Evolution:The Bloodthirsty Saga of the Magic Engineer-Chapter 50: Basic machinery

The tents on the ground, simpler and more disorganized, were filled with various items. I saw rusty spears, rudimentary bows, and giant axes, all marked with battle scars. Some tents had something even more grotesque: hearts, eyes, and skins of living creatures, some still dripping fresh blood.

Other stalls caught more attention. Potions were proudly displayed, and their sellers had an aura of confidence, radiating energy that revealed their advanced level. "Probably level 3 Acolytes," I thought, observing the scene. Despite their high level, their expressions remained calm, as if the trade was just a formality.

Walking further, I noticed the absence of magical artifacts. There wasn’t a single ring, amulet, or any other enchanted item for sale. I sighed, feeling a slight pang of envy as I remembered Oliver, who defeated and humiliated Liam in the balloon while Marcelina was transporting us to the tower. "If I still had my artifact... But I can’t complain since I had to trade it to enter the academy," I thought, clenching my fists.

When I reached the center of the trading post, the atmosphere changed. There, some better-structured wooden huts housed high-level items and negotiations. The Acolytes coming in and out had even more intense presences, and it was clear that there was no room for beginners like me.

However, something specific caught my attention: an improvised forge, where a muscular dwarf hammered a glowing metal bar with force. The sound of the hammer echoed in the air, mixed with the crackling of the flames dancing on the bright coals.

I watched for a few minutes, analyzing. "I need to start somewhere," I thought. "If I can get some basic machinery, I can finally start producing the ’Pleasure Powder.’"

The "Pleasure Powder" was my business idea. A simple dose of cocaine, but with enough euphoric effects to attract and addict the Acolytes like Charlotte and her idiotic friends. I knew that, with the right formula, I could turn it into a success and start accumulating magical crystals on a large scale.

I took a deep breath, adjusted the crystal bag at my waist, and approached the forge. The dwarf raised his eyes, staring at me with indifference.

"I forge weapons – simple swords, metal shields, heavy armor, all made with magical metals," he said. I sighed, noticing that he was limited in what he offered. I wasn’t looking for any of that. I needed something more... practical.

I looked at a small list next to the stall that described the dwarf’s capabilities: "Forge specialized in low to medium-level weapons and armor, with an emphasis on rare metals and elemental enchantments." I shook my head negatively. "None of this is useful for what I need..." I thought, walking away.

I decided to look again in the market for an engineer with no ties to Miguel or his disciples. I couldn’t risk Charlotte discovering the machinery I used. After all, if she found out, she could try to replicate my cocaine and sell it too.

So I sighed and walked on.

After a few minutes, when I saw the next tent, I realized it could be the right place. It was filled with devices scattered all around: gears, polished metal pieces, strange devices, and even appliances with unusual shapes. This place seemed more promising.

I entered the tent and soon came face-to-face with the seller. He was a peculiar boy, with the head of a lizard, his scales shimmering under the light of the lanterns. His long tongue flicked in the air, and his bulging eyes were covered by steampunk goggles, giving him the appearance of a highly experienced engineer.

The lizard man watched me with a strange smile, clearly enjoying my presence. He seemed confident, which was good. I needed someone who knew what they were doing.

"Can I help you?" he said, his tongue flicking quickly out of his mouth and touching the air.

"I need a mechanical leaf grinder," I said bluntly, pointing to a small pile of devices to my left. "Something simple, but effective. And I need something I can use easily."

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He blinked his eyes several times before responding, clearly analyzing my words. "Hmm... you want something that can process leaves without complication, but with good output. I understand," he said, nodding and looking at a table where various projects were spread out. "Here." He pointed to a small machine, with a compact metal frame and well-made but simple gears.

"This model here is perfect for beginners, like you," he said with a confident smile. "It doesn’t need many adjustments and is pretty straightforward. Just put the leaves here" – he pointed to an opening at the top – "and the internal blades will take care of the rest. It’ll get the job done faster than you think."

I looked at the device with interest. It was exactly what I needed. "How much does it cost?" I asked, already calculating if I had enough crystals in my bag for the purchase.

He adjusted his goggles and slid to the side to grab the model. "Only 1 magical crystals. Not expensive, if you know how to use it well."

I paused for a moment, observing the item and weighing my options. "Deal," I finally said, pulling the crystals from my bag. I handed him the exact amount, and he quickly took the crystals, his tongue stretching back into his mouth with satisfaction.

"Done!" he said, handing me the grinder. "You’ll need to be careful when handling it, but I’m sure someone like you will know what to do. If you need anything else, just let me know."

However, I knew that, for the process to be complete, I would need more equipment. I was in the right place, and the lizard-headed vendor seemed like the ideal person to provide what I needed.

My eyes scanned the tent again, focusing on the mechanical items scattered around. There were many gadgets that could be useful, and soon I noticed a line of devices that would be essential for my goal: mixing tanks, filters, pressure systems, everything I needed to process and refine materials.

"Well, since you mentioned it, pay attention," I replied directly, pointing to a set of equipment lined up on a shelf. "I’m interested in a few additional items. I’ll need a mixing tank, a distillation filter, a neutralization tank, a small pressure system, a crystallization tank, and a pressure filter. Also, a storage and containment item would be good. The total price shouldn’t exceed 6 magical crystals. That’s what I can spend for now."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by my shopping list. But it seemed he was used to serving demanding customers and leaned over the table, analyzing the items I pointed to.

"Hmm, you have a good eye for things," he said, and his tongue flicked as he quickly and efficiently grabbed the items. "These items are great, but for that price..." He paused, as if considering something.

"I know that magical devices have a high value, but these items are made with common metals, so I’m willing to pay the minimum price. I have a tight budget," I responded, placing 6 magical crystals on the table. "If you can give me a good discount, I’ll take everything now."

He looked at the crystals and then at me, clearly evaluating whether I was being sincere or trying to manipulate the deal. I stood firm, not showing any signs of hesitation, and he seemed to understand that I wasn’t joking. After a moment of silence, he made a gesture with his hand, signaling that he would accept my offer.

"Done then," the vendor said with a satisfied smile. "For 6 magical crystals, you get everything. Now, about the items..." He started picking them up one by one. "This is the mixing tank, ideal for simple compositions. It will help you combine elements without causing undesirable reactions. The distillation filter is excellent for separating materials through heat. The neutralization tank will handle volatile substances without the risk of explosion. As for the pressure system, well, it’s essential for material transformation processes that require precise control of gas or liquid. The crystallization tank will help you extract crystals from liquids, and the pressure filter is useful to ensure that the distillation process isn’t compromised. And finally, the storage and containment item... will be useful to keep your materials under control, without the risk of leaks or contamination."

He seemed proud of his products, and I, in turn, was more than satisfied with the purchase. Each item was essential for my plan to create the cocaine I needed.

"Very well," the vendor said, with a tone of farewell. "Everything is ready. Good luck with your experiments. If you need anything else, just come back here."

I carefully gathered the items, placing them on my back. They were a bit heavy, but with my build, I could carry them easily through the market. Now, the final step: I need coca leaves, kerosene, sulfuric acid, potassium permanganate, sodium hydroxide, and hydrochloric acid.

With these items, I can finally begin producing cocaine, and I’m sure that when my product hits the market at a lower price than potions or magical mushrooms, it will make everyone euphoric and completely addicted to my product.

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1560 Words