Kyle watched the fading mana traces flickering around Bruce and the trailing shadows. His gaze flicked to Melissa, who was standing tense and ready, waiting for orders.
He gave her a small, approving nod.
"Melissa, show me the fruits of your practice. Take care of the ones following Bruce.""
Melissa's eyes widened briefly, but then her expression firmed with determination. This was an opportunity. A chance to prove her worth to the young master.
She clenched her weapon tighter in her hand — a lightweight spear suited for rapid, controlled attacks — and bowed her head slightly.
She answered firmly before darting off into the dim village streets.
Using her mana to suppress her movements, Melissa melted into the shadows. Her breathing slowed, her footsteps silent against the packed earth.
She circled behind the first shadow, who was too focused on following Bruce to notice the threat creeping up behind him.
With a precise thrust of her spear, Melissa struck a vital point at the base of the man's neck, knocking him unconscious instantly. He dropped without a sound.
She didn't pause to celebrate. Instead, she immediately moved to the next.
The second shadow was more alert, but Melissa used her mana to mask even the faintest hint of her presence.
She sprang out from behind a low wall, catching the second shadow off-guard. A sharp blow to his head with the butt of her spear rendered him unconscious as well.
Kyle, watching from a distance, allowed a small smile. She was improving well.
However, he soon noticed a problem.
There was a fourth shadow lurking — one who was much better at concealing his presence than the others.
Melissa, focused on her current targets, hadn't noticed him yet.
Kyle narrowed his eyes and decided to move personally.
He stepped lightly into the street, intending to intercept the last shadow before it could cause any problems.
But just as he moved forward, a figure burst out from behind a nearby wall.
Without hesitation, Bruce tackled the hidden shadow and slammed him against the ground with a powerful thud.
The hidden attacker struggled, but Bruce moved fast, delivering a sharp chop to the side of the man's neck, rendering him unconscious.
Kyle stopped and crossed his arms, a faintly amused look crossing his face as Bruce straightened up and immediately noticed him.
Bruce paled slightly and quickly bowed.
"Young Master! Everything is under control. There's no need for you to trouble yourself. I have it handled."
Kyle walked up to him, his gaze calm.
"It's fine. It's my duty to check on you anyway. You did well.""
Bruce looked immensely relieved.
Kyle glanced at the unconscious attackers sprawled around.
"Gather these people. And the ones Melissa took care of too. Make sure to dispose of them properly... and leave a clear message. I want it known that coming after us will not be tolerated."
Kyle ordered, voice hardening.
Bruce straightened and gave a crisp nod.
"Leave it to me, Young Master,"
He said with determination.
Satisfied, Kyle turned to walk back toward the village center, but Bruce hurried to catch up, a spark of excitement flashing in his eyes.
Kyle paused and glanced over his shoulder.
"I wanted to report... the mana crystal you wanted to sell—it's getting a good response. There's quite a bit of interest. Do you wish to sell it through the auction house after all?"
Bruce said, almost unable to hide his enthusiasm.
Kyle smiled faintly, the wheels in his mind already turning.
"No, I have a better idea."
Bruce tilted his head in confusion.
"We'll hold a direct auction ourselves. That way, we control who bids, we control who enters, and most importantly... we control the price."
Kyle explained, his voice low and full of intent.
Bruce's eyes widened.
Only influential merchants, nobles, and powerful factions ever dared to host their own private auctions.
It was audacious — and dangerous — but if done right, the profits could be unimaginable.
Bruce could only marvel once again at his young master's boldness.
"As you command. I will start making the necessary arrangements."
Bruce said, bowing again.
Kyle simply smiled, his eyes glinting with sharp amusement.
The mana crystals he found were going to be more valuable than anyone could imagine — and with the right show, he would turn this sleepy village into the center of attention before anyone even realized what was happening.
Kyle made his way toward the most famous jeweler in town — "Marven's Fine Gems."
It was a modest shop in size, but its reputation extended beyond the village borders.
Wealthy ladies from nearby settlements flocked here whenever they wished to flaunt their status.
Kyle timed his visit carefully, choosing the busiest part of the day when the store would be brimming with highborn women, their maids fluttering behind them like anxious birds.
As he stepped inside, the soft chime of the bell above the door caught everyone's attention.
Conversations hushed as the richly dressed ladies turned to glance at the newcomer, curiosity lighting their eyes.
Ignoring the curious stares, Kyle approached the counter where an elderly man with sharp eyes and steady hands — Marven, the master jeweler himself — was polishing a ruby.
Kyle pulled out a small cloth pouch from his coat and placed it delicately on the counter. He unwrapped it to reveal the mana stone, letting the subtle pulse of power ripple faintly through the air.
Marven's hand froze mid-polish, his eyes locking onto the crystal with a sharp intake of breath.
"What...? What kind of stone is this, my lord?"
He muttered, bending closer.
"I want you to carve it into a necklace."
Kyle said calmly, ignoring the widening eyes of the ladies nearby.
Marven blinked, unsure if he had heard correctly.
"Pardon, my lord... may I examine it more closely?"
Kyle nodded once, and Marven gingerly picked up the stone, his experienced fingers brushing over its surface.
He squinted hard, tilting it under the light, then gasped, causing another murmur to ripple through the onlookers.
"This... this is a mana stone!"
Marven exclaimed loudly.
The shop fell silent. The ladies clutched their fans tighter, and several maids stared with wide eyes.
Mana stones were supposed to be myths — stories told by merchants and adventurers.
"Are you mad, my lord? You could sell this for more gold than most nobles see in their lives!"
Marven whispered urgently.
Kyle smiled faintly, the picture of calm composure.
"I have another. I will be selling it at an auction I will hold myself in three days' time. This one is a gift for my fiancée — the Grand Duchess."
Kyle touched the stone lightly.
He said smoothly. A collective gasp echoed through the shop.
Whispers erupted almost immediately. Kyle Armstrong? The Grand Duchess's fiancé? The man standing before them was no minor noble.
Marven looked from the mana stone to Kyle, his hands almost trembling with excitement.
"I... I will do my utmost to craft something worthy of it, Lord Armstrong."
Marven said, bowing low.
"Good. Make sure it is something unforgettable."
Kyle said with a small smile.
With that, Kyle turned and strode out, leaving the jewel shop buzzing like a stirred hive behind him.
Queen, who had been perched on the shop's windowsill, gave a proud chirp and followed after him.
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