Theo stared at the core for a few seconds longer.
Then he winced and reached into his pocket, pulling out the credit card Alia had given him.
One of the staff members immediately came over with a smile.
''How may I help you, sir?'' she asked politely.
''I'll take twenty,'' he said, pointing at the wind cores.
The employee blinked once, slowly following the direction he pointed.
''The A-rank Wind Cores?'' she asked.
Theo nodded casually.
''Yes, and it doesn't matter which creature they are from either.''
The employee's expression didn't change.
She bowed politely and held up a payment device.
''Of course, sir,'' she said. ''Please pay here, and we'll have it ready by the entrance for when you leave.''
With much reluctance, Theo raised his card and swiped it.
The machine immediately flashed a confirmation sign.
And just like that, he'd lost twenty-four million dollars in one transaction.
'At least it's enough for twenty weeks,' he thought, nearly crying inside.
