Ryle instantly left for the basement, the basement is the place Ryle and Lyn first practiced the Pure Mana Absorption Skill and Planetary Devestation Skill, because of the growing trees, and since it was already kind of hidden, it became very hard to find them within. Because of that Ryle decided to create a cave underneath one of the thickest trees, although they cave was very small, because of Lyn's increased strength, she would expand it every time she went there.
As Ryle saw the state of the basement, he was surprised. Everytime he came here it was bigger, now it did not look any worse than their living room at home. The basement had roots visible in the 'walls', chairs, a table and some kitchenware such as a kitchen knife, spoons, forks etc. Ryle went on to dig in where the Mana Stone was found.
The place was at a corner of the basement, Ryle started to dig there. Because of his increased strength, digging was as easy as breathing, at least in the normal dirt that was there. As Ryle dug deeper and deeper he started to feel the Mana increase, which made him even more sure that a Mana Geyser was there.
Mana Geyser term used for places where mana accumulates naturally, most powers have their base underneath it and the price for one is definitely not low if one wished to sell. But even amongst Mana Geysers, those that can crystallize into Mana Stones are few and sought after by everyone. Such a Geiser was called Mana Fountain by people. Although it was just a higher Quality Mana Geyser.
As Ryle dug 20 meters deep he found that it was becoming harder to dig, which was natural since the mana can strengthen it if it was constantly surrounded by it. only at 50 meters deep did he start seeing Mana Stones, although low quality ones. When Ryle reached a 100 meter deep, he could barely damage the dirt with his full strength. One has to remember, Ryle only has pure power, no skills, equipment or any such things. Normal Equipment would still be useless since this deep the compressed and strength dirt was as strong as Iron.
Ryle decided to call it a day, he had gathered 242 low quality Mana Crystals, definitely not enough for the auction. Because the price will definitely be lower than 10 thousand low quality stones, all he needed was to get 10 thousand of them and he would be happy to receive the ownership of the village.
when he went out of the basement, he realized that it was already dark outside. checking the watch he had with him, it was already past midnight. Knowing that his parents will not let him the end of it if he stayed out, he rushed back home. After a 30 minutes of Lily and Ter reprimanding him he was finally allowed to go to his room.
The next day Ryle woke up early in the morning, he was very happy, because it was at this time of the month that the Merchant was coming and Ryle needed a strong equipment. No matter pick axe, axe or whatever, all he needed it to be shared somewhere and durable. It did not take long for the Merchant to come here and unlike normal times that they would be heavily extorted, Ryle noticed that they were just extorted, which made everyone unaware of their predicament happy.
Ryle also realized how the eyes of the merchant was checking everything, or to be more precise everyone, especially the women and children were checked. When it was the turn of Lily, Lyn and Lisa, Ryle was fuming. He saw the merchant check them with lust as a smile crept on his face, If not for the fact that Ryle needed to buy something to dig with, he would have jumped at him right now. He now figured that this Merchant would definitely want to buy village.
When it was Ryle's turn he walked towards the Merchant, The Merchant also checked him out and had a satisfied smile on his face.
'This family of 5, aside from the father who I can sell to a mine, the others are all beauties, only these 4 will be sold for more than 10 thousand low quality Mana Stones.'
"Equipment's highest quality you have, please." Ryle talked politely, although he wanted to punch the merchant in the face, he needs to pretended to not get kicked away.
"Oh, what do we have here, a Rich one. Very well." The merchant laughed and waved his hand. taking out 10 of his highest quality goods he had for sale.
"Flame Sword, Rank 2 equipment, 1000 Low Quality Mana Stones." The Merchant said as a fiery red sword levitated in front of him. Seeing Ryle being speechless he laughed as he showed the other 9 equipments.
"Wind Lance, Rank 2 Equipment, 1000 Low Quality Mana Stones."
"Earth Shield, Rank 2 Equipment, 1200 ..."
"Poison Needle, Rank 2 Equipment 2000...."
"Ice Blade, Rank 2...."
"Lions Song, Rank 2..."
"Silver Lance..."
As Ryle heard the prices, he was truly dumbfounded, These prices were way too high, one has to know that only these 10 items would buy the whole village if the merchant was managed to sell them. He also sensed a crisis, if he did not manage to enough Mana Stones. No, he has to get them.
"Do you have any equipments under 240 Low grade Mana Stones?" Ryle said after realizing that this merchant is way richer than he expected.
Surprise flashed in the merchants eyes as he heard Ryle speak, this really had Mana Stones? and 240 to boot? from where? Greed flashed in his eyes but he calmed himself down 'I will have to buy the ownership!'
"Sure sure, Take a look." With a wave of his hand the ten previous equipment were replaced with 10 new ones, well, 8 and 2 orbs.
