"And for your Silver Lightning Trading Company, there are naturally many benefits. All you need to do is ensure production, including quality and quantity." Bianca turned serious as she spoke. "For these international trade products, the Ministry will provide you with the raw materials. Regarding the selling price, we hope you can lower it a bit, as we still need to add tariffs."
"Secondly, your products must pass the quality inspection of the British Ministry and can only be sold after receiving the official seal. At the same time, the distributors you choose must be legitimate, as we will need to supervise that aspect."
Upon hearing the word "tariff," Alan nodded knowingly. *So, you're working so hard to facilitate international trade just to get a share of the pie. Indeed, no one rises early without a profit.*
However, the Ministry providing raw materials was a significant advantage. The bulk of the cost for his alchemy products was raw materials and electricity—the latter of which could be settled with Muggle currency. If he didn't have to pay for materials, his overhead would be negligible. Even after lowering his prices, Alan knew he would still be turning a massive profit.
"I have no problem with that. If the Ministry provides the raw materials, I can sell them at 30% below the original price. Of course, the 'original price' will be the one we agree upon with the Ministry on the spot." Alan raised an eyebrow at Bianca.
His offer essentially handed 30% of the profit to the Ministry. When combined with previous discounts, the Ministry's share was even larger. Even so, Alan's calculations showed his total volume and profit would skyrocket.
Bianca's expression shifted. A 30% reduction was a staggering offer. She had originally envisioned a 10% to 15% cut, with the Ministry adding a bit more to the final selling price. For example, a 10-Galleon item sold to foreign distributors could be priced at 12 Galleons with tariffs, giving the Ministry a 3-Galleon profit. But such high margins risked fostering smugglers and resellers.
Now, even if a 10-Galleon amulet was sold to foreign distributors for the same 10 Galleons, the Ministry could still pocket 3 Galleons in profit.
"Are you serious? Won't this affect your bottom line?" Bianca looked at him intently. The triennial international trade agreement was the true heart of the Alchemy Conference, and Alan's decision would dictate the British Ministry's entire strategy.
"I'm serious. As long as the international market can be opened, a smaller profit per item is fine because the volume will be there. The Ministry and Minister Bagnold have helped me so much; a proper repayment is only right." Alan spoke righteously, playing the role of a conscientious merchant perfectly.
"Good lad. Starting tomorrow night, we will have a meeting to renegotiate trade with the various Ministries. The Directors of International Magical Cooperation and Magical Transportation are coming specifically for this. I will convey your sincerity to them." Bianca patted Alan's shoulder admiringly.
If all went well, Alan and the Silver Lightning Trading Company would essentially become the British Ministry's golden child.
With her excitement reaching a peak, Bianca led Alan into the banquet hall of the Egyptian Alchemy Research Center. The decorations were even more magnificent than the lobby, with golden ornaments and magical artifacts sparkling everywhere. Alan noticed several of his own ambient lights were already being used on-site. The Research Center staff must have bought them yesterday, providing him with yet another layer of free advertising.
A large number of wizards had already arrived. Upon seeing Bianca and Alan, whispers rippled through the crowd. Faintly, Alan heard phrases like "that young man is Wilson," "Silver Lightning Trading Company," and "youngest Gold Award recipient."
"Bianca, Alan, you're late." Edgar Bones stepped forward, accompanied by several older wizards.
"Mr. Bones," Alan greeted his mentor.
"Come, Alan, let me introduce you to some local Alchemy Masters." Bones turned and introduced them one by one. "This is Mr. Issa, an Alchemy Master and honorary chairman of the Research Center. He is a leading authority in materials. The largest weather blanket company in Cairo is his enterprise." Bones pointed to an elderly man in his sixties.
"And this is Ms. Abdu, also an Alchemy Master and a scholar in rune engraving. She has corresponded with you before. The largest magic camera company in Cairo is hers." Bones pointed to a middle-aged woman.
Alan respectfully greeted both masters, and they nodded back kindly.
"Finally, this is my colleague in spellcraft. His expertise is even greater than mine. This is Sebastian, a senior researcher and honorary chairman." Bones smiled, patting Alan's shoulder.
*Oh? We meet again.* Alan mused. *It seems the Sphinx is quite close with Professor Bones.*
"Hello, Sebastian." Alan showed no weakness in front of the Silver Spear.
"Hello, Mr. Wilson. You are truly young and promising." Sebastian spoke politely, taking a closer look at Alan. *He's covered in magic items from head to toe. This boy's alchemy prowess is indeed impressive. I wonder if he survived the Thunderbird due to his equipment or his skill. Seeing how exasperated the Thunderbird was, he must have used a lot of items.*
Both men performed their roles with hidden motives. Sebastian thought he was the only one acting, but Alan was watching him with the detached amusement of someone observing a stage play.
"Alan, I hope you don't mind me calling you that. After corresponding for so long, it is a pleasure to meet in person." Ms. Abdu was clearly fond of him. "You caused quite a stir at the Bazaar yesterday. Everyone was asking about the boy with the lamps."
"Indeed," Mr. Issa added with a smile. "The lamps and phonographs are charming—you can see them being used here tonight. But what surprised me most was the Humanoid Target. I had my assistant buy one. Its function is captivating; it made me enjoy practice again. I haven't cast so many spells in years."
"Is that so? Then I missed out," Ms. Abdu said with regret. "I only bought a few pendants. Their craftsmanship is astonishing. The runes are so consistent I thought they were duplicated. For that level of precision, 12 Galleons is incredibly cheap."
"You both flatter me. Ms. Abdu, I would be honored to send you a Humanoid Target as a gift. I've learned a lot about engraving from our letters over the years." Alan replied humbly.
His gratitude was sincere. His progress was due to his hard work and the materials he had taken from the Travers family, but the guidance from these masters had been invaluable.
"No teacher dislikes a clever and diligent student," Ms. Abdu chuckled. She had gained much inspiration from Alan's Echo Charms and had used it to develop two new camera models that were very popular.
Meanwhile, the Sphinx, watching Alan converse easily with the masters, felt a twinge of doubt. *Is this kid really that well-liked? His alchemy prowess is clearly higher than I imagined. It would be a shame to let the Thunderbird eliminate him. If I had been the one in Britain, perhaps I could have recruited him. His momentum is almost catching up to Dumbledore's early days.*
"Sebastian, Sebastian…"
He snapped out of his thoughts to find Abdu calling his name.
"What's wrong with you? Why did you suddenly zone out?" she asked, puzzled.
"Ah, I just got lost in an academic question for a moment," Sebastian replied with an apologetic, slightly awkward smile.
"Haha, he's a bookworm—a total workaholic. His brain can't fit anything except spells," Mr. Issa teased.
*That's not necessarily true. He might be thinking about how to get rid of me,* Alan thought with a cold smile, watching the Sphinx play his part.
"By the way, what were you discussing?" Sebastian asked, trying to steer the conversation away from his lapse.
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