Chapter 14: The Final Element and the Broker's Edge
Mark sat in the massive, echoing lecture hall of the Royal Academy, a small, unassuming figure in the back row. The esteemed lecturer was detailing the complex conservation principles of Water Elemental Energy, but for Mark, the experience was less an education and more a high-speed data download.
His Intelligence 20 and Advanced Analysis (Lvl 2) skill were a phenomenal tag team. As the elderly professor filled the blackboard with arcane diagrams and equations, Jarvis was actively filtering the information, prioritizing the core principles of channeling, storage, and flow—the exact mechanics needed for the Core activation.
"Host, three hours of data input complete. The remaining two weeks of lectures contain only redundant theoretical proof. Necessary practical data for Tidal Flow Casting (Lvl 1) acquired. We have optimized 40 hours of lecture material into 4 hours of core knowledge."
Mark quietly closed his notes, his mind crystal clear. He had paid 35 Silver Shillings for two weeks of class, but used only one morning. He had purchased a syllabus, not a lesson plan.
"We are done here, Jarvis. Let's go. I've never been a fan of redundant theoretical proof."
He slipped out of the lecture hall, leaving the room full of earnest students diligently copying notes. Mark was already practicing the mental exercises taught by the professor, visualizing the flow of the River Tine and gently commanding the condensation on a stone pillar to move. He felt the element respond—not with power, but with soft, subtle obedience.
[Skill Acquired: Tidal Flow Casting (Lvl 1)]
Grants the ability to manipulate small volumes of ambient water for utility and precise control.
[Elemental Proficiency: Water: 10% (Basic)]
Remaining Capital: 105 SS - 35 SS = 70 Silver Shillings.
The final element needed was Earth. Unlike Fire or Water, the Earth element was not something Mark could learn through brute force or theory. It required a physical link—a catalyst.
Mark proceeded to the Elemental Market in the Merchant Quarter—a glittering, chaotic bazaar where raw magical components were traded. The air here vibrated with latent energy.
He targeted a stall specializing in geological components, manned by a sharp-featured woman named Fenna, whose eyes quickly appraised Mark's new clothes and calm demeanor.
"I require a Crystalline Earth Core Catalyst," Mark stated simply. "Mid-grade purity. Specifically, one that can accept a stable transfer of ambient energy without fracturing."
Fenna looked impressed by the jargon. "A serious item for a serious price, Master Broker. They are rare. I have exactly one. It's perfect for stabilizing elemental transference. I sell it for 80 Silver Shillings."
Mark raised an eyebrow. The price was deliberately inflated—Jarvis had estimated the fair market value at 50 SS.
"Host, deploy Basic Negotiation (Lvl 2). Counter-offer is 55 SS. Leverage: Transparency and Time Constraint."
Mark crossed his arms, letting his enhanced Master Broker presence do the work.
"Eighty shillings is the price for a fool, Fenna. You and I both know the elemental core market is slow this time of year, and this piece, while quality, has a residual impurity that lowers its resonance by 10% below peak grade. I offer you 55 Silver Shillings—cash now, clean, and without the hassle of a Guild inspection."
Fenna's eyes narrowed. Mark had not only correctly identified the residual impurity—a flaw she usually hid—but had called her bluff on the sluggish market. She saw the confidence in his gaze; he was not desperate.
"You have a sharp eye, Broker. Fifty-five is acceptable. But if you're trying to use this in a combat situation, you'll be disappointed. It's a focus tool, not a weapon."
Mark counted out 55 SS, ignoring the pain of watching his capital vanish. "I am not interested in combat, Fenna. I am interested in logistics."
He secured the catalyst—a smooth, fist-sized piece of opaque amber stone—and tucked it into his pouch.
Remaining Capital: 70 SS - 55 SS = 15 Silver Shillings.
Back in his room, Mark arranged his inventory. He had the Binding Oath Translation, the Pyre Casting (Fire) skill, the Tidal Flow Casting (Water) skill, and the Earth Catalyst.
He sat on the floor, holding the catalyst in his left hand, closing his eyes. He focused on the raw, stabilizing power he had felt during the Stone Skin activation. Now, instead of drawing the energy from his own body, he began channeling it through the amber stone.
"Elemental Focus (Lvl 1) engaged. The catalyst provides a stable grounding point. Channeling ambient Earth energy through the stone for transference into the host's body."
The process was slow, patient, and less painful than Ignis's fire training. Over the next two days, Mark repeatedly practiced channeling, transforming his existing Basic Stone Skin skill from a defensive reflex into a deliberate, controllable action.
[Skill Upgrade: Basic Stone Skin (Lvl 1 → Lvl 2)]
Defense rating increased. Duration increased to 10 minutes. Can now be cast onto external materials.
[Elemental Proficiency: Earth: 10% (Basic)]
Mark stood up, flexing his hand. He now commanded the three elements required for Project Prometheus: Fire (Force), Water (Precision), and Earth (Stability).
"Jarvis. Fire, Water, Earth—acquired. Binding Oath—translated. Capital—depleted. We have 15 Silver Shillings left. We are ready."
"Affirmative, Host. Project Prometheus is now entering its final phase: Vessel Acquisition. The activation of the Foundation Core requires the simultaneous convergence of the three elements at the Obelisk's structural vents. You cannot hold and cast three separate elements at once."
"So, I need a single vessel that can contain and merge all three energies," Mark deduced, his Master Broker mind already racing. "Something with a triple-elemental affinity. That sounds expensive. And highly illegal."
"Correct. The only known stable vessel capable of fusing those three raw elements is a Tri-Weave Reliquary. This is a banned Tier 3 artifact, highly sought after by the Black Market. It is currently held in the vault of The Obsidian Gallery—the most prestigious (and corrupt) art dealer in the city."
"The Obsidian Gallery… they won't sell a Tier 3 artifact for 15 shillings, Jarvis." Mark leaned against the wall, a new, complex problem replacing the previous ones. "This isn't a negotiation or a translation. This requires high-stakes Espionage and Acquisition."
"Affirmative. The Master Broker Class's true power is not found in buying, but in leveraging information against assets. The Obsidian Gallery's owner, Vassal Thorne, is vulnerable. The System has detected a high-value piece of information within the Tablet's Dwarven Bank Manifest that, if leaked, would destroy Thorne's reputation and access to the city's elite. He can be blackmailed."
Mark's eyes gleamed with a cold, ruthless resolve. The trash man was gone. He was now a Master Broker about to execute his first major act of high-stakes, informational warfare.
"Jarvis. Get me everything on Vassal Thorne and his connection to the Dwarven Bank Manifest. We don't buy the Reliquary; we trade the secret for it."