Bartering

'She's so stupid, I can guarantee that she's been relinquishing all of her family's resources to that Fayle in the hopes that he someday deems her serviceable enough to use her.'

[It would also explain why she's still stuck as a level 1 acolyte.]

Bicky descended from a highborn Magus family. Although small in size, they were still capable of obtaining the occasional resources and magic crystals. As for the girl herself, she was the one whom the family placed all their hopes on. Consequently, she was given a fixed share of magic crystals each month. Leylin knew this since she had a big mouth and those details always escaped her during conversations.

Bicky's aptitude was not bad, and she had arrived earlier than Leylin by a year. By common logic, she should have been promoted to a level 2 acolyte long ago. However, she was still a level 1 acolyte, and even Leylin had nearly caught up to her.

'What a waste. I could have obtained those resources for myself, but I am too late for the party. And if I were to try and seduce the girl away from Fayle, it would simply take too much time and effort.'

[How strange of you to pass on the chance to enlist her as one of your tools, Doctor. But I understand your point.] -Aralis told sardonically.

'Don't you worry. The time where I emotionally manipulate a woman for benefits is sure to come.'

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After saying his goodbyes with a disinterested mood, Leylin went directly to the Trading Post.

Without delay, the Farlier heir made his way to one of the corner stalls in the marketplace, where a skinny acolyte was just finishing up with sorting some wares he had been delivered earlier.

This particular establishment was the one Leylin had been trading in for the past half a year. The level 3 acolyte with the name of Woox had been so far very amiable and did not shun any potential client; regardless of their talent, expertise level, or noble standing. He was a true businessman, and Leylin liked that in a tool for commerce.

"Brother Woox, how are you?" -Leylin charmingly greeted, a stark contrast to his attitude when dealing with the vexatious Bicky.

"Ah, brother Leylin! I am doing great, now that my best customer is here! Let me tell you real quick, I have just received a new shipment of ingredients for strength potions. Best quality in the whole of Abyssal Bone Forest Academy. In any case, what's it going to be today?" -Woox exclaimed with an honest smile.

"Glad you're in such a buoyant temper. Maybe this will interest you." -Leylin took out the vial with the potion he had shown Kroft and handed it to the skinny acolyte.

"This... Don't tell me you finally made it?" -Forthwith, Woox did a thorough inspection of the vial, and after ensuring that it was indeed an authentic strength potion, his eyes almost seemed to glow.

"I can hardly believe it! You have only attempted it some hundreds of times, and yet, you've already achieved this quality. This product might as well be Merlin's!" -Most of the ingredients had been sold to Leylin by Woox, so he was able to deduce his client's skill very quickly.

Leylin only raised a brow, cueing the vendor as to his intentions.

"Of course, I am interested! I am ready to pay you 4 magic crystals for this strength potion. How about it?" -Woox made an offer.

"I have a better idea: I'll give you this vial for free... Though from now on, you'll buy strength potions only from me. You've said it yourself, the quality of my product is just as good as Merlin's, but my price is lower since I have yet to build my reputation as an alchemist. In addition, you'll give me exclusive rights of purchase to your best ingredients; for strength potions or otherwise. Of course, this includes a credit line of 10 magic crystals for supplies..."

Leylin then finished with his pitch.

"And when I ultimately make a name for myself, your store will be the only one in the entire Trading Post with my potions on its shelves. At a preferential cost at that." -Leylin shrewdly proposed, his voice overflowing with the confidence that could only be backed by his ability to make good on his word.

His offer was a double-edged sword. When it came to it, his profits in selling potions would be limited if he abided by the exclusivity with Woox. But on the other hand, having the skinny acolyte buy only from him would guarantee a stable source of income, and the ingredients necessary to secure his continuous advancement in potioneering.

Woox seemed to be deliberating, as he stroked his chin. Seven minutes later he gave his answer: "You drive a hard bargain, brother. Nonetheless, I recognize real talent when I see it. And you'll get far, I know it. Thus, I am more than willing to sign an exclusivity agreement with you."

"I'll prepare the contract as soon as I can. Come by tomorrow so we can sort the administrative stuff." -The skinny acolyte looked pumped up for what was to come for his business.

"Sure... oh, and by the way, that box of ingredients you mentioned? I want it." -Said the Farlier heir, as he deftly lined 3 magic crystals on the shop's counter.

Woox did a half-smile as he pocketed them: "Of course, of course! This new partnership, we must celebrate. Swing by the Dining Hall at nine o'clock. Feast is on me!"

"It will be my pleasure, partner. We may even discuss the specifics of our agreement while we are at it." -Leylin accepted the invitation.

"Sounds like a plan. Catch you later, partner." -The skinny acolyte told enthusiastically, as he got to the other side of the counter.

Leylin and Woox shook hands, and after collecting one black box, the Farlier heir walked out from the store.

[That was nice. Good job, Doctor.]

'Indeed. This Woox guy will serve me well. He is probably the best tool I've acquired so far. He will provide me the means to become rich in a short period. I presently have a good amount of crystals, but not nearly enough.'

[Although, I still don't get why you would want to sell just to him?]

'One, because he has a decent store with established fame for its reliability. Two, because he is smart enough to be qualified at what he does and dumb enough to be bent to my will effortlessly.'

[What do you mean? Your offer was good.] -The A.I. was confused.

'Yes, it was. For now. Once I am a renowned alchemist and the demand for my potions exceeds Woox's capability to buy from me, he will either need to expand his business or renegotiate the agreement. In both cases, I shall come out on top, getting the best out of the deal and consolidating my position in the market.'

