Chapter 30: A Mockingbird

"I found it in an abandoned ruin while traveling through the Wilds. I was surprised when I discovered it myself."

Chris had wondered about the enchantment for quite some time, especially considering how rare it was. Normally, Recall enchantments were associated with Legendary weapons, and even among those, they were far from common.

Perhaps the old civilizations had possessed knowledge that had been lost over the centuries. The weapon was a relic from the ancient war, after all, so it wasn’t impossible that people back then had understood how to create such enchantments on lower-quality equipment.

"Perhaps people knew how to create these enchantments in the past, but the knowledge was lost over time." Chris added.

Aldric and Theodoric exchanged glances before nodding. It was certainly a possibility.

Gale, who was still examining the hilt, finally raised his head and looked at Chris with barely contained excitement.

"Lord Chris, would you be willing to let us keep this weapon hilt? I believe I can analyze the enchantment and possibly reproduce it!"

Chris tilted his head.

"Can you really do that?"

"With an Uncommon weapon, the chances are excellent!" Gale explained eagerly. "Experienced enchanters can analyze the structure of an enchantment, but the process usually destroys the weapon in the process. The higher the weapon’s rarity, the more difficult it becomes, and the chances of success decrease considerably."

He paused to catch his breath before continuing.

"Nobody would risk destroying a Legendary weapon for such a small chance of success, especially when Recall enchantments are already so rare. Some tried in the past, but it never worked out. However, this weapon is different. Analyzing an enchantment on an Uncommon weapon is far more manageable, and I believe I can learn how it works."

Chris considered the offer for a moment before nodding.

"Sure, you can keep it. Learn the enchantment and use it however you want. I don’t care whether your family makes a profit from it or not. The only thing I ask is that you enchant some of my equipment with Recall when I need it in the future."

Gale’s face lit up with excitement, and he nodded repeatedly.

"Of course! You have my word, Lord Chris. We won’t disappoint you!"

He bowed deeply, and Dale followed suit, both men were fully aware of how valuable this opportunity was. If Gale succeeded in reproducing the Recall enchantment, it could greatly benefit the Valecliff family and potentially change the way they equipped their warriors.

Aldric watched Chris for a moment, shaking his head with a mixture of amusement and helplessness.

"At this rate, we’re going to owe you more than we can ever repay. If you keep giving us things like this, we might never be able to settle our debt."

Chris looked at him as though the old man had just said something ridiculous.

"What nonsense are you talking about? I already told you that you owe me nothing. I do whatever I want, and you don’t need to feel indebted just because of it."

He had no particular interest in making money from the enchantment, nor did he care whether the Valecliff family became richer because of it. He simply liked the Recall enchantment and wanted to use it on his future equipment, so letting Gale study the hilt seemed like a reasonable exchange.

Aldric and Serena smiled at his response, knowing that he genuinely meant what he said, even if they still couldn’t completely shake the feeling that they owed him something.

Theodoric also watched the young man with a pleased expression. Chris had refused expensive equipment, ignored formalities, and now handed over an enchantment that could prove invaluable without asking for anything beyond a future favor.

’What an interesting young man.’

Erica, who had remained quiet throughout the exchange, was equally astonished. She knew enough about weapons, enchantments, and the Valecliff family’s position to understand just how significant the discovery was. Yet Chris had treated it as though he had handed over an ordinary piece of scrap metal.

Her curiosity about him had already been considerable, but now it had grown even further.

’Just who is this guy?’

After bowing deeply once more, Gale and Dale left the room with the damaged equipment, seemingly excited to begin their work as soon as possible.

Watching the two leave, Chris stretched his arms before sitting down and taking a sip of wine from the glass on the table.

"Well, most things are settled now. I just need to find a saddle for Azreon, and I’ll be ready to leave."

Theodoric, who had been listening to their conversation, raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"You’re planning to return to the Wilds?"

"Yes. I’ll be leaving as soon as I finish my business here."

"This..." Theodoric paused, looking at the young man in disbelief. "Chris, why don’t you stay in Dunestia for a while? The Wilds are dangerous, and there is no need for you to rush back there."

Hearing that, Chris couldn’t help but laugh.

"I think I’m probably the most experienced person when it comes to surviving in the Wilds. I’ve spent years out there on my own, so I know what I’m doing. Besides, I need to get stronger as soon as possible."

Theodoric fell silent for a moment, considering his words before coming up with another suggestion.

"You know, you could actually grow stronger much faster by staying here. With your talent, I can recommend you to the higher-ups in the government. They would surely be willing to nurture someone like you, giving you access to resources and dungeons that would otherwise be difficult to obtain."

He leaned back slightly before continuing.

"I know this country has failed you in the past, and I understand why you might not want anything to do with the people who looked down on you. However, that doesn’t mean you have to reject every opportunity available to you now. You have the ability to go much further than most people, and with the right support, you could achieve your goals much sooner."

