Everyone stares with interest at the items Rishi places before Alex.
Before Alex can even get a proper look, Tereza suddenly shouts, "YOU JERK! How did you get that?! You didn't share the information with me?! Asshole!"
"... Tereza, we were separated for more than half of the mission. In any case, I obtained these items myself and am under no obligation to share them with you, nor tell you any detail," Rishi replies evenly, while Tereza grits her teeth. "If I had an easy way to obtain items like these, trust me, I would have told you."
"Let me see—and please, no drama. We've always come to an agreement. Let's not get greedy," Alex says. "It's worked out pretty well so far, hasn't it?"
Rishi nods, while Tereza pouts, obviously unhappy about the situation.
Let's see…
Alex's gaze falls on a large, majestic blue fish with an impossibly long, royal-looking yellow tail. The system identifies it as [Giant Swordtail].
"No real effect… this is… a food item?" Alex asks, baffled.
[Giant Swordtail]
World: Zemuria (Kiseki/Trails Franchise)
Type: Fish
Quality: Deep Purple
Note: A Mutation of the swordtail which has grown larger from countless battles. So elusive that most fishermen are lucky to meet one once in their lifetime. Seen as an embodiment of what can be achieved when one keeps fighting and winning.
Note: A highly rare and precious fish that is often hailed as the ultimate trophy by experienced fishermen. A delicacy, when prepared correctly.
Menchi's eyes lock on the fish instantly, her fingers twitching, mouth already beginning to water.
"…"
She is so predictable.
"I assume you're interested, Menchi?" Alex asks.
"Yes! I can assure you I can cook you a master dish like you have never tasted before! I need this so badly! I've hit a bottleneck for a while now, and I'm sure this beauty can help me break through! Just accept the fish! It's worth a couple of Gold-Quality items!!" Menchi says excitedly.
"I obviously disagree… It's nice, but in no way is that a fair deal! It's just a Purple Quality ingredient. Are you stupid, Menchi? Rishi, I am not greedy, but this isn't remotely enough," Alex says, shaking his head.
Rishi chuckles. "Of course not. There's more, obviously. First of all, you can have my [Mobile Skill Station]. I obtained a second one and don't need two."
Obtained? More like looted after opening a bloody chest or two… I'm guessing he killed his competition last mission. Tereza mentioned five teams of two.
[Mobile Skill Station]
World: Fantasy Realm
Quality: Purple
Effect: For the cost of 10,000 FC, create a temporary Skill Station that is active for 24 hours. This effect can be used once a month.
Note: Old, clunky, uncomfortable, slow. These pathetic second-rate products are made accessible to players who can't do without the miracles of the Realm, even on missions.
Note: You still have to pay the regular fees to upgrade and unlearn skills.
I wanted to buy one of those, but it's still not close in terms of value to what I'm offering.
"This," Rishi continues, "is the real item I'm offering. I'm tempted to keep it for myself, but I need your items more. I'm a mage, so this could be incredible for me, but both of your items fit me a little better—which is the only reason I'm even considering this trade. I also lack the suitable item needed to fulfill the requirements."
He then places a small kit on the table—it contains intricate tools, magical crystals, and fine metallic wires glinting under the light.
[Orbment Conversion Kit]
World: Zemuria (Kiseki/Trails Franchise)
Type: Upgrade-Kit
Quality: Light-Gold
Effect: Modifies a suitable trinket into an orbment. If an incompatible item is selected, the item in question and this Upgrade-Kit will be destroyed. Can only be used once.
Effect: The item in question will only have a single slot, but can be enhanced with additional slots for Quartz by enhancing its rank. The limit is set by the compatibility of the target item. Items with low compatibility will only allow the use of low-ranked Quartz. Quartz with a higher quality than the target item can't be used.
Note: Created by the Epstein Foundation in collaboration with the Reinfort Group. This is a prototype developed directly before creating the fifth-generation ARCUS.
"An [Orbment Conversion Kit], huh?" Alex says, eyes narrowing with interest.
"How?!" Tereza blurts. "When we entered, we received orbments along with a wide selection of available Quartz. I even managed to grab a few powerful ones, but they were all temporary items! I wasn't allowed to bring them with me! Why do you have something like that, Rishi?"
Rishi only smiles, ignoring her question.
"I don't understand," Menchi says. "Why were you unable to bring these items with you? I'm not familiar with them."
"An orbment is a device that grants you access to superhuman abilities, buffs, and most importantly, arts, which are similar to spells. The specific abilities depend on the Quartz you insert into it. It's extremely powerful; most importantly, anyone with it can become a spellcaster. It doesn't require a skill to use," Rishi explains. "Usually, orbments allow you to use eight additional Quartz and offer a slot for a Master Quartz, offering unique abilities. This kit only allows you to use a single one, even if you choose a perfectly suitable item. The system is clearly balancing things out for fairness. Still, according to the description, ranking up the item can grant you more slots. Even a single slot is invaluable and allows you to create miracles—it all depends on the Quartz you insert into it."
