The Extra Who Stole the Hero's System-Chapter 20: Shopping Spree - 2

My jaw must have been hanging open. Three thousand gold coins. For nuts. Luminous, completely oblivious to my internal shock, was already happily munching on his expensive snack, his face a picture of pure joy.

I, Alex Miller, who used to budget for groceries and fret over utility bills, was now witnessing a child casually spend enough money to feed a small village for a month, all for a handful of glorified almonds. The sheer, unthinking wealth of these noble children was staggering, almost obscene. It was a stark, almost painful reminder of the gap between my old life and this new one.

"Come on, Kai!" Luminous called, his mouth full. "Evelina’s items won’t find themselves!"

I shook my head, trying to clear the lingering disbelief. Right. Evelina’s shopping list. Enchanted Grimoire, Mana Focus Band, Knight’s Trial Elixir. Each item sounded like it belonged in a high-tier fantasy game, not a shopping trip. This was going to be interesting.

We left the nut vendor, Luminous still happily munching, and went deeper into the bustling Central Market. The air here was a vibrant mix of sounds and smells: the shouts of vendors, the murmur of crowds, the clatter of carts, the scent of exotic spices, roasted meats.

Our first stop, according to Evelina’s detailed instructions, was the ’House of Mages,’ a renowned magically-inclined bookshop tucked away in a quieter, more academic-looking section of the market. The shop itself was narrow and tall, its shelves crammed with ancient-looking tomes, scrolls, and glowing crystals.

"An Enchanted Grimoire, you say?" The shopkeeper, an old man with spectacles perched on his nose and a permanent ink stain on his finger, peered at us over a towering stack of books. "For the young miss’s Academy preparations, I presume?"

"Indeed!" Luminous piped up, ever eager. "The one that casts mock spells!"

The shopkeeper nodded, a knowing glint in his eye. "Ah, a fine choice. We have a few models. The latest, the ’Apprentice’s Cast,’ is quite popular. It adapts to the user’s mana refinement for personalized training." He produced a small, leather-bound book from a hidden compartment. It floated gently above his palm, a faint, internal glow emanating from its pages.

I examined it closely. The craftsmanship was exquisite, the magic subtle but undeniable. This world was truly steeped in mana. I remembered the Thunder Clap, the mana-infused strike that had knocked me out. This was the same energy, just applied differently. My Intelligence stat, at 18, allowed me to instinctively grasp the underlying principles, even if I couldn’t wield it myself.

"This will do," I said, my voice firm. The shopkeeper quoted a price, substantial but not as absurd as Luminous’s nuts, and Luminous, ever the noble, paid without a second thought.

Next, we sought the "Magus Pawn," a shop specializing in mana-infused artifacts. The place smelled of polished metal. Mana Focus Bands, rings, armlets, and even necklaces, gleamed from velvet displays. They were designed to enhance a user’s connection to external mana, to improve absorption and casting rates. It was a fascinating concept, a direct interface with the world’s fundamental energy.

The shopkeeper, a burly man with calloused hands and a surprisingly gentle touch, showed us a selection. I picked up a simple, elegant silver band. It felt cool against my skin, and I could almost feel a faint thrumming, a subtle pull of energy. This was practical magic, designed to augment innate abilities. It made sense for a Mage Knight Academy student.

Again, Luminous handled the payment, his casual spending still jarring.

Our final item, the Knight’s Trial Elixir, proved to be the most challenging. Evelina’s note had hinted at its rarity. It wasn’t found in a typical apothecary. After several inquiries, we were directed to a less reputable part of the market, down a narrow, shadowed alleyway that smelled of damp stone and something vaguely illicit.

The shop was unmarked, its wooden door blending seamlessly with the grimy wall. A single, flickering lantern cast long, shadows. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of strange herbs and something metallic. The shopkeeper was a gaunt, secretive man with shifty eyes, who seemed to materialize from the shadows.

"Knight’s Trial Elixir, you say?" he rasped. "A Rare potent. Not for the faint of heart." He produced a small, dark vial from beneath the counter. The liquid inside shimmered with an unnatural, almost sickly, green glow. It looked dangerous.

"It temporarily enhances strength, agility, and focus," I recited from Evelina’s note, trying to sound knowledgeable.

"Indeed," the man hissed, a faint, unsettling smile on his lips. "A potent brew. Distilled from... unique sources. For those who need an edge. A temporary one." He quoted a price that made even Luminous’s eyes widen slightly. It was truly exorbitant.

Luminous, however, still pulled out his satchel of gold. As he counted out the coins, my gaze lingered on the vial.

With all of Evelina’s items acquired, we began our journey back to the manor. The sun was beginning to set, casting long, orange shadows across the city. The market was still bustling, but with a different energy, a winding down.

Luminous, now fully stocked on nuts and satisfied with our shopping spree, chattered happily about the various stalls, the interesting people we’d seen. I listened, offering occasional nuds of agreement, but my mind was elsewhere. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

As the carriage rumbled through the darkening streets, carrying us back to the seemingly safe confines of the Sapphire manor, I reached into the bag and pulled out the small, dark vial. The sickly green glow seemed more pronounced in the dim light. I held it up, examining it closely.

Just as my fingers brushed the glass, a new system message, stark and urgent, flashed across my vision, overriding everything else.

[ WARNING: KNIGHT’S TRIAL ELIXIR - DETECTING CORRUPTED MANA SIGNATURE ]

[ SOURCE: UNKNOWN (HIGHLY CONCENTRATED) ]

[ POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS: UNKNOWN (SEVERE) ]

[ RECOMMENDATION: DO NOT CONSUME ]