Sigh
"I can tell that you do not have the instincts to be able to look at a thing and recognize its value. Never mind, I'm sure you will learn to appreciate the value of magic tools once you have enough experience."
The old man sounded disappointed with Liam's choice, but he was still willing to show Liam a little bit of respect for his decision.
Liam felt a little ticked off by the offhand comment made by the old man, but he regulated his tongue to not lash out.
In his opinion, he had picked out the best possible thing his eyes landed on, but the old man did not seem to think the same.
"Bring your purchase here and I will ring it up for you."
The old man gestured for Liam to come to him, and Liam made his way over to the old man before handing him the small box.
Only after Liam had handed the box over did another worry enter his mind—did he even have enough money to buy that item? He was already running low on cash and deposits in his bank. Just how much would he be set back because of this impulsive purchase?
"Alright, I've made your bill for you. After your 50% first-time purchase discount, your bill is 1 million dollars. Would you like to pay in cash or credit…hey, are you alright?"
Liam's legs felt weak, and he swore he could taste blood in his mouth.
ONE MILLION?
For someone who never even had a sum above 10,000 in his bank account (except when he got lucky with the house), this was an amount he could never imagine.
"Excuse me, but did you say one million? Are you sure you didn't make a mistake?"
Liam asked, trying to regain his balance.
Seeing him struggle to hold back his shock, the old man in front of him sighed in shame and regret.
Sigh
"I see. So you are one of those types as well. Did me saying that this item is only 1 million bruise your ego? I can sell it to you for the original price—"
"No, thank you. I have changed my mind, and I don't think I want it any longer."
Liam quickly placed the box in his hand on the table, but he was extra careful with it this time. He didn't want to accidentally break the box and be saddled with a debt he couldn't pay.
The old man made a strange noise between frustration and anger, but he quickly snatched the placed box.
"Fine! If you don't want it, then pick something else. How much did the association give you for your initial sign-up bonus? If I know your limit, I can suggest something better. Isn't the least amount of sign-up bonus 10 million now? I can show you in that range if you like."
Each word felt like a personalized attack on Liam. His desire to head to the association and sign up with them surged as he tried to hold himself steady.
'Shit! If I had 10 million dollars, I would never have to worry about money again, and I could live a carefree life without having to worry about anything. Should I go to them and ask to become a member?'
Liam's first thought was this, but then he decided not to go with it. He had lived his life under someone's oppression already, and he did not want to get caught by it anymore.
Being in an organization would mean that people would expect Liam to do certain things he did not want to. He might even have to risk his life.
Compared to that, living a carefree life, hiding his magic, and only using it when necessary would be better.
'Alright, I've thought about it enough. It's time for me to head back home now.'
"Excuse me, but I need to head back now. Can you show me the way out, Mr-"
Liam did not know what to call the old man, so he left his sentence hanging. The old man just sighed at this point, not even surprised that Liam did not know him anymore.
"Seriously, did you get dropped into the magical world yesterday? How can you not even know my name? Fine, since this is your first time here, and you are new, I will tell you. My name is Elowen Starwind, one of the only three S-class craftsmen in this world."
The old man spoke with pride and confidence, and Liam finally understood why everything around him looked duller than he was used to seeing.
From what he could tell, there was a huge amount of difference between the S-class people in Liam's memories and the people he could see in front of him now.
Hey system, what classification would this old man be according to the 'real' power scale?
Liam was curious, so he asked the system.
[User clarification: Scanning mana level… Elowen Starwind would be a B-class craftsman, and on the lower end at that.]
[Note: User has the potential of awakening as a 'true' S-class magician if he keeps up regularly with the training schedule.]
Liam quickly calculated in his mind what that meant, and from what he could tell, there was no existing class for it… or there should not be.
Well, maybe I will become the first SSS-class magician in this world.
Liam felt amused by his own thoughts, but it was time for him to head home.
