“Special foods suitable for Class holders do indeed exist. Usually, it is either ‘magical beast meat’ or ‘nutritional potions’.”
“Magical beast meat contains pure life energy and can quickly replenish physical energy, which is determined by the magical beast's rank. As for nutritional potions, I'm not too sure. I've never drunk them either; those are rare things exclusive to established nobles.”
“However...”
He shifted his tone.
“Magical beasts and monsters are two different things, so don't get them confused. The simplest difference is that most magical beasts possess animal characteristics, like the Shadow Wolf.”
“That is also a magical beast, but its rank is not high, and the life energy contained in its body isn't much, barely meeting the needs of a Black Iron Rank Class holder.”
“Monsters, on the other hand, usually refer to creatures twisted by mana corruption. Their forms are stranger, like goblins or kobolds. Their meat often contains impurities or toxins, making it unsuitable for direct consumption.”
After listening, the doubts in Matthew's heart were resolved, but new questions quietly surfaced.
Frowning slightly, he pressed further, “Instructor, if magical beast meat is so important to Class holders, why haven't I seen any for sale in the guild or the black market?”
Hearing this, Instructor Calm chuckled softly, seemingly unsurprised by his sharpness.
He picked up the earthenware cup on the table, took a sip of water, and then slowly explained:
“There are two reasons.”
“First is the supply. Most magical beasts inhabit forests and wildernesses, making them difficult to hunt. It requires professional Class holders to do so. And since they are Class holders, their need for money isn't that desperate, so naturally, not much circulates in the market.”
“Second, Anda Town is just a small place. The resident Class holders here can be counted on one hand, and most of them remain at the early or mid stage of the Black Iron Rank. Even Brass Rank experts are rare, so naturally, the demand for magical beast meat is limited. As for those who truly have a stable demand and the financial capacity to pay—such as established nobles, large merchant groups, or powerful groups of Class holders—they usually have their own exclusive hunting squads.”
“Therefore, under such a cycle, magical beast meat never flows into the open market of a border town like ours.”
Looking at Matthew's thoughtful expression, Calm added:
“Even if an adventurer occasionally gets lucky and hunts a magical beast, they would mostly choose to process it quickly on the spot for their own consumption to replenish their energy, or sell it directly to peers they know who need it.”
After listening, the last of the fog in Matthew's mind completely cleared.
As he was calculating in his mind which magical beast he should target next, Instructor Calm suddenly shifted the topic, sizing him up with interest.
“Having said all that, don't you want to taste some? Test its energy-replenishing effects?”
Matthew's eyes lit up, and he nodded honestly. “I certainly do, hearing you put it that way, Instructor. If I could get some, it should be of great benefit to my training in breathing techniques and combat techniques.”
“Alright!”
Calm agreed readily.
“Coincidentally, an old buddy of mine might get some stock from Grey Rock Town in a while. I reckon it'll be the meat of a low-level Steel-Maned Boar or Iron-Backed Lynx. The energy is relatively mild, suitable for your current stage. When the time comes, I'll set aside four or five pounds for you.”
“Speaking of which, I haven't eaten it in a long time either. This is just a stroke of good timing.”
With that, Calm's gaze drifted away, as if he were reminiscing about something.
At this moment, Matthew did not notice anything unusual about the instructor. He thanked him solemnly, “Thank you, Instructor!”
Five pounds of magical beast meat!
As expected of a Brass Rank expert, his channels for acquiring resources were on a completely different level.
Furthermore, this would undoubtedly be a powerful support for his practice of 【Melting Slash】. It was practically laying bricks and mortar for his path through the Black Iron Rank!
But he quickly thought of a practical question and asked with a serious expression:
“Then... Instructor, about how much does this magical beast meat cost? I can't take yours for nothing.”
Hearing this, Calm withdrew his gaze from his distant memories and refocused on the youth before him.
Seeing the youth's serious expression, he didn't hide anything. “For this kind of low-level magical beast meat, in our Anda Town, it's about thirty silver coins per pound.”
He paused and added, “This price depends on the location. Among the Three Friendly Towns, Anda Town has the fewest Class holders, and those in the surrounding areas who can stably hunt magical beasts are as rare as phoenix feathers. The supply is tight. Although the demand isn't high, the goods are even scarcer, so this meat is naturally sold at the highest price. Once the goods arrive, I'll give you the specific weight and price. It won't be too late to pay then.”
Thirty silver coins a pound!
Matthew calculated quickly in his head.
Five pounds would be one hundred and fifty silver coins!
He currently had about ten gold coins in total, so spending a tenth of it all at once was acceptable.
“I understand, Instructor. I'll pay you when the magical beast meat arrives.”
Matthew continued,
“However, please accept these three gold coins first.”
His expression was sincere, without the slightest reluctance. “Instructor, these are the three gold coins you lent me last time. Now that my hands are a bit freer, I should repay you first.”
With that, he gently pushed the three gold coins to the center of the stone table.
Instructor Calm looked at the coins, then raised his eyes to look at the seriousness and openness on the youth's face. He nodded slightly and did not refuse.
“Alright.”
Seeing this, Matthew also felt a weight lift from his mind. Repaying this money settled a matter close to his heart.
And those three gold coins had been crucial. Without them, he wouldn't even know how long he would have had to wait for his Green bow.
Calm put away the money, and the conversation returned to business.
“Don't worry about the magical beast meat; I'll notify you when it arrives. Also, there's some progress regarding the weapon.”
“At the earliest, a month; at the latest, after spring begins, we'll be able to get it.”
“Thank you for nurturing me, Instructor!” Matthew immediately expressed his loyalty, a wave of indescribable joy surging in his heart.
Afterward, the two chatted about the species, habits, habitats, and how to judge the danger level of magical beasts. Matthew asked most of the questions, and Instructor Calm answered them patiently.
The silhouette of the setting sun gradually sank toward the western plains, dyeing the sky in a brilliant display of orange and deep purple, casting long, slanted shadows of the stone house and courtyard walls.
“Go back and rest well. Consolidate what you've gained over the past few days,” Instructor Calm said, not keeping him any longer, only offering a final piece of advice.
“Remember what I said: only go to the forest after you've advanced to a Class holder.”
“Understood, Instructor.”
Matthew responded respectfully, turned, and left the instructor's small courtyard.
He naturally wouldn't be foolish enough to go to such a dangerous place and throw his life away before he possessed absolute strength.
At the same time, Matthew planned to wait until he reached the Black Iron Rank before discussing with the instructor whether they should visit the kobold nest together.
Everything had to be guided by stability.
Rate on N.U.
