Cedric pulled a low-grade mana stone from his pocket, the faint blue light humming in his palm. He dropped it onto the counter with a dull clink, then reached over and plucked one of the tomatoes from the wooden shelf.
"Alright then," Cedric said, his voice edged with scorn. "If your claims aren't lies, let's see it. Show me how this tomato is worth more than a mana stone."
Rowen's eyes flicked to the stone, then back to Cedric. He didn't flinch. Instead, he slowly nodded, as if he had expected something like this all along.
Marn frowned but didn't interrupt. Talia crossed her arms, watching closely, her expression unreadable.
The shop grew quieter as Cedric held the tomato in his hand. Even Alric, who had been sneering moments before, leaned in slightly, curious despite himself.
Cedric sank his teeth into the tomato with a sharp crunch. Juice burst out, running down his throat in a messy streak.
