The Mage Consortium was the largest supplier in the commercial zone, providing over half the materials used throughout the entire academy. These consortia, formed by mages from various regions and families, gathered here to sell all kinds of magical materials, anything you could imagine, and even things you couldn't. Most low-level mages relied on the consortiums to gather what they needed.
Agnes had given Edwyn two suggestions: the Hightower Consortium and the Seven Luminaries Consortium.
Hightower had guaranteed quality but high prices. Seven Luminaries was less reliable in quality but much cheaper.
Given his current financial situation, Edwyn naturally chose the Seven Luminaries Consortium.
Their shop was located on Golden Street, the most expensive part of the commercial zone. Every square inch of land was worth a fortune. Each shop's yearly rent ran into tens of thousands of Mana Stones. Even someone like Agnes, considered wealthy among apprentices, couldn't afford to rent here and had to settle for a more modest location.
Edwyn glanced around at the colorful signs. Glowing magical crystal lamps reminded him of signs back on Earth.
"Mages and commoners live in completely different worlds," he murmured. Then his eyes landed on a storefront nearby.
"Seven Luminaries Consortium. This is the place."
Edwyn stepped inside, and instantly, the noise from outside disappeared.
"A soundproofing magic array," he thought.
The shop wasn't large, just a counter, a few shelves, and a mechanical female clerk with exposed metallic joints.
"Welcome to the Seven Luminaries Consortium, student. How may I assist you?" the mechanical clerk said with a sweet voice, bowing slightly.
"I need to buy some materials, but your place here…" Edwyn scanned her up and down. The lifelike skin, expressive face, and gentle voice were so realistic that, if not for the visible mechanical joints and lifeless crystal eyes, he would've mistaken her for a real person.
"You must be a first-time visitor," the clerk smiled. "All Mage Consortiums have off-site storage. You simply pay here in the store, and we'll deliver the goods directly to your dormitory or a lab of your choice."
"I see." Edwyn nodded thoughtfully, then handed over a parchment listing the materials he needed.
The parchment included some decoy ingredients to obscure his actual formula and protect it from being reverse-engineered.
"Very well. Please wait a moment," the clerk replied, taking the parchment and scanning it with a crystal orb.
A flash of light.
"The total cost for your order is 530 academy credits. Would you like to proceed with the purchase?"
"Five potion recipes, 530 credits. Taking out the filler ingredients, each recipe costs about 100 credits." Edwyn did the math, then nodded and handed over the credits from his coat.
Once the payment was verified as authentic, the clerk handed him a contract, a standard requirement for any transaction in the magus world.
After signing, Edwyn provided his delivery address.
With everything finalized, he didn't leave right away. Instead, he requested another document from the clerk.
"Can I get a list of bloodlines you sell?"
"Of course. One moment."
The clerk pulled a crystal orb from under the counter and handed it to Edwyn. Upon scanning it with his mind, an overwhelming wave of information flooded into his consciousness.
"Just how many worlds have mages conquered… This is insane."
There were over ten thousand bloodlines listed, ranging from tiny insects to colossal dragons, even elemental creatures from the Elemental Planes. The variety dwarfed anything recorded during the Mage Wars era.
After scanning for a while, Edwyn finally found what he needed.
Required bloodline for Stage Two of Black Knight Alchemy: Two-Headed Troll.
Price at the Seven Luminaries Consortium: 500 Mana Stones.
"Five hundred stones…" Edwyn rubbed his chin. That was a huge sum for him. He wouldn't be able to proceed to Stage Two of his bloodline alchemy anytime soon.
Leaving the shop, Edwyn didn't return to his dorm. Instead, he headed to a public testing field in the lab zone.
In the center of the field, a short-haired girl was practicing spells.
Boom!
A cone of flame burst from her hand, turning the metal target red-hot in seconds. Moments later, the target melted into a pool of molten iron.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
"Elia, you've really got a knack for Evocation magic," Edwyn said, stepping up behind her and applauding.
The girl at the center was Elia, and the spell she had cast was Burning Hands, more precisely, a modified version from the advanced apprentice notes Edwyn had acquired.
"I'm nothing compared to you. You're a formal apprentice of Master Jorod now," Elia replied with a playful face as she suddenly clung to his arm.
"Edwyn, shouldn't you be reading at this hour?"
Feeling the soft pressure against his arm, Edwyn, now used to her teasing, didn't bother to pull away.
"I'm running a bit low on Mana Stones. Thought I'd earn some."
"Are you taking on a mission?" Elia's eyes lit up. "My mentor's taught me a bunch of new stuff. I bet I'm stronger than you now!"
Over the past year, Edwyn and Elia had done a few missions together. They didn't earn much, but their teamwork had grown solid.
"Your mentor's taking you as a formal apprentice?" Edwyn was surprised. Elia had been scouted by a mage who studied both Evocation and Curses and had been under evaluation since then.
"Not yet," Elia said with a pout, then quickly perked up. "But she's been much nicer to me lately. Not so harsh anymore."
She suddenly leaned in close, her breath tickling Edwyn's ear.
"I heard she's the student of the actual Chancellor of the Black Tower Magus Academy. Not the Vice, the Chancellor. A Grand Mage."
"Well, good for you," Edwyn replied, subtly shifting away. "If you become her student, that'd make you the Chancellor's grand-apprentice. You'd be untouchable in this place."
"Tch, then why aren't you flattering me already?" Elia teased, sticking out her tongue. "Better hurry before I run off with that Joseph guy. He's also a formal apprentice of an alchemist, and a mage's descendant!"
Edwyn chuckled helplessly. He had underestimated how popular Elia was at the academy, her list of suitors could form a battalion.
Joseph, in particular, stood out.
A formal apprentice, descended from a mage, and also specializing in alchemy.
Stack all that together, and even Edwyn had to wonder if the guy was made to compete with him.
"Well then, my dear Lady Elia," Edwyn said, extending his hand dramatically. "Might I invite you to dinner tonight and humbly beg your favor?"
Elia giggled and slipped her arm into his.
"Of course!"