https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-129-I-ve-Been-Wanting-to-Try-This-for-a-Long-Time/13440720/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-131-Don-t-Worry-I-ll-Use-the-Obliviate-/13440722/
Chapter 130: Contract? That's for the Ministry of Magic to See
Chapter 130: Contract? That’s for the Ministry of Magic to See
Upon entering the shop, the short, plump witch adjusted her glasses and walked over to the counter displaying magical items, commenting on each one.
"This Spell-Proof Gloves is interesting, but it needs to make eye contact with the opponent to reflect curses. Poor review!"
"These Extendable Ears can eavesdrop, but they need to be connected by a thin wire. Do they think everyone is blind? Poor review!"
"This Protective ring can create a defensive barrier, but it’s too expensive. Poor review!"
The plump witch strolled around the shop, criticizing every item she encountered. Ivan was utterly confused. If he hadn’t known they were here to make purchases, he might have thought they were sent by the wizard market to cause trouble.
Fortunately, among the four people who came, Delius and Sunny were also present. Ivan approached them to ask what was going on.
Delius maintained his solemn expression and didn’t answer, but Sunny lowered her voice and whispered.
"This is Mrs. Muen from the Finance Department of the Department of Enforcement. She’s been sent by the department to negotiate prices."
At this point, Sunny blushed, as their Department of Enforcement was particularly strapped for cash lately, which was why they had to do this.
The Ministry of Magic needs to negotiate prices? Aren’t you an official institution?
Ivan was speechless. He had assumed the Ministry of Magic was well-funded and had plenty of money.
No wonder this woman started picking out flaws as soon as she walked in.
Mrs. Muen suddenly turned her head and looked at Sunny, who was a new employee and was immediately startled. She didn’t dare reveal any more information to Ivan after that.
After taking a look around, Mrs. Muen finally calmed down, touching her gold-rimmed glasses and said,
"Anyway, these items meet the procurement standards of the Ministry of Magic, but they fall far short of my expectations. Additionally, I think we should discuss the prices further."
"For example, the Spell-Proof Gloves. The Ministry of Magic intends to purchase a large batch, and the price should not exceed five Galleons. Otherwise, the department will reconsider whether this procurement is worthwhile."
Ivan furrowed his brow. He wasn’t particularly good at haggling. Fortunately, at this moment, Aisia spoke up.
"I’m sorry, Mrs. Muen, but seven Galleons is the lowest price. Considering the research costs, we don’t even make a Sickle. If the Ministry of Magic refuses to purchase due to this, I can only express my regret."
Aisia stared back at Mrs. Muen, showing no sign of backing down.
From the information she had, the Ministry of Magic had suffered significant personnel losses in recent days and would not possibly abandon the procurement of Spell-Proof Gloves and defensive rings.
Mrs. Muen’s gaze immediately shifted from Ivan to Aisia, and the atmosphere in the room seemed to freeze.
Ivan, caught between the two, felt the pressure mounting. He decided to step back and try to engage the other idle Aurors.
The negotiation then became a battle of words between Mrs. Muen and Aisia, lasting over an hour before they finally reached a formal agreement.
The Ministry of Magic agreed to purchase three hundred Spell-Proof Gloves at a price of six Galleons and ten Sickles each, totaling nearly two thousand Galleons.
They also bought ten Protective rings, with each ring’s price being reduced to sixty-five Galleons, totaling six hundred and fifty Galleons.
Additionally, a small number of Extendable Ears and Quick-Answer Quills were also procured, bringing the total to three thousand Galleons.
After the discussion, Mrs. Muen was clearly very satisfied, feeling that she had managed to get the price down to a reasonable cost.
However, she was unaware that the so-called research costs and time were far less than she had imagined. It was a miracle created by the combined efforts of three geniuses within just one month!
What surprised Ivan the most was that Mrs. Muen showed a great interest in the Enhanced Potions he had brewed.
"Are these potions really that effective?" Mrs. Muen held a bottle of enhanced Cheer-Up Potion, with a label indicating its efficacy was twice that of a normal potion!
The other potions on the counters also had effects significantly higher than normal potions, but their prices were not much higher than those on the market.
"Of course, if you don't believe me, you can try it yourself", Ivan said confidently.
Mrs. Muen hesitated for a moment, then unscrewed the cork of the Cheer-Up Potion, gently swirled it as if savoring a fine wine, and finally took a small sip.
In the next moment, the wrinkles on Mrs. Muen's face instantly smoothed out. She felt as if her body and mind had been cleansed, and all the troubles and frustrations from work were swept away. She smiled with satisfaction, a hint of surprise in her voice.
"Whose work is this? To have such a strong effect?"
After all, common potions like the Cheer-Up Potion usually have stable effects, making significant improvements difficult unless a potion master modifies the original formula.
Ivan just smiled and said nothing.
Mrs. Muen didn't press further, knowing that a good supplier was always a secret. She only felt a bit regretful, as she had originally hoped to invite the potion master to serve as an advisor at the Ministry of Magic.
Although the department had a cooperative relationship with St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries and could purchase some ordinary potions from there, only a few potion masters could concoct those special high-level potions.
Perhaps due to the effect of the Cheer-Up Potion, Mrs. Muen generously added several Enhanced Potions to her purchase list.
After leaving a deposit and signing two agreements, Mrs. Muen left with satisfaction.
"Spell-Proof Gloves for 11 Galleons? Protective Ring for 120 Galleons? Didn't Mrs. Muen try to lower the price? Why are the prices higher instead?" Ivan curiously leaned in to look at the agreement, noticing that it seemed different from what they had previously discussed.
"Because this agreement is for the Ministry of Magic to see!" Aisia explained calmly and then put the agreement away.
"The Ministry of Magic? Aren't they from the Ministry of Magic?"
"More accurately, they are from the Department of Enforcement of the Ministry of Magic!" Aisia glanced at Ivan.
Ivan immediately understood.
The Ministry of Magic was divided into multiple departments. Although it was a large and wealthy official institution, it had many expenses, and each department eagerly awaited funds from the Ministry of Magic. The competition for funds was intense, and the Department of Enforcement was just one of these departments.
Therefore, when reporting to the higher-ups, the Department of Enforcement would naturally try to inflate the costs, keeping the surplus to supplement their department's independent treasury for other needs.
However, Ivan was still puzzled. If that was the case, why would Aisia let Mrs. Muen lower the price?
Seemingly understanding Ivan's thoughts, Aisia spoke again.
"In exchange, they are willing to order some potions from us in the future."
(End of Chapter)
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