Clad in a tattered cloak, so grimy and worn that its original color had long since been lost to time, Oliver walked through the streets of the small, remote settlement that was Mery, as if he were just another unremarkable caravan guard. His steps were casual, almost as if he had no particular destination.
Yes, that's right—this Oliver, the one so unremarkably strolling about, was the same esteemed Master Oliver, the powerful wizard who had been mentioned by Old Hawk with a great deal of reverence not long ago.
In Winner City, he was considered one of the upper-tier figures within the mage tower. Yet, instead of enjoying the comforts of that elevated status, he found himself here in the backwater town, far removed from the hustle and bustle of his usual life. All of this was because Old Hawk had paid a hefty sum to entice him out on this expedition.
The purpose? To support Old Hawk's plan—one that held the potential for a rather lucrative venture.
After all, Oliver was a fourth-level mage. While this might place him somewhere in the middle ranks in the mage tower of Winner City, in the wilds of the Great Wasteland, he was a figure to be reckoned with.
Mages were known to possess far superior combat abilities compared to warriors of the same level, thanks to their mastery over the elements. If properly prepared, a mage could easily handle two warriors of the same rank, effortlessly reducing them to ashes with a few powerful spells. And against ordinary humans or bandits, they were nearly invincible, capable of wiping out entire groups of enemies with nothing more than a flick of their wrist.
To have secured Oliver's services, Old Hawk had paid a steep price. Even if the wizard did nothing but accompany them on this journey, Old Hawk was still required to pay him a hundred gold coins, or the equivalent in magical materials. If Oliver were to get involved in a fight, the cost could range anywhere from five hundred to two thousand gold coins, depending on the severity of the situation.
This was precisely the reason Old Hawk had initially hesitated—he wasn't afraid of losing the battle, but rather of winning and still incurring a loss. However, the moment the two bags of "Ma Ying Long Musk Hemorrhoid Ointment" had come into his hands, that greed which had always simmered beneath the surface surged.
Finally, Old Hawk made up his mind. He would take action. And, of course, he had already promised Oliver that he would.
Thus, Oliver found himself idly wandering around the town, as was his habit before making any decision regarding combat. He was evaluating the layout, considering how best to sequence his spells in preparation for the potential conflict.
Strangely, he didn't feel the slightest shame in being involved in this kind of "mercenary" business. After all, even wizards had to make a living. There were expenses for travel, for materials, and even for keeping up a certain appearance, which included paying for one's staff, such as a maid.
As he walked through the town, Oliver couldn't help but notice something rather unusual. The place, though small and decrepit, had a certain cleanliness about it. The roads, buildings, and the faces of the residents—all of them bore a fresh vitality, a certain energy that Oliver rarely saw in such places.
This wasn't the usual squalor that plagued the wastelands. There was no rancid smell, no deadening stench of decay. Instead, the faces of the people were flushed with health, their eyes gleaming with a certain vibrance.
This unexpected sight left Oliver with a rather favorable impression of the town. Sadly, though, he had no intention of letting that positive opinion stand. He had plans to wipe this town off the map and take that mysterious half-elf girl with him back to Winner City for proper training. The discovery of her abilities had been an opportunity too great to ignore.
It was while he was lost in his thoughts, wandering the streets, that he saw her—an enchanting half-elf girl, a young child named Annie, as her mother had called her.
Beneath the sunlight, dressed in a delicate floral dress, she looked like an angel. But for Oliver, what stood out more was the subtle energy she emitted, a quiet yet undeniable connection to the elements.
This was no ordinary girl. There was something deeply magical about her. It was a rare and potent talent, likely a result of her strong elven heritage—a natural affinity for magic that could be nurtured and developed.
Unbeknownst to her, Oliver quietly passed by the girl, subtly flicking his finger. A small dusting of white crystal powder fell from his hand, shrouding her in a faint magical aura.
In the moment that the spell took effect, a flash of deep green crossed the girl's eyes. Oliver felt his heart skip a beat. The result was undeniable. This child had an extraordinary gift for plant-based magic, something rare, something immensely powerful. If he could take her on as an apprentice, the potential was limitless.
Oliver's mind raced. This was a gold mine, a continuous stream of wealth if he could harness her abilities. His decision was made in an instant—he would leave this town in ruins and take her with him, back to Winner City, to begin her training immediately.
However, life, as it often does, had a way of throwing obstacles in his path.
Just as he had imagined a bright future for himself, a great road paved in gold, Oliver suddenly found that this path was blocked by an unexpected force.
Before him, lounging lazily in the sun, was a massive ogre—a beast so large, it could easily outweigh three men combined. This wasn't just any ogre, though. This one had a single horn growing from its forehead, a sign that it was nearing its final stage of evolution.
Ordinarily, Oliver wouldn't have been the least bit worried. An ogre, even one of this size, could easily be destroyed with a few well-placed fireballs. But the horn—this horn signified something far more dangerous. The ogre had developed a high level of magical resistance, something that made it far more difficult to defeat with traditional magic.
Creatures like this, with high magical resistance, were the bane of mages. Oliver could feel the unease settle in his stomach. He'd have to be cautious.
And so, it was that Old Hawk, who had once been so eager to set his plans in motion, received a devastating message: Oliver had changed his mind and would not be participating in the raid after all.
For reasons unknown, the esteemed wizard had decided not to take action. And without the wizard's power to back him, Old Hawk reluctantly abandoned his plan to attack the town.
As the third day dawned, with almost every cart emptied, the Hawk caravan began its return to Winner City.
The townspeople, in high spirits after their successful trade, bid the caravan a warm farewell. With the supplies now in hand, Michael felt confident that he had provided the town with enough provisions to last. The residents were now able to enjoy a sense of security, and even Old Hawk's leftover supplies had left a sense of comfort in their hands.
As for Michael, he knew this would be the last time he would have the chance to stock up before the great undertaking in Detroit. There were still many things to prepare for—vehicles to modify, gear to gather, and most importantly, the materials needed for the upcoming excavation.
The next chapter of their journey had begun. The only thing left to do was to keep buying—buying as much as possible.