Chapter 10 A Wise Choice

“That’s a nice amulet that you have there.” Priam complimented his choice. “It has a nice intricate bronze and copper design. The dark purple amethyst stone in the center also complements it well.”

Ashur nodded. Though the amulet was plain, there was still beauty in its simplicity.

In fact, not having a bulky glittering gem or precious metal made it convenient for him to wear all day, even during training. With this simple amulet, he wouldn’t have to worry about taking it on and off or it getting lost.

“Just wondering, boy, why did you choose this amulet out of all the amazing treasures in the Hall of Treasures?” Priam asked him curiously. “You made a wise choice, but it’s not one that many would have made.”

Many a time, if given the rare opportunity to pick a treasure from the Hall of Treasures, one would choose a powerful weapon that they could use to command fear and respect in battle or a delicate scroll that contained knowledge that could help them jump 20 Cultivation Levels.

These were often all temptations too strong to pass up on.

For Ashur to choose a simple, plain amulet instead of all these treasures, it proved that he was not like the others.

Priam then realized that he had previously underestimated the boy. In order to look past all the riches and power, Ashur must be rather strong-willed and did not just focus on appearances.

In that instant, Priam felt a sense of deep respect for the boy. He was so young, yet was mature enough to understand these key principles in life.

Blinking a couple of times, Ashur thought hard. “I don’t know. It’s hard to explain. It just...felt right,” he tried to explain, but couldn’t quite put the feeling into words.

If he tried to explain how the amulet felt warm or had tingled in his hands, Priam might think that he was going mad.

After all, an amulet was a nonliving thing. How could it have been warm or even tingled? That was impossible!

Priam pondered for a moment, then he turned to Ashur and said thoughtfully, “Hmm. Maybe you are the person who is meant to own this amulet. Don’t be fooled by its ordinary appearance. It is actually of great value.”

“Great...great value?” Ashur asked Priam, confused. He didn’t see how this simple amulet would be more valuable than all the other grand treasures in the Hall of Treasures.

“Didn’t your parents teach you not to judge a book by its cover? It’s much more valuable than just metal and stone. But in order to unlock its true powers, you will need to sacrifice something,” Priam said cryptically.

“What do you mean?” Ashur asked in confusion. He didn’t quite understand what Priam was trying to say. “Sacrifice something?”

“Yes. You will discover it sooner or later. I can’t tell you anything more,” Priam was unwilling to offer any more information.

“Please, Priam, tell me what I should sacrifice?” Ashur pleaded with the old caretaker. “I really have no idea.”

But Priam firmly shook his head and was unwilling to budge. “You must find out for yourself.”

“Time to leave now, boy. It’s getting late and I need to lock up this place.” He shooed Ashur out of the Hall of Treasures.

As Ashur held the amulet now, it no longer felt warm like it did previously nor did it tingle any more. He frowned. What if he had just been imagining things just now?

If that were the case, it would be a great waste of a gift, picking this plain amulet over all the other great treasures in the Hall of Treasures. At that moment, he felt a slight tinge of regret.

But Priam had said that it was greatly valuable, hadn’t he? There must be something more to this amulet than what meets the eye.

Leaving the Hall of Treasures reluctantly, Ashur wondered about what Priam was trying to tell him.

He needed to sacrifice something to unlock the amulet’s hidden powers?

What on earth did he need to sacrifice?

What could he possibly sacrifice? He had nothing worth sacrificing.

Ashur just didn’t know how he could unlock the true powers of the amulet. Until then, it was just a plain amulet made out of metal and stone.

Running his fingers over the workmanship of the amulet, he admired how it was forged well and how the metal was intricately worked into the design.

The amethyst stone in the center was also a gorgeous shade of dark purple. Though the gemstone wasn’t clear and translucent, the slight murkiness that it possessed made it seem as if it contained a deeper essence within.

Even if he couldn’t unlock its true powers, Ashur still liked how this amulet looked and felt, and didn’t regret his decision.

Unclasping the thin copper chain, he put the amulet on. It wasn’t too heavy and rested solidly just next to his heart.

“Ashur! Dinner time!” Castor called him over from the distance. He waved a large plate.

“Coming!” He called back. After a long afternoon of doing chores, he was eager to fill his empty belly with some hot food. And the dinner that Cook had prepared smelled simply delicious.

As he ran towards the Cookhouse, the amulet swung and beat against his chest, forming a steady rhythm.

Ba dum. Ba dum. Ba dum.

As he saw Castor waving enthusiastically at him, he felt a wave of gratitude that he managed to make one friend here in this foreign land. His heart beat steadily.

Ba dum. Ba dum. Ba dum.

He knew that he had made the right choice.