"That is a trade secret, I'm afraid." I shrugged in reply. Except, her face exposed her disbelief.
I wasn't surprised by her reaction. In fact, I expected it to some extent. No person in the know could remain calm after seeing so much anima crystals.
Anima crystals have the ability to amplify any type of energy permanently. There was never enough supply to go around. Who wouldn't want to get stronger without expending so much effort?
Still, people often forget that even the best elixirs can become poison. Too much reliance on anima crystals would just make one a glass canon.
Plenty of fire power, yes. But they make you disgustingly fragile.
Alas, rare they may be but not rare enough for the Grand Duke of the East. If I needed some, I'll just make them.
After all, they were known as anima crystals here but I know them through a different name.
Diamonds.
"Are you perhaps willing to…" The Black Market owner cautiously asked.
I didn't let her finish. It was obvious what she wanted to say. Any smart person would try to seize the opportunity to obtain more anima crystal.
"No. I'd only like Vita's Tears." I firmly answered, an impeccable smile in my lips.
Or at least that's what I think. Who knows what it looks like with the average face I am now sporting?
She sighed with an almost palpable regret.
"Too bad. Then please wait for a moment."
The Black Market owner then left through an inconspicuous door, probably to retrieve my order.
"The spatial lines in that room has been modified," Abi commented off-handedly. I merely nodded at that.
It was most likely some sort of storage that only the owner can access. It probably houses the rarest, priceless goods that the black market has to offer.
After all, only those types of merchandise are handled personally by her.
It didn't take long for the Black Market owner to come back. In her hand was a delicate vial of glistening liquid. It shone with a sheen you can only see in the finest mother of pearl.
"Here it is. Please check if it is to your satisfaction."
I was handled the vial gingerly which made me raise an eyebrow. I can only attribute such care to the fact that this may be the only vial of Vita's Tears they had and that it was being paid for with anima crystals.
Can't say I share such sentiment, however. Buying Vita's Tears in the black market was merely to save me from unneccessary effort. It's not that I'm unable to obtain it by other means.
Besides, it feels good to spend money. Or in this case, diamonds.
"Quite authentic, I must say." I said, satisfied.
I swirled the vial recklessly, admiring the shifting colors that signals the commencement of my plans.
Although, I could feel that the owner had a lot of unspoken protest regarding my careless handling of her merchandise.
Well, I already paid for it so she can only keep them to herself now.
"I'm glad."
I pocketed the vial and turned to the Black Market owner. Tapping on to the Jinn, that I conveniently forgot was with me, I bid my farewells.
"That will be all for now. We shall take our leave. "
"That… Never mind. Thank you for your patronage."
I decisively turned and left the door, uncaring of the reluctance in her tone. I have no plans on utilizing anima crystals. For now, that is.
I just dangled her a bait. That much is enough. As for what comes next, that is still up to me.
She can only wait.
If the Black Market owner was sensible, she'd pass this test. If not, that would be such a shame.
--------
"Shall we have them followed, Master?"
The Black Market Owner's closest aide appeared only after the special clients had left the premises, his steps soundless against the polished floor. Outside, the last echo of their departure faded into the lower corridors, swallowed by the noise of the auction house beyond.
The owner remained seated, one gloved hand resting against the arm of her chair. Her gaze lingered on the door for a moment longer than necessary.
"As much as I want to," she said at last, "ordinary people would never have anima crystals in their possession."
The aide lowered his head slightly.
"Then…"
"Leave them be." The owner's tone left no room for argument. "It is better to be safe than sorry. It will be bad for business if we offend someone we cannot afford to offend."
The aide understood immediately.
In the Black Market, greed was profitable.
Stupidity was fatal.
---------
The carriage rolled away from the black market district beneath the cover of dusk. Its wheels passed over uneven stone, muffled by the distant clamor of the city preparing for yet another extravagant celebration in honor of a man who clearly wished to see the whole thing burn.
Across from me, Abi leaned forward, eyes bright with the kind of curiosity that usually preceded trouble.
"What is that thing you bought with anima crystals?"
Clearly, the Jinn was more concerned about Vita's Tears rather than how I had such rare crystals on me.
I did not answer immediately, looking down at the small vial resting between my fingers. It seemed almost harmless at first glance, a slender thing of glass and silver, filled with a liquid so clear it could have been mistaken for water.
Only the faint shimmer beneath the surface betrayed it.
"Hmm," I said, turning the vial slightly toward the carriage lantern. "The deadliest poison there is."
Abi's brows rose.
"There is a reason it is called the Tears of Life."
For a brief second, even the carriage seemed to grow quieter.
Then Abi let out a low whistle. "That's vicious of you. Who are you going to use it for?"
I tucked the vial away with the carelessness one would never give to a sacred relic.
"The future of the empire."
A beat of silence followed.
Then came a delighted gasp. "You're one heck of a party pooper, Skandar."
My expression did not change.
"The only reason I am gracing this farce of a celebration with my presence is to ruin it." I leaned back against the cushioned seat, gaze cold enough to frost the window. "Why must I let myself suffer if not for that?"
The jinn stared at him for a moment, then laughed under his breath.
"Your idea of fun is as unique as mine."
"Let us agree to disagree on that."
The carriage turned a corner, and the distant lights of the palace began to emerge beyond the roofs, glittering like a jeweled cage.
"So," Abi said, resting his chin against his palm, "how are you going to give this to that pitiful imperial puppy?"
My eyes shifted toward the palace.
