High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 126: Chapter 50 How the Wizard Bargains_1

In the wizarding world, talismans have always been a necessity for wizards, whether they are at home or on a journey.

A wizard might not be proficient in uttering mystic spells; he might not know how to concoct complex potions; but he most certainly knows how to use a talisman.

With just a minute amount of magic power and a simple ritual – on occasion, even without any preparatory ritual – any wizard capable of conjuring a fireball the size of a cherry could unleash power through a talisman that can shake the heavens and the earth.

Therefore, the Wizard Alliance, as the maintainer of order in the wizarding world, has strictly regulated the circulation of talismans in the market.

From the quality of the talismans to their varying power levels and the number of circulating talismans, the Wizard Alliance has made comprehensive demands and even implemented the ”Wizard Alliance’s Management of Magic Amulets”.

Theoretically, the circulation of talismans with a validity period of more than three months and holding general lethal force is prohibited in the market; and a single customer’s purchase of more than fifty talismans must be reported to Trident Sword for records.

However, in practice, this regulation is not strictly enforced.

Because the lawyers of the wizarding world have been incessantly arguing over the judgment criteria for ’having general lethal force’.

Moreover, the implementation of the ”Wizard Alliance’s Management of Magic Amulets” set a basic standard for the circulating talismans on the market.

For instance, wizards called talismans of a three-month validity period ’standard talismans’ to distinguish them from the ’boutique talismans’ that lasted longer than three months and ’poor-quality talismans’ which lasted less than three months.

For example, wizards referred to fifty talismans as ’A Hand’, symbolizing fifty talismans per transaction with five fingers representing fifty talismans; after transactions, old-school wizards would shake hands to confirm the deal; each transaction can only be fifty talismans, and a new transaction must be initiated after each, hence ’A Hand’ represents a complete talisman transaction.

Even standard talismans have different prices in different regions.

Beta Town is located on the outskirts of the largest university on Buji Island, and is home to the largest talisman maker in the wizarding world, hence, the talisman market there provides a benchmark price for the entire wizarding talisman market.

To put it differently: the price of standard talismans is lowest in the wizarding world here.

Therefore, Zheng Qing had reason to be shocked at the exchange rate given by the Wandering Wizard.

According to the rates in Beta Town, a standard talisman with a validity period of three months, even the simplest Calm Heart Talisman, has a base price of more than one Gold bean.

For wizards, the effect of talismans is better when used in combination, so the selling price per batch of talismans is higher.

For example, if one Calm Heart Talisman is priced at one Gold bean; a hand of Calm Heart Talismans, that is, fifty Calm Heart Talismans, will skyrocket to sixty Gold beans.

And the five hundred talismans that the Wandering Wizard had quoted, would have a market price of at least 600 Gold beans, which equates to a whopping sixty jade coins!

If the batch included a few slightly more complicated talismans, or if this batch of talismans was sold at auction, the value would only increase!

”You are robbing me, sir!” Zheng Qing exclaimed, waving his hands excitedly, with none of the respect and caution he had previously shown.

”This price has been strictly evaluated.” the Wandering Wizard analyzed very calmly: ”According to the intensity of your previous practice, you should have accumulated a large number of talismans.... It can be assumed that some talismans you have accumulated are ineffective, some are nearing their expiry dates, and others have flaws. Considering costs such as insect consumption, paper repair, packaging, etc., fifty Jade coins is a very fair price.”

Zheng Qing was stunned speechless.

His grey cloth bag did indeed have many accumulated talismans which he planned to sell to earn some living expenses.

After being reminded by the interviewer Thomas, Zheng Qing had sorted out his treasure trove.

According to the market conditions he had understood recently, among these stockpiles, there were about a thousand ’Poor-Quality’ talismans; nearly four hundred were of ’standard’ grade; and there were even about thirty to forty ’Boutique’ talismans.

”Are you interested in non-standard talismans?” Seeing the Wandering Wizard was not moving an inch, Zheng Qing planned to switch strategies.

Perhaps because the name ’Poor-Quality’ doesn’t sound too good, Zheng Qing intentionally used a very neutral term.

”Boutique talismans have always been widely welcomed on the market.” The Wandering Wizard cunningly replied.

”I’m referring to talismans that don’t meet the standard.” Zheng Qing, blushing, corrected in a muffled voice.

”Oh, Poor-Quality talismans,” the Wandering Wizard dryly replied, ”According to market prices, one bronze coin can be exchanged for one inferior talisman, and if the quantity is large, sellers have to provide discounts.”

”So you’re saying, a thousand inferior talismans are only worth one Jade coin!” Zheng Qing took a deep breath, ”This is even worse than robbery.”

”No one can guarantee the quality of inferior talismans.” The Wandering Wizard also seemed helplessly, ”Talismans that can’t even meet a three-month validity period must have defects in composition or sealing spirits... these talismans test a wizard’s luck during use. Most wizards do not like to rely on luck to cast spells.”

”But your shop does not have the qualifications to trade in talismans.” Xiao Xiao, who had been standing by the side, suddenly spoke up, ”It is common knowledge that talisman trade is a monopolized business by the Wizard Alliance.”

The Wandering Wizard was clearly taken by surprise by this question.

Perhaps it had been a long time since anyone had questioned him about qualifications or legality.

”This is a type of sales method between individuals, colloquially known as ’P2P’.” The Wandering Wizard vaguely explained, ”That is, direct transactions between two wizards. My shop is merely an intermediary... That’s it.”

”You didn’t provide us any receipts, and the sources of these things... you know.” Xiao Xiao, who seemed to have found an effective approach, held his notebook and stared at the Wandering Wizard with a look of righteousness, ”So you need to reconsider the price.”

”Five hundred standard talismans, you have to bear the costs, there’s risk of expiry, and this is already the price after a 50% discount for gold-card customers... There is no room for negotiation.” The Wandering Wizard quickly regained his composure and flatly rejected.

”We are quasi-underage! There should be some discounts.”

”You are all college students!” The Wandering Wizard couldn’t help but complain, ”Act mature.”

Zheng Qing watched the back-and-forth haggling between the two, feeling rather powerless.

”How about you treating us to a drink then.” Sensing that a price drop was hopeless, Zheng Qing finally proposed a compromise.

Both parties locked in the argument suddenly laid their eyes on him.

”Okay!” The Wandering Wizard eased up, he was clearly relieved, ”I’ll go get the drinks!”

Without further ado, he did not summon the waiter from his shop, but left the private room directly.

It was evident that he was very pleased with himself for being able to keep these young wizards quiet with just a few bottles of drink.

Zheng Qing also breathed a sigh of relief.

After the Wandering Wizard left the private room, he turned to look at his companions.