Chapter 454

It seems, then, that it is the mysterious Mr. Liravita.

Like the house-elves, he quietly sustains the workings of Hogwarts in the shadows.

“Mr. Liravita, hello.”

Wizard Sean respectfully said.

He would never forget every banquet at Hogwarts.

“Ah, ah, Mr. Green, just call me Lira.”

Mr. Liravita was a plump, affable wizard.

His appearance made Ola glance at him more than once, and Ma Er grew somewhat wary.

Even Su Ya began to tense up, gripping his hands tightly.

The conversation quickly began, with Professor Tera mostly discussing exchange rates and interest with them.

Wizard Sean said nothing, and did not need to.

What puzzled him was that Su Ya did not join the discussion, but sipped pumpkin juice alongside him.

“Dear Mr. Hermes, don’t look at me—just as you need not enter the arena yourself, I have nothing to contribute to these negotiations.”

Su Ya seemed acutely sensitive to Wizard Sean’s gaze.

“Why?”

Wizard Sean looked from the four intensely debating figures to the calm Su Ya, curious.

“Aunt Tera will secure you the best contract—she’s always done so, and today, with you here, she’ll likely shatter the international merchants’ lowest limits.

Can you believe it? She just gave the international merchants less than one percent profit…

Good heavens, the bulk of the reward is your modest friendship and your splendid reputation.

I don’t know if they’ll agree, but I certainly do…”

Su Ya relaxed slightly, whispering quietly.

It seemed the professor would secure favorable terms for the Tera family; Wizard Sean felt considerably more at ease.

“Oh, don’t misunderstand me.

I don’t need to join the discussion because Aunt Tera will secure you the best contract—which means I’ll always get the worst one.

I still remember last time, Aunt Tera’s initial contract for me required me to pay extra just to get started.”

Su Ya looked indignant.

Wizard Sean was momentarily stunned.

“Good heavens—you can’t possibly be unaware of how valuable your reputation is—

the greatest wizard of the future, the wizard who will surpass Dumbledore, the greatest alchemist in eight hundred years—”

Su Ya recited the titles, his voice tinged with awe.

“And you needn’t worry at all—the international merchants are shrewd.

No matter how harsh the contract, they’ll always find other ways to profit…

The simplest case: if a magical artifact sells well, less than one percent profit could equal the earnings of ten other agents.”

Su Ya showed not the slightest concern.

At that moment, the discussion fell silent, and Professor Tera’s voice rang out.

“Come here, Miss Su Ya, and my dear student.”

As Wizard Sean walked over, the plump wizard was wiping sweat from his brow, as if the prior debate had been exhausting;

the Latina witch sat dazed, eyes vacant; even Ma Er slumped in his chair.

Wizard Sean had no idea what Professor Tera had said to make these once energetic, enthusiastic international merchants so drained.

“Dear little Green, I’m truly sorry. I’m happy to help Hogwarts’ children, but I cannot accept the clause requiring me to be on call twenty-four hours a day. Many other children need me.”

Mr. Liravita knelt down, shyly grasped Wizard Sean’s hand, and was the first to leave.

Professor Tera, you’ve gone too far, but I agree—half a percent profit is still half a percent profit.

I have only one request: I wish to study the principles behind magical artifacts. For this, I’m willing to forgo profit entirely.”

The Latina witch spoke with burning intensity.

“Ola, you’re too eager.”

Professor Tera shook her head, signaling she could leave.

“Though no deal was reached, dear Mr. Hermes, I’ve always looked forward to our next collaboration.”

The Latina witch sighed deeply, carefully handing Wizard Sean a business card.

“Ola is an exception among international merchants—she’s obsessed with alchemy.

She’s even willing to work without profit to assist wizards in international trade, yet many alchemists who’ve partnered with her swear they’ll never do it again.

She learns too quickly—after working with her for a while, your magical artifacts are fully deciphered. Though she’s trustworthy and never exploits this knowledge for profit, it’s a severe blow to an alchemist’s… pride.”

Su Ya whispered the explanation to Wizard Sean.

The last wizard to approach was Ma Er, who had just been slumped in his chair; he trudged over, frowning.

“Respected Mr. Hermes, my profit is nearly nonexistent, sigh…”

He looked at Professor Tera, as if grievously wronged.

“Half a percent profit should already be filling your pockets, Ma Er.”

Professor Tera didn’t look up.

“Three percent is the minimum standard among international brokers, my dear teacher.”

Ma Er whined.

“That’s the standard—and standards are made to be broken.”

Professor Tera said coolly.

“Thank goodness it’s you—and respected Mr. Hermes… If it were anyone else, I’d have run off the moment I heard that, far, far away.

Do you know how hard business is now? The International Magical Cooperation Office keeps raising approval standards and taxes… the magical communications market is saturated too…

Hiring is difficult—there aren’t enough new international merchants these days…”

Ma Er rambled on.

Half a percent profit? That was trading with his head.

Unless this magical artifact was about to transform the entire magical world, he’d be ruined.

“Didn’t I give you a new hire?”

Professor Tera looked up.

“Yes, a new hire with no experience…”

Ma Er glanced at a resume.

He froze.

What did it mean—half a percent profit earning two thousand gold galleons in six months? What was this “London University economics graduate with honors”?

What kind of magical school was London University?

At that moment, Su Ya also stared in surprise at his aunt, who nodded at him.

“You sold me again! It’s always like this—”

Su Ya exploded.

“Hmm?”

Professor Tera raised her eyes.

Su Ya instantly calmed, muttering under his breath: “You always underestimate me. Just wait—I’ll become the greatest international merchant…”

“Ma Er will handle the sales of the magical hand-mirror. Su Ya will be his assistant.

Ma Er and Su Ya will be responsible for sourcing materials, sales channels, and operations of the magical hand-mirror; their compensation is half a percent profit per unit sold.”

Professor Tera flicked her fingers, and a magical contract landed in Wizard Sean’s hand.

He signed it without hesitation.

Meanwhile, London gradually awoke. Golden sunlight bathed the courtyard, warm and gentle.

Before leaving, Ma Er respectfully told Wizard Sean:

“Tomorrow is the first day the magical hand-mirror will be sold.

I know you can’t attend in person, but we hope you’ll come secretly—it will be a special moment.”