The Legendary Method Actor

Ray's announcement in the suite that they are going home hung in the air.

Rina's eyes were wide, completely shocked, but a massive, hopeful smile was already breaking across her face.

"Home? Young master... are we really going home?"

"We are, however, I must clarify that it is only temporary. We will need to return to the Academy to continue my studies eventually."

Ray confirmed and explained.

Rina practically vibrated with excitement, though the logistical reality quickly caught up with her. She frowned, her expression mirroring the exact confusion Cassian and Eliza had displayed earlier.

"But young master, what about your classes? We are right in the middle of the academic term. The professors will never allow a 1st-Circle Novice to simply leave for an extended period."

Ray sighed softly. It was the third time today he had to explain this.

"My classes have already been taken care of, Rina. I spent the last couple of hours taking my final examinations early. I have secured official exemptions for the remainder of the year, and I have explicitly received Headmaster Andrade's permission to leave the academy."

Hearing that the terrifying Headmaster had personally authorized the trip, the reality finally sank in. Rina clapped her hands together, letting out a small squeal of pure joy. Then, she looked past Ray, her eyes landing on the towering Gold Aegis standing quietly by the door.

"Is the big guy coming with us?"

Rina asked.

Ray turned to look at Svane.

"That is a valid question. Svane, I understand that your official mandate from the headmaster to protect me, technically only covers within the Academy demi-plane…"

"I am coming, I have already accompanied you outside the academy demi-plane when we ventured to the Iron-Wake Domain. I will simply file a formal extended 'field exercise' request with the Headmaster today. It is not an issue. I will definitely go with you."

Svane interrupted, his deep voice rumbling through the room.

Svane looked at the young Novice, keeping his thoughts carefully guarded.

Since I started being the bodyguard of my lord, the things I had witnessed my lord accomplished defied all logic and reason.

He thought back to their brutal encounter with the legendary Argent Hand operative known as ‘K’.

When death had seemed certain, it was my lord who had stepped into the fray and turned the tide. The young lord had been the absolute key to outmaneuvering the legendary operative, ultimately defeating "K" and forcing the operative into a desperate retreat, an act that had directly saved my life. But my lord's terrifying combat prowess was only half the mystery.

Svane took a slow breath, marveling at the complete absence of the crippling, decades-old injury that used to haunt his every movement.

My lord hadn't just miraculously healed an old injury he had reached in and unlocked my stagnant potential. By shattering those physical bottlenecks, my lord had single-handedly paved the way for my promotion from a Silver Aegis to a Gold Aegis. Between those life-altering miracles and the countless other impossible feats I had witnessed. I am left with curiosity. What kind of terrifying, harsh environment produced a genius like my lord Ray Croft?

The Gold Aegis wanted to see the Greywood Domain with his own eyes.

"I am glad to hear it."

Ray said, genuinely pleased that he wouldn't have to navigate the outside world without his heavy-hitting vanguard.

"I need to make some arrangements, my lord. I will now go and formally notify the Headmaster of my intentions."

Svane added, giving a curt nod.

"Oh! If we are going home, I need to go shopping! I have my wages saved up, and I want to bring back some things for my family."

Rina blurted out, her mind already racing.

The mention of bringing things back made Ray pause. Eliza Vance was already preparing a massive stockpile of Gold Crowns for him to bring back to his territory, but Rina was right. He couldn't just return with money; he needed to bring actual gifts and useful souvenirs for his family.

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"A great idea. I will accompany you. After we have our evening meal, we will head to the Market District."

Ray declared.

Later that day it was already night time in the academy demi-plane, Ray stepped out of the carriage and blinked in genuine surprise.

This was his first time visiting the Academy Market District after nightfall, and the transformation was staggering. During the day, the district was a rigid, highly organized hub of commerce where students and professors conducted serious business.

At night, the district truly came alive.

Strings of glowing arcane lanterns crisscrossed above the cobblestone streets, casting the area in vibrant hues of gold, crimson, and violet. Joyous music echoed from the open doors of packed taverns. The crowds were incredibly dense, a lively mix of students in casual wear and merchants shouting their daily discounts. The air was thick with laughter and the rich, intoxicating scent of roasting meats and caramelized sugar.

It didn't feel like an academic market; it felt exactly like a festival.

Walking through the bustling streets, Ray felt a sudden, heavy wave of nostalgia wash over him. The vibrant atmosphere perfectly mirrored the night markets and street food festivals he used to frequent in his past life on Earth.

"Young master, look! That vendor is selling frost-silk textiles! I'm going to go see if they have any durable cuts for my father's winter coats."

Rina pointed excitedly toward a brightly lit stall draped in shimmering fabrics.

