Geometric Mage: First Spell, Circle

<Mana Core Rare Elements: Lightning, Ice, Light, Darkness, Shadow…>

"Well, there are quite a few rare elements…" Lian said, visibly excited.

From what Loper had said, artifacts of a rare element were worth more than a custom artifact for several reasons.

First, the Rune Master needed a certain affinity with the element. Second, Mana Cores of a rare element were expensive due to the monster's strength and rarity.

Rick was not too enthusiastic. Since discovering that creating a shadow element artifact required affinity with that element, Rick had lost some hope.

"Come on, buddy, do not be like that! Maybe I can still create it, who knows."

Rick smiled slightly. "Thanks, Lian. I really appreciate it."

Lian pressed the section related to Shadow, wanting to buy some Mana Cores.

<Mana Core: Shadow>

<Bronze 1: 100 gold coins. Availability: 12>

<Bronzo 2: 200 gold coins. Availability: 17>

<Bronzo 5: 500 gold coins. Availability: 4>

<...>

"Huh?" Observing the prices, Lian immediately understood why Loper had said those words. Compared to a normal Mana Core, the price for a Bronze 1 was about ten times higher. Insane—

"Hm, let us say I take one Bronze 1…" he said finally, coughing. "Just to try it out."

"Why not let it go? I did not expect these prices… it is insane!" Rick replied, shaking his head.

"Relax, buddy. I will take just one. If I cannot refine it into a Rune, then I will give up. But let us at least try."

Rick nodded, sighing. "Thanks again…"

"Let us see how it works…" Lian murmured, observing a slot below the screen for inserting notes and gold coins.

Without thinking further, Lian pulled out the 1,000-gold coin note, inserting it into the designated slot.

Beep—

A moment later, a Mana Core that glowed darker than the ones Lian knew came out. Along with it, a 500-gold coin note and a bag containing 400 loose gold coins appeared in the slot next to it, for the change.

After the purchase, Lian intended to leave and explore another area when something caught his attention.

"Huh?" he murmured before approaching the screen again.

<Vital Core: Steel, Titanium>

"Hey, Rick, look here!" Lian pointed at the screen.

Looking up, Rick observed where Lian was pointing.

"What do you do with Vital Cores? I have seen them very few times…" he continued.

"Oh, they are used for creating pills. They are used alongside Mana Cores, acting as stabilizers. Or at least I think so… I do not know much. I only know they are worth quite a bit."

Lian continued looking at the screen, not particularly interested. He had not tried taking any meditation or cultivation pills. Besides, he was not too interested.

His system could directly absorb Mana Cores.

He did not need a counterfeit version of what his system could do.

"Also," Rick added, "Vital Cores are used for cultivating the Knight path. But I do not know exactly how it works."

Lian's eyes widened. Yes, that makes sense… I have never handled a Vital Core; I wonder if I could absorb it to improve my physique. He thought while scrolling his finger on the screen.

He intended to buy some Steel 1 Vital Cores.

<Vital Core>

<Steel 1: 5 gold coins>

<Steel 2: 7 gold coins>

<…>

"They cost more than a Bronze 1 Mana Core, but there are no distinctions for elements. Apparently, physical monsters are all beasts of pure physical power…" Lian murmured while buying a Steel 1 Vital Core.

After inserting the money, the product came out.

"What are you going to do with that?" Rick's question was fair. A Vital Core, like a Mana Core, could not be absorbed.

But that applied to ordinary people.

"I just want to try something. I have never touched a Vital Core with my hands," Lian replied while inserting the money into the machine.

Beep—

A moment later, a small Vital Core came out.

"It does not seem different from a Mana Core, except it does not emit any mana…" he murmured while observing it.

Could it be broken down into a rune? he thought, raising an eyebrow. The idea intrigued him, but neither Master Corvan nor Torin had ever mentioned such a thing.

With these questions in mind but no answers, Lian bent down to pick up the Vital Core.

The moment his hand touched the core, a system notification rang in his mind.

Bingo!

[Vital Core: Steel 1]

[Cannot be absorbed!]

"What is happening?" Lian's joyful expression was strange. He had only picked up a Vital Core, but his huge smile made Rick suspicious.

"Nothing much, but these Vital Cores might be useful to me," Lian replied, storing it in his spatial ring. "I think I will buy more—"

Without waiting for Rick to process it, Lian started selecting more Steel 1 Mana Cores.

"Good, now we can go," he said, proud of his recent purchase. "Why do we not head to the west wing?"

Rick shook his head, trying not to think about Lian's actions. "Sure, why not. After all, there is nothing else here that interests us."

While Lian was happy about his new discovery, Rick was a bit down. He had dreamed of a shadow element artifact for a long time, but learning that creating one required the corresponding elemental affinity put him in a bad mood.

Lian, on the other hand, was optimistic about the matter. Maybe he would not succeed in creating one right away, but in the future, he surely would.

Despite this, he could neither say it with certainty nor fill his friend with false hopes.

With different moods, but hidden from each other, the two reached the west wing.

This area dealt with potions and cultivation pills. Naturally, it was the most crowded area of all.

Rick, strolling with his hands behind his head, observed the frantic students buying potions left and right, also searching for some miraculous pill that could help them break through as quickly as possible.

"By the way," he murmured to Lian. "We should buy some potions too."

Lian nodded in agreement. "The best this place has to offer, I would add."

"Indeed. We have a challenge to face! We cannot go unprepared. I do not know about you, but I want to take first place!"

Rick, previously excited about the idea of receiving a custom artifact as a prize for first place, was now a bit less happy.

"Hey, buddy, stop acting like that; I do not recognize you anymore!" Lian said, punching his shoulder. "Since when have you needed an artifact of your element to shine? Out there, are there not wind mages who prefer using fire artifacts? Do not focus too much on this. You will see things will get better."

"You are right—" Shaken by his friend's words, Rick subtly recovered. "Let us go take that first place!"