A lot of people had already started leaving seeing Nier's actions and new ones also came to watch the drama unfolding.
After apologizing for sneezing on the ball, he immediately to took out a handkerchief and cleaned it, giving it back to the shopkeeper
"It's my fault that it got dirty, don't mind it...I'll play with just fine, it'd be terrible if I accidentally damaged another one" said Nier with a smile confusing everyone with his good behaviour, of course, they didn't know that someone in the world has the ability to see Mana, He was unable to see the pure mana in the air, but if it was processed mana like the mana potion, he was able to see a sort of gas when he activated his ability. In a way, he could see the aura that others only felt.
The metal ball, now imbued with mana indirectly was put on the table, covered with the cups, the shopkeeper started shuffling them in a swift motion, experienced mages however can easily detect such movement, then why didn't no one win? because the shopkeeper was using magic and it wasn't possible to prove his cheat since he was quite talented himself.
Nier knew this from the beginning and he could actually prove that. But he won't get any benefits, he hadn't paid yet and thus wasn't scammed yet, those already scammed would get benefits. He chose to win the prices not caring about everyone else.
However, the cup in which the ball was initially present was something that didn't escape his eyes. Yet when he activated his abilities there was no aura there.
'Hmmm, the rightmost is showing a large trail, the balls in that one probably....Should I tell the right answer? maybe I can purposefully lower his guard and try level 3 next....he did use mana in this one to probably manipulate the table and let the ball pass from inside, but in level 3, he'll probably use his ability...can I afford to waste 10000 in the worst-case scenario? if I won this and then played level 2, he might use his ability, I don't know if the ability is sneaky or not, it's too much of a hassle figuring his ability and then winning, I'm an idiot..I should have played level 2 first, still no need to be needlessly greedy'
Nier took deep breathes as the atmosphere grew needlessly tense, imaginary sweat appeared on his face as-
Deciding his path Nier pointed to the leftmost, the shopkeeper smiled and lifted the cup, there was nothing. Most onlookers sneered at the arrogant brat' failure, some with extraordinary imagination thought of other things as if they were witnessing some world-ending battle.
"I'll take another, this time level 2" rubbing his temples, Nier declared! The audience gasped. The shopkeeper Gasped, but nodded and-
"Please pay first" hearing which, Nier twitched but nodded and took out the fee from his boots, again confusing everyone why he put money in his boots...if only they knew the tragedy that happened today.
The shopkeeper started shuffling again, this time 6 cups. Nier looked towards the owner, the owner gazed back..they were having an imaginary face-off as everyone got silent.
No sound escaped this corner of the street....
"ACHOO, never mind me....sorry"
The atmosphere was immediately ruined.
Then with no warning, Nier lifted a cup in which was a tiny grey ball. Those who sneered changed as the Shopkeepers eyes widened in shock.
'He probably tricked me! he lost the first one purposefully choosing the correct initial cup making me lower my guard! he's someone talented! , I should have used my ability! I choose not to every time because it's unnecessary and exhausting'
The shopkeeper started thinking about everything when it hit him.
'FOOLISH ME! it's the potion! no one suddenly buys a potion from a bystander to refresh themselves for a game they already know needs focus and then suddenly sneeze...that sneeze filled with mana must have somehow helped him, probably the reason why he kept seeing the objects up close, I should have changed the ball'
Realizing everything, the shopkeeper got angry, at himself for being stupid.
"So I get to choose now? and where's your blacksmith?"
*Sigh
"There he is"
A man covered in a cloak could be seen crossing the streets.
"My name is Wellris Mori, I'm a blacksmith Mr Ju contracted, I am a C ranked blacksmith, this my card and I can evaluate the item Mr Ju brought today"
Wellris introduced himself with elegance and stretched his hands, showing the card of some blacksmith association Nier did not know but being experienced in the art of fake card was able to determine its authenticity.
Nier nodded with a strange smile but didn't stop Welris' words.
"So what is it that you want to know? the enchantments on them allow them to store mana and can be used anytime,"
"Enchantments don't matter to me much unless they use mental energy, there's none here though, I wanna know if the materials are strong enough for the grade this guy claims them to be"
Soon after Wellris checked the items from the category which Nier won.
".....Well"
"...."
"There are 3 of them which have rare material among common grade used in them namely high-grade Gemtail shells, livese ores, and some Iron ores" answered Wellris as he pointed towards 3 items --- a yellow dagger, a chain that was grey, and a shield that was black in colour.
Though these were the only items with rarer materials, that did not mean they were strongest since the runes on these items were quite weak compared to the others.
'Even if the old man's lying about the material, I am still in profit if I sell these based on the enchantments, I already have my weapons'
Nier wasn't really well-versed in the matters of alchemists and smiths.
Did he trust the smith? no, not really.....but--- "Wellris" did sell him an authentic knuckle even though he tried robbing him, yes Wellris was a cover name for Walus and while he change his voice, manners and hide his face.
No disguise could ever fool Nier's eyes unless someone changed their Magic core, and Nier had already concluded that he was together with the women. He noticed that the old man had kept silent with the women present and the fact they both had similar mana structures.
"I'll take the nail and the chain"
"Are you sure about that? to the nail, you'll have to pluck out your own nail, and swap them....not only will it be painful but a time will come when you'll pluck out the treasure nail too once it becomes useless. you'll have to get healed...no one should ever get sick, even if it lasts short." Old Man Walus gave his advice in a heavy tone as if from experience. He knew this man had pranked them...but the idea of anyone getting injured or sick from something he was connected to, was the worst thought to the old man. "Mr Ju can swap for an equally good item, I'm sure.
"Shut up Old man, I know how things are done, I don't need your advice, not from someone who is trying to live 2 different lives while ruining others. Honor and Robbery don't match in my books, at least not here...no matter how much good you'll do, it doesn't wash away the past or your present deeds, Never. I hate such lowlives like you" Nier whispered coldly and brutally.
Not glancing at them any further, Nier picked the chain and the nail and left, leaving the Old Man in shock, the least Walus expected was getting ignored, after all..even though the young man blasted a mini explosive on him. one of the reasons he wore a disguise, he still tried to help the kid just now. But he was brutally shunned down without care.
The Old man was angered, but somewhere within his heart, the words Nier left resonated and from this day, Walus stopped his grand-daughter from associating with his robberies and started teaching her blacksmithing, focusing on her future while trying to mend his daughter's illness through teaching any kid he could find, all his lifetime knowledge, collecting the fees through honest work. Soon the old man found himself surrounded by people who cared about him and forever remembered the cold brutal white-haired whose words cut deep
Joe Mamarick..a name he'll never forget. Of course, he understood it was probably a made-up name. The streets of Meloran went on like every day as Nier left the city after exchanging the money.