Chapter 55: Marchionne's Magic Workshop

Marcioni was a person who enthusiastically pursued wealth, and he always displayed this trait quite straightforwardly. 

After signing the contract, Marcioni urged everyone to proceed to the next step immediately, as he was unwilling to waste a single second of money-making time. This time, Professor Moray asked Steven to entertain the guests at the party, while he himself accompanied Wade to Marcioni's magical workshop.

"It would be best to have the first batch of goods on the shelves before school starts. Students and their parents will surely be willing to empty their wallets for our products," Marcioni said exuberantly. "We can also offer different packaging, quantities, and qualities. Even adding some prints on parchment and sprinkling a little gold dust will entice the pure-blooded nobles to pay three times the price. Oh, I must quickly produce a batch of posters and have them posted in Diagon Alley by tomorrow morning!"

Wade couldn't help but be amazed and asked, "Will we make it in time?"

"Of course!" Marcioni blinked. "Dear Wade, the magical world can do anything!"

Wade thought Marcioni might have some miraculous spell to speed up production. However, upon arriving at Marcioni's company via Floo Powder, he discovered that it was indeed the power of money. 

The company lobby was very spacious, with a small waterfall in the center, and the words "Aslan Wizard Workshop" glimmered in gold on the water surface. The arched dome was painted with various magical creatures, some of which were slowly moving. Around the area were burning fireplaces with green flames rising one after another, occasionally allowing wizards to step out.

"Why was there an unexpected notice to work overtime during the Christmas holidays?" a young man grumbled loudly, perhaps not noticing that their boss was nearby. "I had plans to travel to Italy!"

"I heard there is an urgent product that needs production," another witch said cheerfully. "The overtime pay is triple the usual rate!"

The short-haired young man immediately calmed down, "Well, that's not so bad then."

"Make way—please excuse me—"

An elf shouted loudly, struggling to move a stack of boxes as tall as a small mountain. His progress was slow because the lobby was crowded, making the elf look very irritable.

The sudden increase in workload made everything appear chaotic, with several house-elves darting between people's legs, rapidly delivering various items. 

Above the lobby, colorful paper airplanes whirled in groups, occasionally targeting someone and diving swiftly.

"Oh, damn!" a wizard suddenly found a paper airplane perched on his hat. He took down the airplane and unfolded it, immediately shouting, "How did we just find out we're low on Stone Scale Fish Oil! We said before the holidays to check inventory and replenish shortages! Don't let me find out who's been neglecting their duties!"

He rushed through the crowd, nearly knocking over the elf, who angrily shouted curses.

Wade was quite surprised. 

Judging from the current chaotic state of the magical workshop, Marcioni must have ordered all employees to prepare for overtime immediately after witnessing the effects of the friend's ledger—back when everyone still held hopes of negotiating with Professor Moray, but Marcioni, with his determined ambition, had likely already planned how to carry out the subsequent work.

"Apologies, it's truly too messy today! It's not usually like this. Wade, Professor, follow me, this way please."

Marcioni led Wade and Professor Moray through the crowd and into a private elevator, finally exhaling a sigh of relief as he pressed the button for the [Sixth Floor - Technical Department], loosening his collar at the same time.

"Does your workshop now have seven floors?" Professor Moray squinted at the row of elevator buttons and said, "I remember it only had five when I last visited."

"Yes, we've developed quite well over the years," Marcioni said proudly. "The transformation of magical radios was significant, largely thanks to the professor willing to grant us the authorization."

"There aren't many wizards willing to embrace new things, let alone transform Muggle items. Many people still think Muggles are some kind of stupid, lower beings. How utterly foolish!"

"The first time I went to school, seeing that scarlet train running like a beast on the Scottish Highlands, I was deeply impressed by Muggle intelligence and power—after graduating from school, I originally wanted to sneak into a Muggle university to study, but for various reasons, I had to regretfully give up..."  

"Hahaha—don't speak so bluntly in front of the young ones, Professor!"

Wade suddenly realized that although Professor Moray often criticized Marcioni, their relationship was much better than it appeared on the surface. When they spoke privately, there was a particular tacit understanding.

He looked at the poster stickers in the elevator, listening silently without interrupting.

The technical department had two elves, and five or six wizards had already prepared various tools, waiting in the office. Unlike Muggle offices, there were various magical objects moving gently, with different colored gleams flashing now and then. The room was filled with many subtle sounds.

Once there, Professor Moray and Marcioni found an empty table to sit and drink tea while they left Wade to communicate with the technical department.

Wade first demonstrated the process of creating the friend's ledger, using already prepared potions to save time. Everyone present was an expert; watching once was enough to grasp the general procedure. Then they deconstructed the entire process step by step until over eighty percent of the minor tasks could be completed by a third-year Hogwarts student. Some were busy calculating how to further reduce costs, experimenting with various materials. In less than half an hour, the technical department confirmed the production process for the first batch of products, allowing the magical workshop to enter a phase of high-speed operation.

During this time, although Marcioni occasionally chatted softly with Professor Moray, he continuously observed Wade without drawing attention.

The black-haired boy was not very tall. After demonstrating his work, he rarely spoke, but whenever he did, it was always substantial and straight to the point. The technical department members attempted several times to modify his runic circuits, but without even starting, he would point out what the consequences would be—either reducing stability or causing delays or even losses in information transmission.

Each time, he was proven correct.

Marcioni silently stuck out his tongue, finally understanding why Professor Moray had always dismissed his level—despite having received an E (Exceeds Expectations) in the Ultimate Wizard Registration Exam—

Look at this child; he not only possesses genius-level creativity, a diligent studying attitude, but also a very pragmatic, well-honed experimental spirit—if not attempted dozens, hundreds of times, how could he be so familiar with every change?

No wonder Professor Moray, with his current status, was willing to put aside his pride to support this child, personally pushing for him to gain greater benefits.

The world is filled with geniuses like water, many and plenty. Marcioni himself was referred to as a genius by some. That's why he understood even more—many geniuses, with only a clever mind, gradually blend into the crowd, some even end up heading straight to Azkaban for being too "smart." But geniuses like Wade—as long as he doesn't die prematurely—his achievements are indisputable, and his glory is apparent.

How can he win over such a genius?

Marcioni adjusted his strategy for the fourth time in his mind.

At eleven years old...this child is really only eleven...making his own thirty-some years of life seem wasted like that of a Flobberworm...

Could it be...

Suddenly, Marcioni leaned forward, lowering his voice as he said, "Professor—Professor Moray—be honest with me—is this child actually your illegitimate son?"

Wade, who was discussing lead powder ratios with the technical department, suddenly heard a scream. He turned his head to see Marcioni had rolled from the table to the ground, with Professor Moray smiling and indicating that nothing was wrong.

—Though his smile was somewhat grim.

Wade blinked, bewildered.