Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 48: Identification Ability "Friendship Price"

Ron said softly, putting the bottle back on the table, his voice calm but polite:

"Real Moonbat Heart Gray shouldn't be this color. It should be closer to silver and have a faint blue glow when held in the light, especially when the bottle is slightly shaken. Most importantly, the real thing will have a special magical fluctuation that can be felt even through the bottle."

A hint of surprise flashed across Otto's eyes, then turned into admiration, and his lips beneath his beard curved into a subtle arc.

"Good taste! This is indeed a knockoff. I just wanted to test your professionalism."

He took back the bottle, his tone tinged with admiration: "In this business, distinguishing true from false is the most basic survival skill."

As he spoke, he took out a smaller bottle that looked even more exquisite from the depths of the box.

This bottle was obviously much more valuable than the previous one. There were complex runes engraved on the bottle and the stopper was sealed with silver wire, making it look particularly solemn.

This time he simply stopped talking and introducing himself, and simply handed the bottle over, his meaning was very clear.

Ron took it again. This time, the gray powder in the bottle did indeed have a faint silver-blue luster, and its texture was also finer, as if the moonlight had been captured and condensed into powder.

He carefully removed the cork and took a light sniff. A subtle cool feeling instantly spread from his nose to his whole body.

His keen mental perception told him that this was indeed genuine Moon Shadow Bat Heart Ash, and the quality was quite good.

That unique magical fluctuation was almost exactly the same as what he described in ancient books.

[Accurate Identification! Herbal Identification Experience +2]

"This should be genuine, and of good quality." Ron nodded, his tone affirmative:

"That unique energy fluctuation is very obvious. It should come from the heart of a healthy adult moon shadow bat. The extraction process is also very professional."

"I knew it!" The dwarf smiled with satisfaction, his thick beard trembling.
"No wonder Mrs. Allen chose you as her assistant. You truly have an eye for quality. That's a most valuable gift in our industry."

Seeing Ron's alert expression, Otto waved his hand and explained:

"Don't be nervous, young man. If you've been in this business for a long time, you'll always hear some rumors. Mrs. Allen's shop is a legendary existence in the Black Mist Jungle, and her new assistant will naturally attract some attention. Especially..."

He glanced at Ron meaningfully: "When this assistant shows unusual talent."

"But don't think I approve of you just yet." Otto narrowed his eyes. "A few appraisals aren't enough to prove your true level."

He stroked his thick beard and leaned forward slightly. "What I'm going to bring out next is a bit difficult. Let me see if you really have the skills."

Otto pulled out a flat tin box from deeper inside the wooden box. The surface of the tin box had a thin layer of patina, which made it look very old.

He carefully opened the tin box, revealing a ball of green, fuzzy substance that shimmered subtly in the light.

"This is the 'crystallized moss' on your list, at least that's how my supplier labeled it."

The dwarf pushed the tin box towards Ron. "It's not very common on the market. I'm curious how much you know about it."

Ron's brows frowned slightly.

He had indeed read about crystal moss in Mrs. Allen's materials, but he had rarely seen it in person. Real crystal moss should be dark green in color and would flash a crystal-like luster when the observer's perspective changed.

The most important thing is that it will produce a special feeling of "attraction" to mental power, almost as if it is gently "calling" the user.

He carefully touched the green substance with his fingertips, feeling its texture and energy fluctuations.

It feels soft to the touch, but lacks the expected crystalline hardness, more like some kind of ordinary dyed moss.

Moreover, there is absolutely no sense of attraction to spiritual power, but instead it gives people a slight sense of repulsion.

"I'm afraid this isn't genuine either." Ron judged cautiously:
"True crystalline moss should have a unique crystal structure that reflects light in a crystal-like manner. It also reacts uniquely to mental energy, almost actively attracting the user's attention. This sample lacks these characteristics and may be a specially treated imitation of ordinary moss."

The dwarf's eyes widened, his eyebrows almost raised to his forehead: "Good boy! You can even see through this!"

He patted his knees and laughed heartily:

"This is indeed a fake. At least half of the crystal mosses on the market are imitations, but few people can tell at first glance."

Andre was stunned watching from the side. He had never thought that Ron's attainments in potions had reached such a level.

The dwarf nodded with satisfaction, a sincere smile appearing beneath his beard:

"You win, young man. I recognize your ability. You do possess a rare talent. Mrs. Allen was right."

"So what's the price?" Ron went straight to the point. He knew that this "test" was over and it was time to talk about the real deal.

"To you? Ten fragments of the magic stone." Otto stretched out five stubby fingers, and added five from his other hand.
"That's a very reasonable friendship price. Normally I would charge at least fifteen dollars."

Ron frowned slightly. The price was still very high, and even for him who had saved a little recently, it was still a considerable expense.

He thought for a moment, his eyes fell on the pile of materials he had just identified, and an idea flashed in his mind.

"Can I make a small request?" he said calmly, his tone hinting at negotiation:
"If I help you identify some other materials, can I get a better price in exchange? After all, I've just proven my worth."

A shrewd light flashed in Otto's blue eyes, and the corners of his mouth curled up under his beard:
"Smart suggestion! You certainly have a gift for negotiation."

He stroked his beard, as if thinking about something. "This is a common trading method in the black market - exchanging technology for discounts."

The gray dwarf seemed to do a quick calculation in his head, tapping his stubby fingers lightly on the table:

"Well, let's do this. If you help me identify ten materials, I'll give you a 20% discount. How's that?"

Ron smiled slightly. "Deal, but I have to make it clear in advance that I will only tell the truth. If any of the materials are of poor quality, I will speak frankly."

"Of course!" Otto replied cheerfully, a broad smile appearing beneath his beard.

"Honest reviews are more valuable to me. I need to know the real value of my goods rather than listening to flattering words."

(End of this chapter)