Even if Michael's demands were shamelessly straightforward, Alice agreed to all of them.
She wanted Tigerfang since their family didn't have many Epic Tier-0 Artifacts.
In fact, they did not have a single natural Epic Tier-0 Artifact. Tigerfang was unique, and it suited Kaleb perfectly.
Her brother had yet to turn 18 and manifest his War Rune to enter the Origin Expanse, but their parents were already working hard to collect the necessary resources for him. An exceptional Tierless Artifact was everything he was missing right now.
Tigerfang was perfect for Kaleb to bind before he entered the Origin Expanse. With Tigerfang, he would be fully prepared for the worst-case scenario. Nobody hoped that the worst-case scenario would occur, but it was always better to be prepared. And if they had the money or resources, nobody would let the opportunity to grab Tigerfang slip away.
"Alright alright. Give me your address and the study materials will be prepared and sent over to you. It should be done in a few hours…" Alice agreed at last.
She had stepped out of her comfort zone to agree to Michael's conditions but it was for her brother's sake.
Kaleb might have acted like a brainless idiot before, but he was still her brother…and he didn't usually act like today, either.
Alice glared at her brother from afar but that was all she could do at the moment.
"If we're done, I'll leave. Message me the details of the Tier-1 Artifacts you want today or tomorrow, otherwise, I won't be able to procure them before the 20th," She said quickly before leaving.
Alice walked over to her brother, whom she dragged outside the auditorium. Jasmine Blade bowed to Alice and apologized for not paying enough attention to Kaleb, but the fierce beauty ignored Jasmine's existence. That girl was useless in Alice's opinion.
On the other hand, Alice's attitude toward Michael was completely different. The fierce beauty had underestimated his strength, shrewdness, and talent. Something like that didn't happen often.
Meanwhile, Michael just laughed in his mind. He walked past the crowd of people before he left the afterparty with a few final words.
"Send over the money and be quick. It would also do you good to read the penalty clause stated in the contract if you're thinking about suing me."
Since he had a few more hours left until the study material would arrive at his apartment, Michael wanted to make sure that his bank account was filled to the brim. It was about time to splurge some money!
It was late evening when he left the school ground. Michael hailed a shuttle that brought him back to the Central Trading Hall.
He was still wearing the customized suit, but he wanted to change his clothes. Thus, he jumped into a clothing store, and bought some comfortable clothes before he changed into them.
After that, he received a few notifications on the crystal watch.
[2,000,000$ have been transferred to your account!]
[800,000$ have been transferred to your account!]
[300,000$ have been transferred to your account!]
[650,000$ have been transferred to your account!]
…
"They're pretty fast. Looks like they hate being in debt as well. Or maybe they complained to their families and realized that they couldn't avoid paying me? Not that it matters in any way," Michael mused, feeling satisfied with his small act of revenge against his former classmates.
The afterparty had developed into a fruitful event. Of course, only Michael gained something, but that was all that mattered!
Several million were now safely deposited in his bank account and he could start splurging money now.
However, instead of rushing anything, he entered a bar. He sat down on an empty chair and minded his own business. He had to reconsider what type of Artifacts he should demand from Alice.
The answer was pretty simple at first glance, but it was not that easy, unfortunately.
Michael had to improve his attack power, movement speed, and his defensive tactics. He wanted to continue using a melee weapon, but Michael felt that it was even more important to keep practicing archery.
In fact, commanding his troops as an archer from an elevated position would be much easier. On the other hand, it would be better for his warriors' morale if he were to charge in front of them into their enemies.
Thus, he had to be a little bit more flexible and adjust his combat style to fit the given situation on the battlefield at any time.
Half an hour after he entered the bar, Michael opened his chat with Alice.
[Michael: I think I figured out what Artifacts I want. First, I need a leather armor set – with a protection enchantment if possible. Then, I need a better Bow with adjustable pulling force, a Return Arrow, and Boots that increases Agility. As for the weapon I want, it doesn't matter whether you procure a thin longsword like Tigerfang or a spear. However, it's important that the Weapon Artifact is natural, without enchantment, but has high destructive power to injure Tier-2 Monsters even if I don't hit their vital spots. They shouldn't break from the impact of Tier-2 Monsters' attacks either, so high endurance is also quite important.
Remark: Of course, all Artifacts should be Tier-1, preferably 3-Star.]
Michael sent the message the moment he finished writing it. Afterward, he re-read it and frowned deeply as he recalled something.
[Michael: It would be great if the Artifacts' external enhancement could strengthen my perception and Agility the most.
By the way, If I you think that I am asking for too much, don't shout at me but deduct the price from what you would give me for Tigerfang!]
The external enhancement of Tier-1 Artifacts was much better than Tierless Artifacts. A natural Epic Artifact like Tigerfang was an exception to that rule, but it was not worth keeping Tigerfang if he could make better use of it in other ways after he advanced to the 1st Tier.
Michael would have requested more Artifacts from Alice, but he was unsure if his body would be able to endure the external enhancements of the Artifacts he had requested. Thus, he refrained from being even more shameless than he was already.
In the end, he didn't ask Alice about a specific number of Mythic Summoning Scrolls in exchange for Tigerfang. That was mostly for Alice to adjust the number according to the final assessment.
He wished to bleed her out and exploit her to the fullest, but Michael decided to refrain himself. He felt that it wouldn't be the last time that he met Alice. It was more likely for them to meet each other quite often in the future.
After he sent the last message to Alice, he left his home address in their chat as well. Then, he received a few more notifications.
The remaining money had arrived!
Since he was now in possession of a body refining technique, and about to obtain a full set of Tier-1 Artifacts, Michael could spend his money differently.
He entered the House of Witchery and bought a bunch of alchemy recipes, and rare blueprints such as the Medicine House Blueprint, and an Intermediate Ranch Blueprint.
Other than that, Michael chose to invest in Tiara's combat prowess.
Tiara had a War Rune, which meant that he could increase her strength externally with the use of Artifacts.
She was already a Tier-1 Battle Maid. Thus, a rapid increase in her strength would enhance his territory's military power exponentially.
Michael bought a bunch of Artifacts for Tiara, and he paid immediately.
The total cost of today's trip to the House of Witchery cost him more than six million dollars. It was painful to look at his rapidly declining finances, but he was satisfied with his purchases nonetheless when he left the shop again.
Meanwhile, the staff members could only stare at each other dumbfoundedly.
They'd seen Michael a few times by now and knew who he was.
"Our manager really has great eyes… I thought that he would be punished for handing out a Golden Bartholomew Membership Card so easily, but he was praised for his great KPI over the last few days…" One of them said, only for the other to agree wholeheartedly.
"Our manager has great eyes for young talent and opportunities, that is for sure!"
They all nodded at each other as they looked at the retreating figure of Michael as he walked with a confident stride and planned his future endeavors.
Just like that, Michael had become a little treasure of the House of Witchery.
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