"I am only going to try." In the end, Cyril took the ring with him. He is not going to say no to such conditions.
"That's all I am asking, thank you." Bert bowed his head.
With this their business here was finished, or so the craftsman thought.
However, Cyril didn't move out of the room, instead asking further, "I'll take the ring, but do you have any similar magic items?"
While this ring solved his immediate issue, with it alone his mana regeneration was just too slow.
How was he supposed to study in the magic academy if he couldn't comfortably cast spells on the regular?
...
"That's all I currently have..." Bert could only helplessly oblige with the request of this VIP customer.
On the counter was placed a variety of different magic items, be it rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, or even more decorative ones like cuff links or ties.
The selection was great, though their effects were worse than the ring.
Each item individually wouldn't help him much, but Cyril decided to count on quantity versus quality here.
After choosing for a bit, he wore another ring on his middle finger.
Just as he was about to wear a necklace too, Atheris poked her head out of the jacket, which scared Bert nearby into almost falling on the ground.
"A-A snake?" He took a few deep breaths.
"Is there a problem?" Cyril casually replied.
There were already a butterfly and a tiger cub here. Surely a snake wasn't anything too different?
"No, no." Bert quickly shook his head and distanced himself a bit further.
No longer paying him any attention, Cyril turned towards Atheris.
The serpent was staring at him with teary eyes, complaining with all her being.
"She doesn't want you to wear a necklace. Says it will be uncomfortable for her," Rhamn quickly translated from snake speak.
Cyril could only put the necklace back with a blank face.
Atheris happily flickered her forked tongue and disappeared again.
He had to choose a bracelet for his right arm instead.
...
After making this store a lot richer, they finally left this building.
Ophelia ended up paying for all of the magic items aside from that special ring. Though Bert even gave them a special discount.
They returned to the carriage and entered it.
With this, Cyril could finally take a breath of relief.
Now completely equipped with many expensive magic items, his mana regeneration rate became close to what it was before.
Still, this is not a good solution...
The academy didn't allow the use of magic items in its tests, and he couldn't just rely on outside forces to keep him alive.
"Try to find any medicine that can increase one's mana absorption rate. This is important," he said to Ophelia.
The maid nodded in response.
However, it was unlikely she managed to get one for him.
Potions or pills that increased a person's talent were incredibly rare, and having a lot of money didn't guarantee you'd find one.
"It's worth trying."
Maybe Myra will have an idea...
While thinking, he noticed that Ophelia was still standing near the carriage entrance.
"What is it?" She clearly wanted to say something.
Ophelia stretched out her palm, her face wearing a frown. "Can I please take a look at the platinum ring you received, Master?"
Cyril obliged her request with no problem, though he thought she already checked the ring in the store.
The maid took the ring and cast a few spells, twisting and turning the ring to observe it from all sides.
In the end she returned the ring back to him. The frown on her face deepened.
"Is there something wrong with it?" Confusedly asked Cyril,
Ophelia shook her head. "Nothing that I can discover, but I am worried..."
"That craftsman was too eager to give you this ring. I can't help but feel suspicious."
"He was only trying to save his friend from debts," Cyril argued.
Ophelia's face returned to her calm, "Perhaps. But I suggest you be careful, Master. There are many spells in this world, and none can claim to know every one."
"Fine, I'll show the ring to Margaret. If there is anything bad there, she will find it," Cyril helplessly said.
He didn't think there was anything wrong, but at the same time it took him no effort to check it, so why not be careful?
Finally Ophelia nodded, closed the door, and moved towards the driving seat.
Cyril still had classes today, and she needed to take him back to Ailanthus in time.
...
After surviving the road home, Cyril said goodbye to the cold maid and started walking towards the castle.
Rhamn walked by his side, finally at ease that their situation was resolved, for now.
"Hey, I can still make another creature," she said as a matter of fact.
Cyril stumbled a bit in his movements but quickly regained his calm.
Already? The Black Tulip is potent indeed... He nervously thought.
Rhamn joyfully chuckled in response, then shook her head, "Don't worry, I am not asking for another one right now. We still need to get used to Atheris."
Cyril nodded in agreement to her words, which caused a few of the students walking nearby to shoot him weird looks. Why was he talking to himself?
"I just wanted you to keep this in mind~"
Sure, sure.
...
Today was Monday, October 27th, just a few days before Hollowing.
Before entering the castle itself, Cyril stopped, remembering something important.
He still wasn't allowed bring any animals into the castle. And currently he was carrying 3 creatures on his body.
Because of how used he was to that feeling, Cyril forgot it for a moment.
So, Tigris and Morpho reluctantly left his shoulders, leaving only one new magic creature.
Atheris poked her head out, scaring the students around.
She stared with her teary-eyed look, attempting to use this surefire technique again.
This time, Cyril was defeated yet again. He didn't find it in his heart to deny her.
"Fine." No one should notice her anyway...
He turned towards Morpho and Tigris, who had a lot to say about such a decision.
"I am sorry, but she was just made. Have some patience for her as older siblings," he comforted them.
This immediately worked wonders for Tigris.
The mighty tiger, who was no longer the youngest, raised his chin up to the heavens and nodded, his whole body exuding magnanimity.
Morpho wasn't so easy to foo- to convince but she only fluttered her wings a few times as a complaint and left. She was sensible enough.
So, saying a short goodbye to the butterfly and the tiger, Cyril finally entered the castle.