199: Exchange Hall

Exchange Hall

This unusual reaction stunned Vale momentarily since he had never seen Yvaine react like this.1

Although some exceptional practitioners could detect her presence, she had never shown any reaction from them at all. She remained unperturbed and would only speak or show any response if Vale was talking to her.

However, in front of this blind woman, the Dark Spirit appears greatly unsettled and planning to escape!

"Oh… Your Dark Spirt doesn't like my presence. Wait, let me fix that..." The blind woman spoke behind the counter as she took out an item in her drawer.

It seems this isn't the first time this has happened, as she instantly realized why Yvaine was acting like that.

Clink. Clink. Clink…

"Hmm?" Vale was surprised at the item that she just took out.

It is a silver handcuff with a long chain binding them together. The long binding chains were probably on purpose, so it wasn't affecting her hand movements.

This item was very unexpected, and Vale couldn't help but feel confused.

The blind woman smiled as she spoke after wearing them, "I have a strange physique and am naturally emitting a strong aura that disturbs all kinds of spirits. I need these cuffs to restrain that Aura."

"A strong aura? Is it similar to the Holy Aura?" Vale asked.

"You're right… Normally, students would have their Spirits and any of their summons inside a Mystical Item, so they won't be affected. However, your Dark Spirit is basically out in the open, so it can sense my Aura."

"With that Aura, you're probably a strong practitioner… May I know your name, Madam?" Vale asked.

Since she appears to be a middle-aged woman, Vale can easily guess that she's not a senior student. If that's the case, she can be an Academy Official or maybe even a professor teaching in the higher years.

"Just call me Manager Faith."

"Manager Faith… May I know if your Aura is really that Holy Aura? How come you were able to possess it? Furthermore, you're inside the Dark Arts Academy…" Vale asked as he approached the woman.

At this time, Yvaine has already calmed down after the Manager wore that handcuff.

Manager Faith showed a gentle smile as she was somewhat expecting such a question.

"It's a long story, but this Aura is indeed the Holy Aura you're aware of, and it isn't something I'm born with."

She refuses to elaborate on her story, so Vale can only accept it as he goes down to his business. He started mentioning the materials he needed and requested to see what materials he could exchange using his current contribution points.

"So you're looking for a single bottle of Darkness Possession Potion and a Lightning Pearl. Let me first check our inventory." Manager Faith said, but her eyes remained closed as she opened the book on her desk. Vale couldn't help but comment on it.

"Can you read it, Manager Faith?"

The latter smiled at the question she would always hear.

"Of course… I have another eye." She mysteriously answered as she flipped the pages of the book.

Vale had no clue what the other eye was, but he decided not to probe further as it may seem rude to investigate her.

"Alright, we still have 16 Bottles of Darkness Possession Potion. You can exchange one contribution point for three of these potions. As for the Lightning Pearl, there are only two of them left, and you can use one Contribution Point to trade these two."

"Mhm… I only need one Darkness Possession Potion, Manager Faith. It's the same for the Lightning Pearl."

"You can't have that. You have to purchase the bundle that we have."

Vale smiled helplessly at this rule. Since he had no other sources of these materials, he can only agree as he spent two Contribution Points to get the three bottles of potion and the two lightning pearls.

They quickly completed the transaction, and Manager Faith handed over a small booklet to Vale.

It contains the items he could exchange for his Contribution Points.

However, as Vale received the booklet, their fingers touched slightly and to his astonishment, the system notification popped up!

[ Living Human has been discovered. Would you like to start the extraction? ]

His eyes widened as he swiftly retracted his hand. Now that he thinks about it, his upgraded system allows him to extract living beings!

The upgrade hadn't properly registered in his mind until now, so he was shocked by the sudden notification.

This was such a scary ability!

"Are you alright?" Manager Faith asked after noticing Vale's expression.

Vale took a deep breath as he calmed himself from the shock. The notification has already disappeared, so it appears that he has to remain in contact with his target to extract their attributes or whatever he can extract from them. 

"I'm fine, Manager Faith. Thank you… I just recalled that I have something to do. Can I keep this booklet?" Vale asked.

He also noticed that Manager Faith kept about 20 or so of this booklet inside her drawer, so he decided to ask.

"Yes, you can have it. However, that list is already six months old…" Manager Faith replied.

"Eh? It's not the latest?" Vale asked in surprise.

"Yes… Tell that to the Publishing Committee. They're only printing copies every six months or so… They said the next copy would be provided in the first week of January. In any case, if you want something, just let me know, and I'll check their availability."

"I see. Thank you for letting me know, Manager."

"Mhmm. Most of the items that are quickly being depleted are those ceremonial materials and potion ingredients. As for the Mystical Items, they won't be sold so easily, so you can still use that booklet."

Vale nodded at this and thanked the Manager once more before leaving the place.

He also felt terrible for her wearing the silver handcuff because of Yvaine, so he just quickly left so she could remove it already.

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