Enigma of Sin

Kayn spent the next half hour rummaging through both the library and the treasury inside the Villa. He had looked through everything once before, but didn't pay too much attention to the details of the books and various items unless they could help him currently.

He had a decent amount of legendary tier 5 items, however, he didn't believe that Charlotte would be interested in any of them. Letting his head drop in disappointment, he grabbed a round piece of engraved metal from a shelf and placed it into his pocket. This item was only an uncommon grade item, but it would hopefully help him in this case.

'I guess my only option is that huh?' Kayn thought to himself as he exited the Wanderer's Villa to return to Charlotte.

"I apologize that took so long, but I was having difficulty finding something that might interest you. Unfortunately, I only have one thing I can truly offer you, but I would like to start out by presenting you with something." Kayn once again pulled out the piece of metal and used Analyze on it one more time for confirmation.

[Insignia of Auria Charmaine, the Golden Phoenix (Uncommon): Grants the owner a single favor from the Golden Phoenix when presented.]

After handing it over to Charlotte, her eyes widened in shock, "How did you get this…wait, don't tell me that old rock gave you this before he left?"

"Mmm, left behind is more correct as he didn't give me this specifically." Kayn replied.

"Don't think this will make me pass over this artifact set to you. The favor was for him, not you, not to mention I wouldn't have even given it to him for this." Charlotte was slightly upset that Kayn thought she would give in just like that.

"Ah, don't take this the wrong way please. I was only using it to hopefully be seen in a more favorable light for when I make my offer as it's a little special. You had stated you would only trade for items, spells, or knowledge of equal worth. Frankly, I have nothing to offer you material wise that is anywhere close to that set, but I do have an offer to make."

Kayn had to pause here and steel his resolve a little. He would be taking a massive leap of faith and a risk, but the Garments of the Shadow Phoenix set was 100% worth it in his eyes.

This gear would last him a very long time and he wouldn't have to replace it unless he somehow ruined it, but he doubted that would happen. Even if he hadn't been able to read the special characteristics of the pieces, he knew they were extraordinary just by glancing at them.

"What I'm offering is to allow you full access to examining my body and core and even providing samples if you so desire. I can guarantee you that you've never seen a core like mine. I will even explain the process to you so that you can document it as long as you do so in a cryptic style in the case you lose it somehow. This is one of my most closely guarded secrets after all."

A skeptical look appeared on Charlotte's face, "While I am interested in your core, aside from it being attuned to every element, I don't see how this offer comes anywhere close to what you want in return. I've already seen the layout of your core and mana pathways during the academy testing, and whilst impressive, there was nothing special about it."

Kayn couldn't help but lightly chortle, "Charlotte, or shall I call you Lady Charmaine, what you saw was nothing but an illusion of my own making. More accurately, that's what my mana system used to appear as, not anymore though. As a sign of goodwill, I will give you a glimpse."

Kayn raised his hand before emitting a life-sized hologram of his Demonic Dragon Heart in the air as well as the main components of the circulatory system. Charlotte felt even more stupefied at this point, "The heart and blood circulation system, how does this relate to what you think is worth offering in exchange for the item set?"

"This is my core and mana circulatory system." Kayn smiled as even he knew he was being a smartass since he wasn't explaining things in detail. But if he gave it all away, then how was he supposed to make a trade with the information?

"I don't understand, you're saying that your heart is actually your mana core?" Charlotte asked for confirmation.

"Precisely!" Kayn stated as he saw eagerness begin to appear in Charlotte's eyes. "As you know, I didn't lie just now, and this isn't another trick trying to test the abilities of your eyes again. Typically, mages are restricted by having their mana stored in one place and pushing it out using a spell that follows a set pathway, manifesting a specific result.

"For me though, mana is always flowing through me. Each and every single cell in my body is nourished with the mana constantly circulating around it. While my core, or what I call Demonic Dragon Heart, does store the majority of my mana and also functions as the core of my blood circulatory system, my mana is not just restricted to the typical preconceived notions of spell casting. I won't give you more information about it unless you agree to the trade though." 

'Hook, line, and sinker.' Kayn thought to himself as Charlotte had a deeply contemplative look on her face.

