bookbashuk Chapter 38 wasn't about opening a cafeteria, it was about opening an assassin's guild.
Chapter 38 wasn't about opening a cafeteria, it was about opening an assassin's guild.
Having seen more of the world, they immediately grasped the subtext.
The fact that there is no limit to the number of purchases means a lot of significance. Lorne could easily start his own trading company, buy at a 40% discount and sell at the original price. Just doing reselling would be enough to make him rich!
Lorne was also somewhat surprised.
He knew the dwarves were generous, but he didn't expect them to be this generous. A 40% discount... wouldn't that make crafting materials dirt cheap from now on?
He stepped forward and took it, and just then, a clear, mosquito-like voice drifted into his ears again:
"Junior Brother Lorne, the Forge Sanctuary has another reward, I'll tell you in secret."
Lorne looked up and saw Amber wink at him.
Senior Amber's charming laughter drifted into his ears:
"Although the Dwarven Alchemy Workshop has offered academic credits, how can those few credits compare to the value of the brass recipe?"
The credit rewards for completing the task had already been automatically distributed ahead of schedule. As originally planned, the twenty credits were to be split 40/60 between him and Meow Leon, with Meow Leon getting twelve and him getting eight.
But clearly, the dwarves believed that eight credits were insufficient to demonstrate the importance of the recipe.
"So after the great sages of the Forge Sanctuary fought a battle, it was decided to let you choose an extra reward."
Lorne: ?
Why did they fight?
Senior Amber seemed to sense Lorne's confusion, and her giggles were captivating:
"The great sages had some disagreements about the specific form of the reward, and according to the dwarves' long-standing tradition, the best way to resolve differences is to settle things with fists, and whoever agrees gets to decide."
Dwarves have this tradition... Lorne could almost picture a bunch of winter melons rolling around and fighting. Oh, don't even think about it.
"The final result is that you have to choose one of the two rewards."
"Firstly, you will be given 500,000 gold coins in a one-time gift. From then on, the brass recipe will no longer be yours, and you will not be allowed to mix this material or disclose it to other people or organizations. If necessary, you must purchase it through the Dwarven Alchemy Workshop."
Lorne blinked. "Is this buying my patent?"
"Secondly, you can obtain one-thousandth of the profits from the dwarven alchemy workshop's brass each year. At the same time, you can gain the friendship of the dwarves and can allocate this material at your own discretion. Of course, you must not disclose it to other people or organizations."
Oh my god, this is practically a technology investment!
Lorne began a brainstorming session.
Five hundred thousand gold coins was indeed tempting. Based on his own life experience, the average three-person farming family on the main road would need about a thousand gold coins to make a living. Five hundred thousand gold coins was equivalent to almost a lifetime's income for an average farming family!
Even if it's like Viola did in the last entrance exam, she could still buy the loyalty of five novice mages.
To be fair, the dwarves are indeed quite generous.
Compared to long-term investment, a one-time purchase or sale...
"Senior, may I ask, what does a profit margin of one-thousandth per year look like?"
Senior Amber blinked innocently: "I'm just a student, how would I know?"
Well, whether she really didn't know or pretended not to know, Lorne could guess that there definitely wasn't 500,000 gold coins. Otherwise, why would there be a choice between two options? One-tenth would be good enough.
However, gaining the friendship of the dwarves is a very valuable resource for a newcomer to the magical world, something that even many large merchant guilds in the human world would covet.
Overall, it should be a profit.
He said, "I choose the second option."
Senior Amber's eyes curved into crescent moons, and she smiled radiantly as she handed him the badge:
"The badge contains 10,000 gold coins, which I'm giving to you as a gift."
"By the way, a great sage from the Forge Sanctuary will be visiting Silver Academy soon, and he might want to meet with you. I hope you can make time for that, junior."
Lorne readily agreed, took the badge from Senior Amber's hand, and returned to his seat amidst the envious, purple-tinged gazes of everyone, including Jill.
Next, Professor Meligne tested everyone's proficiency in elemental manipulation. Everyone was very enthusiastic, creating a high school-like atmosphere. In the end, Viola came in second place, Chrysace came in third place, and the other rankings were as follows. Each person received a credit as a reward.
But compared to Lorne, it seemed rather bland.
Finally, Professor Merenguet announced something else:
"Four months from now, the major magic academies of the Empire will hold the 'Dawn Cup New Star Magic Competition' held every three years. Silver Academy will recommend ten students to participate, with two spots for first-year students. If you are interested, you can start preparing."
"The next class is Potions, to be held in three days at the Wood Elemental Tower. Professor Sylvie will be teaching the class herself, so don't be late."
After he finished speaking, Professor Mérené vanished in a beam of light, leaving behind a lively classroom.
"You stinky Lorne, you're treating us to lunch at the cafeteria! I'm going to rip you off!"
Viola glared at Lorne with displeasure. As the second-place student in class, she had earned two credits, which should have been a cause for celebration, but in front of Lorne, it didn't feel so appealing at all.
A moment later, the group reappeared in the cafeteria. Viola sat down in her seat with a menacing expression and greeted them:
"Senior, give me the hidden menu!"
As the top academy in the Dawn Empire, Silver Academy boasts top-tier resources in all aspects. In addition to providing regular food for students, the cafeteria also offers high-grade magical food specifically for the cultivation needs of mages, such as the famous "Radiant Foie Gras".
The academy even has a special "culinary magic" major, and magicians who specialize in this art are known as "magical chefs" and are very popular in the magic world.
Of course, these high-end magical foods are not usually served publicly; the hidden menu is only available to guests with special status.
This special guest refers to someone who is wealthy.
The waiter, also a senior student majoring in culinary magic, enthusiastically waved his staff upon hearing this, conjuring a crystal ball. To Tormont's astonishment, a series of bizarre and fantastical images were projected from the crystal ball:
"Baked Cheese with Magic Elements, you can choose the element series yourself, which can enhance the magician's perception of that element, three thousand gold coins."
"Boil meteorite fragments in white wine. After eating it, you can learn a second-tier earth magic spell, Meteor Descent, for 5,000 gold coins."
"Roasted Frost Beast Soul: You can specify a Frost series monster, and we will send someone to capture it on the spot, add special seasonings, and make it into a special delicacy. The ingredients need to be ordered one month in advance, and the price is negotiable."
Looking at the last item on the menu, Lorne was thunderstruck.
What the heck? Is this a cafeteria or an assassin's den?