Wright

Ethan nodded thoughtfully.

"So, where do I learn this technique?"

"Practice," the old man spat out two simple words. "When it comes to alchemy, just looking at a knowledge crystal is useless. You have to get your hands dirty, try over and over, and refine your process repeatedly. The process of trial and error is essentially a process of burning magic stones. That's why alchemists lose money in the early stages; you only start turning a profit once you've weathered that period."

"I see. You can't make money without burning it first. To earn, you must first invest."

"Exactly. Now do you understand why those two recipes are so expensive?"

"I understand."

Ethan turned to leave.

"I'll go find some materials to practice with first."

"Hold it right there." The old man called out to him, a subtle expression on his face. "Didn't I mention I can give you a ten percent discount?"

Ethan turned back, looking at the old man's wrinkled face with a slight curve to his lips. "And?"

"And?" The old man glared at him. "And then you're supposed to buy something! Are you just standing there waiting for me to beg?"

"Heh, just a joke." Ethan walked back to the counter. "Give me twenty sets of each."

"Hmph, wait here."

The old man rummaged under the counter and pulled out two cloth bags, pushing them toward Ethan.

"Twenty sets of materials for the Spirit-Focusing Potion and twenty for the Ignis Paste. The original price is seventy magic stones. With the ten percent discount, that's sixty-three."

Ethan took the bags, casually stowing them in his storage ring before handing over the magic stones.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, he remembered something and stopped.

"Old man, how do you know the details of these two recipes so well? The material prices, the market trends—you're an expert on everything."

The old man's face stiffened instantly. The nonchalant expression on his wrinkled face froze for a moment. His cloudy eyes darted around, and his lips twitched as if something was stuck in his throat.

"Ahem." He cleared his throat, reaching for a booklet on the desk and pretending to flip through it. "Look, kid, don't ask questions you shouldn't be asking."

Ethan stood at the counter, staring at the old man for several breaths. He noted the unnatural stiffness, the shifty eyes, and the fact that the booklet was upside down.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Oh, it seems your own technique was a bit lacking, old man."

The old man's movements froze. He looked down at the upside-down booklet in his hands, and his face turned a spectacular shade of red and white. His lips trembled as he tried to speak, but he swallowed the words back down.

"Get out, get out, get out!" He slammed the table, throwing the booklet onto the counter. His cloudy eyes widened into circles. "You little brat! What do you know about lacking technique? I was practicing alchemy when your father was still in diapers!"

Ethan let out a laugh and turned to leave.

Behind him, the old man's shouting continued: "Disrespectful brat! No more discounts next time! Ten percent? Ten percent my foot! Full price! Not a copper less!"

Ethan didn't look back; he simply waved a hand and strode out of the Logistics Hall.

However, after only a few steps, he stopped.

He stood there, his expression freezing for a moment of awkward realization, before slowly turning around and walking back to the counter.

The old man was looking down at his booklet. Catching a glimpse of a figure in his peripheral vision, he looked up, his lips curling into a mischievous smirk. "Well, well, the boy genius is back. What do you want? No discounts."

Ethan lined up three magic stones on the counter, forcing a smile. "Ahem, my mistake, old man."

The old man glanced at the three magic stones, then up at Ethan's strained smile. He gave a snort and swept the magic stones toward himself.

"Heh, young people need to learn to respect their elders. What quality of equipment do you want?"

"Medium-quality should do."

The old man tapped a few times on the panel in front of him. A second later, a circle of pale blue light shimmered on the floor in front of the counter.

Two large, person-sized crates slowly emerged from the light, settling firmly onto the stone floor.

The crates were made of dark gray wood with no decorative patterns, but the corners were reinforced with dull silver metal.

"One set is five magic stones. Two sets for ten magic stones, but I'll charge you nine."

"Ahem, old man, do you offer a delivery service?" Ethan looked at him with a very sincere gaze.

"I do. One magic stone, delivered to your door."

"No problem, I'll pay." Ethan fished ten magic stones from his ring and set them on the counter.

The old man swept up the stones and pressed another button in front of him.

The same glow appeared around the two large crates, and they vanished in the blink of an eye.

"There, they've been sent. You'll see them when you get back."

With the transaction complete, Ethan wasn't in a hurry to leave. He leaned against the counter, his gaze lingering on the old man's wrinkled face.

"By the way, old man, why is it always so deserted here? I've been here several times and haven't seen anyone else."

The old man glanced at him and tapped the badge on his left chest. "This badge has a wizardry effect. Those without Grade Five Aptitude can't see me or this place. Understand?"

Ethan was stunned. "Huh? It's that special?"

"Of course." The old man leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head and chin held high. "Look at who I am—Old Wright. You think just anyone can see me? Not a chance."

"Wright?" A long-buried memory was suddenly triggered in a corner of Ethan's mind.

"What, you got a problem?" The old man narrowed his eyes, his tone taking on a dangerous edge.

"No, no, not at all." Ethan waved his hands dismissively, forcing another smile. "I just wanted to ask... do you happen to have a nephew named Ezreal?"

The old man blinked, his cloudy eyes rolling as if he were seriously trying to recall the name.

"Who the hell is that?"

"Ahem, never mind, never mind." Ethan gave a dry cough and turned to walk out. "I must be losing it. See you later, old man."

The old man's muttering followed him from behind: "This kid... is there something wrong with his head?"

Ethan walked out of the Logistics Hall and followed the stone path toward the Talent District. His mind was still spinning with those thoughts.

Wright.

That name really brought back memories.

My Ultra Rapid Fire...

My Hextech ARAM...

Sigh, I'll never see them again.

As soon as he reached his front door, Ethan saw two large crates sitting outside his villa.

A Spirit Bone Guard stood ramrod straight next to the crates.

Seeing Ethan approach, it turned slightly, its hollow eye sockets locking onto him.

"Ethan Leo?"

"That's me, sir."

The Spirit Bone Guard pulled a palm-sized metal instrument from its waist, its surface covered in intricate runic patterns. It held the device out to Ethan, pointing to a slot on the surface.

"Verify."

Ethan pressed his identity plaque into the slot. The runic patterns on the instrument lit up with a pale blue glow. After a few seconds, the light faded, and the device emitted a soft click.

The Spirit Bone Guard retracted the instrument, glanced at the display, and nodded.

"Goods delivered. Receipt confirmed." It handed the identity plaque back to Ethan, then turned and walked down the path away from the Talent District.

Ethan watched the back of the Spirit Bone Guard until it disappeared around the corner. Only then did he bend down to pick up the two crates and push open the courtyard gate to head inside.