"Mister Elowen Starwind, it was nice to meet you. But unfortunately, I cannot buy anything from this shop today. Hopefully, I will have better luck next time."
Liam quietly made his way back to the front door, and his hand touched the doorknob before Elowen Starwind reached for his wrist.
"Wait! I cannot allow you to leave empty-handed like this. As much as I do not want to indulge you, it is a matter of my reputation. I am sure you will like something…"
Elowen sounded serious, but Liam was also serious.
He did not want to admit that he could not afford anything in here, but it seemed as if he had no choice.
Just when Liam opened his mouth to confess his lack of funds, the door behind him opened and an unknown man appeared with a small smile on his face.
"Oh my! Am I interrupting something here? I can always come back later if you are busy, Elowen-"
Liam had never seen anyone fold quicker than the man holding his wrist.
One second, Liam was being painfully pulled back, and the next, he seemed to be discarded to the side as the old man quickly stepped forward to attend to that man.
"Master Rhemington, what brings you here on such a fine day? Please tell me what I can help you with. As you know, my doors are always open for a gentleman as fine and refined as you."
The old man seemed to be bending backward for the younger male, and Liam felt his eyes tick at the sudden change of tone and mood around him.
Tsk, this old man is so double-faced. He pretended to be all pissy with me while singing praises of this guy? Still, I can tell that this person is powerful. His magic is also the purest one I have seen thus far.
But no matter how much power this human had, nothing could shake Liam, who had the memories of a world filled with real magic.
Anything else felt like child's trickery, and it did not impress him.
"Well, I am happy to know that the esteemed craftsman, Elowen Starwind, missed me. If I knew how much you would miss me, then I would have visited you earlier and given you a surprise myself."
Master Rhemington was well-spoken, and his voice was soft but filled with power.
Liam could feel magic being poured into those words, but his natural magic resistance made the effect of it lessen.
The same could not be said for Elowen Starwind, who seemed to be hanging on to Master Rhemington's every word.
"Don't say that now, Master Rhemington. Ah, now that you are here, let me show you my workshop. I am sure you will like it a lot. I also have some special products to show you…"
Finally, Elowen Starwind noticed Liam again and became a little speechless. It was clear to Liam that something was off, but he did not want to say anything rude in front of his guest.
Liam could read the room, so he decided to walk past the pair and head out. But he did not even make it across Master Rhemington before his arm was grabbed.
"Excuse me, but can you let go of me now? I need to head back home before the sun goes down."
Liam lightly yanked his arm out of the grip… or rather, he tried to. But the 28-year-old looking man held onto his arm tightly.
The smile he received back from the older face only promised to spell trouble for him.
"Elowen, this is a face I'm seeing for the first time. Is this kid an acquaintance of yours? If so, then can you introduce us? I have a feeling that we might become good friends if you do that."
Liam gave the old man a look that asked him not to speak. For a whole minute, it seemed as if the old man would take the hint and not speak up.
But just as Liam relaxed himself, the old man spoke up.
"Ah, I'm sorry, but this is my first time meeting this kid as well. From what I can tell, he's a magician who awakened recently, so he does not have enough knowledge about our world. But he did say he was approached by a few guilds. Looks like he didn't quite make the cut for Emperor"
Elowen tried to lighten the situation by cracking a joke, but no one laughed.
The one who should have laughed was Master Rhemington, but that man had the most intense expression on his face as he looked at Liam.
Shit! I am sure this man knows something about me. Should I make a run for it?
Liam's mind was filled with doubt. But just as he was about to act on his doubt, the older male moved and let go of Liam's wrist. Instead, Master Rhemington extended his own hand for Liam to shake.
"Hello kid. My name is Victor Rhemington. It's nice to meet you. Can I get your name as well?"
The man asked and Liam looked at the extended hand in front of him. His instincts were warning him not to take this hand and shake it because it was a trap.
So, all Liam did was stare at the hand offered to him without doing anything else.