Chapter 336: Sales Pitch |
The captain of the Bluebird had noticed Saul long ago.
In fact, ever since Saul boarded and presented that silver invitation, the captain had kept him under close observation.
“This balloon is filled with one of Baydon Academy’s newest achievements from recent years. They call it Lift Gas. With it, we finally don’t have to worry about getting blown up every time we set sail.”
After saying that, Captain Harry glanced at Saul’s unsurprised expression and burst into laughter. “My apologies. Of course someone like you wouldn’t be ignorant of Lift Gas, haha!”
This captain likely had an extraordinary background as well. In the past three days, he was the first to strike up a conversation with Saul.
“Does Baydon Academy often conduct research like this?”
“They do. You might find it strange—why would a wizard create things for ordinary people? But folks like me, who’ve benefited from them, are honestly grateful to Baydon Academy… even if their stuff is expensive.”
Captain Harry shrugged and sighed. “Who would’ve thought a wizarding force from the Wasteland would be the first to open up to the public? I’ve heard that some of their designers are even ordinary people.”
“Wasteland?” Saul was intrigued. “Baydon Academy came from the Wasteland? Does it have anything to do with the battle at Hanging Hands Valley a hundred years ago?”
“Yes, that was a hundred years ago. These days, few people bring it up anymore.” But the captain was a seasoned man who had weathered many storms; under the howling wind, his dark complexion soon returned to normal. “Actually, Baydon Academy was the opposing side that fought against the Kema Empire.”
“Oh?” Saul didn’t know much about that war. Like many of the new wizard apprentices, he only knew that the Kema Empire was defeated, and that hundreds of wizards and apprentices had fallen at Hanging Hands Valley.
“How do you know about that part of history?”
The wizarding world wasn’t particularly fond of teaching history. Some historical events were even dangerously corrupting, and regular folk dared not study them.
“I used to work at Baydon Academy. This airship was bought with my entire salary,” Captain Harry said, stroking the railing fondly.
Saul admired the airship too, but his interest in Baydon Academy ran deeper. “All I know is that the opposing side in that war sent in higher-ranked wizards and used the terrain to bury a Kema army... of course, if it’s inconvenient for you to talk about it, I understand.”
To his surprise, Harry didn’t look troubled at all.
“It’s nothing, sir. Baydon Academy doesn’t shy away from that history. In fact, one of their mentors told me about it directly.” Harry waved it off casually.
Just then, another blast of wind rocked the airship, making it sway violently. He quickly let go of the railing and grabbed a stabilizer. Only after the gust passed did he continue, “Pretty much anyone who works at the academy or has close ties to the students knows about it. They see it as a courageous act of innovation—just like their ongoing development of new magical devices.”
Saul smiled faintly, withholding comment.
After all, he only had a rough understanding of what really happened in that historical battle.
“Let’s not dwell on that. Is the gas formula used in your airship for sale?” Saul pointed at the balloon overhead.
Captain Harry shook his head skillfully. “Apologies, sir. That’s the one thing I couldn’t give you even if I knew it.”
Saul wasn’t surprised; he was merely asking.
“It’s an internal secret of Baydon Academy, right? You’re only granted usage rights?”
“Usage rights… hmm, what a refined word,” Harry’s eyes lit up, and he praised sincerely. “Exactly! Everyone involved with the propulsion system, including me, is under a curse from Baydon Academy. They call it the Contract Curse. It’s said to be cast on the conscious mind—those who break their oaths will rot from the heart and liver.”
Another fascinating magical item!
Seeing Saul’s eyes gleam, Harry knew he’d achieved his goal—this had been his true reason for approaching Saul.
“Sir, I have other rare and wondrous items like that as well. If you’re interested, I’d be happy to offer you a special deal!”
Saul gave him a glance. “You’re bold, aren’t you? A mere commoner trying to sell things to a wizard. Aren’t you afraid I’ll just take them by force?”
Harry chuckled. “You’re a distinguished guest of the Wizard Tower. I wouldn’t dare say this to a wandering wizard.”
Saul knew that was a veiled compliment.
If Harry dared to sell to wizards, he must have some kind of backup. There were probably hidden contingencies on the ship that Saul wasn’t aware of.
“Then lead the way,” Saul nodded. Naturally, he wasn’t afraid of any ambushes aboard the ship.
Half an hour later, Saul exited the captain’s quarters with a strange look on his face.
This Captain Harry was quite the businessman—his sales pitch was slick and full of strategy.
Moreover, the items he sold were outrageously priced. Even Saul, a Third Rank apprentice, found them a bit hard to afford.
He didn’t pretend to be rich, either. He carefully picked out a few items that genuinely interested him and would likely come in handy.
The Contract Curse was one of them, though what Saul bought was a single-use version—not the crafting formula for the curse.
Harry said that such items were only sold at Baydon Academy, and that their prices were sky-high.
After buying that first item, Harry enthusiastically recommended another—a long-distance communicator. With it, two users holding matching devices could communicate freely even from a hundred li apart. However, in areas with magical defense formations, one would need to input the formation’s underlying principles into the communicator to ensure signal transmission.
“Isn’t this just a walkie-talkie?” Saul marveled at Baydon Academy’s convenience-oriented innovations, but didn’t buy it.
First, because it wouldn’t work well inside the Wizard Tower. He wasn’t about to input the tower’s defensive principles into the device. It was more suitable for someone living independently and it carried security risks.
Second, because he had his eye on another item, and couldn’t afford both with his current funds.
Captain Harry’s inventory was limited, but each item was perfect for wizards traveling alone.
The other thing Saul bought was a compressed satchel. It was said that Baydon Academy had imported this space-compression technology from another continent at great cost.
The satchel could expand the interior space of a 10-centimeter cube to a 3-meter cube. Carrying it was like bringing an entire house with you.
However, the satchel couldn’t store living beings, nor did it offer any defensive features. Still, Baydon Academy provided one free repair. A second would cost extra.
After acquiring the compressed satchel, Saul felt like his waist circumference had shrunk instantly. He then decided to take his leave.
But just before he left, Captain Harry gave him a special recommendation—one final secret item.
It was hidden in a concealed display case embedded in the cabin wall.
When the curtain was drawn aside, it revealed a lifelike, voluptuous woman in the form of a model.
But Saul could tell at a glance—it was just a puppet.
“Isn’t this one of the Land Drifters’ dolls? You sell Land Drifter merchandise too?”
(End of Chapter)