Upon his third day back from the Wizards Association, Alex had taken up residence at GOLDERT Castle with privileges second only to Dr. Wilkins. Viscount Ashby enthusiastically welcomed this news of Alex registering as a wizard at an early age and promised to do all he could to restore the family's honour and gave him two hundred gold pounds as a gift. Understanding that this was a show of Viscount Ashby's favour toward him, Alex accepted the gold which was enough money to buy a good house in PARSLOV City, thereby implying consent in regard to their familial bond.
On one afternoon, Alex could be found seated in Peony Cafe close by PARSLOV Street conversing with an elegant and fashionable mature lady.
Alex and Ella were seated at the table in Mr. GOLDERT's office. Gently placing her hand on a wooden box, Ella declared with conviction that the item within was an antique with magical powers and offered to sell it to Alex for thirty gold pounds - this price she believed was already quite reasonable.
Though a registered magic apprentice himself, Alex did not believe her claim without proof and so he hesitant to make the purchase. Nonetheless, he had sought out Ella because of her impressive reputation as an adventurer and black-market dealer renowned for acquiring top-notch goods - including items used to absorb psionic energy that he hoped this pendant carved from amethyst would provide.
"I assure you, Mr. GOLDERT, that as a reputable merchant, this antique definitely has magical powers and thirty gold pounds is the best price I can offer," the woman said as she placed her hand on a wooden box containing an amethyst pendant.
Alex chuckled. "Beautiful Lady Ella, don't forget that I am a registered magic apprentice. I have more expertise in determining whether or not an item has magical powers."
Ella's face displayed a painful expression, and it was clear that she had mistaken the ordinary antique jewellery for something magical. As it turns out, it was not improbable that the amethyst pendant could be fake, with a visible faint magical halo on its surface. If Alex had not realized this when seeing no response from the cemetery, he would have been fooled just like her.
With muttered profanity towards Roddick and a threatening gleam in her narrowed eyes, Ella seemed to bode ill luck for him. The revolver and dagger on Ella's waist are not there just for show either; it seems that she is ready to take matters into her own hands if necessary.
Alex found Ella through Alvis, in order to acquire magical items which could be transformed into spiritual energy for the graveyard. Even though Ella's journey is risky and unpredictable, Alvis guarantees that it will not fail hope to Alex.
The former had only used the Wind Blade Bracelet to absorb spiritual energy, allowing him to summon five skeleton soldiers; however, their combat capabilities were not sufficient enough. In Alex's estimation, having all five of these soldiers would only help him against two or three intermediate magic apprentices at most - he would definitely be put out on the streets if he encountered a senior apprentice knight or a senior magical apprentice. Therefore, gaining more psionic power and opening cemetery buildings was mandatory if he wanted to obtain additional troops. Beautiful lady, please do not get angry; do you have any other enchantments or objects with magical energy?
Ella grunted and pulled out a black object from the pouch around her waist, placing it on the desk in a huff: "Have a look at this, if it doesn't work then forget about it."
Alex examined the piece and saw that it was a silver ring. The surface had faded due to oxidation, while an uncomplicated magical pattern was engraved onto its surface - though there was no magic aura observed. As soon as his hand touched the ring however, he smiled: "This isn't bad at all."
"Fifty gold pounds!" Ella's eyes lit up upon hearing his comment and she made an immediate bid.
Alex snickered and shook his head before uttering, "Fifty is way too much; I can give you some gold coins as a substitute."
"Are you kidding me? This thing is a magical item!" Ella gasped in disbelief, her voice rising an octave higher.
"Yes, it is indeed magical, but it's completely ruined and irreparable. No one in PARSLOV City would be willing to buy this except for me; that is why it is worth only hardware pounds," Alex grinned, adding that Ella would not be able to find another customer.
"You..."Ella almost stood up due to her anger towards the despicable young undead apprentice opposite of her but then she realized it was futile as her family already knew about the ring on her finger that had been there for nearly half a year. Though selling this metal pound to Alex will not make any profit out of it at least it will cover the cost of purchase.
"Seven gold pounds, that's the amount I'm asking for!" Ella wishes to secure a final gain from the sale.
"Not a penny more!" Alex stubbornly kept his bid the same.
"Fine, you won this round, Scrooge." Ella reluctantly conceded defeat.
Alex beamed with satisfaction as he handed over the money.
"No shocks, no letdowns," Alex expressed as he stood and shook hands. "If you need more, just let me know the next time and I'll give you a decent cost." Ella stretched out her arm reluctantly as she had not made any money from the transaction and had lost enthusiasm.
Just before Alex was about to leave though, she recalled something else and held him back, saying: "Do you require a lot of broken magical items? Those that are smashed up so badly that they can't be used at all."
Alex smiled: "Of course I do! But I'll have to check them beforehand - not every piece of junk is usable." Ella's face bore a sly expression: "I'm aware of someone who has lots of these things. Yet if I take you there, I believe an agency fee would be in order?".
Alex merely grinned: "how much are you thinking for the agency fee?"
Ella arrogantly demanded two gold pounds, and, without hesitation, Alex paid the fee. She was a renowned figure in PARSLOV City, having many connections and an extensive network of contacts. After rising from their seats in the cafe, they boarded a carriage together to go to the place to which they were heading.
In it, Ella reminded Alex: "Speak cautiously when we get there; don't stir up trouble. Even though you're Alvis's younger brother and possess either protection or prestige because of your last name - GOLDERT - that guy is snobbish so he should be more respectful towards you since you're a Necromancer."
Alex furrowed his brows as he asked, "Are you not going to take me to the underground black market?" He had heard from Alvis that in PARSLOV City the underground market was full of darkness and malice. People who visited it were either criminals or killers, and all goods for sale there were illegal.
Ella gave him a mysterious smile: "What you're talking about is just some peddler on the surface. I'm taking you to meet one-eyed King."
Alex had never heard of this name before but judging by Ella's reaction it was clear that Kerrigan must have been someone powerful and influential in the underground black market. Nevertheless, Alex remained undaunted; with his current strength he was confident enough to take on even a high-level magic apprentice--in PARSLOV City right now the most advanced magic user would not be more powerful than an elite combatant, plus there has not been any official powerhouse for over ten years.
Following Ella, the carriage travelled westward along the hag lane. It was not long before a light rain began to fall!
Alex attempted to see past the car windows, feeling astonished. From sun to cloud, with rain pouring just as swiftly - what kind of weather is this?