[BL] I Accidentally Summoned A Demon Husband Now He Won't Leave

Chapter 14: Well Deserved Belittling

Chapter 14: Well Deserved Belittling

Charles raised an eyebrow at Elliot's request, his usual smirk deepening with amusement. "Explain everything? Hah! I suppose even an F-rank like you deserves to know what you're holding."

Elliot's smile twitched. This guy had a talent for making compliments sound like insults. But hey, he was getting free knowledge from someone way above his league, so he swallowed his pride and nodded eagerly.

Charles sighed dramatically, adjusting his robe like a seasoned lecturer about to bestow wisdom upon an unworthy disciple. "Alright, listen up, peasant—I mean, Elliot. First, let's start with the books. You probably didn't even realize what you were looking at back there, did you?"

Elliot rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Uh... they all looked like... books?"

Charles shook his head, looking like a disappointed teacher who just found out his student thought 2+2 equaled fish. "Those aren't just books, you simpleton. They're Grimoire Codices. Advanced texts containing spells, enchantments, and ancient knowledge. Each one is embedded with a magic seal that makes them impossible to read unless you have the required mana resonance."

Elliot blinked. "Mana resonance?"

Charles groaned, running a hand through his perfect, obviously-expensive hair. "You really don't know anything, huh? Fine, let me simplify it for your F-rank brain. These books can only be read by mages who have cultivated enough spiritual energy to match the book's level. The stronger the magic, the more difficult the book is to read. If an F-rank like you tries to open an A-rank grimoire, the words will look like gibberish—or worse, you might explode."

Elliot's eyes widened in horror. "E-Explode?!"

Charles grinned wickedly. "Oh yes. Boom. Just like that." He clapped his hands together for emphasis, making Elliot flinch.

"Wait, wait—are these books safe for me to read?!" Elliot frantically looked at the stack in his hands as if they might detonate at any second.

Charles smirked. "Nah, I made sure they're F-rank compatible. But even then, good luck understanding them."

Elliot exhaled in relief, though he was starting to regret asking for an explanation.

Charles moved on, gesturing to the glowing red crystal he had handed over earlier. "Now, this is a Pyrocore. It's a condensed fire elemental stone. Think of it like a magical battery, but instead of electricity, it holds raw mana energy."

Elliot frowned, staring at the stone. "So... it's just a fancy rock?"

Charles clicked his tongue in annoyance. "A fancy rock?! Do you have any idea how valuable these are? If you pour spiritual energy into it, you can release a controlled burst of mana Mages use these to power mana-based spells without having to waste their own mana. Of course, since you have zero training, you'd probably just burn out your little spiritual core and kill yourself."

Elliot paled. "Okay, so maybe I shouldn't touch it too much..."

"Good idea." Charles nodded approvingly before pointing at the final item—the small box. "Now, this is where things get interesting."

Elliot gulped. "That... doesn't sound reassuring."

Charles casually took the box and flipped the lid of the small palm-sized box open, revealing several neatly arranged pills, each glowing faintly with a soft, otherworldly light. "Lastly," he said, his tone as nonchalant as if he were discussing the weather, "this box contains spiritual cultivation and strengthening pills."

Elliot's brows furrowed in curiosity. Cultivation pills? That actually sounds useful for once.

But before he could get too excited, Charles smirked, his eyes twinkling with clear amusement. "Of course," he continued, his voice laced with deceptive calm, "if you misuse the pills or take them incorrectly... you'll die."

DIE?!

Elliot felt his soul momentarily leave his body. His face turned a shade paler, and he instinctively took a step back as if the pills had suddenly become venomous. Was this dude a lunatic?!

He swallowed hard before forcing his brain to work again. "Okay, hold up," Elliot said, waving a hand frantically. "How exactly do I not die? I mean, there has to be a correct way to take these, right?"

Well... that was assuming he managed to survive long enough to take them. He still had to worry about Azrael's wrath and the looming threat of execution.

But that was a future problem.

For now? He was celebrating.

He turned to Charles with a grin. "So, um... I'll be going now."

But before he could take more than two steps, Charles chuckled and called after him, "Wait a damn second. How did I even encounter such a clueless soul like you?"

Elliot groaned. "You don't have to keep pointing it out, you know."

Charles ignored him and sighed dramatically. "Before you go, at least submit the items in your hands for the necessary requirement process."

Elliot's lips formed a silent "Oh" before he nodded in understanding. "Right. Got it."

With that, he made his way toward the archivist.

After waiting in line for what felt like an eternity, it was finally his turn. He stepped forward and placed the items carefully onto the counter.

The archivist, with her sharp gaze, conducted what seemed to be a thorough security check.

After inspecting the items carefully, she finally spoke in a flat, emotionless voice.

"These items cost 200 silver coins. Please make the payment so you can leave with your items," the archivist stated in a cold, matter-of-fact tone.

Elliot's entire world came to a screeching halt.

His vision blurred for a second as the sheer weight of those words crashed down on him.

"Wait. WHAT?"

His head snapped toward her so fast he nearly gave himself whiplash.

200 SILVER COINS?!

His breath hitched. How the hell—

His mind scrambled to process what was happening. He had to pay for these items? Since when?! He thought Charles had just given them to him—like, part of the academy's training resources or something!

But no. Apparently, they came with a ridiculous price tag attached.

And not just any currency. SILVER COINS.

Not copper. Not even gold-plated copper. Straight-up SILVER.

You've got to be kidding me!!.