Chapter 42: Steam and Stars

Merlin nodded openly and confidently. “Exactly. My supply of spices is running low, and I was thinking of buying some from you. Your shop is backed by the Silver Moon Guild, right? Buying from you should be cheaper. I’ll need a large quantity, and over time, my purchases will only increase.”

Dahl wiped his mouth thoughtfully and paused for a moment. “Your business is bound to be extremely profitable. Have you considered collaborating with others?”

Merlin shook his head decisively. “No, I have no plans to partner with anyone.”

Of course—not if he wanted to keep the monopoly profits all to himself.

“Don’t rush,” Dahl said, his tone calm but persuasive. “Listen to my suggestion. If you just provide the recipes and leave the rest to the Silver Moon Guild, we can handle everything. We may not be the largest guild on the continent, but we’re certainly one of the most powerful. With the backing of the Elves, we can ensure your culinary creations reach the entire continent.”

He continued, his words measured and persuasive. “We have our own shops and a large-scale spice plantation run by the Elves. We can keep costs as low as possible and maximize profits. If you agree, the Silver Moon Guild is even willing to cover the 500,000 gold coin debt your family owes.”

Merlin’s eyes narrowed slightly at Dahl’s words. “No need. That debt is nothing to me; 500,000 gold coins is a trivial sum. As for your so-called collaboration, don’t mention it again.”

“You’re not wrong,” Dahl said with a wry smile. “With the speed you make money, 500,000 gold coins is just pocket change. Alright, I won’t press further. Honestly, I was just testing whether a collaboration could be possible. If it works out, great. If not, it’s no matter.”

Dahl leaned closer, lowering his voice slightly. “Only the Silver Moon Guild would show such leniency. Other guilds might not be so generous. With a profit this enormous, they would stop at nothing. Consider this a friendly warning.”

“Understood. Thank you. Let’s first talk about the price of the spices.”

“I’ll compile a table for you later. As for pricing, it depends on how much you need. Right now, I can offer you a 5% discount off the market rate. Naturally, as your order volume grows, the price will decrease further.”

Dahl extended a finger, emphasizing his point. “You don’t need to haggle further. This is the maximum concession I can offer. Otherwise, you’ll have to discuss it with the guild master himself.”

Merlin had wanted to negotiate a bit more, but Dahl’s firm tone left no room for argument. He nodded. “Then you must guarantee the quality of this batch.”

“Rest assured. With the Elves, quality is beyond question.”

“Very well. Let’s make this a pleasant partnership.”

“Pleasure to collaborate!”

They shook hands, sealing the agreement. Then Dal suddenly leaned back as if remembering something. “By the way… you’re close with Stacie, aren’t you?”

Stacie? Merlin immediately thought of the beautiful Elf girl. “Yes. You could say she’s currently employed by me.”

“Oh? I see…” Dahl nodded slowly, falling silent for a moment before speaking again.

“Merlin, do you fear trouble?”

“What? Trouble? Because of Stacie?” Merlin sensed a hidden meaning in Dahl’s tone.

Dahl continued calmly, “If you fear trouble, it’s better not to get too close to Stacie. That won’t do you any favors. But if you’re willing to help her, even if it’s troublesome, I’m prepared to give you an extra 1% discount on this deal.”

Merlin was surprised. This portly man was willing to offer a 1% concession for Stacie’s sake. Though he had known him for only a short time, Merlin recognized the type: someone who, like himself, valued profit highly.

“And why is that?” Merlin asked.

“That’s not something I can explain fully. Just assume it’s because we’re both half-elves.”

Merlin understood there was no point pressing further. A 1% discount was still welcome. After all, how much trouble could arise here in the Arcane Academy?

“Fine, no problem. As for trouble… I may dislike it, but I never fear it,” Merlin replied confidently.

Dahl chuckled mockingly. “Are you sure? This trouble could be bigger than your family’s 500,000-gold-coin debt.”

“I’m sure. As I said, 500,000 coins is nothing to me.” Merlin thought, If it becomes unmanageable, I’ll just find another supplier. It would be foolish to turn down immediate profit.

Dahl looked at Merlin, a faint sneer playing on his lips, but he said no more. “Very well. Come to my room whenever you need spices, and we’ll finalize the details then.”

After sending Dahl off, Merlin headed straight to the Alchemy Workshop of the Arcane Academy. He had to get the new alchemy furnace built as soon as possible; a single day’s delay was disrespectful to profit.

Alchemy Workshop, Arcane Academy

Within the Alchemy Department of the Arcane Academy lay a workshop unlike any other. Hidden at the end of a winding, narrow alley, its facade was weathered by time, yet it still radiated an aura of mystique.

This workshop, known as Steam and Stars, had been the birthplace of countless wonders in the Academy.

The exterior walls were overgrown with rust and creeping vines, with enormous gears and pipes jutting out, like the building’s veins and bones.

Above the entrance hung a weathered copper plaque, its inscription barely legible after years of exposure, proudly bearing the workshop’s name.

Merlin pushed open the heavy wooden door. A wave of scents—machine oil, coal smoke, and magical herbs—hit him immediately.

Inside, the space was filled with bizarre mechanical contraptions and shimmering magical circles. Massive steam engines roared, powering intricate conveyor belts and gear systems. Workbenches were scattered with tools and materials—from precise screwdrivers to enormous hammers, from gleaming gemstones to ancient magical scrolls.

Students and teachers of the Alchemy Department, clad in oil-stained aprons and protective goggles, were busy at their stations.

Some were carving delicate mechanical parts; others were brewing mysterious potions; yet others inscribed complex alchemical runes. Occasionally, they would pause to infuse their creations with magic, accelerating processes or testing their inventions.

In one corner, a huge glass container held a luminescent liquid, the special fuel for the magical steam engines. On the other side, an ancient bookshelf overflowed with manuscripts and tomes chronicling secrets from the steampunk era and magical formulas.

Blueprints and schematics adorned the walls, showcasing the genius of the workshop’s master. These designs fused mechanics with magic, producing devices that were not only practical but breathtakingly imaginative.

Steam and Stars was a place of unbridled creativity and magic—a sanctuary for the Academy’s alchemy students, a cradle for dreams and innovation, where magic and alchemical technology merged to craft one wonder after another.

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