Andy was about to close the door. " Andy, what kind of ring is that, you have inside the safe?"
Andy looked at Pheonix, smiled and took out the glass case from the safe. He looked around to make sure there were no-one around before placing the ring on the counter.
" This is a ring which I got from an old man when I was around 20 years old. The old man was desperate for coins. Assuming him as a begger, I wanted to give him a coin but he refused to accept it. He instead that he was not a begger and desperate to get gold for his grandson's treatment. So he was trying to sell this ring."
"The old man claimed that this is a magical ring and only rare few people can use it. Even though I was sceptical and honestly a bit money minded at that young age, I somewhat felt that the old man was not lying."
"I asked the old man for the gold he was expecting for the ring. But the old man for some reason, did not asked me for gold. Instead he begged me to help him get a good healer to treat his grandson."
"Luckily, One of my closest friend was an apprentice to a magical hear. I took him with the old man and helped the boy to recover a bit. Then with my friend's help and a little bit of begging, my friend's master healed the boy completly and for all his sufferings, it didn't cost us even a single gold coin." Andy shook his head still looking somewhat disbelief by the events that took place that day.
" For some odd reason, I rejected to accept the ring from the old man, even though I was someone who would not have helped without getting a profit. I even gave the old man 15 gold coins which I was carrying that day and asked him to make sure he feeds the weak boy properly for next few months."
"The old man in his gratitude, shoved this ring in my hand and said." "Sir, I am eternally greatful to you for saving my grandson. Even if I got gold today by selling this ring, I was unsure of getting such a great healer to treat this child. If you need me to be your servent for life. I am willing to."
" Without any other option, I accepted this ring from him. And honestly Pheonix, he is the one who made me the person who I am today. Otherwise I would have been a shrude, calculative and a money minded trader."
" After knowing a few more thing about the old man and his grandson, I offered him to work for me, to which, he readily accepted. He worked as a helper in my jewellery shop for more than 10 years, teaching me subtly the value of honesty and humanity.
When I decided to move to this place, I left the shop in my hometown to his and his grandsons care. Which to this day is doing excellent sales and I in turn am getting 50% of the total profit of the sales from them. This was the agreement the old man and his grandson made with me against my wish." Andy smiled bitterly and clarified before the kids might think he was a ruthless person to get 50% doing nothing.
"You know what Pheonix, during those 10 years, many magic users came to me and wanted to buy this ring. Offering more than 1000 gold. But the old man rejected their offer stating that, he would sell the ring only to those who can use it. And to everyone's surprise no one could use it. I had, had many people here, even in this town try to use it but fail. The only two who was able to access the ring was the Headmaster of the academy and a old hermit who visited along with him a few years ago. Unfortunately, they both were not interested in this ring and also suggested me to sell this to only those who can utilised its potential."
"What a tale....!!! Honestly, I would never have believed that you were once a money minded merchant." Kate said after listening to the story.
Andy smiled, " The thing is, even after so many years, that old man refuses to take back the ring." Andy shook his head in frustration.
"May I have a look at it please?"
"Why not Pheonix, here you go." Andy removed the ring from the glass box and handed it to Pheonix. Andy was sure, Pheonix was just 15 years and was unaware of his magical abilities. Like everyone else, he also knew that people would start awakening their magical abilities at the age of 17.
As soon as he took the ring and put it into the middle finger of his right hand, a wave of mana as calm as a cool breeze washed over him, making him close his eyes in extasy. All of a sudden, he felt like there is something just a feet away from him and he stretched his right hands to grasp it. Shockingly, he felt like holding a sack in his hand. He then made a motion of lifting it and heard gasps.
When he opened his eyes, he saw Andy, Samantha and Kate, all looking at the heavy sack in his hand with their jaw dropping almost to the ground.
Phoenix looked at the heavy scak in his hand and then placed it on top of the counter. It made a satisfying clink sound of coins.
Andy immediately untied the sack and felt dazed when he saw the content of the sack. It was filled with gold.
Phoenix, again closed his eyes and tried replicating the same feeling. After groping around for sometime, he found a parchment. He held it and took it out. Others saw the parchment materialise onto his hand.
"Please go ahead and read it lad." Andy encouraged, curiosity visible on his otherwise calm face.
Phoenix opened the folded parchment and read.
" Hello reader. I am Truke Mondez. If you are reading this letter, that means, you are rare few who can access storage magic. This is a rare storage ring made from extremely rare materials by a demigod. I am leaving back this extremely rare item with my family as an Hairloom. I am not sure whether my descendents would be able to utilise this rare storage ring in the future or not.
However, if this ring finds a new user outside my bloodline or descendents and you were able to read this, I would think my family would be in a dire need of gold. I humbly request the one reading this letter to handover the gold I had left behind for my family members. But don't worry, you will not be left empty handed. As the saying goes, Knowledge is Power. And I am leaving a few books that will help you gain Knowledge. I hope my bloodline prevails and prosper."
Phoenix was impressed by this strange man's far sight. Andy also sighed and shook his head. "What a twist in the story at the end. The old man and his grandson now can live a happy and prosperous life."
" Well, Phoenix, I am honestly shocked to know you were able to solve the mystery of this ring. It belongs to you now."
Pheonix was happy. However he felt like he was taking advantage of Andy and the old man.
He took out a pouch of gold from his pocket and handed it to Andy. "This is for you, for safekeeping this ring. I know this is nothing, but I will compensate you and the old man appropriately when the time comes."
Andy rejected his offer outright. "Lad, I am truely happy that this thing landed in your hand. Even the old man, George would have agreed that you should take it and not worry about the money. If you like to help me, help me get a few more customers and we will be even." Smiling, Andy gave back the pouch to Pheonix.
"It's a deal then."
Luckily, no one came to the shop and the transaction and the secret stayed between the 4 of them.
"Wow !!!! Nic, can you ask your father to adopt me? I am definitely sure that I can live happily."
Pheonix burst out laughing.
"Kate.... Are you insane!!? You truely are a shameless one. Where is that shy and dignified girl I know of had gone? I can't believe you are the same Kate that I know of from my childhood." Samantha reprimanded Kate.