33: Chapter 33 being too popular isn't necessarily a good thing.

Just as Byron entered the Potion Market in the Market, he was surrounded by many shop owners.

This group of people chattered away, speaking with smiles on their faces.

"Wizard Byron, are you here to sell potions again? How much do you plan to sell this time? No matter how much you have, I'll take them all and offer you the highest price. How about it?"

"Lord Wizard Byron, come to me! My prices will definitely be higher than what that old geezer, Aige, offers!"

"Lord Wizard Byron, don't listen to those two spouting nonsense. I have a Wizard Family backing me, so I'm the only one who can take them all!"

"Lord Wizard Byron, sell to me, I can definitely..."

"..."

Seeing this scene, a wry smile appeared on Byron's face.

Although he had been welcomed before, it had never been to this extent. Could something have happened that he wasn't aware of?

But given the current situation, he could only deal with it for now.

After all, these people were all owners of various potion shops, and he couldn't afford to offend them casually.

Meanwhile, other Wizard Apprentices in the Market who had come to buy or sell potions and didn't know Byron watched this scene in disbelief.

How had those potion shop owners, who usually ignored them, become so fawning all of a sudden? Was he hallucinating?

"What's going on? Did these owners take the wrong medicine? How did they end up like this?"

"I'm also here to sell potions, so why don't these owners treat me this way? Every time I sell, they give me attitude just to drive the price down!"

"..."

As some of the oblivious Wizard Apprentices grumbled, a shop owner passing by heard them and scoffed disdainfully.

"You actually have the nerve to compare your trashy potions with the ones brewed by Wizard Byron? Take a look at what kind of goods you are."

"Do you even know what kind of potions Lord Wizard Byron brews? Those are potions that can aid in Meditation, and their purity can even reach over ninety-five percent."

"You're not even fit to carry his shoes, yet you're still whispering here. Instead of wasting time, you'd be better off studying potions and improving your own purity levels!"

"Alright, stop blocking the way!"

Hearing the words from behind them, some hot-headed Wizard Apprentices wanted to retort or even snap back.

But the next moment, when they saw who was standing behind them, they all fell silent and quietly made way.

This person was none other than Wayne, the owner of the largest shop in this Potion Market.

Never mind being snapped at; even if he spat on them, they would have to wipe it off with a smile and praise his aim.

The moment the path was cleared, Wayne didn't bother with the Wizard Apprentices any further and hurried toward Byron.

Using his rotund frame, he even forcibly squeezed a path through the crowd.

This action naturally caused countless other owners to start cursing.

"Wayne, you fat pig, why are you pushing? Don't you know how to queue?"

"That's right, Wayne! If you came late, wait outside!"

"..."

Since they were all potion shop owners, they naturally didn't need to fear offending Wayne like the Wizard Apprentices selling potions did.

Although their shops were smaller, they were also backed by Wizard Families.

Wayne, however, was not polite in the slightest and retorted, "Lord Wizard Byron has always been my client! What are you all joining in the fun for?"

"No matter how high a price you offer, could it possibly be higher than mine?!"

"It's not that I look down on you, but with your small scale, can you really handle all of Lord Wizard Byron's potions?!"

Once these words were spoken, the surrounding owners were so furious they gritted their teeth, but they didn't continue to argue.

Because what Wayne said was the truth.

After Wayne squeezed to the very front, he blocked Byron behind him and waved his hands repeatedly as if shooing people away.

"Alright, alright, disperse! Lord Wizard Byron's potions are all sold to me, so all of you, get going!"

Seeing Wayne arrive, the surrounding owners wore expressions of annoyance.

They had hoped to buy some potions before Wayne showed up, but they hadn't expected him to be so well-informed and arrive so quickly.

Seeing that there was nothing they could do, most of the owners left.

Wayne was so angry he almost blew a fuse.

The remaining few owners originally wanted to keep trying, but under Wayne's gaze, they eventually slunk away.

However, before leaving, they made sure to disgust Wayne by telling Byron one after another that if Wayne's price wasn't suitable, he could sell to them, and they would always await Byron's visit.

As the crowd dispersed, Byron wiped the sweat from his forehead.

So, being too popular isn't necessarily a good thing after all.

As the many owners left, the Wizard Apprentices who had gathered to watch the show also gradually dispersed.

And among the dispersing crowd, one man took a deep look at Byron before leaving.

Orchid Potion Shop.

Looking at Wayne, who was sitting opposite him, Byron asked directly about what had happened earlier.

"Wayne, why did those potion owners act like that earlier?"

"And it seems it's not just here at the Potion Market; other places, like the Alchemy Workshop... have been acting quite unusual."

Wayne wanted to hide it, but thinking that Byron would find out sooner or later, he gave up on the idea.

It would be counterproductive to ruin his relationship with Byron over such petty profits.

Wayne told the truth: "It's because the time for the annual mandatory mission is approaching."

"Most Wizard Apprentices want to use this last bit of time to improve themselves as much as possible so they can safely pass the mission."

"Also, as you know, most potion shops are established by Wizard Families, and those Wizard Families also have members studying in the academy."

"They also need to collect potions, wizard artifacts, and so on to meet the needs of their younger generation, which has led to the current situation."

Byron quickly realized what was going on and looked at Wayne with a smile: "Wayne, I presume you're the same."

During this period, he had sold almost all of the potions he brewed to this guy named Wayne in front of him.

This was not only because he had been recommended by his mentor, but also because this guy offered the highest prices in the entire Potion Market.

So, over time, Byron had developed some rapport with him, and he would sell his potions to him every time.

And this was one of the reasons why Byron hadn't spoken up when he was surrounded by the owners.

As for the other reason, it was also very important: it's not the scarcity that causes trouble, but the inequality.

He only had so many potions, and he certainly couldn't cater to every single one of those owners.

Once someone didn't get any, there was a high chance they would hold a grudge against him.

In this case, it was better to just stick to the usual routine and sell to Wayne.

Of course, regardless of anything else, the price had to be right.

After all, friendship is friendship, and magic stones are magic stones.

Wayne chuckled: "Of course, aren't we friends? I'll definitely offer a high price to ensure you're satisfied. I just wonder, how is the quality of this batch?"

Byron: "Rest assured, it will definitely satisfy you. However, those potions I asked you to prepare..."

"You can rest assured about that too."

Once these words were spoken, the two looked at each other, both wearing smiles on their faces.