"The market where the common people are?"
Vanessa led Adam and the others as they flew toward the market.
It wasn't a broom they were riding on, but a magic carpet created by Adam. After all, it was far too uncomfortable for four people to squeeze onto a single broom.
Adam, however, wasn't in a good mood. As a young man with modern ideas, the reality of this feudal world—where people were treated so differently—frustrated him deeply.
The nobles lived high above, separated from the common folk.
And below even them were those considered "inferior."
The very thought made Adam angry.
"It's ridiculous," he muttered, "that these commoners, who are so easily bullied by nobles, actually look down on people from the outskirts..."
Vanessa looked over, concerned. "Adam, what's wrong?"
"Nothing…" he replied quietly.
One day, we'll change this place.
Flatland Town
"Everyone's so busy!"
Adam and the group wandered through the bustling streets, spotting several familiar faces among the crowd.
Charmy was stuffing her face as usual.
Gauche was buying a bunch of girls' clothes—obviously for his sister, Marie.
Finral was trying (and failing) to chat up some girls.
And just for a second, a blue blur zipped past behind them.
Vanessa smiled mischievously. "Come on, I'll take you to a special place."
She led them to a dead-end alley and then walked straight through a wall.
The others blinked in confusion for a moment before following her in.
"The Black Market," Vanessa explained, spreading her arms. "As the name suggests, this place sells everything you can't buy in regular markets."
Adam's eyes lit up. "Now this… is my kind of place."
A place full of both danger and opportunity—that's where the real treasures were found.
Of course, there would also be plenty of traps.
"I'll go take a look around," Adam said, vanishing in a flash.
"Hey! We're not waiting for you!" Vanessa called after him, then turned to Asta and Noelle. "Let's check over there instead."
The black market was a chaotic mess of goods.
Weapons, herbs, crystals, odd relics—all spread across dimly lit stalls.
But after browsing for a while, Adam sighed in disappointment.
"I shouldn't have expected much. Most of this is junk."
Then, a loud voice caught his attention.
"From the south, from the north, from the capital, from the plains! Come and see!"
Adam frowned. That voice… it was familiar.
He turned and saw Ladin, his old acquaintance, standing at a stall.
"Drink the blood of this newly caught monster! It nourishes Yin and Yang, increases magic power, and even…"
"Even what?" someone asked.
"Awakens a second type of magic!" Ladin declared proudly.
The surrounding crowd snickered.
"Yeah right, Ladin! You're just like your old man—always scamming people!"
"Second magic, my ass! Why don't you drink it then?"
Despite the mockery, Ladin grinned. "I'm a businessman. I don't need strong magic—just strong sales."
He raised the vial in his hand. "This came from an evil pig that radiated black energy! Even if it can't awaken new magic, it definitely boosts power."
Adam hadn't planned to bother with him… until he heard those two words—evil pig.
He walked over, arms crossed. "How's business, fatty?"
Ladin froze. "B-Brother Adam?! What are you doing here?"
The memory of their last encounter clearly still haunted him.
"Is what you said true?" Adam asked calmly.
"W-Which part?" Ladin stammered, sweating. He had no idea which lie might get him killed this time.
Adam's voice dropped a note lower. "Is this really blood from the Evil Pig?"
"I-I can guarantee it!" Ladin blurted. "It was a demon pig that controlled every other pig on a farm! When it rebelled, the farmer killed it himself. The pig's blood turned golden red—it's real!"
Adam narrowed his eyes. "What happened to the rest of the pig?"
"It… ate everything!" Ladin said nervously. "Even crippled the farmer's leg before it was killed. The guy thought the blood was special and started selling it. I took some off his hands just for you, Brother Adam!"
Adam held out his hand. "Name your price."
"Uh… whatever you think is fair?" Ladin said weakly.
Adam smirked. "One thousand Yul."
Ladin blinked. "W-What?! You're joking, right?"
Adam tossed a single gold coin at him, snatched the vial of blood, and turned to leave.
Ladin grumbled, "Devil… total bandit…" But then shrugged. "Ah well, I didn't pay for it anyway."
He pocketed the coin and resumed his pitch. "Fresh goat milk! Limited supply!"
"Let's give it a try."
Adam stared at the glowing red-gold liquid in his hand. He heated it carefully with his magic—no point getting food poisoning over this.
Under the sunlight, the blood shimmered beautifully, golden with a faint red hue.
"With Healing Magic, I'll be fine," Adam muttered.
Taking a deep breath, he drank it down in one go.
At first—nothing.
Then his eyes began to burn.
"It doesn't work—wait, no… my eyes!"
His grimoire suddenly flared open, and the page marked with the Fat Pig sigil began to glow.
"It feels so good!" Adam gasped, his mouth curling into a wide grin.
"You've forgotten your roots!"
He laughed wildly. "Now that I've awakened the powers of Dragon, Pig, and Chicken—I am unmatched!"
The bystanders whispered.
"What's wrong with that guy?"
"Maybe something good happened at home?"
"Didn't you see his robe? He's from the Black Bulls—that crazy squad!"
"Run! He's back!"
Adam merely glanced at them, and the crowd scattered faster than rabbits.
He chuckled. "It's getting late. Vanessa and the others should've gone home by now. I should head back too."
With that, he flew into the sky toward the Black Bulls headquarters.
Meanwhile, an old woman standing in the shadows murmured, "A new member?"
A golden light flashed—and the Wizard King Julius Novachrono appeared.
"Should I test him?" he wondered aloud.
But just as he was about to follow Adam, he noticed the Golden Dawn squad nearby, still on their mission.
"Next time," he decided with a grin. "Let's go check on Clover Boy's new magic instead."
In an instant, Julius vanished.
If he had tested Adam right then, things could've gone very differently.
After all, a young man with new power—and no fear—was always the most dangerous thing in the kingdom.