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Finally, I chose to enter.

It was a risky decision, but I had a feeling that somehow it would work out.

After all, I had Skylar, a competent scroll-user, by my side, and I was confident that I had gathered quite a bit of experience and skill upon reaching Regan.

I reached my hand into the shop.

It felt as if my hand was swallowed by the black barrier, yet the sensation persisted.

“…A barrier that allows others to pass through without any resistance? Is it two-way? No, perhaps it’s reverse-type?”

“Well, let’s just go in.”

“It seems there’s nothing more to learn from outside… Alright.”

For some reason, Skylar accepted my choice without any complaint.

Maybe he realized I wasn’t the kind of person you could easily persuade, or perhaps he didn’t think it was particularly dangerous himself; I couldn’t decipher his thoughts… but it felt good.

As I passed through the black veil, what immediately caught my eye was an interior that was 180 degrees different from the outside appearance.

“…Wow.”

I couldn’t help but let out a gasp between my lips.

The interior was vastly beyond my expectations—grand and magnificent. The floors were adorned with red carpets, chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and valuable magical tools were displayed in cabinets.

It was so splendid that it reminded me of the interior of the British Museum I had seen in a photo in my previous life.

“I came to buy magical tools.”

Skylar tossed his words into the empty air.

I glanced around, wondering if anyone was present, but still saw no one.

The owner of this grand and enormous magic item shop must have thought he was observing us from somewhere without revealing himself.

And Skylar’s suspicions were spot on.

A staircase descended from the ceiling. No, to be precise, it was being formed in real-time.

What appeared was a strange figure shrouded in robes…

The owner of the magic item shop.

“I don’t recognize your face. Our shop isn’t particularly kind to first-time customers.”

“Indeed, it’s my first time in a store where I can’t see the interior.”

“…A heartless wizard, I see.”

“I learned that using [Detection] on others without permission is against etiquette. It seems you didn’t receive proper education in the back alleys?”

For some reason, Skylar was engaging in a battle of wits with the wizard.

However, the shop owner continued the conversation with an unaffected demeanor, smoothly responding to Skylar’s sharp words.

Considering how most wizards lack social skills and live for their own vanity… Could this just be a form of greeting among wizards…?

Is this the average personality of wizards? Did he not receive proper upbringing?

‘Naturally, I’ve just made some malicious remarks in my mind.’

Since I might make a mistake later, I should probably refrain from such thoughts.

After Skylar and the magic item shop owner finished their pleasantries, the shop owner finally descended to our level from his vantage point above.

The staircase that had briefly appeared in the air vanished into shining magical dust.

It was a beautiful sight that resembled stars sparkling. Like a breathtaking view of a true magical wizard straight out of a fairy tale.

“Perhaps a belated introduction is in order. My name is—”

“I’m not particularly interested, I just plan to buy what I want and leave.”

“…Oh, I see. You have quite the traditional wizard-like tone, despite being a scroll-user who can’t even cast magic.”

“I’ll take it as a compliment. Despite running a magic item shop, your barrier level is impressively high. Didn’t you manage to secure a place at the Mage Tower with such standards?”

“Opening a magic item shop has been my childhood dream, so I didn’t particularly aspire for a position at the Mage Tower.”

I took a moment to listen to their exchange and slowly moved behind Skylar.

Tap.

I poked him in the back with my finger.

Skylar jumped in surprise and turned around with a slightly flustered expression. I kept my gaze on his eyes, and a bit of time passed.

Eventually, Skylar replied when he seemed to grasp the meaning of my action.

“…Yeah. Got it.”

“Right. You know, don’t you?”

“To be honest, I was a bit annoyed when you told me to leave as soon as we entered the store.”

“Did he really say that? Did he say that?”

“You know wizards always try to prove their incredible intellect, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Their personality, combined with the need to express themselves without using vulgar language and their tendency to belittle others, creates a unique way of speaking among wizards.”

“…I don’t quite understand.”

“For example, saying, ‘Your magic seems to transcend generations,’ actually means, ‘Your magic design is outdated, fix it.’”

“He told you to leave…?”

“When he said, ‘Our shop isn’t particularly kind to first-time customers,’ the real meaning is, ‘I only trade with people I already know.’”

“Wizards really do live a tiring life.”

“I can’t really argue against that. Let’s quickly buy what we need and get out of here.”

“Yeah. Let’s do that.”

Skylar and I began to slowly look around.

Regardless of the owner’s personality, the quality of the magical tools was impressive. Even a novice like me could tell they were expensive items.

Even though I couldn’t see or feel the flow of magical power clearly now that the scroll was applied, I could sense a bit of an aura.

Yeah. It feels intense right now.

And this is only ‘a bit.’

‘Just how many circuits and engravings are there?’

Considering that magical tools basically don’t require recharging, this efficiency level is truly insane.

“The prices… where are they listed?”

“Oh, we don’t display prices in our shop. Only those who somewhat know the general value come to our store.”

“Unfortunately, I’m a bard, so I can’t gauge the approximate value of magical tools. Could you tell me?”

“Well, would someone who doesn’t know the value of magical tools be able to use them properly?”

“I might not be able to use them properly, but I could at least pay you a fair price. If you don’t want to do business while receiving money, you can just let me take it for free.”

“No, that’s not the case.”

The robed owner of the magic item shop kept his expression hidden, shrouded in dark shadows.

However, for some reason, I felt like I had glimpsed his expression for a moment.

No matter how much a wizard is his profession, at his core, he is a merchant running a magic item shop. Upon hearing someone talk about taking goods for free, emotions are bound to surface.

Skylar gave me a knowing look.

“…You told me not to fight, but here you are.”

“That guy is just getting under my skin.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Skylar clammed up after that.

I resumed my search. I needed to find magical tools suitable for me among those displayed, particularly ones that would help with health, strength, and intelligence.

I slowly focused my senses.

I didn’t manipulate the magical power… I recalled the sensation I felt when I looked at the wall while entering Regan.

—

Pawnshop of Fon – Winter’s Sword.

A suspicious sword created in a pawnshop run by an enigmatic pink-haired woman.

The target it touches freezes solid.

—

‘…Good performance, but doesn’t that mean the user also freezes? Are they insane?’

—

Fever’s Forge No.2 – Flame Arrow.

An arrow used by a famous hunting dog.

The flame at the tip of the arrow burns eternally.

—

‘Just one shot, and that’s it. And, right now I don’t need a weapon.’

—

Four-stringed Instrument.

A string instrument that produces no sound.

I don’t know why it exists.

—

‘What is this…? It piques my interest a bit because it’s an instrument, but if it doesn’t make any sound, that’s a bit of a problem.’

I continued to walk.

Soon enough, items other than weapons or tools emerged, and accessories and equipment started to appear.

It became a bit more secluded compared to the previously extravagant central area.

To perhaps create a dark environment, there were no light sources present, and only the light from the chandelier hanging in the central hall shone down at an angle beside the pillars.

Soft lighting illuminated the accessories from below.

“…Oh.”

“What’s up?”

“There’s a ring that increases magic power capacity.”

“Can you tell just by looking at it?”

“Yeah.”

“Could you pick out the things I want…?”

“…Alright.”

Skylar seemed a bit shy at that moment.

Why?

—It was then that I realized what I had just said.

I had just asked a potential love interest to choose accessories for me. Moreover, when it was just the two of us.

At this point, I thought it best to act as if I hadn’t recognized any particular meaning, rather than trying to make excuses and failing to manage my expression.

And so, I headed toward the room where rings and necklaces were displayed.