Leylin then ordered Aralis to do a thorough scan of the other stalls and shops, trying to discern anything else that was worth investing his money in.

'And? Did you find anything?'

[Nothing. Just counterfeit items or useless rubbish.]

'Then I won't waste my precious time in this dump any longer.' -Leylin shrugged, as he left the Trading Post with his black box of premium ingredients.

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Three days later, Leylin was in his dorm looking at sixteen test tubes lined up properly on his table. He was reflecting on what his next move would be.

Right now, his purity rate for brewing a strength potion was 40% of Kroft's total efficiency.

'I must keep up the front of an up-and-coming alchemist that has just recently started to successfully brew potions. I will be selling 2 potions a week to that noodle Woox. As for the rest, I will have to store them for now.'

Leylin placed 2 test tubes in the leather satchel hanging around his waist, and then stowed the remaining 14 test tubes in a black case under his bed.

'I won't be able to sell huge amounts within the academy, so I had better find some other way outside. The best scenario would be entering the black market; I hear prices there are higher too. However, the outside world is too dangerous for me at the moment. I must become a level 2 acolyte before venturing out of the academy.'

[So you'll employ the magic crystals earned from selling potions to buy higher-tiered knowledge from Kroft and expedite your breakthrough to a level 2 acolyte.]

'Correct. After becoming a level 2 acolyte, I can finally attempt to practice magic spells, and perhaps take a quest to see if I can find a way to sell the potions on my own.'

Leylin then commanded: 'Aralis, bring forth my current stats.'

//

Dr. Fang Ming (Leylin Farlier's body)

<Power Scaling>

Level 1 acolyte

<Physical Stats>

Strength - 2.12

Agility - 2.36

Vitality - 2.54

//

'After such a long period of meditation, my vitality has increased the most. My Strength and Agility have seen a reasonable increment too. As for my Spiritual Force...?' -Leylin looked at the data in front of him and he raised his eyebrow.

[I am still putting it together, Doctor. Estimated time left: 155 Days 21 Hours.] -Aralis said with a downed tone.

'I still have half a year to go until my progression to level 2, so the delay is tolerable.' -Leylin nodded his head.

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In the past weeks, Leylin had grown taller and his face acquired a greater tinge of maturity. He had also entered into a state of even more painstaking cultivation and training.

Apart from assisting Kroft in his daily experiments, he was brewing potions, exchanging them for magic crystals, and then purchasing higher knowledge from his mentor.

Furthermore, he had bought the formulas for the hemostasis potion and some low-leveled antidotes. He had begun to practice brewing them straightaway.

During this period, Leylin also heard some bad news. Kaliweir's clique had met with trouble while on a mission. Not only had some been injuries, but others had even died. An acolyte who traveled with Leylin in the same dirigible, a third-grade acolyte of the name Hank, would forever be buried in the Abyssal Bone Marsh.

Leylin was expecting this result, given how a level 1 acolyte only has small resistance to magic. It would be unusual if they risked their lives in that manner and did not return with casualties. Leylin also did not miss the chance to internally scoff at their misery and poor judgment.

After the tragic incident, Kaliweir and his team seemed to face reality and started to be content with studying in the academy, not daring to take on any other missions.

On this day, Leylin was approaching Kroft with a decided expression. He was ready to move on to the next stage of his plan.

"Excuse me, Professor. Do you have a minute?" -He politely asked.

"Go ahead, Leylin. What can I help you with?" -The teacher replied with a kind demeanor.

"I want to purchase the crystal ball with the information on rank 0 spells." -The Farlier heir was direct.

"Oh! You want to begin learning spells?" -Kroft tilted the porcelain cup in his hand and sipped from it the steamy hot contents.

"I have nearly finished constructing my mind runes, and there's only one more step needed before I advance to a level 2 acolyte. I wish to make some preparations for this beforehand." -Leylin said calmly.

"Being able to progress in both Potioneering and meditation... I am very gratified to have such competent apprentices." -Kroft said as he stole a dubitative glance at Bicky who was nearby.

Bicky had only advanced into a level 2 acolyte two days ago. Notwithstanding, she had never exhibited any extraordinary talents towards Potioneering. With her aptitude, this could be considered an extremely slow pace.

"The academy price for the introduction to magic spell models is 30 magic crystals. Nevertheless, as the head of the Potioneering Department, I am authorized to give a discount to whom I so choose. I hereby reduce the price to 20 magic crystals." -Kroft smiled lightly.

Giving out discounts and free privileged information was mainly a right granted only to the top professors in the academy. They typically bestowed them upon their proteges and favored disciples. From this, it was obvious that Kroft approved of Leylin.

"I am honored, Professor." -The Farlier heir nodded his head and rapidly took out the 20 magic crystals from his black leather satchel.

Twenty black magic crystals fell onto the table, letting off a dark luster.

"Very well. This is a crystal ball with the introduction to magic spell models recorded on it. You can study it, but remember to delve into spellcasting only after you have been promoted to level 2."

Kroft took a fist-sized crystal ball off the wooden shelf at the side and handed it to Leylin. Golden words seemed to ripple inside it.

Leylin stooped over to take it and carefully placed the crystal ball inside his satchel.

These crystal balls were tools to record information in, and they could store more information than sheets of parchment. However, they could only be used once, and the information inside would fade away after someone viewed the contents.

An empty crystal ball was costly as it is. One filled with superior knowledge from a professor could easily be considered nothing short of a treasure.