Ian took the ledger and quickly skimmed through it.
The accounts were clear. Thanks to the exorbitant profits from the Potions, the surplus was quite substantial.
"What about the material supply?"
"The channels Robert is in charge of are very stable. It’s just that the prices for ’Living Thought Vine Juice’ and ’Wailing Banshee Tear Crystal Powder’ have been driven up a bit. But we stockpiled a batch in advance, so it won’t affect us for now," Kenna answered quickly.
Robert put down his work and added,
"My lord, Kevin Wizard from the Rune System came by yesterday asking about the Starlight Potion again. He said he’s willing to pay an extra twenty percent."
Ian didn’t even look up. "Tell him the rules haven’t changed. He waits in line."
"Yes, sir." Robert replied, not the least bit surprised.
He knew Ian’s personality: he was a man of his word and hated it when people tried to break established rules.
Wade walked over, wiping sweat from his brow. "My lord, I’ve finished cleaning the warehouse in the backyard. The quality of the newly arrived ’Moonlight Moss’ is excellent."
Monica also stopped using her abacus and reported softly.
"My lord, this month’s net income is thirty percent higher than last month’s, mainly thanks to the Starlight Potion.
As you instructed, sixty percent of the profits have been converted into High Level Magic Stones and other specified rare materials, which are now stored in your personal warehouse."
Ian closed the ledger, his gaze sweeping over the four of them.
Kenna was steady and capable, responsible for overall management and external affairs.
Robert was meticulous, handling materials and important clients.
Wade was strong and willing to work, in charge of warehousing and miscellaneous tasks.
Monica was as sharp as a tack, and her accounts were never wrong.
The four of them had gone from being his initial partners to being willingly subordinate to him now.
This wasn’t just out of reverence for his Power, but also because Ian had given them tangible benefits and a clear path for advancement.
"Good work."
Ian’s voice was flat, but Kenna and the other three could hear the approval in it.
He tapped his fingers on the countertop, pondering for a moment.
"Things might get a little stormy soon. You are to continue business as usual, but keep your eyes and ears open.
If any strangers come around asking about the shop or about me, take note of them and tell me. But do not engage them, and certainly don’t ask any questions."
The four of them tensed, their backs unconsciously straightening.
"Understood, my lord!" Kenna replied grimly.
They had been through a War; they knew all too well what the word "stormy" meant in the Wizard World.
"Get back to work," Ian said with a wave of his hand.
Kenna and the other three bowed respectfully and returned to their posts, but a new hint of vigilance was in their eyes.
Ian sat behind the counter for a while, watching the orderly scene in the shop, then got up and left.
’There are some things they don’t need to know too much about.’
After leaving the Magic Pharmacy, Ian made a trip to the Magic Potion Department.
At the door of Alevia’s vice-dean’s office, he ran into Malena, who was just coming out.
"Ian?" Malena was pleasantly surprised to see him, but her expression quickly turned to one of worry.
"Are you... alright? I heard things were very unsettled over at the ruins."
She wore a well-fitting, deep blue Magic Potion Alchemist’s robe, and her aura was more solid and refined than before.
It seemed she was truly just a hair’s breadth away from Liquefaction.
"I’m fine. I came back alive." Ian’s reply was as brief as ever.
"Congratulations. It seems you aren’t far from Liquefaction yourself."
"How could I compare to a genius like you?"
Malena’s expression brightened considerably, then she carefully studied Ian’s face.
She seemed to be trying to read something from it, but Ian’s expression was as calm as still water.
She sighed softly and lowered her voice.
"The mentor is inside. She... seems to have something on her mind."
Ian nodded. "Thanks."
The two chatted for a few more moments before bidding each other farewell.
Ian walked to the door and knocked a few times.
"Come in," came Alevia’s cool voice.
Pushing the door open, he saw Alevia standing at the window, gazing out at the view of the many High Towers. The back of her figure, clad in a deep blue robe, looked somewhat lonely.
She turned, her gaze falling on Ian and lingering for a moment.
"Sit."
Ian sat down in the chair opposite her.
Gaga squatted obediently on his shoulder, its little eyes curiously sizing up the room.
"The Tower Master asked me to tell you something,"
Alevia dispensed with the pleasantries and got straight to the point, her tone flat.
"Keep a low profile for a while."
She paused, then added, "The Deep Red Royal Court and the Withered Council each lost a Level Two Wizard in the ruins. The undercurrents outside are running swift right now."
A flicker of movement in Ian’s eyes:
"The Tower Master... why would he have you inform me?"
Alevia shook her head, her golden hair swaying gently with the movement.
"I don’t know. But he knows you’re still alive, and that you returned safe and sound from those ruins where so many others died."
She looked at Ian, her gaze profound.
"That’s enough. In some people’s eyes, that in itself is an ’anomaly’."
Ian was silent.
Tower Master Morton wasn’t omniscient, but as a Level Three Great Wizard in control of Shadow Moon Tower, he naturally had his own information channels and methods of deduction.
’I’ve been in the limelight quite a bit lately, and I just got back from a dangerous place. It’s perfectly normal that I’ve caught his eye and been marked as a person of ’special interest’.’
"I understand," Ian said.
"As long as you understand." Alevia walked to her bookshelf and took out a small bottle of dew that shimmered with a starlight-like luster.
"This is what I promised you. ’Starlight Feather Dew.’ It’s good for Gaga’s feathers."
Ian accepted it. "Thank you."
"Don’t mention it," Alevia said with a wave.
"There’s nothing urgent in the department recently. You can focus on your own affairs."
This was a clear signal of protection and permission.
Ian stood up and bowed slightly. "Yes."
As he reached the door, Alevia’s voice came again,
softer than before, yet carrying a rare hint of warmth.
"Ian, Shadow Moon Tower is where you started, but the Wizard World is vast. Sometimes, flying a little higher, a little farther, isn’t necessarily a bad thing."