Chapter 56: The Lone Star and the Sun
As expected, Aslan Magical Workshop moved with impressive efficiency. By the time Wade stepped out the door, he already held the first draft of the Book of Friends in his hands.
This was a preliminary compiled version, designed to link at least two people, up to a maximum of fifteen. The cover was far more refined than anything Wade could have sketched himself—gold-embellished lettering shimmered faintly, subtly shifting like the petals of a trembling delphinium. Inside, each page was distinguished by color and floral motifs: two-person editions featured sunflowers, three-person ones tulips, four-person editions daylilies, five-person ones violets—each flower symbolizing friendship in its own way.
To Wade, the Book of Friends already felt exquisite. But Machionni wasn’t entirely satisfied.
“This is the feminine version,” he said. “They should sprinkle in a bit of Fragrance Powder for extra charm.”
“Are there other versions?” Wade asked.
“Of course,” Machionni replied without hesitation. “There’s a masculine version—depicting pine trees, crowns, scepters, bows and arrows. Then there’s the Animal Edition, with unicorns, phoenixes, fire dragons, and Pegasus. The Children’s Edition features Pufu Puff and pixies. The Gory Edition includes Dementors and the Three-Headed Dog. The Quidditch Edition showcases famous Quidditch stars and flying broomsticks. And then there are the Architecture Version, Siren Version, Merlin’s Medal Version, House Version—”
He rattled off dozens of variations in a single breath, as if ideas for profit were flooding out of him without pause. “The choices are endless. Many people buy multiple copies just for collection—even if they don’t need them. But since we have the most floral templates ready, we’ll start with this one. If you don’t like it, you can give it to your female classmates. When the other versions come out, I’ll send you a full set.”
Wade shook his head. “What would I need so many for?”
“Keep them for yourself!” Machionni grinned. “Or give them to friends—great way to strengthen bonds!”
“I don’t like flattering people.”
Or rather, his life had never been so fragile that he needed to curry favor to survive—neither in his past life nor this one.
“It’s not about flattery,” Machionni said, gently ruffling Wade’s soft hair like an elder brother. “If someone helps you with even a small favor, you can repay them with a Book of Friends—just a pair or trio edition. It costs you nothing, but it’s a meaningful gift to them. They’ll love it. And, Wade—”
He paused, his tone softening.
“We aren’t lone stars in the night sky. We all need help sometimes. If you never give first, how can you ever expect to receive?”
Machionni’s words held a certain logic. But Professor Mor interjected calmly, “If it feels burdensome, don’t force yourself to follow his example.”
“Don’t blindly imitate others,” he added. “That only clouds your judgment. You need only be yourself. A lone star may be lonely—but a sun naturally draws stars to its side.”
“Hmm,” Machionni shrugged. “Maybe you’re right, Professor. But I still believe building good relationships with most people isn’t wrong.”
“You’ve been chasing profit since your First Year,” Professor Mor said, his voice edged with mild annoyance. “But Wade isn’t a merchant. He’s The Alchemist—one who thrives in solitude, seeks the unknown, and walks hand-in-hand with knowledge. Don’t taint my student with your ruthless business tactics.”
“Hey now,” Machionni protested, “that’s outright slander! If I truly cared only for profit, I’d have set the Book of Friends to expire after a year. That way, users would have to buy a new one every year—now that would generate real Galleons. But I didn’t do that. Doesn’t that prove I have integrity, even as a businessman?”
“Of course you thought about it,” Professor Mor countered. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t have come up with such a cruel idea so quickly.”
“Thinking doesn’t break any laws,” Machionni said with a smirk.
---
Their next stop was Gringotts Wizarding Bank.
Evening had fallen, and the bustling crowds of Diagon Alley had thinned. In their place, cloaked figures in dark robes began to appear—sneaking into a narrow, shadowed alleyway.
“Don’t look that way!” Machionni quickly blocked Wade’s view, his wide-sleeved arm wrapping around the boy, shielding him completely. Professor Mor walked on his other side.
They reached the bank uneventfully. A goblin at the entrance bowed slightly.
“Good evening, gentlemen.”
“Evening,” Machionni replied, gesturing. “Mr. Wade Gray would like to rent a new Treasure Vault.”
“Wade Gray?” The goblin glanced down at the boy—barely taller than himself—and didn’t question his age. He nodded. “Understood. Which type of Treasure Vault would you prefer?”
“First, please explain the options and prices to Mr. Gray.”
“Please follow me.”
Wade trailed behind the goblin and Machionni as they completed the paperwork. Meanwhile, Professor Mor approached another goblin seated on a high stool, scribbling in a ledger.
“Long time no see, Lahuan.”
“Good evening, Professor Mor. How may I assist you?”
“I’d like to withdraw something from my own Vault,” Professor Mor said, holding out his key.
“Of course. One moment—let me fetch a Jingle Chip.”
Goblins kept a Fire Dragon imprisoned in the underground Vault complex, a deterrent for intruders. The Jingle Chip allowed goblins and clients to move safely through the Vault’s depths.
Wade stepped into the legendary Miniature Cart for the first time. Michael had once described it as feeling like your brain would be shaken right out.
The cart looked cramped and crude—barely more than a metal box on wheels. Yet, despite two adults, a child, and two goblins, it wasn’t overcrowded.
Lahuan gave the lever at the front a quick tug. The cart clicked and clacked forward, plunging down a steep, winding slope.
“Close your eyes! And don’t open your mouth!” Machionni called out.
Wade didn’t waste time asking why. He obeyed.
The cart shot down the incline, gathering speed. Wind howled past, icy and sharp. The path twisted and turned so sharply that their bodies swayed violently, threatening to fling them out. But Wade kept his eyes shut, and the dizziness lessened.
Machionni’s arm remained locked across his chest like a safety brace.
After what felt like an eternity, the cart finally slowed and stopped.
All four of them were pale, clinging to the rails, gasping for breath. Wade and Machionni finally managed to climb out. Professor Mor, however, remained below—headed deeper into the Vault to retrieve his own belongings.
“Alright,” Lahuan said, adjusting the lever again. “We’re off.”
Another goblin, Kule, stood by the side of the cavern, a sign reading “317” hanging above the Vault door. With long, slender fingers, he inserted an ancient copper key into the lock. The chains snapped to life, writhing like serpents before retreating into the walls. The massive door groaned open.
Wade stepped inside. The Vault was vast and empty—like a cavern carved from stone, not a blade of grass or speck of dust in sight.
“This will be your new Treasure Vault, Mr. Wade Gray,” Kule said, handing him the key. “Please keep it safe.”
Wade took the key. A thin silver chain dangled from it—just long enough to wear around his neck.
“Looks a bit empty, doesn’t it?” Machionni chuckled. He handed a document to Kule. “Transfer fifty thousand Galleons from my Vault to Vault 317.”
Kule accepted it without expression. “Understood. Please wait.”
In just a few breaths, the air filled with a sudden, shimmering tingling sound.
Wade looked around, searching for the source—when suddenly, thousands upon thousands of Galleons began to rain down from above, as if a golden storm had erupted inside the Vault.
They clattered and clinked across the stone floor, piling into a small mountain of gold, glowing brilliantly under the flickering torchlight.
Machionni laughed. “One day, this Vault will be buried under a mountain of Galleons, won’t it?”
(End of Chapter)
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