"I will take my chance as it comes."
That earned him a look.
"You do not have a plan?"
"I do." I tapped my fingers once against the hidden pocket where the vial rested. "I do not like half-assing things."
Abi stared at me for a few breaths.
Then his lips slowly curled into a grin that was so obnoxiously bright it nearly made me regret speaking with honesty. Not that I was ashamed. I simply disliked giving him more things to be entertained about.
He already had too many.
"That sounded very villainous of you," he remarked with visible delight.
"Thank you. I have been working hard."
"Is that so? Then I shall look forward to your debut tonight."
I peered at him suspiciously. "Why does that sound like you are about to clap from the sidelines while I get stabbed?"
"Because I might."
This brother of mine was truly a touching existence.
Very touching.
So touching that I wanted to touch his face with my fist.
Alas, his face was sturdier than my current mood and my current mood was already hanging by a single thread. It would be best not to fray it further.
Besides, I had other concerns.
After we left the Black Market, Abi returned my appearance to its original state with a careless wave of his hand. I once again became an existence too blessed for ordinary mirrors. It was such a relief. Looking average was useful for covert work, but it was also psychologically damaging in ways I did not care to examine.
It felt as if I had lost an important part of myself.
My beauty, for instance.
We arrived at the Grand Tower not long after. The place was one of the upper district's more famous establishments, a grand structure dedicated to all sorts of high-end businesses. Jewelers, tailors, perfumers, magical device shops, auction houses, and even fine dining occupied its many floors.
In short, it was a glorious monument to spending money.
A place that understood me.
The carriage stopped near the entrance, and before I could even step out, I already caught sight of William standing outside with his usual composure. Beside him was Spiro, dressed in one of my childhood outfits that had thankfully been altered enough not to look like he was wearing curtains stolen from a noble parlor.
The deep blue coat suited him. The silver embroidery was subtle but elegant, the cut simple enough for a child yet refined enough to identify him as someone of high birth.
More importantly, the clothes no longer swallowed him whole.
He stood with his little hands clasped in front of him, posture too straight for a child his age. His amber eyes wandered around the street with restrained wonder, but the moment he saw me, his expression brightened like the first light touching the desert.
"Father!"
I paused.
Hearing it still felt odd. It was not unpleasant.
Just odd.
Like discovering a new room in a house I had lived in my whole life.
I stepped down from the carriage and held out a hand toward him. Spiro hesitated for a second before taking it carefully, as if he feared his small fingers would dirty mine.
Ridiculous.
If anything, it was my poor hand that should be honored.
"Did the boutique finish taking your measurements?" I asked.
"Yes, Father. Sir William said they will deliver the clothes tomorrow. The aunties there also gave me sweets." He paused, then looked up at me as if expecting punishment. "I only ate one."
"Good. Eating too much before dinner is unwise."
His face immediately grew serious. "I understand."
This child.
I did not mean for him to look like he had received a military command.
I sighed inwardly and patted his head. "But one more would not hurt."
His eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Really."
Spiro looked as if I had just handed him a treasure map leading to the secret vault of the gods.
Children were simple creatures. Terrifyingly fragile too. The smallest kindness could either nurture them or shatter them later depending on how the world treated such tenderness.
So troublesome.
I was not prepared for fatherhood. No one sane would be prepared for fatherhood after being handed a child through blood integration caused by a Jinn's absurd rescue seal.
Then again, I was not sane in the usual sense.
I wanted to become a villain lord, after all.
"Brother, your face looks strange," Abi suddenly said while leaning over my shoulder.
I smiled at him.
"Your existence tends to cause that."
"That is unfair. I am a blessing."
"A curse can also be elaborate."
Abi laughed, clearly not offended. In fact, the blasted Jinn seemed pleased.
William cleared his throat faintly. "Your Excellency, the Young Master's purchases have been settled. I also arranged for basic necessities, furniture, books, toys, and training supplies appropriate for his age."
"Training supplies?" Spiro repeated cautiously.
I looked at him. "For body strengthening. Nothing harsh."
He nodded, but the tension in his shoulders remained.
I crouched slightly, lowering myself enough to meet his eyes properly. "Listen carefully, Spiro. You are not being trained so you can become useful. You are being trained so you can grow healthy and protect yourself. There is a difference."
The boy blinked at me.
Slowly, his small hands tightened around mine.
"Yes, Father."
"Good."
I stood upright and turned to William. "What about Abi?"
William's eyes shifted toward the Jinn who had reappeared after leaving my side to go for his own fitting. For a fleeting second, his expression became indescribable.
"Lord Abinatha refused most clothing suggestions."
I looked at Abi.
Abi looked away.
I narrowed my eyes. "What did you do?"
"I merely expressed that none of the garments could match my grandeur."
"He called three tailors blind," William supplied.
"That was taken out of context."
"And asked whether human fashion had regressed due to repeated generational failure."
"I was concerned."
"He also requested robes woven from starlight."
"I was already being reasonable."
I pinched the bridge of my nose.
It was just a short while, not even a bit too long of a conversation with Spiro and he had already terrorized several merchants. At this rate, I would need to create a separate fund purely for compensating people traumatized by my brother.
"Did you at least buy something suitable for tonight?" I asked.
Abi smiled.
That smile did not reassure me at all.
"Of course."
"That means no, doesn't it?"
"It means I have prepared something better."
I stared at him for a long moment before deciding that ignorance, in this specific case, would preserve my lifespan.