Although these families that once collected wizard notebooks might go hundreds of years without producing a single person with magical talent, and perhaps no one has ever been able to understand the notebook, they still enjoy it tirelessly.

Simply put, this is called fashion!

As for those two magic gems, their value may not necessarily be higher than that of the wizard notebook, but they are definitely more popular, because magic gems provide the only opportunity for ordinary people to use magic. A wizard can seal one or several spells into the corresponding magic gem, and as long as there is a simple trigger condition, the magic within the gem can be released. Even wizards themselves like to carry a few gems with sealed spells, since they can't guarantee their magical power is endless. At critical moments, these pre-sealed spells might just save their lives.

Just like the poisonous gem stored in the mechanical warrior's warehouse, which has a poison spell sealed inside. If a wizard could recharge it with magic, it could still be used. However, Adam Bennett simply doesn't dare to touch such a dangerous thing—if there is any residual poison left in the gem, he could end up just like those adventurers.

These two magic gems, one golden and one blazing white, are clearly sealed with light and lightning spells respectively, which are completely different from the magic system this wizard specializes in. They must have been made by other high-level wizards at his request, specifically for use in adventures. After all, a wizard's specialty might not be able to handle every situation; having spells from other schools offers more convenience and can even catch enemies off guard, turning the tide at a critical moment.

Unfortunately, it seems this wizard didn't get a chance to use the magic in these two gems before he was fatally poisoned. Adam Bennett, who only knows a little about magic and isn't even considered an apprentice, can recognize the types of these two magic gems, but has no idea how to use them. This left him feeling somewhat regretful.

After putting away these unexpected spoils, Adam Bennett once again used the maze map route he had simulated in his mind. This maze has four levels, and he has only explored the first one, but for Adam Bennett, who has already gained so much, that's no longer the point. With the mechanical warriors he has now, just selling one would be enough for him to live on the run and enjoy decades of carefree life in any country, living in luxury. Even if the treasure were worth several times more, it would only add to the headache of how to sell it. Whatever is in the remaining three levels of the maze no longer matters to Adam Bennett. The main thing is, there are still Luke Thompson and Owen Foster, the two royal guards, in this maze. Adam Bennett must deal with these two annoying pursuers before he can escape in peace.

As long as Luke Thompson and Owen Foster are silenced, as long as his own life is safe, it doesn't matter if he comes back to this maze a few more times. Whatever he can't take this time, he can come back for a second or even third excavation—it's almost like a vacation, and might even become a highlight of his life.

Chapter 9: Luke Thompson's Family Heirloom

Adam Bennett quietly thought for a moment, then let out a soft laugh and muttered to himself, "Although I have confidence in my swordsmanship, now you have even better opponents! Hmm, having subordinates feels pretty good. Let's send out Number One to deal with Luke Thompson and that other royal guard!"

The sleeveless leather armor had a large opening at the shoulder, not only making it easy to move his arms, but also allowing him to easily reach into his chest. On the battlefields where the Great Stone Dynasty once campaigned, it was common to see a mechanical warrior commander proudly folding his arms, operating a magic contract card by feel inside his chest. There was a certain air of casually destroying enemy ships with a laugh, and many works of art passed down from the Great Stone Dynasty depict such commanders.

Adam Bennett imitated the ancient Great Stone Dynasty commanders from the textbooks, reaching into his chest and easily summoning the mechanical warrior numbered "One." He entered the command to search for enemies on the magic contract card, and watched with a smile as the mechanical warrior's feet spouted magical flames and it quickly disappeared into the darkness.

Adam Bennett thought a bit maliciously, "If I could find energy crystals, or take these mechanical warriors to do some risk-free business, it would be even more profitable than selling them!" Having once been part of a thieves' guild, this young man on the run was no stranger to such business.

Energy crystals are an extremely precious mineral. Almost all magitek weapons and magical machines rely on energy crystals embedded inside to function. In wars between nations, those rare magitek creations are one of the keys to victory or defeat. It's no exaggeration to say that a crystal vein is the lifeline of a nation.

There are only six crystal veins on the entire Ice Continent, all controlled by a few powerful empires. The Golden Moon Dynasty also has one within its borders, and every emperor of the Golden Moon Dynasty has always stationed their most trusted legion near that vein.