Chapter 19
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Linda and Rafael exchanged a glance. She thought, ‘Wait, one luster shard per plant? He’s not trying to drive down the price. He’s actually raising the price?‘
In the Mystic Silver–Leaf market, low–grade ones usually went for a hundred stalks for one luster shard, while mid–grade ones were thirty to forty stalks for a shard.
Earlier, the shopkeeper had offered Linda ten stalks for one luster shard. That price wasn’t exactly high, but it wasn’t low either. It was a mid–to–high price.
Maybe the shopkeeper had given that offer because Linda and Rafael carried themselves with an air of distinction, even before he had checked out the goods.
But one luster shard for a single stalk? That was outrageously expensive. Even the finest Mystic Silver–Leaf wouldn’t go for a price that crazy.
Linda couldn’t quite grasp the shopkeeper’s intention. Even Rafael, savvy in business, was puzzled. ‘Is he running a charity?‘ he thought.
Seeing the two still didn’t respond, the shopkeeper asked tentatively, “Are you dissatisfied with the price? Maybe two luster shards?”
When they still stared without speaking, he gritted his teeth. “Three. That’s my final offer. I can’t go any higher.”
Rafael wasn’t unfamiliar with three luster shards as a price, but even so, he was still confused by the offer. ‘What’s so special about these Mystic Silver–Leaf anyway?‘ he thought.
Linda paused for a moment, and the shopkeeper said with effort, “This is the highest offer I can make, miss.”
Linda finally gave in. “I’ll sell.” The shopkeeper looked overjoyed. He rushed to settle up right away. Linda counted the luster shards.
Both sides sealed the deal at lightning speed. Neither wanted to give the other a chance to change their minds.
The shopkeeper smiled warmly. “If you ever have more to sell, miss, would you come back to us next time?”
Linda thought for a moment, then asked, “If I choose your shop exclusively, what can you offer in return?”
“You’ll get a discount at any Emporium of Rarities location.” The shopkeeper handed her a wooden token inscribed with
runes.
Linda recognized it right away. It was a membership token. The runes were pretty basic, but they’d work just fine. “Alright.” she replied.
Once outside the apothecary, Rafael fell into deep thought over Linda’s three thousand luster shards.
He said, “If I remember right, Craig mentioned Laura was working the docks, hauling cargo for just fifty luster shards a day.”
Linda nodded. “Yeah.”
So she had just earned three thousand in one go. Rafael sighed. “Turns out you’re the real moneybags here.”
Linda raised an eyebrow. “Exactly. So you’d better hold onto this golden ticket.”
Rafael watched Linda’s smile and thought, ‘See? How lovely she looks when she smiles. Damn that High Sanctum.
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Chapter 19
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Linda walked further, entering another street and checking a different apothecary. Everywhere she went, the offers were pretty much the same as the first shopkeeper’s.
One luster shard for ten stalks of Mystic Silver–Leaf. But upon inspecting Linda’s Silver–Leaf, they too revised their offer to a higher rate.
Linda studied the Mystic Silver–Leaf in her hand. “Is there anything special about these?” she murmured.
Rafael gave them a once–over. “They’re incredibly fresh,” he said.
“Picked them just this morning, so of course they’re fresh,” Linda replied, propping her chin on her hand.
She tossed one into her mouth and chewed thoughtfully. “Still has that crisp, refreshing taste.”
Craig and Laura wandered over, looking confused. “What’s up? Why are you sitting here?” Craig asked.
Even as he asked, Craig sat down on the steps beside them, followed by Laura. All four now sat in a row.
Linda and Rafael offered Craig and Laura some leaves. “Here, have some leaves,” Linda said.
Craig was speechless. Laura didn’t hesitate, mimicking Linda and chewing a leaf.
But Craig froze, then suddenly exclaimed, “Grade–A Mystic Silver–Leaf? Linda, where’d you get these?”
Linda and Rafael snapped their heads around to stare at him. Linda asked, “Grade–A? Hold up, Mystic Silver–Leaf comes in grades?”
