Only among those in the same profession is there naked hatred.
Black Swan Wizard Card House, not only copied the gameplay concept, but also provocatively opened a store directly opposite the game.
Vincent certainly hoped they would go bankrupt, preferably with a mountain of debt.
Unfortunately, the gentlemen have plenty of Gold Galleons; they could probably afford even billions in subsidies.
With a critical eye, he saw nothing but luxury and class stratification.
The Wizard Cards seem expensive, but that's only an illusion.
Based on the current value of the British pound, 10 Galleon can buy almost 1 ounce, or nearly 30 grams, of gold.
It weighs at most 2 grams, and the price of broken gemstones is not high.
Including labor costs, the cost of a single card is at most 1 Galleon.
Of course, this is the purchase price in Muggle society.
If it were the Wizarding World, it would be at least 3 Galleon away.
These gentlemen all consider themselves superior and would certainly disdain making deals with Muggle.
They offer a 2x discount on every one sold, and that doesn't even include the store's expenses.
"Welcome, everyone!" Lucius said with a smile as he came down from the second floor.
He greeted Fudge first, then fixed his gaze on Vincent's smiling face.
They don't look like they're here to cause trouble.
That is indeed the case.
The 10,000 Gwent were sold out after the opening, and I was just sitting around with nothing to do, so I came here to take a look.
Old Flint's disdain and contempt from upstairs vanished completely.
Instead, he wore a flawed, somewhat ingratiating expression.
Fudge welcomed everyone and went to a corner with him and Old Parkinson to "chat".
The atmosphere was tense; customers either left their favorite cards behind or quickly paid the staff and left.
The once bustling store suddenly became deserted.
"Tap-tap-tap" The sound of high heels echoed from the stairs leading upstairs.
When Madam Zabini appeared before everyone, Evelyn pinched Eric's arm hard.
Although Molly and Jane weren't quite at that level, their smiling eyes made Arthur and Chris's hearts skip a beat.
Umbridge straightened up slightly, as if to express something.
Unfortunately, nobody pays attention to her now, or rather, nobody would have paid attention to her in the first place.
"Good morning, distinguished guests." Madam Zabini bowed slightly with impeccable manners.
The title of the most beautiful woman in the British Wizarding World is truly well-deserved.
Vincent thought about how her son was the same age as him and often did things that made him look bad.
Dumbledore chuckled and came to his side. "We're just here for a casual look around. There's no need for Madam Zabini to come down here herself."
"It is necessary, Professor Dumbledore." She stepped past Lucius and stood before Vincent.
"Wayne, thank you for taking care of my son Blaise Zabini. I spoiled him when he was little, and I hope you can understand."
Vincent nodded. "Madam Zabini, we've always looked after each other at school, and I've learned a lot from him."
"Really? That's great." Madam Zabini's expression was somewhat unnatural.
They are indeed difficult to deal with; no wonder the children are no match for them.
Lucius stepped forward and put his hand on Vincent's shoulder. "Our Draco has also received a lot of care from you, and he has learned a lot from you as well."
Intimidation doesn't work.
Even so, Dumbledore could not stand idly by.
"Lucius, isn't the whole thing between the two major clubs at school just a misunderstanding?"
He glanced rather surreptitiously towards the door.
There were several reporters there.
The most famous one is also there.
Madam Zabini tried her best to maintain the smile on her beautiful face. "As a mother, I am very grateful for your care of Blaise Zabini."
In Vincent's eyes, her smile was particularly eerie.
"Wayne, as a token of my gratitude, I've decided to give you a set of Wizard Cards."
The shop assistant, who had just run up to the second floor, quickly knelt down in front of the glass display case and took out a beautifully wrapped gift box from a locked drawer.
She caught it with one hand, then reached out with both hands.
"Thank you for the gift." Vincent took it. "I've always wanted a set of Wizard Cards."
He believes in reciprocity.
"Madam Zabini, as a token of my gratitude, I will give Blaise Zabini a complete set of Gwent as soon as I return to the school."
As she frowned, Lucius spoke first, "A complete set is too expensive; I've heard its success rate isn't very high."
"Business is business—" Vincent knew Fudge and the others were watching, "This won't affect the friendship between our two clubs."
He couldn't possibly be unaware of such clumsy schemes.
Stimulation failed, and sowing discord also failed.
Dumbledore was standing nearby, nodded secretly.
What the Ministry of Magic wants now is peace, even if it's just on the surface.
It would be very unwise to start a conflict here.
A sinister glint flashed in old Flint's eyes. "Minister Fudge, my son Marcus also received some of Wayne's help."
"Oh? There's such a thing?"
"That was last year, when they came to a match."
Fudge saw through his thoughts. "I guess— Marcus probably won, right?"
"No, Wayne won." Old Flint looked utterly frustrated.
"He said Wayne's Muggle fighting skills were too good, and it was impossible to get close to him."
"Indeed, very impressive." Fudge met those suggestive eyes. "Frantz, you wouldn't be thinking of—"
"No, of course not." Old Flint looked at Eric was intently watching his son's performance.
"Mr. Wayne must be very capable to raise such an outstanding son."
He raised his voice slightly, "Minister Fudge, I would like to invite him to serve as our Flint family's combat advisor. I wonder if you could make an exception and allow a Muggle family to join the Wizarding World?"
Poison, really poisonous.
Vincent's current fame alone cannot suppress the hatred of those lone Muggle.
Even though I wouldn't agree, saying it out loud would be a blatant insult.
Dumbledore, who was usually all smiles, stopped smiling.
No matter how powerful one's background or status, it is useless against certain extreme wizards.
They stood on high ground for so long that they didn't realize the snow at their feet had begun to melt.
"Franz, what do you mean by this?" Restman asked half a second faster than Biaser.
His eyes were icy cold. "You're speaking so loudly, as if you're afraid we won't hear you!"
Devin gently nudged his father's arm.
Clement remained unmoved and seemed to have no intention of getting involved.
"I think it's great, Uncle Lestrange," Vincent nodded confidently to his parents.
Only by experiencing it firsthand can one truly understand the extent of malice these people harbor.
Although old Flint can only represent himself, not all wizards.
"My dad was a member of the SAS. He couldn't sleep soundly at night without holding two big guns."
No wizard dared to underestimate the Gunblade that could pierce through the shell of Furaikan.
Even those standing at the highest point.
Lucius forced himself to appear more amiable, saying, "Frantz is rather rude, but I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it."
Fudge smiled and turned his gaze back to old Flint's face. "It turns out it was all a misunderstanding."
"Yes, it was a misunderstanding."
Times have changed.
The old tricks of sneaking around no longer work.