Chapter 53: Steven's Dream

"No, sir, that number is too high... a bit too much... Professor, please consider my situation, business isn't doing well. Could we both lower the price a little..." "The idea is clever, but it's actually easy to replicate... You know how rampant piracy is... If the cost is too high, people will just buy fakes... I won't make much money either..." "Both the two-way mirrors and Floo network can replace its function. It may not be as popular as you think. We're just testing the waters, and no one knows how it will sell. If you're asking for too much, I'll have to pass..." The group gathered around Professor Murray, bombarding him with negotiations as if trying to corner him. When Marchionne started giving quotes, Wade finally realized that this party was essentially a product launch event for his Book of Friends. No wonder Professor Murray didn't let Wade sell the Book of Friends himself at school—if similar products had been leaked beforehand, today's impact wouldn't have been the same. And selling to students would only earn Wade a little pocket money, which couldn't compare to the efficiency of these "multinational companies." The unfamiliar wizards in the small garden were, in fact, heads of multinational corporations—due to the existence of the Floo Network and Portkeys, it was much easier for wizards to trade across borders than Muggles. With the Undetectable Extension Charm, even logistics costs could be minimized, making it simple for wizards to sell products across different countries or even continents. Wade stood beside Professor Murray, watching as he fiercely debated with these wizards over how much the patent license for the Book of Friends should cost. One wizard even offered 100,000 Galleons to buy it outright, but nearly got thrown out by Professor Murray. He raised his offer to 200,000 Galleons, but Murray still refused, insisting only on selling usage rights. At this point, the previous flattery and respect from these wizards were gone, replaced by cutthroat negotiations. Some were relentless, others nitpicked every detail, some pretended to give up, while others tried to play on emotions. But Professor Murray remained steadfast, like a stone pillar in a river, unmoved by the rushing waters. He started by naming an unbelievably high price, then slowly negotiated down, constantly highlighting the Book of Friends' advantages—quick, convenient, affordable, and a product every wizard worldwide would want, and keep buying for life. "Do you understand how beautifully structured and stable it is? Knockoff versions will never match the stability of the Book of Friends. Try it yourself if you don't believe me! Your transfiguration spell will probably fail after 50 meters, and it won't be able to transmit complex information..." When some wizards realized they couldn't sway Professor Murray, they tried approaching Wade directly. But Wade simply smiled shyly and hid behind the professor, saying nothing. He knew that at his age, there was no need to act overly slick, mature, or sharp—better to leave everything to the adults. He was also self-aware enough to know that if it had just been him, he might have agreed to that 100,000 Galleon offer right away... Before this, the best Wade had envisioned for the Book of Friends was to make a few hundred or maybe a thousand Galleons by selling it to his Hogwarts classmates. And that would have required him to spend sleepless nights in his dormitory, churning out Books of Friends like a factory worker on a production line. But now, he found himself sitting at the table of capitalists. Of course, he handed over the decision-making because the adults in front of him were trustworthy and genuinely had his best interests at heart. Wade looked up at Professor Murray, who was fiercely negotiating on his behalf. The professor's thin figure appeared as solid and unyielding as a cliff. Wade's eyes held a mix of confusion and complex emotions. Seeing Wade being pestered and looking a bit lost and pitiful, Professor Murray waved his hand, signaling Steven to take Wade out to play and not get in the way. Then, he rolled up his sleeves and prepared for the negotiation battle ahead. Steven, who was standing quietly like a plant, was once again classified as a "kid": ... He hesitated but said nothing. In the end, he obediently led Wade away. Once outside, Steven let out a deep sigh. "If you're busy, you can go ahead. I can just find a quiet spot to read," Wade said considerately, noticing Steven's frustration. After all, who would enjoy babysitting? Even Wade himself didn't like it. "It's not your fault—" Steven replied, dejected. He didn't want to say anything at first, but under Wade's curious gaze, he slowly began to voice his troubles. "I'm already 36, but my father still treats me like a child. I actually want to follow in the footsteps of Mr. Scamander, traveling the world and becoming a magizoologist. But my parents won't let me go far, saying it's too dangerous..." Wade looked at him in confusion. "But—they haven't exactly locked you up, have they?" Steven is in his thirties, and he is a wizard. Surely, if he wants to leave, nothing can stop him? "If I left without saying anything, how heartbroken would my mother be? And my father would definitely be angry—" Steven said worriedly: "I'd rather have their understanding and support. Otherwise, if I leave, I won't be able to face coming back." Wade was speechless. He hadn't expected Professor Murray's son, who looked as strong as a bear, to have the soft personality of a rabbit. After thinking for a while, Wade asked, "Why don't you write a letter to Mr. Scamander?" "—Write a letter? What kind of letter?" Steven asked, clearly caught off guard by the suggestion. "I've heard that Mr. Scamander keeps many magical creatures himself. Perhaps you could ask him for a job as a caretaker or something similar. The salary wouldn't matter; what's important is that you'd be able to learn about magical creatures directly from Mr. Scamander. If one day you become as capable as him at handling all kinds of magical creatures, Professor Murray would probably feel more at ease letting you travel, right?" Wade thought about Newt Scamander's amazing suitcase, which held various environments and even had changing climates, and felt a deep sense of envy. "Yeah, why didn't I think of that!" Steven exclaimed, overjoyed. After a moment of excitement, though, he hesitated. "But how should I write this letter? Would it be too presumptuous?" Steven was genuinely seeking guidance, even though he was asking for advice from a child. "Just be honest," Wade suggested. "Explain your troubles and dreams clearly, and also talk about what you know about magical creatures. That way, even if Mr. Scamander doesn't agree, he won't be offended." —I wonder if Mr. Scamander will think that the letter is from a recent graduate, given the tone and content. When they first met, Wade had thought Steven was a strong and assertive person. Later, he found him to be gentle and calm. But after spending more time with him, Wade realized Steven's true nature was as innocent as a child's—perhaps even more so than many actual children. No wonder Professor Murray was reluctant to let him travel. If Wade had a son like Steven, he wouldn't feel comfortable letting him explore the world alone, either. -------------------------------- ????????Please consider supporting this translation project by becoming a P@treon member!!! 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