Feeling the buzz of excitement around him, Luo Shu couldn't help but smirk slightly, the corners of his mouth curving up.
"Of course, there's a way…"
"Yukinoshita Haruno, you wouldn't want your sister to get hurt, would you?"
The boy raised an eyebrow, a seemingly perpetual smile gracing his face—elegant and enigmatic, the curve of his lips perfect.
This smile seemed to part the darkness like sunlight breaking through clouds, warm and effortless.
At first glance, it was as if he stood there claiming all the colors around him.
Yukinoshita Haruno's heart skipped a beat.
That demeanor, that confidence, the effortless nobility radiating from him…
She bit her lip, her gaze flickering, further confirming her suspicions about Luo Shu's identity.
Someone who exudes elegance in every gesture and speaks with such distinction could only have been molded by the upper echelons of society over time.
A true master; he was undoubtedly a master!
"Please, esteemed mage, help me. Save my sister, and I assure you the reward will be substantial."
Haruno suddenly lowered her head, her tone respectful, humbling herself willingly.
She couldn't gamble with the truth of the blood disaster the mage spoke of; the target was her beloved sister, the one she had protected since childhood…
If he could say such things, there was a high probability he knew how to resolve it.
As for the price of the reward?
Their Yukinoshita family was the local power in Chiba Prefecture, a "supreme emperor" above six million people. They could afford whatever they wished if they were willing to part with it.
Meanwhile, Yukinoshita Yukino looked on, utterly bewildered, unsure what her sister was conjuring in her mind.
The crowd had gathered tightly, even the onlookers were green with envy, studying the sudden shift in Haruno's demeanor. With her drastic change of attitude, they were left in awe, increasingly convinced by Luo Shu.
"Let's start with introductions."
Luo Shu smiled, noticing the emotional turbulence in the sisters, and spoke up.
"My name is Luo Shu, I'm 22 years old, living in the northeastern part of Fuyuki City, in an area known for gas leaks. I'm unmarried and quite passionate about traveling; my friends like to call me the Grand Magus."
"I specialize in the five major types of magic; divination is one of my abilities."
"Miss Yukino's problem isn't particularly challenging for me."
"Haruno, given our good fortune in meeting, a modest reward of one hundred thousand yen will suffice~."
The boy said cheerfully, as if it were a casual request.
As a veteran player of FGO, he casually spun a convincing identity.
His confidence in solving Yukino's issue stemmed from calculating with his divine authority and finding that it would only take 0.55 units of divine essence to enchant an item, slightly boosting luck to dispel Yukino's misfortunes.
He could trade easily obtained shards of divine essence for the yen needed for his daily life.
What a deal!
Then, under the eager gazes of the onlookers, Luo Shu slightly lifted the corners of his mouth and comfortably reached into his pocket, pulling out a stunning ruby necklace.
This was something he had bought to impress girls, and it certainly looked exquisite.
"Ding! Confirmed bearer of 'Ordinary Ruby Necklace'... constructing mythic element—'Blessing of the Goddess of Luck'... wearer gains luck +2, estimated cost 0.55 essence…"
"Ding! Mythic element construction successful!"
"Will this necklace truly resolve Miss Yukino's blood disaster?"
From the crowd, a girl in a black Gothic dress couldn't help but question.
Mikage Ruri, a seasoned sufferer of chuunibyou, was well-versed in tales of deities and often visited fortune tellers in the park. It was this knowledge that led her to doubt Luo Shu's reliability.
In folklore, protagonists often encounter wise masters before facing calamities.
High monks might provide relics for protection, Taoists might offer talismans, and missionaries might give silver crosses…
But never had she heard of someone offering a gemstone for protection!
What new kind of scam was this?
The boy smiled casually and handed the ruby necklace over.
"Mr. Luo, this is…?"
Haruno looked at the necklace, initially puzzled, but her pupils suddenly contracted in shock.
In the sunlight, a vibrant red glow suddenly materialized.
"Gulp, gulp…"
Countless tiny bubbles appeared within the ruby, as if boiling water was bubbling over.
The blazing red light became increasingly radiant.
This scene stunned everyone; men, women, and children alike were transfixed.
Minutes passed as the bubbles grew denser, coating the surface of the ruby.
That fair hand suddenly released the necklace, but buoyed by the bubbles, the dazzling red light remained suspended in midair. As the onlookers gaped in astonishment at the miracle unfolding before them, they were left speechless.
Was this magic, a trick… or a superpower?
Everyone was captivated by the ruby necklace.
The thumb-sized ruby transformed from dull to brilliantly vivid, shining gloriously as bubbles began to burst, sending wisps of mist swirling upwards, as if forming some pattern above.
At that moment, a man attempted to push his way through the crowd.
Suddenly, more sunlight flooded in.
In an instant, a cloud of rosy hues materialized, swirling currents encircling the ruby above.
No way!!
"Is this an illusion?!"
Mikage Ruri gasped, quickly shutting her eyes and reopening them.
It was still there.
Not an illusion?!
At that moment, the red glow flickered, and the gemstone began to rotate slowly in a clockwise direction.
A vivid image emerged before everyone.
In the swirling currents, a magnificent ship appeared, towering and grand. Countless figures resembling ants—men, women, and children—struggled to carry it forward, representing the multitude of souls navigating the turbulent sea of existence.
On the ship.
A beautiful goddess leaned against the sail, her hands hanging down, eyes closed in deep contemplation.
Who is she?!
Who on earth is this?!
The crowd was electrified.
In the next moment, the goddess opened her eyes, suddenly revealing an enchanting smile.
"Ah!!"
A girl instinctively let out a cry, and those around her widened their eyes in astonishment.
"Crack—"
The vision shattered, strands of radiant red light re-entering the gemstone necklace.
The divine object dimmed once more, losing its brilliance.
Without the buoyancy of the bubbles, the dull ruby necklace fell from midair.
Haruno jolted awake, quickly reaching out to catch it, exhaling in relief.
This item could be worth its weight in gold!
Thank you!
She must sincerely thank Mr. Luo!
Filled with gratitude, Haruno noticed that many people were now crowding closer, their eyes filled with obsession as they looked at her palm. Startled, she hastily shoved the necklace into her skirt.
Once the treasure was concealed, the young lady finally relaxed.
If this unparalleled gem were stolen, she wouldn't know where to cry.
The onlookers expressed their regret.
How unfair! Why couldn't we have seen it for just a moment longer?
Just a moment longer, and it would have exploded, right?!
*TL/N - I changed Yano into Haruno because it seemed to be the correct translation of her name.
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