Chapter 1705 Purchase Rights <TOC> Chapter 1707 Orola
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Translator: SumTLMan
After the Mushroom Witch departed, the shop’s entrance was filled with a chorus of complaints and lamentations.
Farja listened closely, only to realize that the crowd was deeply concerned about the quantity of the Drama Shadow Boxes. How many of them would the Breezy Magical Materials Shop still have in stock after the Mushroom Witch’s purchase?
These mournful outcries, for a brief moment, brought two previously opposing factions together in mutual agreement. However, this unity was fleeting. Once discussions resumed regarding purchasing rights, tensions began to flare, and the two sides once again found themselves at odds with each other.
“What’s this about purchasing rights?” Farja inquired curiously.
“It’s exactly what it sounds like,” Loki sighed, explaining, “Because there are so many people wanting to buy the Drama Shadow Box, but the Breezy Magical Materials Shop has limited their supply, this situation has arisen. However, the shop doesn’t officially recognize these ‘rights.’ It’s something those two factions outside have come up with.”
According to Loki, the Breezy Magical Materials Shop would begin selling the Drama Shadow Boxes as dusk approached and nightfall was imminent in the upcoming days.
The Breezy Magical Materials Shop claimed that anyone could make a purchase, but it was on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on the queue. They had a limited stock, and sales would continue until they were sold out.
“They talk about a fair queue, but in a world like the Wizarding World where power reigns supreme, where does fairness really come into play?” Loki shrugged. “Look, the previous Mushroom Witch and other formal wizards who came before didn’t enter the shop during the actual sales period, but they managed to get their Drama Shadow Boxes effortlessly. The notion of fairness is just a facade for us apprentices.”
“Do you believe there’s fairness among the apprentices?”
Farja shook his head, “No.”
“Yes, even among apprentices, there is no fairness,” Loki remarked, pointing to the alchemists and the artists nearby. “These two groups plan to occupy all the available spots. They will prevent others from purchasing, clutching the so-called ‘buying rights’ firmly in their own hands.”
Farja, being no novice to the Wizarding World, was familiar with this occurrence. Such scenes were common in many wizard markets. And it wasn’t just about purchasing items. Even if one wishes to explore the uncharted planes, securing an exploration permit can be challenging due to these influential alliances at play.
For this reason, the staff at the Breezy Magical Materials store, despite noticing such situations outside, would remain indifferent. After all, in the end, they only needed to sell items based on the queue order. Whom the item eventually goes to isn’t of any significance.
“Of course, outsiders can purchase too,” Loki added. “From what I know, there are three ways. First, you could join one of these two factions. If you have enough Drama Shadow Boxes and your personal strength ranks you high within these groups, you stand a chance.”
“Secondly, if your personal strength is so overwhelming that you can overpower these groups, they naturally wouldn’t dare oppose you. For instance, a few days ago, Jetbo came to purchase a Drama Shadow Box. No one there dared to disrespect him, including those two factions. They behaved as docile as children, and he successfully acquired the Drama Shadow Box.”
“And thirdly, if you neither possess strength nor wish to join these factions, there’s still a way——”
“All you need is a solid backing!”
Farja paused in thought, “A backing?”
“Yes, a backing,” Loki confirmed. “You haven’t forgotten about Alan, have you? He came by a few days ago and managed to buy a Drama Shadow Box without a hitch.”
Farja, of course, knew Alan. Back in the Purification Garden, perhaps because both Alan and Loki were young and had similar inclinations, they became acquainted. When Farja met Loki, he also got to know Alan.
He vividly recalled that Alan hailed from the Candy House, where he was a gourmet apprentice. Given his capabilities, even if he joined either of the two groups, he likely wouldn’t have secured the Drama Shadow Box. However, according to Farja, Alan had indeed acquired the shadow box. Could there be a powerful benefactor… backing him?
“By ‘benefactor,’ do you mean… the Super Dimensional Wizard himself?” Farja remembered that Alan seemed to be quite familiar with Angel.
Loki shook his head, “No, it’s due to a formal wizard. She is a witch, though I’m uncertain of her exact identity. It seems she’s one of the higher-ups from the Candy House. At any rate, Alan accompanied her to the Breezy Magical Materials Shop, and leveraging her influence, entered the shop and procured the Drama Shadow Box. That’s the ‘benefactor’ I referred to.”
As Loki elaborated on this, he let out a soft sigh of regret, “It’s a pity. I came to participate in the Novastar Competition, following Hermes. My mentor isn’t in Sky Mechanical City; otherwise, I could have leveraged some influence too.”
Loki paused briefly before turning his gaze to Farja, “What about you? If you have any influence to leverage… could you bring me along?”
A mysterious glint flashed in Farja’s eyes. Without nodding or shaking her head, she calmly stated, “I came to Sky Mechanical City on my own. My mentor resides in Silent Hill.”
Upon hearing this, Loki murmured with a hint of disappointment, “Well, it seems I can’t rely on connections to get what I want. I might have to join one of those two groups. However, I’m not proficient in alchemy. Perhaps I should join the art faction? Farja, do you think I appear to be someone knowledgeable in the arts?”
Farja silently shook his head, remarking, “You have no connection with art.”
Loki, looking downcast, mumbled, “Then I suppose I’ll have to figure out some way to disguise myself…”
As Loki pondered on how to camouflage himself, Farja suddenly inquired, “There are still some things I can’t wrap my head around.”
Seeing the confusion in Loki’s eyes, Farja continued, “It’s evident now that the Super Dimensional Wizard might very well be the creator of the Drama Shadow Box. But why would he craft something that seems more artistically valuable than pragmatically useful? Also, what’s his relationship with the Breezy Magical Materials Shop? Why would he sell the Drama Shadow Box here?”
Farja’s questions left Loki deep in thought. After a while, Loki hesitated before offering, “Why the Super Dimensional Wizard crafted the Drama Shadow Box, I’m unsure. Perhaps it’s a pursuit of artistic expression? I’ve heard that many alchemists possess a unique sense of artistic aesthetics.”
“As for why he chose the Breezy Magical Materials Shop… I’ve heard that many alchemists in Sky Mechanical City often form mutual aid agreements with various magical material shops. Maybe the Super Dimensional Wizard had a similar intent?”
After speaking, Loki himself wasn’t entirely convinced. Reaching Angel’s caliber, there would be no need to form an agreement with a magic material shop just for minor favors.
Farja wasn’t convinced by this answer either. He speculated there might be some hidden details that are yet to come to light.
As they conversed, the door of the Breezy Magical Materials Shop suddenly swung open. A richly-dressed female puppet slowly stepped out.
Upon exiting, she didn’t glance at the crowded masses outside but rather gazed into the distant sky.
The crimson hues at the horizon were gradually blending with the curtain of the impending night.
The sunset was about to conclude, giving birth to the night.
The Sunset Boulevard was also witnessing its most enchanting moment of the day.
“The time has come. The sale of today’s Drama Shadow Box starts now.”
A sultry voice emanated from the female puppet, signaling the imminent start of a fierce scramble for the coveted item.