Sage grass is a well-known herb found in the dungeons, known for its ability to absorb natural energy and turn it into mana.
It has often been used to create basic grade mana potions by those of the alchemist profession for ages.
As time passed, the technology rose. Instead of alchemists, now, mass production was done by factories. The Sage grass is also cultivated by thousands of farmers across the world, just like the veggies.
As a result of overabundance, a stalk of Sage grass now costs as little as one cent (0.01 Zeni) to a maximum of 1 Zeni (Highest quality).
The Blue Sage grass that the store owner demanded is neither the highest quality nor the lowest quality.
It is of medium quality, and 3 stalks of such grass mixed with other ingredients like the syrup made from a fruit called sunberry and a powdered form of white ginseng roots will result in a basic mana potion.
Each stalk is priced at about 40 cents in the market,t and some will even reduce if one buys in bulk.
For a bill that's as high as 17,000 Zeni, as the store owner is willing to take Blue Sage grass, the three students couldn't help but become suspicious.
Is this Pet store legit? Did the owner have the seller certification? Were those beasts having any defects? Or is this store owner just too wealthy and kind?
Several thoughts popped up in the minds of the students, and Tyler once again became hesitant to make the deal.
Meanwhile, Draven Ironhelm expressed his surprise, "Boss, you are really willing to take Sage grass in exchange?"
The store owner let out a smile and nodded as he wrote in the air as a reply, "Only Blue Sage grass variant."
"But, why?" Nikolas couldn't help but ask.
This time, the store owner didn't give any reply and just walked to one of the two larger cages where the matured saber-toothed tiger was sleeping.
As he opened the cage, the beast woke up with a grunt, making the customers shudder involuntarily.
However, that invisible pressure was gone in the next instant as the store owner petted its head.
It purred like a harmless housecat and closed its eyes again as it leaned its head forward, asking him to scratch its chin.
As the store owner was adhering to its demand while ignoring the customers, the three of them stared at the scene for a while before Draven Ironhelm broke the silence, "Excuse me, Mister. Are you also interested in taking elemental grade Arcanite ores in exchange?"
The store owner didn't turn around and just gestured with his hand that he wasn't interested.
This surprised the three college students as Arcanite ores are the basic thing that is exchanged in any kind of store, due to their ever-increasing value. They thought maybe the store owner wasn't interested in taking low-grade ores.
"Anything else?" Draven continued to converse, trying to see if he had made any deal with the items he had gotten in his storage bag.
The store owner, this time, with his back facing them, showcased his excellent control over his mana by flicking a bit of energy behind him before they transformed themselves into a list of words in an instant. It's as if he didn't write it, but they just came out of his mind on their own.
Six items were displayed.
Adamantite
Dragonflower Nectar
Crystallized Three-eyed Spider Venom
Moon berries
Gold Ginseng Roots
Blue Sage grass
At the end of the list, a note appeared, stating that he is willing to pay 50% more than the market price if they bring the Venom or the Nectar.
Adamantite is a substance that a common man can never hope to get his hands on; Dragonflower Nectar is obtained in a place guarded by a Tier-7 beast, and they have never heard of Gold Ginseng or Moon berries.
That leaves the three of them with Blue Sage Grass and Crystallized Three-eyed Spider Venom.
As the Three-Eyed Spider is a tier-4 beast, which could be defeated if they work together, Nikolas responds by asking the store owner whether the latter is willing to reserve four beasts for them until the evening.
Before the young man answered, Draven went on to say that they were willing to pay 3000 Zeni as a non-refundable deposit.
The store owner agreed, and the three of them chose four beast cubs they were willing to purchase before proceeding to follow the store owner downstairs to pay the bill.
Soon, Nikolas handed out his debit card and his ID card. The store owner went on registering the details of the ID card as a part of the mandatory process set by the government.
As he was filling in the details in the bill about the deposit and the cubs, the door to his left was opened, and three people entered the store.
A short and busty, cute-looking female elf with large round spectacles opened the door for the other two gentlemen and readily greeted the store owner in a casual tone, but with a bit of surprise on her face. "Oh, hey, Bro, I see that you have made a sale."
As the store owner silently nodded, the elf introduced the two people who also had short pointy ears like her.
One of those two was also an elf but also had the features of a human and short pointy ears, indicating that he is a half-elf and half-human, but the other one had distinctive red scales over his cheekbones and had yellow eyes with vertical-slit pupils. Tyler muttered under his breath, "A dragon elf."
Dragon elves have always been considered the strongest hybrid ever since their discovery. The fact that they were rare to see makes them no less than a celebrity.
Of the 2 billion population in the world, there are barely 1800 in number. Hence, they always attract the attention of passersby.
Seeing the dragon elf in a blazer looked a bit wealthy and also seemed to have the aura of a powerful Astron Warrior, the three students moved aside, giving the store owner space to leave the counter and go ahead and meet his new client.
However, surprisingly, the store owner didn't move a bit. He just stood in the same place and calmly looked at his employee, making signs instead of showcasing his mana control as before.
The elf named Sophia Lightfoot nodded in understanding and replied by introducing the client to him, "This is Mr. Aerondor of the Fireheart family. He is one of the directors at Genesis Corp, and he is my… friend." She didn't introduce the other guy, indicating that he was of no importance.
The dragon-elf simply nodded to him as a greeting and looked around the store without bothering to see Liu Wei's reaction.
Liu Wei didn't mind his behavior and just conversed with Sophia through sign language.
As she stealthily took out her smartphone, Aerondor Fireheart commented, "I can sense the presence of two Tier-6 beasts above." He then asked to show them.
Sophia escorted them to the first floor while sending a text to the young man. The latter checked out the contents and calmly put it back into his pocket before continuing to process the bill.
Half a minute later, the bill came out from the printer, and after stamping it, Liu Wei gave it to Nikolas. Meanwhile, the elf returned with the client.
Just as Nikolas took the receipt into his hands and was staring at the details, including the original price followed by the discount and everything, Sophia's sweet voice was heard from behind.
"Bro, Mr. Fireheart wants to purchase all ten cubs." She then proceeded to apologize to the students that their money would be refunded after spotting the bill sheet in her' hands of Nikolas.
Nikolas and Tyler were shocked by the incident, while Draven furrowed his brows in displeasure. He might be poo,r but he is still the heir of the Ironhelm family. He had his pride.
He wanted to argue, but before he did that, a fireball zoomed past him and flew toward the others.
Thinking that the elf was going to be attacked, Aerondor Fireheart stepped forward to shield her. Since he didn't sense much attack power in the fireball, he merely stretched his hand to crush it in his palm.
Little did he expect that the fireball would transform into a bunch of words just before it collided with his palm.
"The deal has been made. Only 4 Smilodon and 2 Direwolf cubs are available for sale."
While Sophia suddenly became nervous for some reason, Aerondor silently stared at Liu Wei for a couple of seconds and spoke, "I will pay you the original amount."
In response, Liu Wei raised his finger and pointed at the floating words that hadn't been dismissed yet.
"Are you tired of living?" A deep frown appeared on Aerondor, and the half-elf standing behind him immediately reached out to the Energy Cannon hanging on his back. The three students suddenly became nervous as the Energy Cannon was aimed at Liu Wei, and the bodyguard's finger was on the trigger.