Chapter 6
From its appearance, it was clearly an item from about two hundred years ago, but nothing beyond that could be determined.
This was because its magic and formulas differed from those currently in use.
‘We could just overwhelm it with superior magical power, but only the Guild Master is capable of that…’
And right now, that Guild Master was… on a year-long wandering journey with the excuse of ‘finding interesting items.’
“What am I supposed to do with this!”
BANG!
Just as Elize slammed her desk in frustration,
The footman, who had opened the door to Elize’s office, froze in shock.
“M-Miss Elize…? Should I come back later…?”
Elize struggled to compose herself.
“No. Report. What is it?”
“Ah… did you perhaps post a recruitment notice for appraisers?”
“What are you talking about?”
When irritation crossed Elize’s face, the footman immediately shrank back.
“Someone came looking to work as an appraiser…”
“Our recruitment period has already ended. Don’t you know that?”
“I’m sorry! I’ll send her away immediately!”
I shouldn’t have trusted my instincts after all.
Just as the footman was about to turn away with a dejected expression—
“Wait.”
Elize stopped him. She fell into thought for a moment.
Currently, Sophs Appraisal House was in a situation where every magician was precious.
‘Who knows? They might be able to open that damned box.’
The absent Guild Master used to always say:
‘You never know when fate will come knocking.’
‘Grab it when it does.’
‘Or you’ll beat the ground in regret.’
“…I’ll go down myself. Show me the way.”
* * *
When Elize arrived at the first floor, she immediately spotted the woman the footman had mentioned.
From the shabby robe alone, she was clearly not an ordinary customer.
‘Mustn’t be swayed by appearances. Magicians are eccentric and temperamental.’
Elize pulled out a pendulum necklace from her chest and aimed it at the woman.
This pendulum, made from a rose-cut sapphire, was personally crafted by the Guild Master, an exceptional magician.
Its ability was to detect the magical power of others.
The stronger the target, the more magical power they possessed, the greater the pendulum’s oscillation.
“…”
However, the pendulum showed no movement whatsoever toward the woman before her.
“…Tch.”
What a waste of time after all.
“Send her away. Politely.”
“Yes.”
The footman, who had inadvertently ended up disturbing his superior, hurried toward the woman.
The woman was examining the decorative items displayed on the appraisal house’s walls, showing no sign of wariness.
‘Probably won’t see them again.’
Just as Elize was turning away, tucking her hair behind her ear—
“Fake. Fake. Fake…. Oh, this one’s real? For ceremonies…?”
The woman’s muttering caught her ear.
That single comment made Elize freeze.
‘What did she say?’
Elize quickly turned back, looking at the woman with disbelieving eyes. Goosebumps had already risen on her arms.
‘How did she know?’
The first floor of Sophs Appraisal House displayed decorative items under glass cases, museum-style.
Naturally, nine out of ten were fake. Visitors only gave them cursory glances, knowing they were replicas.
But among them, just one.
Was real.
The ‘Chalice of Floods,’ an ancient relic.
Though its value was immeasurable for its ability to summon floods at will, outwardly it appeared to be nothing more than a crude plate.
‘Yet she recognized it? And thinking it’s for ceremonies means she even knows it’s the Chalice of Floods!’
Elize recalled her conversation with the Guild Master.
‘Guild Master, why do you keep such a precious item in the lobby where people constantly come and go? What if someone steals it!’
‘You worry too much, Elize. Who would recognize this? A treasure is only a treasure to those who can recognize it.’
‘So you’re putting it here hoping someone will recognize and steal it?’
‘Well? If someone who isn’t even a sage can recognize it, we’ll let them steal it, catch them, and work them to the bone.’
‘…’
Back then she had recoiled at such a wicked statement, but now was different.
Elize quickly approached the visitor. The footman was in the process of showing the woman out as ordered.
“Please lea—”
“Wait!”
Elize stopped him with an almost shriek.
The robed woman noticed Elize and turned her head.
Elize was silently shocked.
‘She’s younger than I expected?’
Though her face was hidden under a loose hat, the slender jaw and light rose-colored lips were enough to show she was strikingly beautiful.
‘Magical power… still none.’
The pendulum remained quiet.
Nevertheless, Elize spoke politely.
“Our plans have changed. You said you wanted to work as an appraiser at our Sophs Appraisal House?”
“…”
“Miss?”
“Ah. Yes.”
The woman answered as if amused.
The fact that she couldn’t read the other’s eyes due to the robe gave Elize a strange sense of pressure.
But Elize maintained her dignified manner and nodded.
“Please follow me. I’ll serve you some tea.”
* * *
The woman introduced herself as Elize Barrett, Deputy Guild Master of Sophs Appraisal House.
After seating Baeksan on the sofa, she disappeared somewhere, saying she would bring tea.
Soon she returned with a tray.
Baeksan, who had absently looked at the tray, couldn’t help but smile.
Three teapots sat on the tray.
All three had flowers and birds painted in blue dye, with identical designs down to the smallest detail.
“Please choose whichever you prefer.”
Elize said with a gentle smile.
‘How cute.’
Smirking, Baeksan quietly examined the teapots. Windows appeared in the order their gaze fell:
[Teapot]
A teapot produced by ‘Seidia,’ which makes mid-range tableware, copying ‘Vaizan’s’ design. Production ceased after criticism for excessive similarity.
[Vaizan Teapot]
A vintage teapot from ‘Vaizan,’ which supplies tableware to the imperial family. Though 90 years old, it’s extremely well preserved.
[Teapot]
A cheap teapot copying ‘Vaizan’s’ design. Differs in subtle patterns and flow lines.
Baeksan shrugged and spoke.
“I’ll take the middle one. Old things seem prettier, after all. Though I suppose 90 years isn’t that old.”
A glint flashed and disappeared in Elize’s amber eyes. She smoothly continued the conversation.
“Yes. I’ll prepare this one. Would Ashu First Flush tea leaves be acceptable?”
As she spoke, she showed a container of tea leaves.
[Ashu Tea Leaves: Second Flush]
Made from Ashu leaves picked before full bloom, before summer arrives. Lower grade than First Flush.
Baeksan smiled gently.
“Haven’t you brought the wrong container? This isn’t the First Flush I know.”
“Oh my. I made a mistake.”
Elize went somewhere again and returned.
[Ashu Tea Leaves: First Flush]
Tender Ashu leaves picked before the spring rain. A premium grade with limited production.
“This will do.”
Baeksan spoke immediately after glancing at the tea container.
Only then did Elize silently begin brewing the tea.
For a while, silence and steam filled the room.
After taking a sip of tea, Elize asked sharply.
“Are you a magician?”
“No.”
“Then do you have an appraiser’s qualification certificate?”
“Is that required for employment?”
“Not necessarily. If you have sufficient ability.”
“I do.”
“…”
One of Elize’s eyebrows rose. She seemed to be wondering what gave such confidence.
‘But it’s true.’
Even now, Baeksan could see it. The description of every object in the room.
People were no exception.
[Elize Barrett]
Deputy Guild Master of Sophs Appraisal House. Extremely flustered by the unexpectedly outstanding ability of the sudden applicant.
Baeksan lowered their voice and spoke.
“Deputy Guild Master. I dislike taking roundabout paths.”
