Cyril and Warren both bought several bottles of "Intermediate Healing Potion" in this ready-made potion shop, one bottle for one witch crystal, totaling two bottles.
These healing potions had a good effect on minor injuries.
This shop also sold many tools for potion-making.
A complete set of tools included goggles, gloves, crucible, stirring rod, pestle and mortar, various sizes of silver knives...
Of course, the prices were quite impressive.
"Actually, I think you don't need to rush to buy various items you'll need for your journey to the Wizard Academy," said Pick, seeing that Cyril and Warren were young but very calm. It was rare to see newcomers to the world of wizards who could remain so composed and restrained in their spending.
He guessed that they might also achieve good results in the Wizard Apprentice Ranking Test and kindly reminded them, "If you can achieve a good rank in the Wizard Apprentice Ranking Test, like A rank, you can choose a wizard academy that offers more benefits, saving a considerable amount of money."
Cyril nodded in agreement at Pick's words.
For a moment, his thoughts drifted. If he could become an S-rank wizard apprentice...
After buying what they needed, they left the ready-made potion shop and went to a bookstore.
Cyril widened his eyes as he looked at the crowded magical bookstore.
Inside, rows of fully packed bookshelves were neatly categorized with various books.
However, countless magic books floated above the chattering crowd.
They were arranged in various poses on the ceiling: most of the books were tightly closed, some swayed as if they couldn't stand the loneliness, and a few thick-skinned books playfully darted around above people's heads, even making the sound of flipping pages.
The store employees were busy serving customers who came to buy books.
"Excuse me, recommend me a guidebook for intermediate potion-making! Merlin's underwear, I can't seem to brew a stable sleeping potion!" A wizard apprentice with dark circles under his eyes rushed to the counter and complained, "The damn sleeping potion I brewed last time made me sleep for a whole week!"
His voice trembled as he spoke, making people wonder how many classes and assignments he had missed during that week.
"Alright, sir! Calm down! Don't panic, it's not a big problem! You made a very correct choice, and the books we offer here at the bookstore will definitely satisfy you!" A young employee waved his wand (it was a white wand with black cow-like patterns) and a thick book flew from the ceiling into his hand.
"Why is it flying again..."
The young employee muttered quietly.
But he immediately put on a warm smile and said to the wizard apprentice with dark circles, "Five Years of Potions, Three Years of Simulations! This is the perfect guidebook for you! It's also the required textbook for the Black Marsh Wizard Academy's potions class! Only 15 witch crystals! It's a great deal!"
At the same time, another older employee with a small beard, who looked even older, finished his own task and noticed his colleague's sales pitch. He sighed inwardly and quickly approached.
Meanwhile, he waved his bright purple wand (it was undeniably eye-catching) continuously.
Four or five books quickly flew from various places in the bookstore and neatly piled up in front of the bearded employee's counter.
"Hello, customer! I'm sorry, Amuta is new here and lacks experience! You're looking for a guidebook on potions, right? You've come to the right place! We have a wide range of relevant books!" The bearded man's eyes sparkled with shrewdness as he casually tapped the stack of books and continued, "Which wizard academy are you from? Is your textbook 'Intermediate Potion-Making'? This book, 'Comprehensive Interpretation of Intermediate Potion-Making,' is the best companion for 'Intermediate Potion-Making'! It explains in detail and is easy to understand, even if you can read! Fixed price! 20 witch crystals!"
"And there's this one, 'Intermediate Potion-Making in the Master of Potions' Series! It's been in the top ten bestsellers for years! Only 25 witch crystals! And this one..."
The bearded man rattled off a long list as if the wizard apprentice could become a potion master immediately after reading these books.
"...If you take all these books with you, we can give you a ten percent discount! It's a great deal!"
The bearded man enthusiastically persuaded.
Cyril watched as the wizard apprentice with dark circles in his eyes eventually stumbled away with a pile of guidebooks, spending over 100 witch crystals, and couldn't help but marvel.
Studying diligently and then creating study materials seemed like a good path to wealth!
Cyril thought that even if he bought some books, he couldn't become proficient in powerful spells overnight, so he prepared to leave the bookstore empty-handed.
Suddenly, he thought of something and couldn't help but stop in his tracks.
He wondered about the prices of "The Cookbook of Strange Creatures" and "Seeking Self Over Medicine – A Discussion on the Identification and Effects of Herbs."
Curious, Cyril approached the bearded employee and asked, "Excuse me, sir! Do you have 'The Cookbook of Strange Creatures'?"
Upon hearing Cyril's question, the bearded man's beard trembled a few times, and he said seriously, "Young man, we are a legitimate bookstore."
Cyril choked on his words.
Aside from the unusual cooking methods, this book had detailed descriptions of the characteristics of various creatures. How could it not be considered a legitimate book?
"If you're looking for books on cooking, I recommend 'Introduction to Cooking,' 'Fundamentals of Culinary Ingredients,' and 'The Art of Cooking,' and so on," the bearded man suggested tactfully.
"Um, thank you for your kind suggestion, sir. Then, do you have 'Seeking Self Over Medicine – A Discussion on the Identification and Effects of Herbs'?" Cyril continued to inquire.
