“My dear customers, where are you going?” the old man wearing an eye patch, whom they had run away from, suddenly appeared in front of them with a business smile. “Don’t you want to purchase amazing Magical Artifacts for a discounted price? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, you know?”
“N-No thank you,” Chloe stuttered. “Ethan, we still have something to do, right? Let’s go. See you later, Mister.”
The young lady grabbed hold of Ethan’s hand and pulled him away from the Defective Good Section.
This time, the old man didn’t stop them and even stood aside to let them pass. However, just as Ethan was about to pass the old man with the smile of a bandit, the old man said something in a volume that only Ethan could hear.
“I’ll be here until midnight,” the old man said. “Make sure to come back before then while our 50% discount is still in effect.”
Ethan glanced at the old man, but the latter only smiled and even waved back at him.
He could still feel the strong attraction coming from the Defective Goods Section, and it made him consider the old man’s words seriously.
—————————
Two hours later…
Ethan and Chloe finally returned to the Dud Manor after browsing the rest of the items on display in the Academy’s Treasury.
As soon as they entered the Manor, they immediately heard George’s bragging as he showed Henry and Noah the God of War Axe that he had bought not long ago.
“With this weapon, I will be invincible,” George stated as he raised the War Axe above his head. “Even Gods have to fear me now.”
Henry shook his head helplessly as he looked at his best friend with pity. He had already told George that he had been scammed, but the latter refused to believe his words.
Noah, who shared the same opinion with his Head Prefect, could only sigh as George did some practice swings in the Dud Manor Common Room.
“George, you don’t even use War Axes,” Noah commented. “Isn’t your specialty short swords?”
“I will still use Short Swords,” George replied. “This is my hidden Trump Card, and I will only use it as a last resort. After all, I can’t let people know that I am now a God Slayer.”
“The only thing you can slay with that thing is a chicken,” Henry stated. “Let’s go back to the Treasury. I will even ask Professor Lionel for assistance to help you get a refund.”
“Hmph! You’re just jealous because I managed to strike a bargain,” George smirked. “What did you do with your 50,000 Merit Points? Bought a necklace and an earring for your fiance as a gift for your anniversary?”
“Actually, it was a necklace and a ring,” Henry corrected.
“Close enough.”
“Well, you’re not wrong.”
At that moment, they finally noticed Ethan and Chloe’s presence. Henry and Noah immediately asked them for help in order to convince George to refund his purchase.
Chloe tried for a bit, but George didn’t pay her any attention.
Ethan, on the other hand, told everyone about what the Chesmire Cat told him when George bought the War Axe.
“The Chesmire Cat said that?” Henry frowned.
Ethan nodded. “That’s what he said.”
George, who had already started to feel that he had indeed been scammed, felt as if a savior had appeared. Because of this, the worries in his heart disappeared, and he even gave Henry and Noah the “I told you so” look, which made Henry snort.
“Well since the Chesmire Cat said that it’s fine, I guess I’ll no longer convince you to return that item to get a refund,” Henry stated. “Although he can be mischievous at times, there are occasions that his advice can be very helpful.”
“You people just think too much,” George commented. “You guys should have more faith in me.”
Henry walked towards his best friend and patted his shoulder.
“Sorry if I doubted you,” Henry said.
“Apology accepted,” George replied with a smirk. “Well then, shall we all have lunch? I’m getting hungry.”
Everyone nodded their heads in agreement, so they all went to the Dining Hall of the Academy together to eat.
However, as Ethan followed them from behind, the words of the old man wearing an eyepatch once again resonated inside his head.
———————
Two hours before midnight…
The Treasury of the Academy that was available to the public was open until midnight.
But since it was already very late in the night, only the Staff who were in charge of the Treasury were there. Not a single student could be seen anywhere, with the exception of Ethan.
The teenage boy walked towards the Defective Good Section and once again felt the strong attraction calling out to him. 𝞸𝔳𝑙xt.𝒸𝞸𝓜
“So, young man, are you here to buy something?” The old man wearing an eye patch, who goes by the name James, welcomed Ethan as soon as he saw him.
“Can I take a look first?” Ethan inquired.
“Be my guest,” James replied and made a gesture for Ethan to browse the items that were on display.
This time, he no longer aimlessly wandered in the Defective Goods Section and used his senses to determine the location of the feeling that was calling out to him.
After walking for a minute, he arrived at a display case that was located at the very corner of the Defective Good Section.
Inside of the transparent case was something that looked like a trident.
It was made from a dark blue metal that Ethan had no idea about.
However, what caught his attention the most was the handle of the Trident. It had just enough length to be held with one hand.
Calling it a Trident was already a stretch. It looked like one of those Eastern Weapons that was called a Sai.
A Sai was a dagger-type weapon that came in pairs and held like a short sword.
(A/N: If you can’t imagine what a Sai is, go check Google and type Sai Weapon.)
However, the name written on the display insisted that it was a trident.
Also, there was one more thing that Ethan found intriguing.
Instead of giving an introduction to the weapon and a bit of its history, the only thing he saw was a poem, adding to the weapon’s mystery.
————————
< Sea God’s Trident >
In the depths of the sea, where the waves do reside,
Lies the Sea God’s Trident, with power so wide.
A weapon of legend, with a three-pronged spear,
It commands the oceans, instills both hope and fear.
In the realm of Atlantis, where secrets are kept,
The trident’s true power, in silence, is kept.
But in myths and in tales, its glory does shine,
A symbol of dominion over watery brine.
In it’s wielder’s grip, the tempest roars,
Upon his trident, tales of yore.
A God of the Waters, fierce and bold,
His trident’s tale, in legends, is told.
So, raise your voice and sing with pride,
As you hold the Sea God’s Trident by your side.
In realms of sea, where mysteries hide,
A single swing, and the world divides.
————————
As soon as Ethan finished reading the poem, the Sea God’s Trident glowed faintly in front of him.
The beautiful singing of a mermaid resounded in his ears.
And for a brief moment, he was almost in tears.