"Are you asking for the formula for the Sequence Seven potion of the Seer pathway?"
Diga nodded. Having received the compensation, he regained the usual amiability Klein was accustomed to:
"Setting aside premiums based on demand, rarity, and so on, a Sequence Nine potion formula costs two hundred Gold Pounds. The price doubles with every subsequent Sequence."
That meant four hundred Gold Pounds for a Sequence Eight potion formula and eight hundred for a Sequence Seven formula...
Only after adding the premium Diga had mentioned would it become the actual price at which one could buy formulas at those secret gatherings of Extraordinary beings.
Taking the place where Klein had previously bought materials for the Clown Potion as an example, the Sequence Eight Sheriff formula had been priced at four hundred and fifty Gold Pounds—under fortunate circumstances, at least it was something he could buy with money.
"Besides the premium on the formula itself, there should also be an information fee, considering you do not even know what Sequence Seven of the Seer pathway is called. But since you count as half one of our own... eight hundred Gold Pounds. How will you pay?"
"Cash!"
As Diga quoted the price, Klein breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly answered.
That was at least fifty Gold Pounds cheaper than he had imagined... Ah, right, those fifty Gold Pounds had been paid out in compensation last night because of his own itchy fingers.
Klein felt a stabbing pain in his chest. Refusing to dwell further on that heartache-inducing matter, he reopened his wallet, counted out eight hundred Gold Pounds, and handed them to Diga.
"Does the Café sell the corresponding Extraordinary materials?"
"The Café is a place for intelligence trading. We do not deal in that kind of business."
Diga casually slipped