Blazing fire danced in the air as a circus performer twirled his staff. Laughter from children echoed across the festival lanes. Couples strolled hand in hand. The streets of Cindres shimmered with life.
But one man stood still.
Ven's eyes were locked on the pouch in his hand.
"There's only one way to find out," he muttered, stepping forward. "I need to see her myself. There's no tomorrow to wait. It's now or never."
He turned the pouch again. The Adventurers' Guild crest. The scent. The mystery.
"A powder... and a letter. Not noble-made. Not alchemic. It's too clean. Too natural. Where did she get this?"
He walked with purpose, leaving the circus glow behind.
---
First, he stopped at the Merchants' Guild.
"I'm looking for a guild member," he explained to the attendant. "A girl with eyeglasses. Shoulder-length pony braid. Guild uniform."
"Sorry, sir. She already left."
"…Back to the Adventurers' Guild, then."
---
The guild reception hall was quieter now.
Ven stepped forward. "Excuse me. I'm looking for Miss Jinn." (The Merchants' Guild mentioned her name earlier.)
The receptionist looked up. "Oh, she's off duty. Already went home to rest."
A voice interrupted. "Why are you looking for her?"
Lavirra.
Ven straightened. "Good evening, ma'am. I just have something to ask her. And I wanted to return—"
"She's resting. We don't give out addresses. Guild safety comes first. Wait until tomorrow."
She walked away.
The receptionist leaned forward, whispering with sparkling eyes. "Are you her boyfriend?"
Ven blinked. "I—wait, no, I'm not—"
"Maybe a secret lover?" she teased.
He sighed, inner voice dry. "Fine. Just tell me where she is."
"Sure!" she chirped, grin widening.
---
Afternoon sun stretched across Jinn's small rented home.
Jinn crushed herbs at her desk when a knock sounded.
She walked to the door. "Who is it?"
"I'm the one from the festival. I'm here to return something."
She opened the door.
"Oh, thank you, sir! I didn't notice I dropped it."
"It's nothing."
She began to close the door.
"W-wait! I… I wanted to ask about the powder."
She stopped. "Are you an appraiser?" Her tone sharpened.
"No. I should've said earlier—Miss Jinn, I'm Benedictus Elroin Navarre. Merchant. Just call me Ven."
Jinn blinked. (Inner voice: "A merchant? Maybe he can help me.")
She opened the door wider. "Sorry for the suspicion. Please, come in."
They sat.
"How did you know my name?"
"The Merchants' Guild knows you. I tried to catch you earlier, but missed you. Before anything else..."
He placed the pouch and letter on her desk. "I found these. I figured they were yours. I tried the Guild but missed you."
"How did you get my address?"
"…The receptionist gave it."
"Let me guess. Ponytail, square bangs, crooked badge?"
"…Yes."
She sighed. "Damn Bella. That romance novel addict with a weakness for handsome faces. If this guy were a killer, I'd be dead," she muttered in her head.
"That's Bella. I just hope she didn't say anything unnecessary—like love stuff."
Ven smiled faintly. "Uhm—well, I'm here because... I'm interested in this product."
"You… are?"
"Yes. Where did you get this?"
"I made it. My own formula. I just wanted to sell something useful."
He nodded. "Then I want in. I'll support you. Supply, promote—whatever it takes."
"But the appraisers…"
"We merchants know. There's a countermeasure."
"There is?"
"Veilroot ash. It clouds appraisal magic. Very effective."
"Where can I get it?"
"I'll provide it. It's hard to harvest—grows in monster zones. But I have access."
Jinn's eyes brightened. "Thank you, Mr. Merchant." (Inner monologue: "I'm going to be rich!")
Ven stared for a moment. Her sparkling eyes caught the sunlight.
To dodge the silence, he spoke. "By tomorrow, come to the Merchants' Guild. We'll set terms. I'll wait for you—no matter what."
Jinn nodded. "Okay. But… I have no workers. It'll take months."
"Then we'll contract it this way."
He continued, "You keep the recipe private. I'll handle distribution and sales. You produce. Profits split. You can withdraw anytime. Notarized—no tricks."
Jinn nodded firmly. "That's something I can trust."
Ven stood. "Then, I'll see you tomorrow."
---
That night…
Jinn's room was quiet.
She sat cross-legged in her meditation space. Soft breath. Calm thoughts.
"It's been a while," she whispered. "Were the lights a dream last time? Let's try it again."
She closed her eyes. Inhale. Hold. Exhale.
Warmth gathered in her chest… spreading…
When she opened her eyes—
White-gold light shimmered softly over her skin. Stable. Peaceful. Sparkles drifted like floating threads.
"…This is real," she whispered.
She raised her hand.
"Appraisal Glass… activate."
Divine Heal – Level: ∞
Her breath hitched.
"My mom was a healer… That's what my father said, but he never mentioned divine or holy. And what's with these infinite stats?"
---
In all her academy studies, holy magic was the known peak.
But divine magic? That was said to be saintess-only.
Now she held it in her hands.
Even Jinn didn't know what it meant. Not yet. Not tonight.
But something was awakening.
And her journey had only just begun.
> To Be Continued
"Wait—me? A Saintess? No way! They already have one. That's enough!"