Terms

George VIII first had the maid clean up, then invited Colin and Ham into the living room. Warm sunlight streamed through the glass windows, illuminating the room.

Three white leather sofas stood in a triangular arrangement, with a square coffee table of the same color in the middle. A handmade East Grand Carpet covered the floor.

On one wall hung a portrait of a hat-wearing middle-aged man who looked somewhat like George VIII.

After the three arrived in the living room, each took a sofa. A maid served black tea and biscuits.

A small silver spoon rested in each white porcelain teacup, with a little box of sugar cubes beside it.

When the host served tea and refreshments, one was expected to partake as a matter of etiquette. Colin picked up a sugar cube and dropped it into his tea, stirred it with the spoon, took a sip, then calmly set the cup down.

George VIII and Ham did the same. George VIII took the opportunity to think for a moment before setting down his cup and asking Colin sincerely, "Mr. Colin. Taking the Basic Strength Potion as an example, you should know the price of its ingredients and the selling price of the finished product, correct?"

"Based on market prices, each set of ingredients for a Basic Strength Potion costs two Gold Coins. The finished product sells for ten Gold Coins." Colin knew this like the back of his hand and nodded.

"At these prices, even the most incompetent apothecary wouldn't lose money. As their pharmaceutical skills improve, apothecaries will become rich overnight," Colin thought.

George VIII nodded and continued sincerely, "Before war broke out in the Empire, this was the standard on Magic Street. Every resident apothecary could purchase our materials at sixty percent of the price and sell the finished products back to us at seventy percent."

"So purchasing materials from you would cost one Gold Coin and six Silver Coins, while selling the finished product to you would bring seven Gold Coins?" Colin rubbed his chin, then raised his head and fixed him with a piercing gaze. "What about now?"

"Now, the materials only cost one Gold Coin, and we purchase the finished products for eight Gold Coins. In addition, we will subsidize you with one Gold Coin every month." George VIII was exceedingly sincere. He then added, "Even among the many magic shops here, our offer is already the highest. We sincerely invite you, Mr. Colin, to cooperate with us."

Colin nodded, a smile appearing on his face. "I believe you."

The reason he had chosen George Magic Shop was that it was inconspicuous and poorly managed. To retain apothecaries, its offer might not necessarily be the highest, but it would certainly be very generous.

Besides, George VIII seemed like a decent man.

The recent business situation had left George VIII barely able to breathe. Yet standing before him was a genuine apothecary, one he had seen with his own eyes—there could be no doubt about it.

George VIII was determined to keep Colin, and he was extremely nervous as well. Though he appeared composed on the surface, his body was actually somewhat tense. Upon hearing Colin's words, he immediately relaxed, and more than half his pressure vanished. He had the urge to let out a long breath, but quickly forced it down.

Just then, Colin changed the subject. "Only..."

"Only what??? Please, go ahead. If it's something we can do, we'll definitely do it." George VIII's heart instantly leaped into his throat. His body trembled slightly as he hurriedly asked.

Even Old Ham beside him grew nervous. His ties to George Magic Shop ran deep; they were bound together inseparably. His eagerness for Colin was no less than George VIII's.

"As for me, my pharmaceutical skills were taught to me by my teacher, an old mage. I'm deeply grateful to him, but when I completed my apprenticeship, he didn't provide me with any financial support. My family is rather poor, and I can't afford the cost of materials. Also, my home is in Will City, so traveling back and forth to Kent City is inconvenient. How about this? I'd like to buy on credit a set of Magic Pharmaceutical Apparatus and materials for thirty Basic Strength Potions. I won't take the one Gold Coin monthly subsidy, and every month you can send someone to my home to collect the potions and bring the materials at the same time. How does that sound?" Colin had rehearsed this speech countless times in his mind. When he spoke, he was extremely calm and sincere.

Buying on credit!

No matter the world, it was impossible for an ordinary person to buy on credit based on nothing but their word. First, Colin had the identity of an apothecary, and second, the Empire's current circumstances were what they were.

Colin believed they would agree to his request.

George VIII and Old Ham exchanged a glance, then both breathed a sigh of relief. Boundless joy welled up in their hearts. Compared with securing an apothecary, this request was hardly worth mentioning.

As for the old mage Colin mentioned, they did not care in the slightest. There were plenty of old mages in the world. What mattered was the apothecary.

"Fine." George VIII agreed at once. Then he rose impatiently to his feet and said, "I'll immediately prepare a set of Magic Pharmaceutical Apparatus and thirty portions of Basic Strength Potion materials for you."

Colin was somewhat surprised. "Isn't that a little too hasty? Shouldn't we sign a contract first? I brought proof of identity."

As he spoke, Colin reached into his clothes and took out a document proving his identity. It was a sheet of magic paper bearing a magical seal, with House Russell's family lineage recorded on it in detail.

This proof of identity had been issued by the Nobility Council. It could be forged, but the cost of doing so was high. Moreover, the Empire was currently very stable, and it pursued such crimes with great severity.

George VIII and Old Ham exchanged another glance, smiles appearing on their faces. Only then did they feel that Colin was still just a green boy.

Colin was somewhat puzzled. What was so funny?

Naturally, George VIII would not offend Colin, so he quickly explained, "For an apothecary like you, an ordinary contract cannot bind you. If you violated the contract, plenty of people would be willing to cover for you and protect you. When doing business with apothecaries, what matters is trust."

Colin suddenly understood. An apothecary's status in the secular world is far beyond what I imagined.

Since there was no need to sign a contract, why sign one? Colin swiftly folded up his proof of identity and put it back into his jacket pocket.

The deal was settled.

There was no need for further nonsense.

George VIII and Colin agreed that on the first day of every month, someone would be sent to Will City to deliver thirty portions of materials and collect the finished potions Colin had made.

George VIII did not mention the matter of credit at all, as though it had never happened.

Colin could not help but admire him. This man really knew how to do business.

Moreover, when Colin was leaving, George VIII packed up the Basic Strength Potion Colin had made and gave it to him. Colin had initially been embarrassed to accept it and politely declined once, but it was forcibly stuffed into his arms.

Since his purpose had already been achieved, Colin was not particularly curious about Kent City. Still, he bought some gifts there to bring back for Linda, Smith, and Bill.

That night, he stayed at the inn he had booked. The next day, carrying the materials, the Magic Pharmaceutical Apparatus, a Basic Strength Potion, and the gifts, he mounted his white horse and happily returned to Will City.