#319 - Trick

After seeing Joey and Gemma off, Anduin sat back at the counter, pondering new alchemical products.

The customers who came into the store to browse looked and asked a lot, but hardly any actually bought anything, so after a while the store was empty.

Mainly, the product prices were too high; after all, they had no idea how effective these items actually were.

Anduin wasn't too worried about this. Once the Aurors from the Ministry of Magic had experienced them firsthand, they would naturally promote them for him. Once the reputation improved, business would naturally pick up.

Furthermore, Anduin planned to follow the ideas Joey had given him and create some new, civilian-friendly products for sale. Then, he would get Rita Skeeter to give him a few plugs in *The Daily Prophet*, and he wouldn't have to worry about business.

But just as he was lost in thought, Aselia finally came out, exhausted from testing the items one by one.

Aselia walked out of the back room, slightly tired, and came to the counter. She took out a piece of parchment and handed it over. "The goods have been counted. This is the 20% payment slip. Once all the remaining products have been submitted, the Ministry of Magic will pay the remaining 50%. Sign it if you don't see any problems."

"No problem." Anduin took the parchment, checked it over briefly, and signed his name after confirming it was correct. Then he looked at her with a smile, "So, is the quality of my products okay? Remember to tell your colleagues that my shop is open, and come visit when you have time."

"Your efficiency is indeed surprising. It's impressive that you made so many uniformly specified equipment in just three days," Aselia said with a professional smile.

"By the way, since I'm here, I'd like to buy some equipment for my own use. I remember the Ministry of Magic has internal prices," Aselia said with a smile, looking around.

"That's right, and Ministry of Magic employees can also buy some products that aren't on the shelves. What I'm currently displaying are only non-dangerous goods, not all of them," Anduin explained to Aselia with a smile.

"I see," Aselia nodded thoughtfully. She had been wondering why there were so few items on display in the shop. It turned out they were restricted by the Ministry of Magic.

"Then I'd like to buy a few Anti-Apparition Jammers, Shielding Jammers, Tactical Boots, and several amulets," Aselia said, and began to take out money from her person.

"Sorry, Jammers are prohibited products. Tactical Boots and amulets can be sold, though. How many do you want?" Hearing Aselia's request, Anduin gave her a strange look. She was buying things with such a strong tactical purpose right away? It seemed her motives weren't very pure.

"Jammers aren't allowed to be bought?" Aselia raised her eyebrows in surprise, then looked at Anduin somewhat unwillingly.

"Didn't you say Ministry of Magic employees can buy all the items at will? How come Jammers aren't included?"

"There's no way around it. It's the Ministry of Magic's regulations. If you want to buy them, you have to get approval from the Ministry of Magic," Anduin shrugged helplessly.

"Okay, then I'll take three pairs of Tactical Boots, 10 Sonic Boom Amulets, and five pairs of Protective Gloves," Aselia said with a smile to Anduin, quickly adjusting her expression after understanding the reason.

So many? And she only wanted Tactical Boots but not a Tactical Vest? Usually, only wizards skilled in combat would pay more attention to footwork and movement speed, and the price of these things combined wasn't low. It seemed this Aselia was very well-off.

"No problem." Anduin put on a delighted expression as if welcoming a big customer, signaled her to wait a moment, and then walked into the back room. After a while, he took out a tray with the items she needed on it.

"Thank you." Aselia handed over the money bag, then asked as if chatting casually, "Mr. Wilson, you haven't graduated yet, right? It seems school will start again in a while. Will your shop still be open then?"

Hearing this, Anduin replied with an indifferent expression, "Don't worry, someone will help watch the shop then, and my studies aren't too heavy. I won't be staying at school for too long."

"I see. Then I wish you good business, Mr. Wilson. I'll come and patronize you again if I have the chance," Aselia said politely with a smile, then walked straight out of the shop.

Anduin kept smiling and watching her leave, then his expression suddenly changed. He turned his head and went into the back room, softly calling out, "Kiki!"

Kiki, wearing casual clothes, Apparated to Anduin in a flash and bowed respectfully, "Master, Kiki is here."

"Do you remember the woman outside just now?" Anduin asked with a cold expression.

"I saw her clearly through the monitoring mirror just now," Kiki replied respectfully, standing at attention.

"I tampered with the three pairs of Tactical Boots I just gave her. These are trackers. Monitor her location every day from dinner time to midnight," Anduin took out three compass-like items from his pocket and handed them to Kiki, carefully instructing her.

"Yes, Master." Kiki took the three trackers without asking any extra questions. All she knew was that Anduin's orders were above everything else, and all she had to do was execute them.

"Remember the tracking techniques I taught you, and be careful not to be exposed. If she finds out, disengage immediately, prioritizing your own safety, understand?" Anduin added, looking at Kiki, who was ready for action.

"Don't worry, Master, I guarantee I'll complete the mission," Kiki replied with a firm look in her eyes.

"During the tracking process, record where the target went and who she talked to. If the three pairs of Tactical Boots are separated, you only need to record who their owners are and where they live. The main tracking target is still that woman," Anduin said coldly, narrowing his eyes.

"Yes, Master." Kiki nodded obediently, then thought of something and asked, "But what if she doesn't keep any of the three pairs of Tactical Boots and distributes them all?"

Hearing Kiki's question, Anduin nodded in satisfaction. "Good, you already know how to think about unexpected situations."

"If she doesn't keep any of the three pairs of Tactical Boots, then you only need to pay attention to the owners of those three pairs of boots. After all, if she can't be located and uses Apparition to move, the target will be lost. As for who to mainly track, that's up to you to decide. And if that really happens, I'll let Hawke support you, and he'll share some of the pressure for you. His recent stealth tracking skills have also improved a lot," Anduin said, deploying in detail in response to the unexpected situation Kiki raised.