"Go ahead. Svane, escort her. Ensure she isn't swindled."

Ray said, waving her off while he turned to the giant warrior beside him.

Knowing full well that his lord standing in front of him was more than capable of protecting himself, Svane didn't hesitate. He gave a nod and waded into the crowd, easily parting the sea of people as he followed the excited attendant.

Left entirely to his own devices, Ray decided to simply wander. He allowed himself a rare moment of indulgence, letting the strict, disciplined persona of a noble scholar slip away. Following his nose, he approached a smoking food cart.

He purchased a massive Spicy Giant Boar-skewer glazed with a deep red Fire-Pepper sauce, and paired it with a stick of glowing, violet mana-spun sugar. As he walked through the crowd, taking a bite of the intensely savory, perfectly charred giant boar meat, he couldn't help but smile. It was a small, wonderful slice of normalcy.

As he ventured deeper into the district, moving away from the loud taverns and into the wider merchant avenues, he bumped into a massive, brightly lit multi-story building.

Ray looked up at the polished wooden sign hanging above the double doors. It read:

SMT - Store of Many Things.

He recognized the building. He had walked past it a few times during his daytime visits, but its shutters had always been closed. Deducing that this was an exclusively nocturnal establishment, Ray finished his giant boar-skewer, wiped his hands, and stepped inside.

The interior was vast, resembling a high-end warehouse. Aisle upon aisle of neatly organized shelves stretched out before him, packed with bizarre and wondrous artifacts ranging from glowing staves to peculiar mechanical contraptions.

"Welcome to SMT!"

A cheerful, highly energetic female sales clerk in a crisp uniform immediately approached him. She offered a bright smile and proudly proclaimed,

"If you are looking for any item, we probably have it for sale! And if we don't have it, give us time, and we guarantee to find it for you! How may I assist you tonight, young sir?"

Ray raised an eyebrow at the incredibly bold claim.

“Any item?”

Ray asked.

“Yes, any item! And if we don't have it, give us time, and we guarantee to find it for you!”

The female sales clerk confirmed and repeated their guarantee.

Hearing this, Ray suddenly has a naughty smile.

"Is that so… In that case, I am looking for a very specific item. It is a spell focus that allows a person with absolutely zero mana affinity to cast spells. Of course it has limitations like it can only allow someone to cast maybe up 3rd-Circle spells. Furthermore, it must allow them to cast spells from any element, completely bypassing the natural laws of elemental alignment."

Ray said smoothly, deciding to test the store’s guarantee. He was, of course, describing his own custom-made prop item the ‘Theorist Glove.’

The cheerful smile on the clerk’s face froze. She blinked rapidly.

"Zero mana affinity... casting any element?"

The female sales clerk asked her mind, struggling to process the sheer absurdity of the request.

"Correct."

Ray confirmed as he nodded.

"I... see."

the clerk said, her professional composure wavering. She frantically pulled out her master slate, her fingers flying across the glowing glass as she searched SMT's vast, continent-wide inventory network. After a full minute of frantic scrolling, she looked up, a bead of sweat on her brow.

"This is... the first time I have ever heard of such an item. However! I will immediately consult our Store Manager to see if we can locate this unique artifact for you. Please, feel free to browse our wares while I inquire!"

She admitted softly. But, ever the diligent salesperson, she straightened her posture.

"Take your time."

Ray responded as he offered a polite nod.

The clerk scurried off toward the back offices. Ray casually strolled down the aisles, genuinely curious about the store's inventory.

He had to admit, the selection was impressive. He stopped by a glass display case and examined a simple woven band adorned with thirty spongy, pale green beads.

The tag read:

Bracelet of Nourishment.

According to the description, consuming a single bead would perfectly sustain a human body’s nutritional needs for an entire day. Ray noted the practicality; it was essentially a one-month emergency food supply disguised as jewelry.

He moved to the next aisle, entirely dedicated to defensive gear. His eyes landed on a beautifully polished, silver breastplate.

The tag proudly displayed its name:

Armor of Gleaming.

Ray read the primary enchantment description:

This armor will never get dirty.

Ray stared at the tag for a long moment before letting out a genuine, audible laugh. What kind of battlefield soldier would ever prioritize a magically stain-free armor over actual kinetic or magical defensive enchantments? It was the ultimate vanity piece.

Suddenly, from behind a heavy oak door at the back of the store, Ray heard a muffled, panicked shout.

"There is no such item!”

An older man’s voice yelled.

“It completely defies the foundational laws of magic! If we possessed such an artifact and could mass-produce it, we would rule the entire bloody continent! Who on earth asked for that?!"