After listening to the clerk's explanation, Thunder finally understood the purpose of magic scrolls.
They were similar to talismans—both arranged spiritual energy in specific patterns to produce effects, usually offensive.
"Can I open one and take a look?" Thunder, coming from the Talisman Sect, was particularly interested in anything involving inscriptions.
"Of course, but be careful. If it tears, the magic will activate. It wouldn't be a problem for the shop, but I'd hate for you to get hurt," the clerk said smoothly, pleasing Thunder's ears.
Carefully unrolling the scroll in his hand, Thunder saw not the familiar Daoist talisman patterns but a strange, intricate design. The material used wasn't ink or cinnabar—it smelled faintly of blood.
"What's this drawn with?" Thunder pointed at the scroll.
"This is a Fireball scroll, made with the blood of a fire-attribute magical beast."
That explained the metallic scent. Magical beasts—equivalent to spirit beasts back on Earth. But while spirit beasts were rare in his old world, here they were common. And using beast blood for inscriptions could enhance the power compared to cinnabar.
*Could I use talisman techniques to inscribe magic scrolls?* The thought surged uncontrollably in Thunder's mind.
"How much does this cost?" Thunder was confident he could replicate the pattern perfectly. As a disciple of the Dragon-Tiger Talisman Sect, this was child's play.
"Five gold coins!" The clerk held up a hand.
"That expensive?"
"Our shop runs on thin margins—this is already cheap. Even blank scrolls wholesale for a gold coin each. Factor in the failure rate of inscription, and five gold is a fair deal. Go to a bigger store, and they'd charge you ten. I'd bet my name on it."
Thunder studied the Fireball scroll's pattern carefully before rolling it back up and handing it over. "Show me the others."
There were all kinds—Water Arrow, Ice Spike, Earth Thorn, Falling Thunder, Wind Blade—but the highest level available was only Tier 2.
After examining them all, Thunder frowned. "Why nothing higher?"
"You jest, sir. Respected mages wouldn't waste time inscribing scrolls for sale. They'd rather meditate. Plus, inscription has a failure rate. These are just side gigs for magic academy students."
That made sense.
Mages progressed from Apprentice to Primary Mage (Tiers 1-2), Intermediate Mage (Tiers 3-4), Advanced Mage (Tiers 5-6), Grand Mage (Tiers 7-8), Archmage (Tiers 9-10), and finally, Forbidden Spellcaster (capable of casting forbidden spells).
To inscribe Tier 1-2 scrolls, one had to at least be a Primary Mage.
But magic talents were rare. Once someone reached Intermediate Mage, noble families would extend offers to recruit them.
At that level, families funded their research—why would they bother selling scrolls for a living?
Thus, low-tier scrolls were cheap and plentiful, but once they hit Tier 3, prices skyrocketed.
Only Intermediate Mages could inscribe Tier 3 scrolls. A Tier 1 scroll sold for five gold, Tier 2 for ten, but Tier 3 started at fifty—if you could even find one.
"Sir, are you buying or not?" The clerk was parched from explaining, and Thunder showed no intention to purchase.
"No." Thunder's blunt refusal nearly made the clerk curse—if not for the mage's status.
"Call your manager. Tell him there's a big deal." Thunder suddenly had an idea.
"One moment!" Though weary, the clerk didn't dare refuse an Intermediate Mage.
Soon, a middle-aged man emerged from the back. Before he even approached, Thunder sensed faint elemental fluctuations from him.
*A mage himself?*
"Greetings, honored guest. I'm George, owner of this humble shop." The man examined Thunder with admiration. "What would you like to purchase?"
"Not buying. Selling."
"Selling?" George frowned. "What exactly—"
"Somewhere quiet and spacious." The shop was too crowded for Thunder to demonstrate his Five Radiance Divine Lightning Talisman.
Nodding, George led Thunder to the back, instructing the clerk to tend to Oak and Tifa.
Though the clerk was snobbish, the owner's courtesy improved Thunder's impression.
The backyard wasn't large but enough for Thunder's demonstration.
"Sir, what exactly are you selling?" George turned to face him.
"You're a mage too, right?" Thunder pulled out a Five Radiance Divine Lightning Talisman and handed it over.
"Sharp eyes. Yes, but my talent is limited. I'll likely remain a Primary Mage my whole life." George accepted the talisman with a bitter smile.
His mana fluctuations were weak—likely telling the truth. On this continent, countless mages were stuck between Primary and Intermediate levels.
"What is this?" George studied the talisman in confusion. Though he sensed mana, it wasn't inscribed with beast blood or special materials—nothing like a magic scroll.
Without answering, Thunder flicked another talisman. A bolt of lightning, thick as a snake's body, struck the ground, blasting a crater into the hard earth.
"A magic scroll?!" George's eyes bulged. *Impossible!* "A Tier 1 Falling Thunder with Tier 3 power?!"
Unbelievable. Not only did this "scroll" defy conventional standards, its sheer force left George speechless.
"Try it yourself. Free of charge." Thunder smiled.
**Will George dare to test its true power?**