with seemingly no effort.

'People in the world can be pretty powerful I guess... but maybe this is just common and I'm out of the loop.' Max thought of the possibilities.

"Then I suppose I will have to refuse. Thank you for the offer though."

Marvin nodded before asking another question.

"Any other books you want to get your hands on? I procure rather rare books that are useful for almost anyone."

Max thought for a second before answering.

"Any books on Mutations and the lightning element?" He asked gently.

"Hmm... I have quite a few on the lightning element though they are all rather elementary sadly except for one. And mutations... I have one book on mutations of magical beasts and another for mutations in humans that occur during magical awakenings."

"And the price?"

"For all of them?" Marvin asked with a shocked expression.

"Yes, all except that book on mutations in magical beasts. I don't think that will be necessary."

"Then that should be..." Marvin thought for a second, doing high prow math formulas in his head. "Roughly Seven hundred and Sixty Gold coins in addition to what you have already given me."

Max's grandfather simply nodded before passing 8 more platinum coins to the man.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Marvin nodded and snapped his fingers once more, leaving a small stack of personal diaries and introductory lessons on the lightning element as well as two older tomes that seemed slightly damaged.

"Then that should do it. I recommend you go to Galin's shop next. He should have the expanding space that you want."

Grandfather nodded and thanked the man before heading off through the bustling crowds of people until they found themselves entering a small tent that opened up into a rather spacious interior.

It was filled to the brim with knick-knacks and various jewelry and other items.

There was everything from small glass beads to giant foldable contraptions that moved constantly. There was even a small horse that looked realistic until it started singing a carol of sorts.

'Man this place is weird...'

After browsing through the store for a few minutes something stood out to Max. It was a metallic boy that was about 5 feet tall in total. He sat gently on a wooden stump and hung lifelessly unlike the surrounding animated mechanical creations.

He had detailed hair and seemed to be the most advanced piece of technology in the entire store as thousands of parts went into making just the chassis alone.

'Quite interesting. I wonder why this one is lifeless.' Max thought as he moved his hand to inspect the robot before the robot suddenly thrust out and grasped his wrist with a death-like grip that threatened to break his bones.

"NO CONTACT" A metallic voice echoed through the shop before Max's grandfather hurriedly pulled Max back before sighing.