Sovereign of the Ashes

“Oh? You’ve heard of the Magus World?” Sein asked.

“Of course, the Magus World’s attack on the Neisse Star Domain thirty thousand years ago is well-known across neighboring star domains,” Belbacor replied.

“I’ve also heard about your battles in other star domains. Your Magus Civilization’s fearsome reputation is known not just to me, but also to other powerhouses I’ve communicated with in the past,” it added.

Belbacor spoke candidly without concealing anything.

Sein, a native of the Magus World, surprisingly found himself less aware of his own civilization’s prestige than this extraplanar being.

“The Neisse Star Domain? Is that near your Eternal Sand World?” Sein questioned.

“Hehe, don’t bother trying to pry. The Eternal Sand World is far from the Neisse Star Domain. Sure, there are rumors about your Magus Civilization potentially conquering the Neisse Star Domain, but that’s a feat expected to take thousands of years. It’s definitely out of reach for someone below Rank One, like yourself.

“Enough talk, let’s get down to business. I’m curious about what a little mage in the Magus World like you has to offer,” Belbacor urged.

His urgency was partly due to the time constraints of their interplanar communication.

The Astral Stone in Sein’s laboratory had dwindled to a small fragment at this point.

If they continued this way, their communication would end before they could trade.

Faced with Belbacor’s growing impatience, Sein fell into deep contemplation.

Since he was far inferior to the other party, he understood the necessity of offering something extraordinary to capture the interest of the powerful entity on the other side.

Sein pondered over which items to present.

Shortly after, he retrieved a vast array of magic materials and resources from his space bangle.

These were items Sein had amassed from various resource points during the academy war, diverse in type and abundant in quantity.

However, there was a limitation—most of these resources were tailored for initiates, which might not pique the interest of the extraplanar creature.

To Sein’s mild surprise, Belbacor appeared genuinely astonished upon seeing the assortment of resources.

For Belbacor, it was puzzling to understand how a being not even at Rank One could amass such an extensive array of rare and unfamiliar resources that exuded unique auras.

It even began wondering whether the Magus Civilization was as affluent and powerful as rumored.

Belbacor’s reaction caused a flutter of hope in Sein.

“Well, these are the items I can offer. Let me know which ones interest you. And now, perhaps it’s time for you to showcase your goods?” Sein suggested.

Belbacor, after a moment of contemplation, began to display some unique resources native to the Eternal Sand World.

***

Interplanar transactions typically adhered to the principles of equivalent exchange and voluntariness.

In the Astral Realm, the most widely accepted trading currency was energy crystals.

Additionally, souls and certain rare metals also served as exchange mediums in several planes and civilizations.

In the transaction between Sein and Belbacor, the extraplanar entity, energy crystals were not involved.

Belbacor, astute as it was, recognized that the items Sein offered were not equivalent to a significant amount of energy crystals.

Thus, bartering became the foundation of this interplanar trade between Sein and Belbacor.

The success of the trade for both parties hinged on their ability to discern and meet each other’s specific needs in their respective circumstances.

Sein’s primary offer consisted of materials associated with umbra, hydro, necro, and electro elements. Those items were considered rare and in demand, which piqued Belbacor’s interest.

In return, Sein acquired a substantial quantity of unique geo and pyro-attributed alloys native to the Eternal Sand World.

Among these was a special mineral known as Pyro Molten Stone, which Belbacor had retrieved from the underground magma rivers of the Mount Lava.

To Belbacor, this was merely an ordinary stone, but Sein discerned its potent pyro elemental conductivity.

He had long contemplated crafting a magic rod for himself, and this Pyro Molten Stone seemed to be an ideal primary material for such a creation.

“Well, the communication channel is about to collapse... I’m satisfied with this transaction,” Belbacor stated after concluding the final trade with Sein.

Sein too was pleased with the outcome of their interplanar transaction.

Sein, being an alchemist, had confidence that he had made a profitable trade, especially with the extraplanar metal ores he possessed.

If he were to sell these ores to the divine tower academy, their value would likely far surpass what he had traded for them.

Since the Eternal Sand World did not produce the resources Sein had offered, the transaction was equally advantageous for Belbacor.

In what was a mutually beneficial deal, Belbacor generously added a one-kilogram cube of lava crystals as their communication neared its end.

“These lava crystals are more valuable than ordinary pyro molten stones. Take them as a gift. I would consider trading with you again in the future if the Magus World’s reputation wasn’t so imposing. Well, let’s conclude our trade here. I doubt we’ll cross paths again,” Belbacor remarked.

Sein reflected on the interaction. Belbacor had proven to be a reliable and pleasant extraplanar being.

He had also learned that “demigod” was a self-designated title used by peak Rank Three creatures in the Astral Realm, denoting their aspiration to ascend to Rank Four and achieve godhood.

As he stared at the lava crystals before him, Sein was in a daze, finding it hard to believe that he had acquired the perfect materials for crafting his magic rod so easily.

Before he could utter another word, the Astral Stone, which had shrunk to the size of a grain of rice, disintegrated completely.

The interplanar communication channel, which had lasted for nearly an hour, vanished into oblivion along with the presence of Belbacor, the demigod-level entity.

“That was a rather pleasant extraplanar being,” Sein mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

***

On the 782nd floor of the divine tower, Lorianne, a Rank Four mage, sternly reprimanded Sein, her newly accepted apprentice, for his actions.

“Don’t simply reveal your name to another party during an interplanar communication next time! You’re lucky that the extraplanar creature you communicated with is a simpleton. If you had encountered a more cunning entity, you might have found yourself in a precarious situation.

“I must say, though, I didn’t expect you to have amassed so many Grade Two energy crystals,” Lorianne remarked, shaking her head.

Sein stood before his mentor, head bowed in a posture of respectful attention.

He had no intention of retorting, recognizing that Lorianne was a far more experienced mage than he was.

Her words were not just a lecture but a manifestation of her concern for his well-being.

Lorianne’s warning was rooted in the fact that some otherworldly entities could exploit a creature’s true name for mystical purposes, and she wanted to ensure Sein understood the potential dangers of carelessly revealing his name.

“All right, prepare yourself and focus on recovery. Strive to reach Rank One as soon as you can. A year from now, I plan to take you to meet your grandmaster.

Coincidentally, your grandmaster has summoned me recently, so it’ll be the perfect opportunity for you two to formally meet each other,” Lorianne concluded.

“Understood,” Sein responded, maintaining his respectful tone.