The private appraisal chamber was eerily silent, the heavy atmosphere pressing down on the four children seated before the manager and the appraiser. The room, designed for high-profile transactions, had thick walls, intricate carvings along the wooden panels, and a polished marble table separating the two parties. Dim lanterns cast flickering shadows, adding to the tension that hung in the air like an unspoken challenge.
The manager, an elderly man with neatly combed white hair, steepled his fingers, his sharp gaze assessing Nile and his companions. The appraiser, a bespectacled man with an experienced eye for value, sat beside him, exuding an air of quiet authority.
Finally, the appraiser broke the silence. "So, young master, what would you like to have appraised?"
Nile leaned back slightly, resting one arm on the chair's armrest, his expression calm yet firm. "A Level 1 Body Stimulus Paste."
The manager's brow arched slightly, though he quickly masked his surprise. The appraiser, too, remained composed, though a flicker of curiosity gleamed in his eyes.
"A Body Stimulus Paste, hmm?" the manager repeated, folding his hands together. "That's certainly an uncommon item for someone of your age to carry."
Nile merely shrugged, his tone unwavering. "Will you appraise it or not?"
The appraiser gave a small nod. "Of course. Please present the item."
Without hesitation, Nile reached into his storage pouch and pulled out a small, seemingly ordinary tube. He placed it on the polished marble table with a soft clink.
The manager barely spared it a glance before his interest visibly waned. 'Just another low-grade paste,' he thought, already preparing to dismiss it.
However, the appraiser's reaction was entirely different. His brows furrowed as he picked up the tube, carefully turning it in his hands. His gaze sharpened with a mix of surprise and intrigue.
Jessica, who had been lazily observing, nudged Nile with her elbow. "What did you even bring? That old guy looks like he found a dragon egg."
Nile smirked slightly. "Just watch."
The appraiser, unable to contain his curiosity, slowly unsealed the tube.
The moment the stopper was removed, an incredibly rich, potent medicinal aroma burst forth, filling the chamber instantly.
Both the manager and the appraiser stiffened.
A stunned silence followed.
Then—
"Impossible!" The appraiser exclaimed, his fingers tightening around the tube. His eyes burned with excitement as he examined the contents more closely, his hands trembling ever so slightly.
The manager, noticing his colleague's unusual reaction, finally directed his full attention to the tube. A moment later, his pupils shrank as realization dawned upon him.
"This… this scent…!" he muttered, his expression shifting from mild disinterest to sheer astonishment.
Jessica, Lyra, and Arin exchanged glances before turning their gazes toward Nile, who still looked utterly bored, as if this entire situation was nothing out of the ordinary.
Lyra leaned in, whispering, "Okay, now I really want to know—what did you just put on the table?"
The manager took a deep breath before speaking, his voice lower and more respectful now. "Young master… this is no ordinary paste."
The appraiser nodded, his hands still gripping the tube carefully. "This is a high-grade Body Stimulus Paste."
Silence.
Then—
"Wait. WHAT?!" Jessica practically shrieked, nearly knocking over her chair. "HIGH-GRADE?!"
Lyra, usually the composed one, was momentarily frozen in shock. "That can't be right… high-grade pastes are so rare that even auctions rarely get them."
Arin's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Nile. "…How?"
Nile simply exhaled, unbothered by their reactions. "So, what's the price?"
The manager took a moment to compose himself before responding carefully. "Young master, do you… have any idea how valuable this is?"
Nile's expression didn't change. "That's why I'm here."
The appraiser cleared his throat. "Let me explain. A low-grade paste is useful for cultivators below Stage 4—it helps them advance if they have enough mana stones to support the process. A mid-grade paste works for Stages 4 to 6."
He took a deep breath before continuing, his tone more reverent now. "But a high-grade paste… that's a treasure for Stages 7 to 9."
Jessica frowned, tilting her head. "So you're telling me this little tube can help someone break through Stage 9?"
Her stomach twisted. Then why the hell did I go through all that hellish training if this thing could do the same job?!
She shot a suspicious glare at the tube, as if it had personally wronged her.
The manager nodded grimly. "Exactly. And do you know how rare high-grade pastes are?"
Arin, already deep in thought, answered before anyone else could. "Level 3 Alchemists can make them… but at that level, refining such paste isn't worth their time. It's too simple, and they'd rather work on higher-tier elixirs. That means there's almost no supply."
Lyra sighed. "And when they do appear…"
"…They get fought over like crazy at auctions." The manager finished her sentence, shaking his head. "The last time one appeared here, it was sold for an absurd price."
Nile leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "And what was that price?"
The manager hesitated before saying, "Twenty thousand low-grade mana stones."
The room fell into a stunned silence.
Jessica blinked. "…Did you just say twenty THOUSAND?"Her mind raced. That's insane.
Then, a realization struck her like a lightning bolt.
Oh.
Now I get it.
There's no way in hell my miser dad would ever buy something this expensive. Even if he somehow decided to, there probably wasn't even any in the market.
Lyra's mouth fell open slightly. "That's… that's an insane amount of money."
Even Arin, usually the most level-headed, showed a rare look of surprise.
Nile, however, remained calm. "I see. I'll take it."
The manager and appraiser exchanged glances before breaking into barely concealed smiles.
Jessica grabbed Nile's arm. "Wait, WAIT. We need to talk about this!"
Nile sighed. "What's there to talk about?"
Lyra leaned in, whispering urgently. "How do you even HAVE something this valuable? The only paste I remember you making is the one Jennifer has!"
Jessica's eyes widened in realization. "Wait… DON'T tell me you made this one too?!"
Nile didn't answer, but his silence spoke volumes.
Arin shook his head. "That's impossible. A high-grade paste requires master-level alchemy."
Jessica, still holding Nile's arm, hissed, "Then explain THIS."
The manager and appraiser, having realized the gravity of the situation, suddenly stood from their seats, bowing slightly.
"We apologize for our earlier lack of respect," the manager said solemnly. "It is an honor to deal with a capable alchemist."
Nile waved a hand dismissively. "I haven't even taken the alchemist exam yet."
The appraiser adjusted his glasses. "That does not change the fact that you have produced something extraordinary."
Nile exhaled. "It doesn't matter how I got it. What matters is that you get the paste and we get twenty thousand mana stones." He turned back to the manager. "Prepare the transaction."
The manager quickly nodded. "Of course, young master. We'll handle it immediately."
As the deal was finalized, Jessica, Lyra, and Arin could only stare at Nile in a mix of awe, suspicion, and disbelief.
Lyra whispered under her breath. "Just how the hell are you doing all this, Nile?"