"I see," Benezia comments. "So of course, a powerful item that can turn anyone into a mage would be strictly controlled and limited."
"I'm interested," Alex says, "but I think this isn't something I want. Not because it only offers a single slot at the beginning, but because without a Quartz, I don't think it offers many benefits—if any at all. Who knows if I'm able to get one? There's also the risk of destroying this along with the chosen item during conversion."
"I have Quartz," Rishi says, his tone casual. "Two, in fact—[Heal] and [Water Bell]."
A healing Quartz… now I'm tempted.
[Heal]
World: Zemuria (Kiseki/Trails Franchise)
Type: Quartz
Quality: Deep Blue
Effect: When slotted into an orbment, grants access to the following arts: Tear, Teara
Effect: Restores 2 HP per 10 seconds when not engaged in battle.
Note: A Rare Quartz able to help the user recover lost HP.
[Water Bell]
World: Zemuria (Kiseki/Trails Franchise)
Type: Quartz
Quality: Deep Purple
Effect: When slotted into an orbment, grants access to the following arts: Aqua Bleed, Frost Edge, Hydro Cannon, Crystal Flood
Effect: Halves the delay after using water arts
Effect: Increases damage of any spell or art by 5%
Note: A Rare Quartz that grants the user the ability to cast almost all available offensive water arts. It also halves the delay after using water arts.
"You used arts in your last mission, right? How do they work? They require EP… Is that another resource?" Alex asks, clearly interested in both Quartz.
Tereza shakes her head. "No. It might be called EP, Energy Points, or Orbal Energy, but it's basically MP. According to the system, the resource is 95% identical to MP and is thus not acknowledged as its own thing."
Rishi nods. "Indeed, we used it just fine, though the arts have insane MP costs. EP might be very similar to MP, but that small difference matters. All Orbal Arts eat up a lot of MP. Even with my huge pool, I had to use them sparingly. You're not a fully focused spellcaster, Alex, so you might run into problems. Don't expect to spam them endlessly. They're highly effective, but also highly costly."
"I see," Alex says, rubbing his chin.
"So, to summarize… I get: [Giant Swordtail], [Mobile Skill Station], [Orbment Conversion Kit], along with [Heal] and [Water Bell]," Alex states, weighing his options.
Water arts… they could come in handy very soon.
"Fine, I'll gladly accept! It's a fair trade," he says with a smirk.
"I'll add 100 Shards to make it perfectly fair," Rishi offers. "I've got a bunch of White, Light-Green, and Green trash items. Together they're worth exactly 100 shards."
Nice! That's around 200,000 FC! This trade is more than fair now. He only handed over one Light-Gold and a couple of Blue and Purple items, while I gave a Light-Gold and a Deep-Gold item… but the sheer amount of stuff makes up for it.
Alex doesn't hesitate, immediately handing over his [Saren's Embrace] and [Thorian Core]. He receives all the items Rishi offered in return and smiles.
"Do you have anything suitable to convert into an orbment?" Benezia asks. "If not, I'll gladly help you find something. You require a trinket, correct?"
"I have one… I think my [Destiny Watch] is a perfect choice. It even looks a little like an orbment, which usually resembles a clock," Alex explains.
Princess Jewel agrees! She has a good feeling about it.
"I think so too. The quality is also decent," Tereza comments.
"Your feeling is the most important thing… I'd feel slightly bad if you failed," Rishi says.
Alex thinks for a moment before saying, "I think I'll head back home. I'll think about things and then make a decision."
"I'd like to keep checking out the markets," Benezia says.
"Benezia… can you do me a favour?" Alex asks, suddenly remembering something.
"If it's within my means and does not involve degeneracy, I'll oblige," Benezia replies.
Soulmate!!!
"Jewel, don't be silly. Also, Benezia, you're not any better," Alex says, narrowing his eyes. "I just had an idea… can you sell my items? I've got a bunch I want to get rid of. I don't want to use my greedy scalper contacts and pay them a commission when Benezia can probably do a way better job anyway."
"A very reasonable request. I'll do my best to sell them for the highest possible price. Any specific requirements?" she asks.
"The price… I'll leave it up to you. Do as much research as you want—there is no need to rush. We've got time—around a month—so try to make the best of it. You can also accept trades or accept cheap items to turn into more Shards! If you stumble across something worthwhile, contact me or tell the buyer to wait if I'm not available."
Alex hands over all his gains from Mass Effect—armor, weapons, skillbooks—everything except the Green-Quality items he plans to turn into more shards and the second [Krogan's Might] potion. He also gives Benezia his [Champion Belt], since he recently got an upgrade. Of course, he keeps his Armor, favorite Pistol, and his Omni-tool.
"I'll stay too, Alex! I have a special meal to prepare," she says with a grin.
Finally, he, along with Jewel and Tereza, heads home while the others stay behind.
Time to convert my [Destiny Watch]! With that beauty, I think a certain Crocodile might be in for a surprise if he dares to get in my way.
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