It’s night time already, I have a lot of things to get done tomorrow so I’ll rest early.

I wake up and my servants help prepare me for the morning. Luckily, there’s no routine of a family breakfast here.

I rustle about my room before finding a satchel with several pieces of gold. I grab that and prepare to head out. Since I’m a young master of a Duke House, my ‘small’ entourage (A maid and 2 guards) are following me out.

There’s a shopping street nearby, which is also our destination for now. We arrive at the street, it’s well furnished, with few street side stalls. Some shopkeepers are standing outside to anticipate customers, but there isn’t much shouting. I suppose it’s to be expected from a district filled with the wealthy.

As I stroll along the street, I ask one of the guards what a piece of gold could get me. He glances at the maid before answering, “Young master, nobles usually use silver for normal items, a piece of gold is enough to buy a good cottage.”, he replies respectfully. Feeling slightly surprised, I count the number of gold coins in the pouch - 5 Pieces.

I can’t be absolutely sure still, but since this can buy 5 good cottages, I’ll assume they have the value of approximately US$500,000 for now. The kid has huge savings! Or maybe he just has a high allowance. Can’t ask too many questions if I don't want to appear suspicious. I can’t count on the memory loss to shield me from everything.

I read that increasing your mana also increases your mental capacity, so I’m trying to find accessories which help in that, or better yet, high grade meditation manuals. Besides that, I’ll need to gather more information on the state of the Kingdom. A noble can’t be uninformed afterall.

“Are there any stores selling magic items or books here?” I ask the maid beside me. She seems to hold a higher position than the 2 guards; they appear somewhat deferential to her. “Young master, there are several shops in the area if what you’re looking for are just magic items. For magic books, those can only be found in the auction house.”, she answers courteously.

I expected that magic books couldn’t be easily bought, they’re like the military arsenal of a country afterall, any influential Kingdom would safeguard them well. There’s the option of the Academy library too, but with my low status as an apprentice there, I doubt I’ll get anything good.

My priority would still have to be the books so I’ll leave aside the purchasing of items for now. I would have been informed if there was an auction going on by the maid, so there’s not much of a chance there. My status isn’t enough to coerce the auction house into selling currently.

I guess that leaves me with only one option. I beckon the maid to come nearer to me. She bends down slightly to listen. “How about the black market?”, I ask. She seems slightly surprised by this, furrowing her brows. I continue strolling. She thinks for a while, and appears to have come to a decision.