2,000 Galleons!?
Lynn's mind raced with calculations. It was enough to buy that batch of rare Alchemy materials he had been longing for, upgrade the house inside his trunk to double its size, and even fund several Potion experiments!
In the face of two thousand solid Galleons, the slight reluctance and "technical pride" he felt toward his homemade broom were instantly compressed to the minimum.
What principles? What painstaking effort? In the face of an Alchemist about to run out of supplies, everything could be flexibly adjusted!
"Sold!"
Lynn said decisively to Malfoy, so quickly that Edgar and the others nearby almost dislocated their jaws in shock.
An undisguised expression of joy and triumph instantly bloomed on Malfoy's face.
"That's wonderful! When can we trade?"
"Right now."
Lynn replied immediately, afraid that this walking Galleon dispenser might change his mind.
He sighed inwardly. He couldn't be blamed for being "money-grubbing"; the other party had simply offered too much—far exceeding his psychological expectations.
Who said pure-bloods don't understand technical value? This Young Master Malfoy understood it perfectly. He was practically Lynn's soulmate!
As for technical leaks? Lynn wasn't worried at all. He had absolute confidence in the Alchemical safeguards he had set up.
As he spoke, Lynn pulled two pieces of parchment and a quill from his pocket, leaning over a nearby stone pillar to scribble out a transaction contract on the spot.
The terms were clear and concise: once the broom was sold, no returns or exchanges; the buyer may not dismantle or analyze the broom's internal structure in any form—otherwise any damage or consequences caused would be borne by the buyer; the seller had fulfilled his duty of disclosure… and so on.
Soon, under the dumbfounded gaze of Edgar and the others, money was exchanged for goods.
Malfoy handed Lynn a heavy, clinking velvet coin purse.
Lynn solemnly handed the broom—now returned to its plain appearance—to Malfoy, along with a detailed instruction manual.
It listed the broom's multiple mode-switching methods, basic performance parameters, the owner-binding process, and daily maintenance precautions.
"I will make good use of your broom," Malfoy said, the corners of his mouth curling upward. He was clearly delighted.
"What do you mean 'my broom'? It's yours now," Lynn replied.
"By the way," Lynn added, pointing to a key clause in the contract and emphasizing it verbally once more.
"Although it's written there, I still want to remind you that the internal structure of this broom is very… precise and sensitive. It must not be dismantled in any way. Once dismantled, it will be completely scrapped and turn into a pile of actual firewood."
His expression was serious. This wasn't a lie.
"Of course!" Malfoy agreed readily, his attention already fully captivated by the broom and the manual.
Lynn weighed the heavy Galleons in his hand and turned to leave, satisfied.
Malfoy, meanwhile, couldn't stop stroking the broom handle, unable to put it down.
He quickly flipped through the manual Lynn had given him, his eyes brightening the more he read.
"The speed can actually surpass the Nimbus 2000… morphological transformation… it even has automatic owner recognition and anti-theft functions! So cool! These 2,000 Galleons were well spent!"
---
"2,000 Galleons! Just like that?!"
Back in the Hufflepuff Common Room, after ducking into their dormitory, Edgar finally dared to exclaim loudly. William and Ollie gathered around as well, their faces full of disbelief.
Lynn placed the money bag on the table with a heavy, satisfying thud.
He first counted out the corresponding amount and handed it to Ollie Thorne, who was sitting quietly nearby.
"Ollie, here. This is what I borrowed from you before, with interest. Thanks, brother—you're the one I can count on at a critical moment."
Ollie nodded slightly and accepted it silently.
Then Lynn waved his hand grandly and announced to his three roommates with exaggerated bravado:
"You guys worked hard to pool money to help me cover the material costs! Once I finish the second-generation 'Super Broom' made with this money, everyone in our dorm gets one! When we ride them out together, that'll be real prestige!"
He imitated the tone of a nouveau riche, drawing out his words:
"When you have money~ you can afford to be a bit willful!"
"Lynn, the Principal says he has something to discuss with you. He wants you to go to his office now; the password is 'Cockroach Clusters'."
An upper-year student found Lynn by the Black Lake, staring blankly at the water with an empty fish bucket at his feet.
After thanking the student, Lynn slowly began packing up his brand-new fishing gear, muttering under his breath:
"It's not that I'm coming home empty-handed today; it's that the Principal has business with me. The fish in this lake should thank Professor Dumbledore for saving their lives…"
He arrived at the Principal's office by the familiar route.
Professor Dumbledore was sitting behind his large desk, gently stroking Fawkes's feathers.
Fortunately, the Principal wasn't holding that cup of sugary drink sweet enough to kill a Phoenix this time.
"Ah, Mr. Lynn, you're here. Would you like something to drink? Perhaps a cup of honey tea? Or a lemon sherbet?"
"No thank you, Professor."
Lynn didn't want to challenge the limits of taste that even a Phoenix couldn't endure, so he went straight to the point.
"Is there something you need me for, Professor?"
Dumbledore gently adjusted his half-moon spectacles.
"Actually, it's not a major matter.
The Alchemy branch of the International Confederation of Wizards will soon hold an Alchemy competition in Switzerland for 'new generation Wizards.'
As the Chairman of the Confederation, I believe it is necessary to support my colleagues' work and showcase the talent of Hogwarts' young Wizards."
He paused, his gaze falling warmly on Lynn.
"I wanted to ask if you would be interested in representing the school."
Just as Lynn opened his mouth to ask, "Why me?", Dumbledore continued as if he had anticipated the question.
"The prize for the winner is 5,000 Galleons, plus a collection of out-of-print manuscripts from several deceased master Alchemists.
Since it is the first session, the rewards have been set quite generously to attract talent.
I originally thought of the Weasley twins first; they are quite gifted in… well, 'creative practice.'
Unfortunately, there is only one spot."
[Ding! Mission issued: Participate in the competition and obtain a ranking. Reward: Immortal Curse]
[Effect: Any magic you cast can be attached with a curse. The victim will suffer continuous curse damage for three minutes, during which the curse cannot be dispelled.]
[Guess where I got this?]
5,000 Galleons! Out-of-print manuscripts! And a mission reward!
Lynn felt his heart skip uncontrollably.
Alchemy was a bottomless pit that burned money. More funds meant higher-grade materials, bolder experiments, and faster upgrades!
Not to mention the out-of-print manuscripts and the system mission!
"I'll participate, Professor!"
Lynn felt he had agreed too quickly, so he cleared his throat and tried to recover some dignity.
"Galleons or no Galleons, I don't care at all. Galleons are just a byproduct of research.
I simply treasure this opportunity to compete and exchange knowledge with outstanding young Wizards from around the world!"
Whether Dumbledore believed him—or whether the gargoyle at the door believed him—didn't matter.
At this moment, Lynn himself was deeply convinced.
At least for the three seconds after he said it.
Dumbledore nodded happily.
"Oh, that's wonderful! Your talent indeed needs a broader stage.
Then prepare yourself. I will handle your travel documents and related matters.
A member of the Ministry of Magic will accompany you. You will depart the day after tomorrow in the morning."
"No problem, Professor!"
---
Happy Reading. Be sure to leave a review!!!
Visit my Patreon for early access to 20+ chapters!!!
P@treon: mrfanfiction140