The people who greeted them—presumably the workers of this building—had clearly tired faces and bags under their eyes, but nevertheless they wore smiles and led the way without a single complaint.
When they were passing a deserted lobby, there was even a receptionist there making a forced smile and waving her hand.
They truly received a welcome meant for a VIP.
After passing and saying hello to everyone, Cyril reached an elevator and rode on a steel platform to the fourth floor.
On this floor there was a small, cozy store styled almost as a cafe.
Though instead of the menu, behind the counter were many different knickknacks, the majority embedded with crystal.
There was a man there whose hair was beginning to turn grey, but nevertheless he stood there with his back straight and eyes pure.
The moment he reached this building, the workers who led them here quickly went away after a goodbye.
It was only Cyril, Ophelia, and the magic creatures here now.
The man behind the counter frowned upon seeing Tigris and Morpho but didn't mention them.
"Hello, Cyril. Please call me Bert. What can I help you with?" The man bowed politely.
His voice sounded similarly servile to the people before him, but his eyes held a certain unyielding spark to them.
"Hoh? This guy thinks he is tough?" Rhamn took that as a challenge almost. She rather enjoyed seeing humans bow to them everywhere they went.
Calm down.
Cyril, for one, didn't share this feeling with her. He felt glad there was someone like that here.
He nodded to Bert in greeting, "Sorry for disturbing you so early in the morning, but I really need an item that would increase my mana regeneration rate."
After a brief pause he added again, "Preferably something that can be worn at all times for a constant effect."
Bert scratched his chin at his request, contemplating for a few seconds.
"A bit of a tall order, young master…" The man said in the end, his polite tone of voice slipping.
Ophelia frowned and took a step forward, wanting to do something.
"That's right! Show him who is superior here!"
However, Cyril motioned for her to stop. He didn't care if the man was rude to him or not.
Ophelia stood back without any complaints, acting invisible again.
Bert raised a brow, then, after contemplating a bit more, opened his mouth.
"I have something that would be suitable, but it's not part of the store's selection."
Ophelia frowned but didn't say anything otherwise.
Bert shot her a quick glance and continued, "It's a part of my personal collection, and it's not out of the question for me to give it away—"
Already anticipating where this was going, Cyril turned around and started walking away. "I am not here to do favors for people. Since you have nothing, then we'll be going."
Bert's face froze, his words getting stuck in his throat too. He didn't expect this nobleman to be so uncooperative...
"Please, wait!" After recovering, he ran out from the counter and approached the group, wanting to hold Cyril by the shoulder to prevent him from leaving.
However, before he could succeed, Ophelia caught his hand in a steel grip and twisted it.
"Ah!" Bert gasped but continued shortly after, "I was a bit too presumptuous, my apologies, Cyril. Let me finish talking. It'll be worth your while, I assure you," he hastily pleaded.
Cyril faced the craftsman again, feeling slightly intrigued by his words, "Alright, I am listening."
Then he motioned for Ophelia to let go of the man, and she obliged.
Stumbling a bit in the process, Bert distanced himself from the maid, then returned behind the counter.
"What I have is something of superb quality!" He eagerly tried to capture Cyril's interest.
"A ring that draws in mana from the air, and when worn against the skin, converts it directly into your personal mana reserves."
Cyril nodded with satisfaction. This was exactly what he needed.
"And how is it special?" He asked.
"A moment, please!" Bert hastily said and disappeared into the staff room behind him, leaving Ophelia and Cyril.
Morpho began flying around the place out of curiosity. There were so many different scents here.
"Master, I would suggest leaving after all. Magic items with such effects are not too rare." Ophelia tried to convince him with a frown. She really didn't like the craftsman here.
"I would like to hear what he has to say first." Cyril replied.
So Ophelia could do nothing else but vigilantly stay at the side.
...
After a couple more seconds, Bert finally returned, carrying in his arms a small jewelry box.
"You will not be disappointed, you'll see." He expectantly said and placed the box on the counter.
In a smooth motion he unlocked it and opened it.
Inside, resting on a red cushion a single platinum ring decorated with a dark blue crystal.
"Please, wear it. You must see the effects for yourself!" Bert said in an almost compelling way.
Cyril glanced at the ring for a second, then back at the craftsman. "How about you explain it to me properly?"
He was not about to equip a random magic item without fully knowing its effect.
There are plenty of anecdotes about people 'luckily' finding an old ring or a similar item in some trash heap.
Thinking they got an opportunity of their lifetime, they wear it, only to discover that the ring was cursed, and now they have no hair, or an upset stomach, or they can only speak in meows.
There is even a rumor that some evil mages are purposefully leaving such 'artifacts' on the streets as a joke.
Bert's smile faltered a great deal, but he didn't dare complain. He only wanted for there to be a sense of ritual and awe...
Slightly less optimistically, he opened his mouth, "...It can also absorb and store a single spell that meets it. If you activate it with mana, the stored spell will activate in the direction you are pointing."
"While a spell is stored, absorbing any other in the meantime will replace it."
"Of course it can't absorb a spell that is too powerful," he quietly added at the end.
"Really?" Cyril, with interest, picked up the ring from the box, observing it in detail.
He didn't know how to identify enchantments yet, but Ophelia should be capable of that.
The maid briefly observed the ring up close, then nodded. There wasn't anything harmful there, at least.
With expectations, Cyril wore the ring on his index finger, paying close attention to his mana consumption.
"…" He stood there with a blank face.
The increase was there... but it was not as big as imagined.
"It solves our problem, but still, what a disappointment after such a buildup. This craftsman should be fired."
Maybe absorbing spells is the main effect...
While that was a rather interesting ability, it's not what he needed at the moment.
So, in the expectant face of Bert, he calmly said, "Is there an item with a better mana regeneration rate? No need for any other fancy effects..."
Bert's brow twitched, his smile became even more awkward, "You... You didn't even try its—never mind that!"
He became spirited. "The rings effects are already top-notch! I am afraid you are expecting too much from us craftsmen. I don't think you'll find a better one anywhere else." His voice carried confidence.
Slightly confused, Cyril turned to face Ophelia. "Is it true?"
The maid narrowed her eyes at the ring, then nodded. "Its effect is not beneath the best works of other famous craftsmen."
Bert's smile turned smug again. "That's right, this ring is outstanding. I bought it at an auction, hoping to glean something out of it. Whoever made this is a true master."
Such an increase is already impressive...?
"Your mana reserve is just too big compared to the average human. For them, such an increase might be impressive." Rhamn said in happy contempt.
Taking Cyril's silence for him being shocked, Bert continued with his nose raised higher, "For this ring, I want a simple thing...."
Cyril snapped out of his thoughts and looked at the craftsman.
"What is it?" He calmly asked.
Bert was a bit too desperate to make him interested in this magic item, which in turn made Cyril curious about what he wanted so much.
The craftsman cleared his throat and brought his hands together. "You see, I have a friend who got himself into a little debt—"
Once again, Cyril interrupted him, "I can't convince Arthur to forgive the debt of your friend."
Bert went silent, his face turning to a frown.
"If that's all, then I'll be going." Cyril took off the ring and wanted to put it back inside of the box. However, Bert moved it out of the way.
Cyril raised his eyes to look at the man. His face was extremely reluctant.
With a solemn voice, he pleaded, "Consider this a gift then! I am not asking for results. Just try talking to your father..."
"How generous..."