Spirit Taming

Chapter 479: Just Talking

The guard had made fast moves to get the group guided to the private room. There were multiple attendants that took refreshment orders and even offered food. It was a vastly different experience than Clark could see from the lower floor where the general merchants were conversing with others. But that was partially where Isa wanted to be for some of the auction.

That was why she had already split off from the group.

"This is much better than I expected. We can stay here without being stressed." Maria was looking at the comfortable seating. Her relaxed posture was all due to the fact that she would not need to worry about meeting any potential enemies down below. She knew well that many merchants traveled.

While Isa had long seen enemies among every merchant because that was just how business worked, Maria had to be a little more mindful. Anyone that had been put under the thumb of the Mourne family in Nova could be here too. They could travel and appear before the group at any time. Especially important auctions like this.

The others also seemed to be enjoying the freedom of a private space. Ralph in particular had started to try and taunt Purple with battles and sparring. He could not accept the fact that Clark had already had a match and proved that he was still in the lead. It was only natural that Ralph would want to take down Purple as well. Especially since Clark had openly called him a rival as well.

"Well, this is not how I expected things to go. But from here I can point out some important figures. There are many people here that represent Terra. They came because I passed around a few rumors about Nova Academy visitors. I apologize for being so forward." Gold didn't look like he was sorry at all though. Everyone had their own plans and this was how vice headmaster Gold was working.

"I expected this sort of thing. But you aren't doing it to stomp down on us or the weaker people. You want to do it to weed out some trouble of your own." Clark saw the glint in Gold's eye. It was very clear that he had his own intentions. "Terra holds different core values than some of the other cities. I would be a fool to miss that.

But every city has issues with greed for power of money."

"The more I heard about you and the more I look now, it really seems like I might get left behind by the new generations. Some are running around gathering up the old bones and sending us to handle the biggest threats while others are building up the young blood. Maybe we will have some form of united city soon." While most would see this as some daydreaming, Clark saw this as a hint.

A very clear hint that there was more going on behind the scene than what he knew right now. He could assume the power struggle with Nova was just part of this. Corruption was everywhere, but what if there was more going on?

It had been a while since Clark heard about the large dungeons causing issues. But Alexander had gone to one and Clark had heard about it. Now the headmaster of Terra academy had gone to one too. That had to mean something.

Then there was the fact that vice headmaster Gold mentioned young bloods growing. That meant that it was expected that the older generation in power might expect to fade. Or die… Clark's mind was working on overdrive just to think through every puzzle piece he had. But too many pieces were missing.

The idea that there might be a new city being built was one that hit Clark the hardest. A united city that combined the values of every city would be something never before seen by the human race. It would open up many dungeons that could not be touched by anyone before. It could also bring together the best of the best to grow even more. A very large potential for fighting but also brilliance.

"I like the sound of a new city. One without the issues I or others had to face. But if there was a reason to unite a city…" Clark purposefully trailed off as he saw Isa wave to him to come down. It seemed that she wanted Clark's opinion on what she was doing.

Vice headmaster Gold just watched as Clark headed downstairs to the general area for the auction. His own thoughts were hidden, but he could easily see that Clark had understood most of his intentions. But that was all, he would need to wait and see how Clark's group along with many other young ones grew. For the time being, Gold would have his work cut out for him.

"Don't tell me you got stuck on something and want to buy it already." Clark teased Isa a little and received a swift punch to his shoulder. But it barely hurt at all since Isa was just trying to make him focus.

"There's a weird beast and I want you to look at it. I haven't heard of or seen it before." Isa pointed out the beast sitting on a man's shoulder. It was a very small lizard. However, the odd part was what its body seemed to be made of. Emerald. Pure emerald seemed to cover the entire lizard's body while other small bits were highlighted as a more pure version of emerald.

'Emerald lizard- rare

The emerald lizard is a type of golem and not actually a lizard. That is just the form it takes. These types of golems only form in densely packed clusters of gems. They will naturally come to be without needing to form an egg and can not breed as some golems can.

They can only grow by assimilating more of the gem they are made of. They are very adept at finding those gems since their bodies resonate with the gem. Furthermore, they have high control over the earth elemental energy that makes up their cores. That means they can attack with the gems that make up their bodies easily.

They have very little growth potential because of their form. However, it is possible to find multiple different gem lizard species and force them to become one. That beast is known as the gem lizard king. An extremely rare beast that can consume, control, and command many gem related species.'

Listening carefully, Isa made sure that she memorized the species of earth golem called a gem lizard. She had been caught by it because she knew that her older brother would chase such a beast with all his might. Therefore, she could make sure that she caught her brother's attention by sending a letter. In turn, she could gather some more information she might need.

"Otherwise, what else have you found? Anything good?" Clark knew that Isa had also come down here to spread rumors about what they were selling here. Some of the beast eggs with attached beast plans would sell well.

"Just some talk about a perfect earth crystal to help beasts grow. But I think you will care more about the mapped caves they found. You said something about deep caves earlier, right? Well, deep is what some of the merchants paid for. Apparently, a cave collapsed seven years ago and someone finally had the money to send people to recover what might be left of the bodies."

None of what Clark heard was unexpected. Many people would want the bodies of their loved ones returned for a proper goodbye. "Just sending people down there was enough to map more than just the collapsed cave. Apparently, that collapse revealed an older natural cave. Not just a connection to a dungeon. A perfect thing to buy, right?" Isa smiled.

She felt like she had Clark right in the palm of her hand.

"We can get it if we want. But I would prefer that we keep saving the money for when we get to other cities. I have a feeling that Terra is the last easy city we will face. Lunar City might be nice, but they are in a big battle with Solar City per the usual. We will need money to sway people." This wasn't just a smart idea, but also a necessary one.

Sometimes money was the only way to push someone the right way.

"Well that's natural. I have plenty saved up and I flipped many things to get money for this auction. Stop being so serious and have a little fun. They will bring things out in half an hour." Isa glanced around and pointed at a few people before explaining that she had already sold things here and there in trade. The more she spoke the more impressive it was.

Finding buyers for every item and following a chain of sales was trying, but Isa did it without even looking tired. Even if she wasn't born and raised in a top merchant family, the odds were high that Isa would become a merchant regardless.