Spirit Taming

Chapter 310: Out To Market

"This is the inn we will be staying at. I expect you all to be polite. If you take even a single second to make trouble here, you will sleep in the barn for the horses." Professor Wright went inside the large in and began to speak to one of the attendants at the front.

It was the average inn that anyone might find anywhere. A large building with three stories. This inn could easily fit thirty or forty people in single rooms, but the odds were that there would be a split room for the boys and for the girls. That was the gist of a usual academy funded outing.

Clark was not surprised to see that only two keys were taken from the attendant and they were shown right to two conjoining rooms. This was a benefit that was hard to grab but the letter for the booking had been sent well in advance. Even if they had arrived and there was not a booked inn, it would have been easy for them to get one with the help of the city official.

The tournaments brought a large amount of business.

"These are the maps that you will need for your exploration around the city. I see that you are already aware that if you travel from the inn, it is better not to wear your academy uniforms. You may find some trouble if you do.

However, there are some of you that I believe would find trouble anyways." Professor Wright looked right at Ralph who would definitely pick a fight here and there just because he could.

"I wasn't planning to make myself look like a fool. The only fools will be anyone dumb enough to face me in the tournament." Ralph's annoyance was covered by his actions, he took out a new set of clothes immediately as he felt the piercing gaze of Professor Wright.

"Now, you have a whole day before the opening ceremonies. I believe that you all have your own plans. I do not think that any of you will intentionally prepare yourselves for failure. Ella, you may follow me to the room where your team is. I believe that they will arrive within the day as well." Ella gave a slight wave.

She didn't want to be separated from her group, but knew that she was on a different team and it was only to be expected.

"I will head to the market with you guys. I want to see what we can get for my partner." Ralph knew that it would be better to look for metals and other things that his molten boar could eat. The small growth in energy would go a long way to prepare them for the battle.

"I planned to purchase things on Clark's advice for your molten boar. If you want to stay here I can just bring them." Isa was not going to let Ralph ruin a business deal.

"If you have to come, just watch and learn. Isa is an expert." Maria even jumped in with a requirement. However, Ralph just shrugged his shoulders. He was going whether they liked it or not.

"Would anyone be upset if I stayed here with Grace to make sure that we consolidate our energy? Grace said she has to even out her relationship with her frosty finch before running away just now. And to be honest, I feel like I might lose some control if I don't meditate.

This sheath is better than I thought." Reese was embarrassed that Grace had run off right away but also because he had to excuse himself.

"That's a good idea. I know Grace is nervous. She has been acting odd since we walked in to the city. And you definitely should rest. Your abyssal sword has not had a large influx of constant energy like this. I assume that it might be a little stressed." Reese nodded along with what Clark was saying, it was very clear that this was exactly the case.

"That's that then, we are heading out." Clark started moving out of the room toward the stairs that led to the entrance. However, Jerold just stood still wondering what he should do. Without much of a word, he made a move to follow. But no one said a word to him.

It was clear that he would need to work much harder to truly earn forgiveness for risking both his, and other's lives by letting his emotions take reign.

The cold air that had just been chased away by the warm fires of the inn returned. The group was all thankful for the warmer clothes they had packed and the fact that they might be able to find ice resistant items along the market. It would definitely be one of the things that were sold to every tourist even if it had a minimal effect on them.

Anyone would like a small respite from the cold of the north.

"Wait here, I will be back." Isa made a move to enter a nearby tavern. There was a merchant outside that she showed her family crest to. In seconds, she had been bowed to slightly and welcomed in. It was only ten minutes later that she exited the inn with a smile on her face. The merchant that had let her in was smiling as well and even handed over a secondary map for them with a few places circled.

"That was easy. I have the notable stalls to avoid and to shop at here. But there are also solitary merchants that do not belong to any group. Clark, I want you to check them out since you will be able to see a few good things. Maria and I will head to my known places to do some basic deals. You should still have enough gold to do what you need."

"That sounds fine." Clark took a loom at the map and quickly memorized it. Ralph just stood by and wondered just what would be happening. However, he was fine following Clark. He had a feeling that if he let Clark escape then he would manage to find something amazing and get stronger without him.

Seeing the two split up, Jerold wasn't sure which pair to follow. He eventually started to follow Clark. He took the chance to hide himself in the crowd. The journey he had taken alone had made him very uncomfortable being out in the open. Now that he had a stronger bond with his beast too, it was easier to use the camouflage skills.

The armor skin chameleon gladly helped his tamer hide himself in the crowd.

This didn't escape Clark's watch. He had paid close attention to ensure that he would not be caught unaware. It was a very good training for him since he had not dealt with such camouflage techniques that were above his senses. It also helped him get a feeling for how far Jerold had come in his time alone.

"The places we are going to look at are single families or single merchants. But they were enough for Isa to want us to take a look. That means they might have unique… Ralph?" Clark turned to find that Ralph had already stopped somewhere. It wasn't a noted place but he was already speaking to an older merchant.

"Clark, get over here. Tell me if this is any good." Ralph pointed at a necklace made of silver with a single small snow white gem set inside.

'Snowdrop necklace- uncommon

The snowdrop gem is from the core of a snowflake fairy. It is formed when they perish in the spring. Sometimes it can contain ice type energy. This energy helps a tamer better use ice type energy from their partner to attack in battle or as a defense. But it is often just a pretty gem that can be used in jewelry. This is unfortunately one of such gems.'

"Ignore that one, pick that one." Clark pointed out a slightly smaller gem. The necklace was nearly the same and the merchant wasn't sure why Clark had changed them out. He was sure that they were all the same and had the same chances of helping a tamer.

Ralph just raised an eyebrow at Clark and bought the snowdrop necklace right there. He even asked for a small box for it before he stored it away in his spatial ring. " I owe you one."

"No you don't. I understand what you are thinking. Good luck. Just don't say you will win every battle so show off or anything. That would be lame since I will be winning every battle." The challenge was enough for Ralph to threaten to punch Clark. However, it broke any tension that had built up.

As much as Clark and Ralph might not get along in some aspects, Clark respected Ralph. He truly worked hard and had good intentions. How could he let Ralph pick a bad gift to give Grace? All those side glances at Grace were too obvious to miss.