He watched them leave, lowering his hat as a steely glint flashed in his eyes.
Selene had revealed crucial information in his order.
His pupils constricted at the thought. No one would be ready! More than ever, he had to help them escape to delay the construction as much as possible.
As he thought, and once only the two of them remained, Selene rose from his seat, palm outstretched, and his lips distorted in a frustrated grimace.
"I prepared a reward to die for. But first, give me my card back before Lily shatters my eardrums."
He refocused on the moment, hoping his plan would work as intended, and approached Selene's figure.
'Tsk. You could have let me keep it.'
He begrudgingly retrieved Lala from his almost empty card holder and handed it to him.
After a quick check, Selene nodded and retrieved an incandescent gem from his puch.
He scrutinised its apple size, frowning at its radiance and the distorted air surrounding it.
"This is a solar stone. I imbued enough energy in it to keep a flying fortress afloat for a year."
Selene's eyes narrowed into slits, and his voice turned solemn.
"Or blow up a small kingdom. But I'm sure you'll find better use for this marvel I spent time to create."
A pensive frown creased his brows. It could be helpful in his project on its own and limit his reliance on the elf if it held enough energy.
He held his breath for a second before asking the question burning his lips, voice charged with hope and eyes sparkling.
"Can it substitute an archmage's mana in a ritual?"
Selene tucked his fingers around his chin, tapping his cheek pensively.
He waited a few seconds, anticipation gripping his trembling shoulders before the sun delivered his answer.
"Depending on the ritual's scale, it can fuel one or two at the archmage level."
His soul shuddered in joy before freezing at Selene's next question.
"Now I'm curious. What's the ritual you want to conduct despite your low tier? What does it do, and why do you need it?"
Despite his stoic facial features, a storm thundered in his racing mind and trembling eyes.
His lips twisted, and he lowered his head, remembering a crucial detail.
Before Selene's composure could shift entirely to one of suppressed anger, he raised his head, eyes sparkling with righteous determination.
"I already offered this ritual to the Beast Emperor in a previous deal. I can't share any information about it with anyone or risk facing his anger. Why don't you ask him if he wants to share it now that you're allies?"
He felt Selene's heavy gaze linger on his frame. Yet, he returned it with confidence. After all, he hadn't lied, especially considering what the emperor had paid to get the ritual. He didn't doubt he would find the situation unfair and reprimand Selene if he forced the matter.
After a tense minute of silence, Selene shoved the solar stone into his hand and growled.
"I'll ask him. Leave now."
He gritted his teeth in joy not to let his smile blossom onto his face as he stoically put the blinding item into his pocket. But his crafter's soul didn't allow him to leave just yet.
He peered into Selene's eyes, and spoke with enthusiasm.
"I have an additional demand that won't cost you anything. You see, I'm an enchanter now, and I'd like to study your amazing blade for ten minutes. No, even just five is enough. I noticed it's of the seventh tier and probably at the mythical rank!"
His eyes sparkled with genuine curiosity as his lips curled into an excited smile.
'I want to learn his engravings and add them to my future creations.'
One day, he would build his own flying fortress. One grander than anyone that had ever existed. Therefore, the automatic energy absorption and powering would be of massive help in his long-term project, not to mention the side use.
'He probably created the stone using the sword's energy.'
That's the conclusion he came up with the moment he saw it.
Meanwhile, Selene shook his head and smirked.
"It's a masterpiece I forged to kill the magus seven thousand years ago. I don't want to let anyone near it. But since I enjoyed your praises, I'll let you admire it for a minute."
Despite the disappointing time allowed, he dashed to the sparkling sword like a tiger that sniffed prey. Each second mattered, and he didn't want to waste a single one!
However, Selene surpassed him and gripped his hand before it could reach the pommel.
An icy shudder shook his soul as he realised the elf's incredible speed surpassed his.
"I said admire, not touch."
Selene frowned at the excited brat, a hint of annoyance flashing in his eyes as he released his hand.
"Circle it from here. Don't test my patience, for I'll vaporise you the moment you try anything funny."
He gulped in fear at the threat. Not only was Selene an archmage, but even his body was no weaker than a beast's.
'Fortunately, I can play around his arrogance now that I know it's a flaw he can't control.'
"Sorry, I lost myself for a moment. Understand me; the intricate old elven language you used for the engravings is incredible!"
He narrowed his eyes, ignoring Selene's condescending snort.
'I'll snort at you after I become stronger.'
With this thought in mind, sky blue mana encased his eyes as he used Elara's scanning spell and scrutinised the weapon.
'Energy absorption and discharge, energy amplification, overall stat boost, strikes are imbued by the user's affinity... and soul protection? He really hates the magus, I guess. But I can't waste time.'
Eyes darting left and right, he focused on isolating the energy absorption and discharge engravings.
Like a computer, he pushed his mind to the limits to memorise them to the smallest detail as he walked around it. Despite the unfamiliar symbols, he found minor repetitive patterns in their drawing, making the process easier. His eye enhancement helped burn them in his mind, too.