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nVale was unafraid of giving out his name. However, he didn’t want to say it because it feels as if he was being cooperative with the man.

nHe wanted to defy him for the sake of going against him.

nWith this thought, Vale just remained smiling as he shifted his gaze to the clerk completely ignoring Terrence.

n“We’re here to purchase some Recording Crystals. Can you assist us now?” Vale asked.

nThe Clerk also showed her business smile as she nodded.

n“Of course, we can. However, they have arrived first so I’ll confirm whether they still want to do business.”

nThe clerk said as she gestured to Terrence’s group.

n“May I know if you’re still here to purchase something from us?” The clerk remained unfazed by Terrence’s aggressiveness a while ago as she continued with her job as usual.

nTerrence’s eyes bulged out as he felt humiliated after being ignored.

nAs he was about to cast a spell, his companions immediately held his shoulder as they reminded him of the store’s Alchemist.

nAlthough the plump middle-aged man seems like a gentle person, they have felt his fiery aura a while ago so they know that he’s also an Arcane Arts Practitioner.

n“Stop it… Let’s just finish our mission and leave. It’s not too late to deal with these brats after we’re done.”

nWith that said, Terrence looked at Vale one last time and warned him…

n“I’m not done with you. We’ll meet again…”

nTerrence then turned his back as he used a mystical item to isolate their surroundings so no one could listen to their conversation.

nIn the meantime, the plump middle-aged man looked at Vale’s group and spoke with a smile.

n“Alright, if you don’t want to wait, how about I assist the three of you upstairs?” He offered while gesturing at the stairs. Vale also didn’t miss how he glanced at his shadow for a brief moment.

nAnyway, Terrence’s group including the Clerk, looked at the Alchemist of the store with a surprised look. 𝒆.𝙘𝒎

nThe second floor is normally reserved for VIP customers… Since Vale and the other two were treated like one, Terrence was momentarily stunned as he reassessed the status of the three Dark Arts Practitioners.

n“Let’s go.” Philip replied without any hesitation as if he was expecting this to happen.

nPriscilla was the same as she thanked the Alchemist before following Philip upstairs.

nVale was the last one to move as he felt Lotus’ emotions.

nFrom the looks of it, the Alchemist seems to have noticed the Dark Spirit’s presence! Even if it’s not, he has certainly realized that there was something in his shadow…

n‘Are you alright?’ Vale asked the Dark Spirit using his unique connection with her.

nThis Dark Spirit is very important to him right now. Even if Professor Shirley want him to send her back to the Spirit World, he would never do so. After all, she seems to have given him the ability to have prophetic dreams.

nAlthough it had only happened once, he believes that he could experience it once more if he was about to into a terrible situation.

n‘I’m fine… However, that human can feel my presence. Because your shadow is too weak, I can’t properly hide my presence. You have to get stronger.’

n“…’ .𝒎

nVale was stunned after hearing Lotus’ reply. He wasn’t sure if he understood what she just said.

n‘My shadow is weak? How do I even make it stronger? Is that even possible?’ Vale knitted his brows as he had never heard anything about shadow strengthening.

nAnyway, he can only assume that Lotus meant that he should become a stronger Dark Arts Practitioner to turn his shadow into something stronger as well.

n“Alright, let’s talk about business. I assume you three are from the Vermont Academy. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself, I’m Marion Fawns, the manager of this small store.” The plump middle-aged man said as he sat down on a couch…

nThe second floor doesn’t just have shelves of various treasures of the past but also a space to meet the guests and discuss business.

nAs the group sat opposite him, a servant came in a timely matter to serve them snacks and tea.

n“You’re right, Sir Marion. I’m Philip… This is Priscilla and Vale. We’re first-year students and were tasked to confirm the purchase of the Recording Crystals. Have you prepared them?” Philip asked as he lifted the cup of tea that was served to them quite quickly.

n‘Earl Grey? I don’t really like this…’ Philip commented in his mind as he watched Vale take a sip of the tea.

n“Of course, we have them prepared… We’re the ones who offered it to you in the first place. We’re happy that you’re here to complete the transaction. In the future, we hope that all recording crystals needed by your Academy would be ordered from us.” Manager Marion answered.

nVale wryly smiled at this as he knows that the Academy can’t fully cut their partnership with the Mystic Arts Faction. They must maintain their neutral stance.

nIf they really stopped their partnership with the Mystic Arts Faction for the Alchemist Faction, then that would just lead to even more problems.

n“I will let the Academy Officials know of this.” Priscilla can only say as she can’t just tell the truth. She has to let the academy handle such matters.

nThey’re only here to complete their transaction after all.

n“Very well. Please wait for a while as I already sent someone to take the crystals. Each of them is worth 300 zen. That is about 35% cheaper than the ones you purchase in the Mystic Arts Faction it can even be reused. Have you been informed about that?” Manager Marion said with a smile.

n“Reuse? Are you telling me that we can cleanse the crystal and change its content… I mean, use it again to record?” Philip asked in a surprised tone to which Manager Marion replied proudly…

n“Yes.”

nPriscilla was also surprised as she thought that the content of the Recording Crystals are absolute and can’t be changed or removed. It should be a one-time use. If you want to erase the content, you have to destroy it completely.

nReusing them is impossible.

nThis new product is definitely a useful crystal.

nIn the meantime, Vale didn’t know that the ones in the Archive Room don’t have that option at all.

nHe looked at the Manager who was satisfied with the two’s reaction. After all, this shows how better their products are.

nIt wasn’t simply cheaper but it’s also better!

nManager Marion then shifted his attention to Vale and politely spoke.

n“Alright, while we’re waiting for my assistant, can I ask if you’re a member of the Evanescent Vessel?”

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