Zhang Xiao struggled to describe the look Bogrod gave him. Even the legendary pie-chart gazes in domineering-CEO novels weren't this complicated.
It was fear mixed with resentment, laced with awe and anger, along with a bewilderment that words could not quite capture.
Bogrod looked at Zhang Xiao, and Zhang Xiao stared back without fear, as though invisible signals were passing between them.
The bustling Gringotts seemed to have been muted. Wizards turned to look their way, and even the goblins briefly set aside their work.
Some younger goblins wanted to say something, but their older companions silenced them with a look.
Under everyone's shocked and confused gazes, Bogrod, the manager of Gringotts, bowed deeply.
"Of course, heir to the Celestial Master, as exalted as the sun. No one would dare question your qualifications."
All the sounds that had been held back seemed to erupt at once.
The wizards broke into noisy whispers, pointing in their direction and exchanging astonished opinions. Some recognized Zhang Xiao.
And so the word "Zhang" began rising from all corners of the hall.
The younger goblins might have felt humiliated. They glared fiercely at where Zhang Xiao stood. He was merely a human wizard; they could not understand why Manager Bogrod treated him this way.
But Bogrod knew the reason, and knew it all too well.
Goblins had a long history. Throughout that history, they had acted without restraint in the West, practically ruling the roost.
Even wizards had few effective ways to deal with them.
True, the advent of wands had made casting magic simple and easy, but it had also indirectly limited wizards' power.
Many wizards could barely cast a spell without their wands. Goblins were different. Their innate talent for spellcasting allowed them to perform magic with considerable consistency even without a wand.