"I would like to perform a core examination before I agree or not." Charlotte stated her terms.

"I can agree to this. However, it must be the Core Visualizer spell that is usually used on newer mages to examine the core within the dantian, allowing the caster to see the core sitting in the person's body.

"If I sense your mana explore anywhere other than that spot, I will consider our deal, the mission, and relationship over and done with." Kayn spoke as he wasn't going to be a pushover, even if he badly wanted the Garments.

Nodding her head, Charlotte approached Kayn and he lifted his shirt so that she could have direct contact with the area below his sternum. Charlotte didn't cast her spell out loud like most do, but shortly after Kayn felt her mana enter into his body, surrounding the area where his core used to sit.

Seeing that there was nothing there, Charlotte almost made the mistake to cast her own core diagnostic spell that would cover his whole body, but remembering his words she was able to stop herself.

Calming down her beating heart at her first new discovery in over two hundred thousand years, she closed her eyes and rubbed her chin, finally taking Kayn's offer seriously.

If what he was saying was all true, which her eyes said they were, then what this boy had achieved was incomprehensible.

She wanted to examine it! She wanted to know how! She wanted to know everything about the process! This could help her finally make the progress she was hoping to before she ascended.

"I agree, under the conditions you tell me everything about it and let me spend a thorough amount of time examining you. I would also like you to tell me how you healed Yvaris.

"In addition, I will still allow you to select one of the tier 3 or 4 items from my stock in exchange for the insignia in your possession. Tier 5 will be off the table for obvious reasons as the insignia was never meant for you in the first place."

Kayn inwardly pumped his fist, as he also wanted to use this opportunity to have someone with far more experience than him weigh in on his procedure. If they combined their knowledge, he may even be able to improve his Demonic Dragon Heart even further!

Not wasting any time, Kayn also reached out and grabbed a specific item from the pile. It was a small silver bracelet made of an intricate vine weave design. This was the artifact he was going to pick, but it wasn't for himself.

[Zephyrian Bangle (Epic): A bracelet crafted from Storm Ore. Enchanted and inscribed with the core of a Wind Roc.

-Enhances the power of wind type spells applied to ranged weaponry by the wearer by 50%.

-Enhances all buff type wind spells applied to the wearer by 10%.

-Enhances casting speed of all wind type spells by 15%.

-(Swiftness-passive): Increases the dexterity and movement speed of actions made by the user by 5%.]

Kayn once again confirmed the effects of the bracelet. This would become an incredible boon for Kinzie, not to mention an amazing gift when he found the right time to give it to her.

"Interesting choice, I didn't expect that to be your fighting style. Regardless, now that you have made your choice and we have come to an agreement, the Garments are yours." Charlotte slid the box Kayn had been waiting to receive towards his side of the table. "The details of the items are all written on a parchment at the bottom of the box."

Charlotte once again moved towards Kayn, but this time with a scary look on her face, "Before we discuss details about the mission, I need to sate my curiosity by doing an initial examination."

Kayn could only smile nervously and nod his head. He laid down flat on the couch while also removing his upper garments so she would have access to his skin easily. Just as she placed her hand and started, Kayn noticed a slight glow coming from one of his pockets.

Kayn only glanced at Charlotte and noticing that she was engrossed in her work examining him, he figured she wouldn't mind so he answered Kinzie's call.

"Hey Kinz. How was your day?" Kayn spoke as soon as he answered the call, however…

"Kayn, please stop moving. If I want to do things properly, I need you to not move around so much. Try to keep your breathing smooth as well since it will make things easier the first time." Charlotte spoke without even looking up at him.

"…Kayn…Who is that?" Kinzie questioned in a very accusatory voice.

'Ah, fuck.' Kayn thought to himself, but what he said was "She is the leader of the local White Hand Society. We're collaborating on a project and she wanted to examine my core in the meantime." Kayn was as honest as he could be without revealing too much.

"I see…Seeing as how you're busy and I also have stuff to do, I'll go. Night." With her short reply, she instantly disconnected the call.

Kayn couldn't help but lament on his luck. Maybe he should have waited until Charlotte was done and called Kinzie back, hindsight was always 20-20.

'I really need to get more male acquaintances to ease Kinzie's heart.'