To be honest, Oliver was somewhat interested in modifying The Divine Circuit.
He could already use illegal spells, but casting them recklessly would be too conspicuous. If he had a Divine Circuit as a cover, he could avoid suspicion from the Church.
The problem was that the one he had belonged to Sister Marta. Even if he modified it, its origins would still be easy to trace.
That's why Master Hector's offer from the Magic Props Store was actually quite tempting for someone like him.
With that in mind, Oliver stepped into the magic store.
"Boss, I'm looking to buy an illegal spell. Got any recommendations?"
He spoke in a low voice.
"An illegal spell?"
The shopkeeper was an elegant man with a goatee, his demeanor refined and polite. However, there was a faint scent of blood lingering on him—proof that he wasn't as gentlemanly as he seemed.
His eyes under the lenses, sized up Oliver for a second, flashing a hint of surprise,
"A new face. That's rare," he said. "Forgive my curiosity—are you buying for yourself or someone else?"
"For myself."
The shopkeeper's eyes stared for a few points, and his tone became a bit more respectful,"So young, yet capable of using illegal techniques. Impressive."
Still, he had his doubts. He suspected Oliver might actually be purchasing it on someone else's behalf.
Even so, he handed over a list.
Illegal spells, once cast, would immediately be detected by the gods, triggering divine punishment. Even if the caster survived, the Church would hunt them down.
To evade the gods' sight and use these spells, strict conditions had to be met, along with mastering a specialized technique.
The technique itself—and the process of learning it—was exorbitantly expensive. The cost was rumored to be at least 20,000 silver coins, or 20 gold coins.
For Oliver, that price was out of reach.
Only the strongest among the anti-Church forces could afford such power.
With only a few hundred silver coins in his possession, there was no way he could afford the technique.
In contrast, modifying a Divine Circuit for disguise was a much cheaper option, though even that would cost at least three gold coins.
Glancing down at the list of illegal spells, Oliver was taken aback.
The prices were… outrageous.
A simple level-one spell, comparable to Fireball, cost 200 silver coins.
A standard level-two spell? Anywhere from 600 to 1,000 silver coins.
It was said that illegal spells weren't just forbidden due to being outside divine regulation—what truly made them dangerous was their immense power, far surpassing that of ordinary spells.
Even so, the price was still ridiculous.
By comparison, a Divine Circuit seemed almost cheap at just 1,000 silver coins.
Of course, that was also because Divine Circuits were practically useless to ordinary people. If they didn't sell quickly, they became liabilities—contraband that could attract the Church's wrath.
In the end, Oliver gave up on the idea.
Under the shopkeeper's strange gaze, he turned his attention to weapons instead.
Spells aside, he already had his Spirit Blade.
With his precious silver coins, he figured it was better to invest in a weapon first.
The shelves were lined with various weapons.
Oliver focused on a few that caught his eye.
—First, there was an enchanted Iron Blade Shortsword.
The blade was about 70 centimeters long, its steel gray and slightly rusted, yet its sharp edge still gleamed faintly.
The hilt was made of hard wood, wrapped in simple leather—a plain but sturdy grip.
Its special feature? Not only did it enhance spellcasting, but it also served as a melee weapon. A rare combination.
But the price—500 gold coins—was just as steep.
In truth, this shortsword wasn't even as good as the silver staff Oliver had been selling.
But there was no helping it. That staff had come from an unknown source, so its resale value was bound to be lower than legitimate goods.
In the end, Oliver chose a small wand called the "Enhancement Wand."
He tested it, channeling Spirit Blade through it—several blades shot forth at once, their power astonishing.
Satisfied, Oliver nodded. This was leagues beyond the first time he had used the technique.
The shopkeeper, witnessing Oliver use an illegal spell, was momentarily stunned.
Then, for the first time, a look of genuine admiration crossed his face.
A teenager this young, capable of casting illegal spells…
It was only a matter of time before he carved out a significant place among the anti-Church forces.
The wand set Oliver back over 300 silver coins.
When he checked his pockets, he had barely a hundred left.
He wandered the shop a bit more, but there were still too many things he couldn't afford.
With no other choice, he left quietly and returned to his cheap rented room.
By then, night had fallen.
In the dim candlelight of his rundown apartment, Oliver counted the silver coins in his pocket.
One, two, three…
The Queen's portrait on each coin was delicate and refined.
He counted three times just to be sure—145 coins.
A pitiful sum, considering the cost of modifying a Divine Circuit.
And if he went the "proper" route of installing one, the price would be even higher.
Of course, installing a "proper" Divine Circuit wasn't something he was considering—he had already learned that they were, in essence, slave contracts.
Why would he willingly bind himself to one?
Unless… it was modified.
That's right. Divine Circuits could be deconstructed and altered—though doing so was strictly forbidden by the Holy See.
But where there is light, there are always shadows.
"If I take out three clergymen and join the anti-Church group, Shadow Covenant, then the materials, the modification costs… none of it will be a problem."
Oliver found himself deep in thought.
With a Divine Circuit, he could gain a respectable identity and social standing in the "light" world governed by the Church.
And in the shadows—within the Covenant—he would be someone truly feared and respected.