Chapter 151: On the Importance of Competence

Late night, Hogsmeade.

No. 36, Manta Street, Alchemy House.

The goblin Bruno was working late in his small alchemy workshop at home. He concentrated on observing the gray boots in front of him. Bruno picked up a small alchemy hammer in his right hand and gently tapped the sole of the boots.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

With each tap, a crisp sound echoed, and a special magical power emitted from the alchemy hammer into the soles of the boots. Almost instantly, numerous light blue lines appeared on the sole, forming a strange pattern. As time passed, the light blue glow gradually dimmed and then disappeared, returning to normal.

Goblin Bruno recalled the numerous rune threads that had just appeared and frowned slightly, as if he couldn't believe it. He picked up the alchemy hammer again and tapped the sole of the shoe. Soon, a multitude of glowing light blue lines appeared once more, covering the entire sole and outlining rune patterns.

This time, Bruno was more attentive. He compared the rune patterns in front of him and quickly copied them onto the parchment. As the rune pattern disappeared again, a small part of the pattern appeared on the parchment. Immediately afterward, Bruno tapped the sole of the shoe again and further copied the unrecorded part of the pattern on the parchment.

He repeated this three or four times until the complete rune pattern was recorded on the parchment. When Bruno was done, he held up the parchment against the light and examined it closely, comparing it with the ancient runes in his memory.

However, the more he observed, the more Bruno frowned. He found that he could not analyze these rune patterns at all, as if they had nothing to do with ancient runes.

"Why?" Bruno sighed softly after a long time. "We are all alchemists, so why should we be so secretive? I just want to learn some techniques, so why do I need to go through all this trouble? This is the anti-counterfeiting technology developed by the creator, but I can't even see any traces of ancient runes. Have I been having too much fun lately, and has my skill level dropped again?"

Bruno wallowed in self-doubt. He then picked up the Boots of Hermes he had obtained from the auction and placed them in front of him, looking depressed. "These 610 gold galleons are really a loss," he thought.

At the auction, Bruno had discovered this pair of boots that were said to allow wizards to walk in the air. The idea of imitating them immediately arose. In today's wizarding world, most flying relies on magic broomsticks. Boots that allow people to walk in the air would be incredibly valuable if he managed to mass-produce them.

He didn't claim to be able to make a 100% complete imitation, but even copying 50% or 60% of the product and making the style his own would earn him a lot of gold galleons. With his experience in the imitation business, Bruno was quite famous in the goblin circle. So, he spent a lot of money to buy the boots and prepared to learn from them.

But now, his colleagues' unswerving efforts to prevent counterfeiting had completely ruined his plan. He had spent so many galleons for no reason. As he thought about it, Bruno began to consider how to sell off this boot. How much money could he make now?

Of course, in the current state of the gray boots, selling them for 610 gold galleons was a fantasy. But through his hands, he could make them look old, add some complex ancient runes, and the personal imprint of an ancient alchemist master. Isn't this a magical boot with ancient history coming out?

While thinking about it, Bruno had already begun to consider which master's technique to use. Making things look old, creating fakes, and copying products all required talent. People without talent simply could not detect the characteristics of genuine products and fake ones. If they couldn't even detect it through observation, what could they use to fake it?

The thought flashed across Bruno's mind, and he decided to transfer it in the name of Master Terry Angelo's relics. Tsk tsk tsk, Master Angelo had great achievements in the field of magic boots, and the style was relatively simple. With a few repairs, he could imitate it 80% to 90%.

Having made his decision, Bruno picked up the alchemy pen next to him, poured his magic power into it, and carefully carved various complex but useless rune patterns on the surface of the boots. For a magic item, its effect was one thing, but its quality was another. One look showed that the alchemist who made these magic boots didn't understand this. The shape of these boots was so ordinary, as if they were made on an assembly line. If this alchemist cooperated with him, they would definitely make a lot of money with his skills and his designs.

Bruno was familiar with the various styles of the works of all alchemist masters that had lasted for thousands of years. If he picked one at random, he was guaranteed to make a lot of money. Bruno complained while starting to make detailed modifications. Fortunately, the function of the boots themselves was good, and modifications could be made on this basis. Otherwise, he would have to spend some effort to add some functions to them.

Under Bruno's careful carving, the boots turned into a simple, mysterious magic item. At first glance, one could tell these magic boots were not simple. Especially the numerous ancient runes on the surface seemed to imply a certain pattern when combined, showing an indescribable beauty.

To describe it in one word: high-end! Yes, it had a high-end feel. One could tell at a glance that these magic boots were much more advanced than other boots. Very stylish. Bruno held up the magic boots, admired his work, and smiled with satisfaction.

To celebrate his extraordinary performance, after getting the gold galleons, he planned to go out and have a good time.

Suddenly, he heard a clicking sound like a mirror breaking and felt slightly confused. His face changed as he felt a cold magical power sweep directly through his body, completely enveloping his alchemy hut. Ignoring his admiration, Bruno quickly put on the Boots of Hermes. He also took out his most convenient alchemy hammer. Then, as if thinking of something, he grabbed a piece of magic leather armor and put it on.

Bruno walked directly outside. Just after leaving the alchemy workshop, he returned to his living room. As soon as he stepped into the living room, he sensed something was wrong. After a moment of thought, a look of horror appeared on his face. He didn't hear any sound—not the rustling of leaves in the wind, the chirping of birds, or the barking of dogs. There was no sound. It seemed empty and strange.

Bruno's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly ran down the stairs to his study, the main control room of his alchemy cabin. In less than half a minute, Bruno entered the study. However, as soon as he stepped inside, he felt cold all over, and his legs and feet were weak. He saw a huge yellowish eye appear outside the window!

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