Chris listened to the offer before shaking his head.

"No, thanks. I, Chris, have achieved everything I have today on my own, and that’s how things will continue in the future. I don’t need anyone’s help. Whatever I want, I’ll take it with my own hands."

His tone wasn’t arrogant, nor was he trying to prove anything to the people around him. He simply believed in what he said, having spent years struggling alone in the Wilds without anyone offering him a helping hand.

Back then, everyone had considered him useless, and not a single person had been willing to give him a chance. Now that he had finally found his own path, he had no intention of relying on those same people to help him walk it.

Aldric nodded from the side, having expected this answer. After spending time with the young man, he had already come to understand his personality, so trying to convince him to accept help would probably be a waste of time.

Theodoric, on the other hand, was surprised once again. For someone so young to possess such determination was rare.

After thinking for a moment, he decided not to press the matter any further.

"Very well. I won’t try to change your mind, but if you ever need anything, you can come to me. The Valecliff family will always welcome you."

"Sure, I’ll keep that in mind."

The exchange ended rather casually, but Serena and Erica, who were sitting nearby, had been watching Chris with stars in their eyes.

They had both heard plenty of stories about talented young warriors who relied on powerful families to obtain resources and rise through the ranks. Yet here was someone who had refused expensive equipment, casually handed over a valuable enchantment, and now turned down an offer that could have made his life considerably easier.

Of course, Chris wasn’t particularly interested in what the two girls thought of him. After finishing his wine, he put down the glass and prepared to stand up when Erica suddenly leaned forward.

"Wait, you said you need a saddle? Is that for your beast? What kind of beast do you have? Is it a flying beast? And are you a Beast Tamer?"

She fired off the questions one after another, barely leaving any time for him to answer.

Looking at the excited girl, Chris felt a headache coming on.

’Is there something wrong with this girl? Why does she ask so many questions at once?’

Still, considering that he needed help finding a saddle, answering a few questions wasn’t much of a problem.

"It’s for my flying beast. Since you live in this city, could you help me find a shop that sells good saddles?"

Erica immediately nodded, patting her chest with a proud expression.

"Of course! I’m the daughter of the City Lord, after all. I know practically every shop in this city, so you can leave it to me!"

"Great, then I’ll trouble you. Can you take me there now?"

"Absolutely!"

Chris stood up and turned toward Aldric, who was still sitting comfortably in his chair.

"Give me some money, old man. I’m broke, and you still owe me my reward."

Aldric’s expression twitched at the way he was addressed, but he didn’t bother arguing. Instead, he reached into his spatial ring and took out a small card, tossing it toward Chris.

"Here. There’s 100,000 gold on it. That’s everything I have on me right now, so if you need more, we’ll get it later."

Chris caught the card and stared at it for a moment.

"Wasn’t the reward supposed to be 10,000 gold?"

"Just take it." Aldric replied dismissively. "That’s only a small amount compared to what we’ll earn once we start selling those crystals. Besides, you’ve done more than enough to deserve it."

Remembering the pile of high-grade energy crystals he had taken from the dungeon, Chris decided that the old man had a point.

He slipped the card into his spatial ring, feeling satisfied.

"Fine, I’ll take it."

Turning toward Erica, he gestured toward the door.

"Let’s go, then."

"I’ll come too." Serena added immediately, standing up from her seat.

"Sure."

With that settled, the three of them left the room and made their way out of the mansion, heading toward the busy streets of Wingbell.

The city was naturally much livelier than the places Chris had grown accustomed to in the Wilds. Merchants called out to passing customers and people from all kinds of professions filled the shops lining either side of the road.

However, he barely had time to take in the scenery before Erica began pointing out practically everything they passed.

"Look over there! That’s my favorite cake shop. I often buy cakes from them, especially the strawberry ones. By the way, do you like cakes? Oh, and that café over there serves the best coffee in the entire city! Don’t tell me you don’t drink coffee. Everyone likes coffee! There’s also a bakery just behind it that makes the best pastries. I buy something from there almost every day when I’m not at the academy!"

Chris glanced at the shops she pointed out, trying to keep up with her explanations while they continued walking.

’Is this girl a mockingbird or something? How does she even think of so many things to say?’

Her enthusiasm was almost unbelievable. Every few steps, she would find something else to talk about, whether it was a shop she liked, a restaurant she had visited, or some random place that reminded her of a story from the academy.

He found her constant talking a little annoying, but he couldn’t deny that she radiated a considerable amount of positive energy. She always had a smile on her face, usually a mischievous one, and seemed capable of finding something interesting in practically anything around her.

Thinking about it, she wasn’t so bad. She was also quite pretty, with an energetic personality that made it difficult for people to ignore her.

Still, she wouldn’t lose the crown on her head if she talked a little less, would she?