Antiquities Exchange Meeting.
As the name suggested, this was a gathering of wizards centered around ancient artifacts.
The old gentleman in a top hat was one of the meeting's original founders. His name was Abel. He was an experienced Level 3 Peak Wizard, and there were rumors that he might already have advanced to Level 4 Wizard.
Of course, the meeting was not solely for exchanging ancient artifacts. After all, such artifacts were too scarce; it was impossible for new ones to be unearthed every week. A group of wizards could not simply gather and stare at one another, so other matters had gradually been added as well—strange tales and unusual events they had encountered, commissions for various tasks, obtaining specific information, needs for all kinds of magical items, and so on.
In the end, the Exchange Meeting had developed into a small marketplace and a tea party where anything could be discussed.
Richard had joined this Exchange Meeting for a simple reason: to gain some understanding of the current mainstream wizard circles and, while he was at it, seek out the various things he lacked, such as the Unpopular Blood Spells he currently wanted.
Certainly, he could discuss these needs with Black-Faced Old Man Oscar and have them resolved. But he had already left the Truth Society and could no longer provide Oscar with large amounts of intelligence about the Truth Society as before. Therefore, whenever others could solve a problem, he tried not to trouble Oscar.
His relationship with Oscar was one of equal exchange. He hoped to save the favors Oscar owed him for more important matters and avoid wasting them whenever possible.
As Richard thought this, the old gentleman Abel, who had announced the start of the Exchange Meeting, looked toward him and said, "Following our