The Wizard Has A Biochip

Chapter 26: Yes, I want that lab!

I slowly shook my head.

There was no longer any reason to think about Ruby.

I turned my attention back to Eduard.

—Changing the subject...

—Hmm?

—Do you know anyone who’s selling a laboratory?

—It can be an engineering laboratory.

—Or any other kind that can be adapted.

Eduard scratched his mustache for a few moments.

A few seconds later...

He slowly shook his head.

—Unfortunately, no.

—Those kinds of things usually change hands very quickly.

I nodded.

—I see.

I waved goodbye before heading back to the central area of the marketplace.

...

The place was still bustling.

I looked around for a spot where I could be seen by as many people as possible.

That’s when I found a small wooden platform in front of a large merchant tent.

It stood slightly higher than the rest of the street.

Perfect.

I calmly climbed onto it.

I had barely stopped there...

The tent’s curtain opened.

An acolyte came out carrying a small wooden box.

As soon as he saw me standing on the platform, he frowned.

—Hey.

I looked at him.

—Yes?

He pointed at the ground beneath me.

—Get down from there.

—This area is mine.

I looked around.

Then I looked back at him.

—Yours?

—I always sell my things here.

—Then find somewhere else.

I smiled faintly.

—Don’t worry.

—I’m not here to sell anything.

He looked confused.

—No?

I shook my head.

—I’m looking for a laboratory.

—To buy.

His expression changed completely.

—Ah...

I continued.

—Do you have one?

—Or do you know anyone who wants to sell one?

The young man let out a sigh.

All his irritation vanished.

—No.

—Unfortunately not.

He set the box on the ground before continuing.

—Actually...

—People have been showing up looking for laboratories for quite some time now.

I frowned.

—Really?

He nodded.

—Yeah.

—But acolytes don’t usually buy a laboratory right away.

—Most of them just buy a few basic tools.

—Then they start running experiments in their own rooms.

I couldn’t help but smile.

I discreetly raised my left hand.

The golden Engineering ring gleamed beneath the light of the ceiling crystals.

—Take a look at my ring, man.

—I’m an engineer.

—Running engineering experiments inside my room would be the same as sleeping on top of a pile of Explosive Fire Crystals.

—It only takes a single mistake...

—...and the whole room goes up in the air.

The young man stared at me for a second.

Then he burst into laughter.

—Hahaha!

—Alright...

—You’ve got a point there.

Still laughing, he picked up his box again.

—Good luck.

—You’re going to need it.

—Thanks.

He went back into the tent.

The curtain closed behind him.

I remained alone on the small platform.

I crossed my arms as I watched the crowd flowing through the marketplace’s broad streets.

I took a deep breath.

Then I raised my voice just enough to be heard above the crowd.

—I’m looking for a laboratory!

—I’ll pay a good price!

—If anyone is selling a fully or partially equipped laboratory, come talk to me!

I repeated the announcement several times.

Time passed slowly.

The marketplace changed as the hours went by.

Some vendors packed up and left.

New merchants arrived.

I kept waiting.

One hour.

Then another.

I began to think I’d spend the entire day there.

That’s when someone raised a hand from within the crowd.

—Hey.

I looked in that direction.

A young man was walking toward me.

He wore a well-maintained dark blue robe.

A wand was carefully secured to his belt with a leather holster.

His face radiated confidence.

He stopped in front of the platform.

—Are you still looking for a laboratory?

I immediately stepped down from the platform.

—I am.

He held out his hand.

—Edson Nyx.

—Second-Level Acolyte.

—Enchantment Specialist.

I shook his hand.

—George Gil.

—First Level.

—Engineering.

Edson smiled.

—Then it really makes sense that you’re looking for a laboratory.

I nodded.

—Exactly.

—Maybe I can help you.

My interest immediately grew.

—Are you selling one?

—I’m thinking about it.

—I recently got my own enchantment laboratory.

—The old one was an engineering laboratory that I adapted, and the engineering tools haven’t even been used yet.

I smiled faintly.

—May I ask the price?

Edson answered without hesitation.

—One thousand two hundred crystals.

I stared at him for a few seconds.

Then I smiled.

—Good joke.

He raised an eyebrow.

—I’m not joking.

I slowly shook my head.

—That price is enough to buy a brand-new top-tier laboratory.

He shrugged.

—Mine already has several tools installed.

I crossed my arms.

—Even so.

—It’s not worth that much.

He remained calm.

—How much are you offering?

—Three hundred.

He laughed loudly.

—Hahaha!

—The tools alone cost more than that.

—Then give me a realistic price.

He thought for a few moments.

—Nine hundred and fifty.

I shook my head.

—Four hundred.

—Nine hundred.

—Four hundred and twenty.

—Eight hundred and fifty.

I sighed.

—That’s still far too high.

—Negotiation is part of business.

—Four hundred and fifty.

—Seven hundred and fifty.

—Five hundred.

He fell silent for a few seconds.

—Six hundred and fifty.

I smiled.

—We’re getting closer.

He crossed his arms.

—Five hundred and ninety.

—Five hundred and ten.

—Five hundred and eighty.

—Five hundred and twenty.

Edson took a deep breath.

—Five hundred and sixty.

I looked him straight in the eyes.

—Five hundred and thirty-two.