Seeing their innocent faces, Craig’s inner nerd kicked in. “Of course. But they’re super rare. Like, they’re almost impossible to find.”
Craig continued, “Regular Mystic Silver–Leaf doesn’t have grades. Even the top–tier ones are just the best among regular witch–weeds.
“But if you’re talking about the graded kind, that’s a whole other level. My master told me some Botanical Magus were born with a special kind of spiritual constitution.
“Because their spirit energy is so unique, the herbs they grow end up way stronger than what normal Botanical Magi can produce.
“They’re packed with more spirit energy, and sometimes, they even break through the usual limits and mutate.
“And that’s how you get Grade–A Mystic Silver–Leaf. They’re insanely rare. Where did you guys get these? I need to buy some for myself.”
Craig could barely contain his excitement. “If you use these to make medicine, the purity will be next level.
But Linda and Rafael didn’t say anything. Craig pressed, “Where’d you get them, seriously?”
Linda grinned. “Craig, don’t bother buying them. I’ll just give you some.”
“No way, I can’t just take them for free. You paid for these, didn’t you?” Craig said.
“Didn’t cost me anything.” Linda shoved five stalks into his hand. “These are the less perfect ones I have left. If you want more, I’ll pick some fresh ones for you when we’re back at the sect
Craig was so stunned it took him a long moment to wrap his head around what Linda had said. He stammered, “Wait Y–You
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Chapter 19
grew these?”
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Linda nodded. “Just sold some, so I’ve got a bunch of luster shards now. Want to go splurge on a big meal?”
Craig was still reeling from the whole Grade–A Mystic Silver–Leaf bombshell when Linda dragged him into the Ambrosian Refectory.
But before he could even process that, the prices on the menu nearly gave him a heart attack.
Sitting in the dining hall, Craig jolted. “Holy crap, twenty luster shards for a cup of noodles? That’s half a day’s work for Byron.”
Rafael pressed down on Craig’s head. “Dude, keep it down.”
Linda chuckled. “It’s fine, Craig. Eat whatever you want. I’ve got plenty of luster shards.”
Linda dropped her Infinite–Expansion Satchel onto the table. It hit the surface with a heavy bang.
Craig clutched his chest. “That’s a fortune. Linda, aren’t you scared someone’s going to jump you for all those luster shards?”
Laura asked, “Can we really order anything we want?”
Linda smiled. “Sure, order whatever you like.” Laura and Craig looked over the menu, and both ended up choosing the noodles.
Linda thought for a moment, then said, “Laura, you don’t need to worry about saving money for me.”
Laura said, “This one gets us free noodle refills.” Linda was momentarily stunned.
Rafael noticed it too. “Look, it really does say ‘free noodle refills‘ right here.” The font was so small, though.
Linda caught on to what Laura meant and chuckled. “Alright.” She picked out five dishes, and each of them got a bowl of
noodles.
The waiter at the Ambrosian Refectory was all smiles, but Craig, an old hand at this place, said, “Just wait. That smile won’t last long.”
Craig suddenly looked regretful. “Honestly, I should’ve gotten you all some masks.”
Linda rested her chin in her palm, smiling. “If they’re open for business and put ‘free noodle refills‘ on the menu, they know what they’re in for. Relax, Craig.”
Craig let out a sigh. “Linda, you’ll see soon enough. The world’s a savage place.”
When Laura reached her fifty–eighth refill, the entire dining hall had indeed fallen silent. All eyes in the room were fixed on their table with burning intensity.
Linda recalled how timid Craig had seemed during their first meeting. “Turns out he really is a pro at surviving these situations,’ she thought.
But as Laura finished bowl fifty–eight, Linda calmly called out, “Another refill, please.”
The waiter shuffled over, forcing a nervous grin. “Uh, miss…”
Linda replied calmly, “These bowls are way too tiny. Hit us with the biggest ones you’ve got.”
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Chapter 19
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Craig and Rafael both looked at her with awe. “That’s our girl. Shifting blame without batting an eye. That’s impressive, they thought.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
