Kael smiled, one eyebrow lifting ever so slightly as he looked at Phoebe's sudden shift in tone.
Of course she would want an Arcane Class Mana Crystal…
His thoughts drifted briefly to the hierarchy of crystals each one a rung in the cosmic ladder of magic:
1. Faint Crystal – enough mana to light a candle.
2. Dull Crystal – low-grade, powers basic healing.
3. Minor Crystal – used by apprentices.
4. Refined Crystal – standard for mages in light combat.
5. Greater Crystal – elite-tier, stores mid-tier spells.
6. Arcane Crystal – rare, dungeon-born, stores and enhances high-level elemental spells.
7. Royal Crystal – kingdom-class energy.
8–15... – Mythic, Astral, Primordial... each one beyond comprehension, flirting with godhood.
Kael chuckled quietly, then turned to face her fully.
His coat shifted slightly as he raised one hand.
> "Sure," he said smoothly, "I'll give you the Arcane Crystal if you fulfill my wish."
Phoebe blinked, ears twitching subtly. "Wish?"
"Speaking of which…" Kael said, folding his arms, "Why do you even need something so powerful?"
The confident shine in her eyes dimmed slightly.
She hesitated.
Then she exhaled slowly, her voice soft.
"Ever since my mom died, my sister's been… different. She chased power, obsessed over revenge. Tried every forbidden ritual, every cursed relic. She overdosed on corrupted mana trying to summon something that could avenge Mom."
Her eyes lowered.
"She's been comatose for months now mana poisoning's eaten away at her core. But I've run simulations… if I had a crystal like that pure enough, strong enough it could stabilize her long enough for treatment to work."
Kael was quiet for a moment, then nodded.
"I'm sorry for your loss," he said sincerely. "And I'll give you the Arcane Crystal."
Phoebe looked up quickly, surprised.
"But," Kael added, stepping forward, "my condition is simple. I need you to teach me how to draw magic circles."
Phoebe's mouth opened slightly, eyes wide.
"Wait… what?" she said, stunned.
Her expression was a mix of disbelief and curiosity.
Kael's red eyes gleamed.