"'Seeking Self Over Medicine'... That's a nice name. Is it a new book by a master of herbology? How did you hear about it? Can you provide contact information? We have a good commission for authors! It's sure to be a win-win!" The bearded man stroked his chin and immediately asked a series of questions.
Cyril waved his hand, indicating that he didn't know either, and replied somewhat nervously that he had only heard about this book by chance.
He didn't expect that these two books they found in the Rose Manor couldn't even be found in the bookstore! Could they be exclusive manuscripts?
Cyril suddenly felt that after the Wizard Apprentice Ranking Test, he would have to thoroughly study these two books.
The next shop they visited was a general store.
Inside, they had everything.
But as Cyril and the others entered the shop, Pick lowered his voice and said to them discreetly, "This general store has a lot of magical items, both for magical attacks and defenses. However, since they're new, the prices are quite high."
He wrinkled his nose and shrugged, and the freckles on his nose moved a bit. "You know, these days there are a lot of newcomers, and it's a good time to make some good deals. Later, I'll take you to a more affordable second-hand general store. The items there are even cheaper."
Cyril nodded and entered the general store. He saw that many new students were crowded around the shelves.
His eyes quickly scanned the merchandise.
"Protective Cloak (Long-term magical defense item): Upper, middle, and lower-level protective cloaks can resist magic attacks of 50, 25, and 10 or below, respectively."
Below the serious description, there was a small line of advertising: "Just think, when someone's spell hits your cloak without leaving a mark, and you see the frustration and helplessness on their face, isn't it satisfying? It sure is!"
Cyril's eyes lit up; this protective cloak did indeed look quite good! He then looked at the price tag under the cloak: the upper, middle, and lower-level protective cloaks were priced at 550, 325, and 210 witch crystals, respectively!
Well, the price for this satisfaction was indeed quite high.
Cyril then looked at other items:
"Scream Chicken (One-time-use magical attack item): Squeezing the Scream Chicken can produce a piercing magical sound equivalent to 15 magic power. It has a wide attack range, affecting everyone in the vicinity except the holder."
"Once the Scream Chicken is out, who dares to challenge me? It'll instantly weaken the opponent's combat power!"
Cyril looked at the seemingly harmless red-crowned yellow chicken, priced at 80 witch crystals, with mixed feelings.
Especially since next to this pile of Scream Chickens, there were "Practical Earplugs: Effectively resist the Scream Chicken's attack; with these earplugs, you'll have peace and quiet."
...This shopkeeper really knew how to do business, didn't he?!
My goodness, no matter what the reason for the attack, he made money from it all!
There were also some cute little gadgets.
For example, a self-combing hairbrush that automatically jumped onto your head and untangled even the knottiest hair.
There was also a thermos that could maintain the perfect temperature: "Always enjoy the healthiest hot water!"
Cyril was particularly envious of a collapsible storage bag; it was small but could hold more than a big suitcase.
Apart from the price of 880 witch crystals, it was perfect.
Not to mention the other beautifully decorated storage bracelets, storage rings, storage necklaces, and more, with prices so high that they were discouraging.
Cyril silently surveyed the general store and decided to wait for Pick to take them to the second-hand store to find some bargains.
They passed by a dessert shop, and Cyril found it hard to resist.
The sign of the dessert shop was quite eye-catching, featuring a large ice cream with chocolate, cherries, and crushed nuts.
Cyril quickened his pace and entered the dessert shop, where the air was filled with a sweet and enticing aroma.
The cakes and desserts in the glass display case were all adorable!
The rich and tempting chocolate cake had very smooth patterns, and the silky chocolate seemed like it would melt immediately on the small pastry.
Just looking at it made you feel the soft texture and sweet taste when it melts in your mouth.
The mousse cake had frozen cream that exuded a faint cheese fragrance, with small pearl-like sugar grains on top, making it very tempting.
Cyril could almost imagine the feeling of the soft cake mixing with the sweet cream melting on his tongue!
There were also several colorful scoops of ice cream piled in a cone, sprinkled with finely crushed nuts and candy beans; the strawberry-flavored cake roll looked soft and smooth...
Cyril blinked his eyes and hesitated about which one to choose.
In the end, he ordered the ice cream with chocolate, cherries, and crushed nuts, which was the signature dessert of the shop.
When the shop owner handed him a large ice cream, Cyril scooped up a spoonful of ice cream.
Surprisingly, there was creamy filling inside the ice cream, and it melted in his mouth!
The sweet and creamy taste lingered on his tongue, making him feel incredibly happy, and his mood became particularly bright.
They continued to weave through the crowd, visiting several more shops before arriving at a wand shop.
Inside the wand shop, many new students were already choosing wands.
The shopkeeper was an old man with a scruffy beard. His gray short hair hung casually over his eyes, giving him a somewhat carefree and unrestrained vibe.
Seeing more customers arriving, he yawned and changed to a more comfortable position in the chair behind the counter. He said, "The wands on the wall can be tried at will, and the prices are marked. If you need a custom wand, register with me here. If you want to make your own wand, go to the alchemy machine next to it."