Silence lingered for a few seconds.

He stared back at me.

I remained perfectly still.

—You picked a very specific number.

—It’s exactly what I consider fair.

He thought for a few more moments.

Then he held out his hand.

—Deal.

I shook his hand.

—Deal.

Edson slipped his hand into the pocket of his robe.

Then he pulled out a small golden key.

The key had a small gear engraved on its end.

He placed it in my hand.

—Laboratory number one hundred twenty-seven.

—Second corridor, western sector.

—All the paperwork is already registered under my name.

—Just present this key to the administration, and they’ll transfer ownership.

I nodded.

Then I carefully took out my leather pouch.

I counted the crystals one by one on the small platform.

The gleam of the crystals quietly attracted the attention of a few nearby onlookers.

I pushed the small pile toward him.

Edson knelt down.

He calmly counted them again.

Not a single crystal escaped his attention.

After he finished...

He stored them all inside his own pouch.

He smiled with satisfaction.

—The payment is correct.

He fastened the pouch to his belt.

—It was a pleasure doing business with you, George.

I carefully tucked the golden key inside my robe.

—The pleasure was mine.

Edson gave me a small wave.

—Good luck with the laboratory.

—Thanks.

I watched as he disappeared into the marketplace crowd.

I already had a place to work.

Now I needed the materials.

I continued walking through the marketplace.

After a few minutes, I found exactly what I was looking for.

A large tent filled with ingredients.

Shelves covered nearly every wall.

Bottles.

Colored powders.

Crystals.

Resins.

Refined metals.

The smell of sulfur mixed with dried herbs filled the air.

Behind the counter stood an extremely overweight young man.

His face was round and constantly smiling.

As he flipped through a sales ledger, he looked up when he noticed me approaching.

—Welcome!

He flashed a broad smile.

—What are you looking for?

I walked up to the counter.

—I need a few ingredients.

He immediately picked up a quill.

—Go ahead.

I began listing them.

—Volcanic Ruby Powder.

—Low-purity Salamander Essence.

—Heat-resistant Runic Ink.

—Refined Copper-Iron Alloy.

—And Stabilizing Magic Resin.

As soon as I finished...

The young man slowly raised his eyes.

Then he looked back at the list.

Finally, he looked at me again.

An amused smile appeared on his face.

—Kid...

—You’re brave.

I raised an eyebrow.

—Why?

—Because you decided to try engineering.

He shook his head dramatically.

—Another young dreamer...

—After a few failed experiments, all your money will be gone.

Without answering, I simply raised my hand.

The golden ring reflected the light of the ceiling crystals.

The merchant’s smile disappeared.

He stared at the ring.

Then at me.

—You...

—Yes, I was accepted!

—Under Master Totil’s tutelage.

The young man immediately straightened his posture.

—My apologies.

He gave a slight bow.

—I didn’t mean to disrespect you.

I held out my hand.

—George Gil.

He shook my hand enthusiastically.

—Marcos.

—I supply materials for alchemists, blacksmiths, and engineers.

His smile returned.

But now there was far more respect in it.

—So you’re one of the few apprentices accepted by Totil...

I nodded.

Marcos crossed his arms.

—In that case...

—I have a proposal.

I tilted my head slightly.

—Let’s hear it.

—If you start making devices...

—I’ll buy every single one.

—What?

—All of them?

—Yes. Every single one!

He pointed at the shelves around us.

—There’s always someone who needs devices when they want to explore the forest surrounding the tower. The Mission Hall is constantly issuing quests for the acolytes.

—Now...

—If by some miracle you show up with a device built by Master Totil himself...

He raised two fingers.

—I’ll pay double the market price.

I shook my head.

—That would be impossible.

—I figured as much, he replied.

—But...

—Maybe in a few months I’ll be able to produce some Explosive Fire Crystals.

—In that case...

—I’m interested.

He picked up the quill again.

—How much material do you need?

I thought for a moment.

—Enough for approximately fifty crafting attempts.

Marcos let out a low whistle.

—You’re planning to get plenty of practice.

He immediately turned toward the back of the tent.

He raised his voice.

—Hey!

Three employees stopped what they were doing.

—Prepare enough materials for fifty Explosive Fire Crystals!

—Volcanic Ruby Powder!

—Low-purity Salamander Essence!

—Heat-resistant Runic Ink!

—Refined Copper-Iron Alloy!

—Stabilizing Resin!

All three answered almost simultaneously.

—Yes!

They quickly disappeared among the shelves.

Meanwhile, Marcos turned back to me.

—First time building this design?

—I’m still studying, but once I’m confident enough, I’ll start.

He nodded.

—Then fifty attempts isn’t excessive.

—I thought so too.

A few minutes later, the employees returned.

One carried several small bags of red powder.

Another carried carefully protected bottles.

The third placed metal bars and containers filled with resin on the counter.

Marcos quickly checked everything.

Finally, he looked up.

—Thirty magic crystals.

I counted out exactly thirty magic crystals.

Marcos checked them.

—Deal.

The materials were carefully packed into a reinforced box.

He slid it toward me.

—Good luck, George.

—I hope to see you again in a few months.

I picked up the box.

I waved goodbye.

Then I left the tent carrying the materials in my arms.

...

1807 Words