Spirit Taming

Chapter 135: Shopping Done!

"First year? We are all second years. We couldn't risk trying to get in to those battles. How could you manage?" Clark had again drawn their attention. The good thing that Clark caught on to this was that the first and second years of Star academy were not seen as strong enough to try to compete with other academies.

"Well, I have a pretty rare beast, I managed to get in to an elite class, and I have two mentors. Should work out." This bragging was the same childish bragging that the boy with the swamp thing beast had done before. So, it worked like a charm.

Then you can hang out with us while you're here. We aren't from any famous family or guild in the city, but we are still pretty popular. Call me Matt." Finally, lark got the name of the boy with the swamp thing as his beast.

" My name is Clark. Nice to meet you. As a show of good faith, let me evaluate your beast. If you give me a moment I can tell you what material it needs to make some progress." Of course, Clark had already seen this information from the system. But he had to show off more.

"You can make growth plans? What do you know about swamp things?" The boast that Clark could do such a thing already threw them all off. Even the merchant found this interesting. He had yet to move from his position showing off the materials set aside.

"I can see a lot from just looking. The newly grown vines on your wamp thing need less sunlight and more shade. They are turning bright green which means weaker growth instead of dark green like this. The small roots are exposed here leaving a massive weak point in defenses.

That means your swamp thing isn't able to get the right nutrients and control the growth of its vines properly." Clark's words were exactly what Matt had heard from his father who also had a swamp thing.

"The reason we keep checking for materials is because we need them for our beasts. My swamp thing is the beast we are all working on today!" from their faces, Clark knew he had pulled another win. It was time to close the deal.

"Then you will need that. It's called an algae seed. It grows a plant that can be broken and grow on top of water. The reason you want this is simple, your beast can grow it in between the vines when it rests in water. From there, it will help block sunlight and trap nutrients for later use." Clark had read it all directly from the system as a growth material for the beast.

"Seriously! That's all? I was about to buy a special fertilizer. That's way more expensive too." This seemed to be the easiest way for Matt to win out. He quickly tossed the five copper coins at the merchant who snapped them up with a slight frown at Clark. "Go ahead, check them out.

I don't need them." Matt let Clark take a look at the other materials.

"Thanks for the trade. It should help my friends out if I can find something good." Clark was putting a lot of energy in to the happy and helpful persona. But it was worth it as soon as he saw what was placed out on the table.

'Large water crystal- rare

A large crystal with large amounts of water elemental energy…

Fine sands- uncommon

The fine sands are created by a unique clam beast. They are able to crush rock in to this fine sand as they burrow in deep pools. This sand has water and earth elemental energy within it…

Black pearl- Rare

The black pearl is an item that betrays its origin. The black pearl comes from a steel clam that accidentally fell in to a volcanic vent. The pearl within it is burned and forced to contain high amounts of fire elemental energy. It gains the ability to pass on fire and water elemental energy to the beast that consumes it.'

Clark was sure that this last material was the key that Ella might need to make a unique wisp. A water and fire wisp would grow in to a beast that he was sure would shock many people. It might also be a beast that isn't recorded anywhere just yet. A major breakthrough.

"I would like that Black pearl. How much?" Clark waited to see what the merchant would say.

"Black pearl? It's not a black pearl. It's called a rounded sea stone. They come from rocks beaten by the tides. It is worth ten copper or one silver. That's up to you.

But please look closer at the materials you wish to purchase." Clark wanted to spit blood. Whoever was appraising these materials was failing immensely. He had stolen now two materials for much less than their worth.

"Thank you for the guidance. I will still take it." Clark paid the merchant who looked at him with a lot of confusion. He wasn't sure what made Clark so strange but that was just how some customers were.

"Hey, it was great to meet you. When you go to the academy in a few days come looking for us in the arena. We have a large open arena for sparring. I will show off my swamp things new strengths." Matt was ready to rush and help his beast get stronger. Clark couldn't say he would feel any different.

"I will do that and I will bring my friends." Clark shook Matt's hand again before watching them all leave. Crim seemed pretty happy and fell in line with Clark walking toward Isa.

"I see you were using some skills. Training your business personality?" Isa could tell that Clark had been acting. It was simple for her to discern such things.

"I had to. I managed to find some things that Ella can use. Unfortunately, there were no materials for Lit to use to grow faster." Clark did feel a slight sadness at the failure he had here.

"That's fine. I got some information along with a few crates of materials and herbs. The information will help Maria and Lit though." Isa smiled too sweetly. "We will need to make some money though."

"Why do I have the feeling that you need it for an expensive auction?" Clark watched Isa smile even wider. "Fine, we can try to win some money at the coliseum tomorrow. I am sure they will allow bets. You can bet on Maria and I when we change in to our battle uniforms." Clark had still not told Isa and Ella about this and Maria's alternate identifications.

But they could use them here to make a large sum of money quickly.

"Clark, Isa. Look what Ella and I found." Maria came up with Ella. The two were struggling to carry a piece of blue metal. "It's blue steel. It has some air bubbles in it so she got it cheap. It's good for water resistant armors.

I want it for Ella to wear while researching the water growth plans for wisps."

"That's a good idea. It should keep her safe." Clark appreciated that Ella and Maria had put safety in mind while browsing. They were able to show off their wins. At the market before Clark explained what he had learned from the other students. It was a decent end to their shopping trip.