As Ryle looked at them he noticed that out of all the equipment here, only 2 were ranked and those were already at 240 Mana Crystal's. One was a sword and the other was a Bow. ignoring them for now he checked the black sheeps there, the two orbs. One was an Orb that was used for communication in a 10 kilometer radius while the other was totally unknown, no information was given whatsoever.
"This orb here was found inside the forest, we don't know what is, it might be an unknown treasure waiting for the lucky buyer." The merchant spoke when he saw Ryle entranced in the orb. Ryle however did not hear a thing he said. The moment he touched the orb, his Mana Core started pulsing, he was certain that if he left it be for a minute something might happen. He was not aware what but he knew that whatever this was it had chosen him or was compatible with him. No matter, it was not something that could be bought for a mere 200 Low grade Mana Stones.
"I'll buy it" Ryle said as he handed him 200 Low grade Mana Stones. With the remaining 40 he got a pickaxe with a strengthened tip that would be able to help him dig, although it's durability was garbage which made it a flawed equipment, It did not matter much to him. All he needed was for it to last a week.
Ryle went to the basement, there he instantly went deep underground and took the Orb out of his backpack, the moment he touched it, he felt the familiar feeling from before. He sat down and closed his eyes, trying to see why his Mana Core was pulsing. The Orb started to turn red, blue, green and the colors kept changing to every single color from the rainbow.
When the color changed to Black, Ryle's conciousness expierence so much pain that he wished he were dead, but naturally that was not his choice to make. Memories flashed in his mind as Ryle kept screaming and clutching his hands, his nails piercing the skin. this process took four hours until Ryle finally lost conciousness, the orb would not allow him to lose it. Although Ryle was not aware, but if he had lost conciousness before, he would have never regained it. The Orb had protected him as it transformed memories inside his head.
Ryle took 10 hours to wake up, when he stood up again, he instantly backed away from the orb. The pain he just experienced, was too much for someone his age. If not for his stronger soul, he would have lost his mind. Ryle now realized that those memories have been imprinted in his mind as if they were his, he also noticed some other memories different from the ones he had gotten but the information was too much so he decided to start mining.
Ryle picked up the orb from the ground cautiously, when his fingers touched the orb, the black color changed to white and a figured appeared above the orb.
"To the new owner of The Seed, this is a message, so don't think I can respond. I am Kahn'Ez 'God of Arms' Liviour, creator of The Seed. The Seed is a Soul Equipment, Upon finishing the 20th condensation of the Mana Core, also know as Junior Mage where I was born, you will be capable of fusing The Seed in your Mana Core and compete for my inheritance, The Seed is a recording device that Records the owners memories and passes to its next inheritor, a small gift to those who managed to find it. The Seed is one of many, I sent through many worlds, for a total of 1000 Seeds, when 500 seeds gather together a portal will open to my inheritance. Those capable can try their luck, but be warned, once inside, only those who receive my inheritance or one of the countless inheritance I gathered in my long life, can exit. Other's will be locked there and absorbed after a month of no progress. May the will of arms be with you."
The figure, Kahn'Ez vanished after he spoke, The Seed now back to its dull black color, Ryle was utterly shocked, so much information and in such a small amount of time.
'Junior Mage? 20th Core condensation? Worlds? what the hell is going on?'
Deciding to check the new memories after his current predicament was over, Ryle took out the pickaxe and went digging again. This time, with the help of a sharp equipment, Ryle reached 200 meter in 4 hours. Noticing that it was getting late, Ryle went back to the village. While digging Ryle was very disappointed, he got 448 Mana Stones, with his remaining 2, for a total of 450 Mana stones, but all of them were Low grade ones. Ryle now also realized that this was a Low grade Mana Stone mine, the one found by Lisa was definitely influenced by Lyn training there, but those deep underground were not. The Purity of Mana in the air was higher than in the ground, at least at such shallow depth.
Back Home, Ryle ate some food with his Family, Lisa kept pestering him for not spending time with her while Lyn was pouting because Ryle told her to not go to the basement for the coming week. Not because he was hiding anything from her, but because she is too beautiful. With their village for sale, naturally some people are guarding the village so that the villagers can't leave. But many of them are watching his family which made him so frustrated and helpless but he could not give up. He would always manage to avoid detection with his powerful soul sense that Lyn was not capable of. It was simply too dangerous. After playing with his sisters for an hour, he went to his room and jumped on his bed face first.
'Just a bit more, Sun City, fucking merchant, fucking Empire, Feather City, each and every single one of you, I SWEAR TO KILL!' Once more Ryle's eyes had red circles inside of them. His aura intensified and a thick killing intent spread out from his room through the whole village and its surroundings. All those watching and those inside felt like suffocating. It vanished in a matter of seconds as Ryle fell asleep, the rest would have a sleepless night, except for his family. Unconsciously Ryle avoided them with his killing intent. Though, he is clueless that he did anything at all.