After some convincing and a lot of effort, Caleb and Andem managed to pry the hammer from Elvis’s strong grip. Caster struggled to even hold it, let alone swing it."I just need it for my research. I promise I won't damage it," Caster said."All you mages always do is say such before something goes wrong," Elvis said in response to Caster's request.Elvis finally agreed to lend him the hammer but with a condition. "Okay, okay. I’ve heard you, you can have it, but I'm staying in the room with you."Caster shrugged, seeing the upside in not having to lug the heavy hammer back to his inn room. Caleb and Andem decided they weren't interested in watching Caster experiment with magic and headed off."I'll check if there are any good escort missions on the notice board. How about we meet up at the tavern later?" Caleb said as they left to prepare for their departure.The hours that followed were quiet. Elvis placed the hammer on the floor, doubting the flimsy table could support its weight.

As Caster neared Winterfell, he noticed a gradual shift in climate, the air cooling with a hint of autumn and the landscape becoming rugged with rocky formations and rising altitudes.Approaching the city, which was built into a massive mountain, he observed scattered mine shafts emitting wisps of smoke in the distance. Crossing a large bridge spanning a deep gorge, Caster marveled at how the city seamlessly integrated with the mountain, reminiscent of the dwarven cities he had read about in fantasy books.Exiting the train filled with a mix of nervousness and excitement, Caster felt uncertain yet hopeful about this new place and the opportunities it might offer. Though he arrived alone without companions, he recalled the brief time spent with the three men fondly. The tolling of a bell drew his attention to two figures clad in worn white robes adorned with faded yellow patterns and a prominent sun symbol—a clear sign of the Mages of the Sun, dedicated to the Goddess Justus. He un

Caster listened intently as the shop owner explained the grading system for scrolls, which differed from that of magic spells. Scrolls were rated based on the amount of magical power infused during their creation rather than their craftsmanship quality. A special device verified these ratings before assigning prices."Thank you," Caster nodded in understanding before deciding to explore the store further. His mission was to gather supplies for his own scroll crafting endeavors. He found what he needed: magic ink, crude monster skin scrolls, a pencil, and sketching paper. These items were chosen for their affordability compared to the more luxurious magic paper made from rare woods.After purchasing ten blank scrolls for a total of 9 small silver coins, Caster calculated that selling them at the shop's mana arrow scroll price would yield minimal profit, especially considering the cost of magic ink. Thinking about his financial situation, he began seriously considering finding emplo

Caster sat wearily on a bench outside a building, reflecting on his day of fruitless job hunting as the sun dipped toward the horizon. He had expected better luck, but each job prospect came with more demanding conditions than the last. Some contracts demanded impossible quotas, while others required relentless hours without respite."I've really underestimated how tough it is to find work here..."He had envisioned the city offering myriad opportunities, yet he found the established shops colluding to suppress newcomers like him, controlling the market for spell scrolls and dictating prices. Trying to sell his own scrolls independently felt like an uphill battle.The curses attached to some contracts weighed heavily on his mind. A mana reduction curse could severely hinder his magical abilities, a risk he couldn't afford to take.His original plan to work as a scribe for a year, refining his skills and saving for a class change crystal, now seemed daunting. No shop was willing to

Caster was resolute in making a strong brand impression at his first auction. He decided not to sell lower-rated scrolls and added a unique logo to attract attention.Maintaining a disguise, partly due to past assassination attempts and fear of his father's interference, he felt a mix of nerves and anticipation as he approached the auction house, akin to a student before a crucial exam.As Caster showed his plaque to the guard, the guard waived his entrance fee, granting him access to various corridors leading to different auction stages. Caster noticed that stages were segregated based on item value, with more prestigious areas reserved for higher-status participants.To his surprise, Caster's scrolls were slated for the stage hosting more expensive items. He observed bidders settling into their seats, as they waited with eagerness to start behind a twitching curtain indicating preparations underway.Attendees were given numbered paddles for bidding. The people present called out t