Bonus chapter thanks to '@Gordon Dunphy' for subscription to 'Sword Lacquer' tier on Ko-fi.

After selecting the artifacts, Samuel and I headed outside.

The artifacts we ultimately selected were the Orb of the Flame Emperor and the gray book floating in the air.

The Orb of the Flame Emperor was understandable, but what exactly was the book Samuel had chosen?

I heard that it spoke to Samuel.

Since its not the artifact I had in mind, I dont know its capabilities.

It wouldn't be impossible to find out through the information paper, but the price was too high.

The book that Samuel chose.

The information paper said that if I wanted to know its identity, I would have to pay a higher price than Adel's mana cultivation method, which I desired.

In other words, the value of the unidentified book is equal to or similar to that of Adels mana method.

But there was no way to find out its identity.

Thats why I was frowning and staring at the book.

[You can look at it all you want, but Im not handing this book over.]

I never said I wanted it.

As I glared at the book, Samuels curt voice rang out.

I looked away.

It seems hes quite fond of this book.

I wanted to offer Samuel's book as payment for the mana method, but...

It bothers me that it costs more than the price of the mana method.

It was hard to dismiss it as some kind of hidden piece when such a hefty price was involved.

Well, since Im the master of this body now, I guess its Adels consideration to ask for just a small price.

Nevertheless, it was difficult to deny that the artifact had some potential.

Didnt Adels method have the ability to completely twist the original story at times?

What if Adels method was modified slightly and improved so that even the members of the student council could learn it?

Its a terrifying thought.

Thats why.

This alone isnt enough.

I looked at the Orb of the Flame Emperor in my palm.

Since I hadnt poured mana into it yet, it wasnt activated, so I could hold it with my bare hands.

I didn't have any resistance to fire attributes, so I couldn't activate the orb's abilities.

I had intended to give it to the information paper as payment anyway, so I had simply chosen the one with the highest rank.

But it wasn't the legendary artifact the information paper desired.

It was probably among the top-ranked epic-grade artifacts.

'I think I need one more.'

The book Samuel chose seemed to be quite high-ranking, so it would be a waste to invest in it here.

Even the fact that the book only spoke to him proved that it was definitely not an ordinary object.

So I should leave it alone.

Hmm

What should I do?

I wondered if I should sneak back into the warehouse and grab one more artifact.

But I quickly shook my head, dismissing the thought.

There was no way that Sytans side would not have prevented the students from taking them secretly.

Perhaps there would be sanctions if they took more artifacts than a certain amount.

They might even take away the Orb of the Flame Emperor that I had just acquired.

In severe cases, it could be a serious offense that could lead to expulsion.

[Heh heh]

As I pressed my temples, troubled, an eerie laugh rang out.

Samuel, in his thorny state, was looking at the gray book floating above my hand and laughing.

What kind of ability did it have that he liked it so much?

No, surely he didnt know about the books performance either.

Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked.

Its just an artifact that you cant use, so why do you like it so much?

[Isnt it obvious? I feel extraordinary mana from this book. It must be a top-notch artifact.]

Unlike you, Mr. Samuel, I dont feel anything.

[That's why it's even better. No one else knows its value except me.]

If it was an aura that only he could feel.

Perhaps it was a Unique Artifact, like the Laurel of the Victor that Baltan had equipped before.

There was no other explanation.

I wondered why there were so many Unique Artifacts in Satan.

Still, it wasnt bad.

Samuels increased power would be helpful to me.

In the future, I will be working with Samuel for at least two semesters.

Even if Samuels power grew stronger, it wouldnt be bad for me.

Im also interested. Please tell me when you find out its true identity later.

[It will be worth the wait. It really seems to be an extraordinary item.]

I nodded slightly at Samuels reply.

If Samuel, who had an innate talent for magic, vouched for it, I could trust it.

At least it must be more powerful than the artifacts that appear in the original story.

The problem is,

What should I do?

I needed one more artifact for the Mana method.

The only artifacts I have are the necklace and the Fang of Darkness.

But the necklaces true identity hasnt been revealed yet, so it feels excessive to offer it as payment.

And the Fang of Darkness is pretty much my only weapon.

Ive prepared a few daggers as well, but theyre just ordinary daggers.

That means I cant use them as payment for the information paper until I change weapons.

So I need to find another artifact again.

Time is too short.

I need to get stronger as soon as possible, so waiting until the break is a waste of time.

I have to get one more artifact, even if I have to force it.

If it really came down to it, should I ask Fron, the wealthiest student in Class A, for a favor.

With that thought in mind, Samuel and I left the warehouse.

Ares was the first to greet us.

Have you chosen?

Yes, as you can see, I chose the Orb of the Flame Emperor, and Mr. Samuel chose this book.

Thats an unidentified artifact.

Yes.

Hmm.

Ares glanced at the gray book in my hand.

Then Ares opened his mouth.

Are you sure you wont regret it? Not only is it an unidentified object, but as far as I remember, no one except the headmaster has been able to figure out that its an artifact.

[It doesnt matter.]

Samuel answered in a firm tone as if he was afraid Ares would change his mind.

I added my own words to ease Samuels worries.

I think it might be an artifact that can only be equipped by its owner chosen by it. Mr. Samuel said he could feel aura coming from the book.

Hmm, if thats the case.

Ares nodded as if he understood what I was saying.

I didn't mention that Samuel had heard the book's voice, out of consideration for him.

There was no point in telling him.

Ares quickly lost interest and spoke to the other students.

I understand. Now, let the next student go in and choose.

Rate and review this novel on NU to help people find this novel.