Levi strolled leisurely through the main street of the Beast Taming Market. On either side, stalls were crowded with all manner of strange goods—beast bones, magic crystals, feathers, rare herbs, and even spirit beasts locked within shimmering crystal cages.
The air was thick with the mingled scents of animal hide, lamp oil, and exotic spices, while the din of bargaining voices rose and fell like waves.
As he walked, fragments of conversation from passing pedestrians drifted to his ears:
"The Academy's taking the new students to the Forest of First Trials tomorrow, right?"
"That's right. My daughter mentioned it too. I'd better prepare her gear—gotta help her secure her first spirit beast."
"Gear alone won't cut it. You'll need beast-capturing talismans too. Even if she can't form a contract on the spot, she can at least bring one back and tame it slowly."
The Beast Taming Market was more than just a place of trade—it was a hub where information flowed freely. A sharp ear could gather useful intel just by making a casual lap.
Catching the words of two men nearby, Levi's mind stirred. He approached with a casual air and asked,
"Gentlemen, do you happen to know exactly what the Academy will have us do tomorrow? I only awakened my contract sigil today, so I'm quite curious."
He made no attempt to hide his identity as a student, speaking in the most natural, unassuming tone, the better to lower their guard.
Sure enough, the two men gave him a quick once-over. Seeing that his age and bearing matched that of a newly enrolled apprentice, their expressions softened, and one replied warmly:
"Every year after awakening, the Academy takes its new students to the Safe Forest within their territory."
"It's a trial zone sealed by protective wards, prepared especially for apprentices. You'll encounter some juvenile magical beasts there."
"Don't worry—there's very little danger. High-tier beasts are rare, and instructors patrol the area to make sure no student loses their life."
Levi committed every word to memory.
What others dismissed as routine explanation was, to him, valuable intelligence—enough to start planning his moves ahead of time.
With a polite clasp of his hands in thanks, he moved on, making his way deeper into the market.
Half an hour later, Levi had browsed nearly every roadside stall in the market—yet none held the material he sought.
He already had a plan in mind. For his next fusion with the Western dragon, he wanted the material to be wings.
The gift pack had already given him a pair of dragon wings. If he could add another pair of powerful wings to the fusion, he could create a Six-Winged Black Dragon—or at the very least, elevate the power of its wings to an entirely new level.
"A Six-Winged Black Dragon… just the thought of it is enough to shake the soul."
With his decision made, he headed straight for the grandest shop in the market's center—Beast Treasure Hall.
The three-story stone building radiated prestige, flanked at its entrance by two silver-maned lions serving as guardian beasts.
The greeters, dressed in dark green short robes, bowed with graceful courtesy.
"Honored guest, welcome to Beast Treasure Hall. Is there a particular item you are seeking?"
"I need the wings of a magical beast," Levi said without pretense.
The attendant blinked in mild surprise, then smiled.
"Then, my lord, you've come at the perfect time. Just this morning, we acquired an exceptional pair of wings."
He opened a carved wooden chest and carefully lifted out a pair of massive wings, their surface shimmering with a deep emerald luster. The wing bones were solid and sturdy, while the wing membranes rippled like storm-tossed green waves.
"These are the wings of a Galehorn Bull," the attendant explained. "Equipment forged from them grants unmatched maneuverability. And if you entrust them to a runesmith, they can carve Wind Runes into the wing bones—allowing the wearer to ride the wind in flight, swift as an arrow."
Runesmiths—an exceedingly rare profession across the continent—could imbue equipment with elemental power through rune-carving.
Wind Runes granted speed upon the air, Fire Runes bent flame to one's will, Water Runes commanded the tide. Each piece of equipment could hold only one type of rune, and the rune's element had to match the nature of the material.
The Galehorn Bull's wings, naturally, could bear only Wind Runes.
Levi's gaze lingered on the massive wings, a gleam of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
Among mid-tier magical beasts, the Galehorn Bull ranked among the most formidable. And when a material carried elemental properties, there was a far greater chance for the fused dragon to inherit that same power—just like Eloise, whose gift allowed her to command both flame and stone.
"Not bad," Levi said evenly. "And the price for these wings?"
"Twelve million gold coins."
Levi's brow twitched—almost imperceptibly.
His entire fortune amounted to barely three million, leaving him nine million short. That was no small gap.
The attendant seemed to notice his hesitation and began to close the chest, ready to turn his attention to the next customer.
But Levi suddenly flicked a gold-trimmed account token onto the counter.
"I'll put down two million as collateral. Hold these wings for me for five days. If I haven't returned by then, the deposit is yours."
The attendant raised an eyebrow, then glanced toward a white-bearded elder seated not far away. After a brief exchange, he turned back with a nod.
"Deal."
"Good," Levi said crisply. "Use the remaining one million to get me beast containment pouches."
The attendant froze for a moment. While containment pouches were a necessity for any beast tamer, one million gold could buy a hundred of them—an amount that would seem excessive to anyone.
Still, he didn't pry. Within minutes, the transaction was complete.
"Honored guest, the two million has been logged as your deposit. The wings will remain sealed here in Beast Treasure Hall for five days. As for the remaining one million—at ten thousand per pouch—we have prepared one hundred beast containment pouches for you. Please, inspect them."
The black pouches were neatly packed into a long carry-satchel, heavy in the hand as they were passed to Levi.
He took them, the corner of his lips curling into a faint, knowing smile.
Tomorrow's trial… he was ready.