**Chapter 107: The Senior’s Secondhand Bicycle**
Amy glanced at Victor. “For someone like you, with a great wizard family’s backing, it’s not a big deal. Even without academy purchasing privileges, you can get higher-tier artifacts from your family. But for someone like me, from a small noble family with less than a generation of heritage and no deep connections, it’s a hassle.”
Victor nodded, understanding.
His family indeed had its own channels to bypass the academy’s restrictions.
“But thankfully, it’s not impossible,” Amy said, her eyes gleaming. “After completing their mandatory service, wizards below the fourth level can choose whether to continue participating in planar wars freely. And after conquering a plane or concluding a frontline campaign, a batch of wizards returns to recuperate.”
Jie Ming nodded, familiar with this.
“As the core hub of knowledge and power for Noren Workshop, many wizards choose to return to the academy during downtime, renting labs to rest, reflect, summarize experiences, and research new wizardry,” Amy continued, a sly smile spreading across her face. “During this time, some ‘less wealthy’ or cash-strapped wizards occasionally sell equipment they no longer need.”
“Artifacts, if well-maintained, can function for centuries, even if the inscribed wizardry models are somewhat outdated.”
Jie Ming’s mind clicked. “Got it. It’s like university seniors selling their old bicycles or used books to juniors.”
While it made economic sense, Amy’s explanation made Jie Ming view the fifth-level artifact differently. In his eyes, it went from “a treasure forged by a great master of the Void Refinement Realm” to “a senior’s well-worn bicycle, passed down who-knows-how-many hands.”
“Wow, this is totally outside my knowledge,” Jie Ming said, scratching his head awkwardly. “I always bought directly from the academy’s stores. I had no idea there was such a network in the academy.”
Victor couldn’t help but tease, “No, *you’re* the one outside *our* knowledge! Buying brand-new high-tier artifacts outright… Truly a rich guy. You can’t imagine the struggles of us common folk!”
“Exactly! For someone like you, advancing to a first-level wizard is like a game. You wouldn’t get our hardships!” Amy chimed in, half-jokingly complaining.
Jie Ming gave a noncommittal smile, not bothering to argue.
He had indeed lived too “affluently,” overlooking the survival strategies of lower-tier wizards.
“That’s how I met this senior,” Amy continued. “She’s also back from the Elosia plane. And the reason we stayed in touch is that, besides buying her artifact, I often connected her with other apprentices in need, bringing her quite a few ‘clients.’”
“So, we’re fairly close. Trading with her shouldn’t be an issue.”
Jie Ming smacked his lips, quietly impressed.
Amy tucked away her communicator with confidence. “Alright, I just contacted her. We can go meet her now. Let’s see if she can provide useful intelligence or introduce us to wizard teams looking for help.”
Seeing Amy’s confident smile, Jie Ming gained a deeper appreciation for her networking skills.
Though she spoke lightly, her ability to secure such a partnership undoubtedly stemmed from her formidable interpersonal talents.
Following Amy, Jie Ming and Victor wove through the camp’s simple yet functional buildings.
They arrived at a semi-permanent rune structure in a secluded corner of the camp.
Though unremarkable from the outside, the surrounding mana fluctuations were far denser and more stable than elsewhere, clearly supported by high-tier elemental gathering arrays inside.
Amy lightly knocked on the rune-covered door, which slid open silently.
The interior was dimly lit, the air heavy with the distinct scent of potions and ink.
A woman in a deep blue wizard robe stood with her back to them, adjusting a complex rune matrix.
Her graceful figure was framed by cascading silver hair that fell to her waist, shimmering like moonlight in the dim glow.
At the sound, she turned slowly.
Her face was refined and mature, with a hint of weariness at the corners of her eyes that did nothing to diminish her elegance.
Her deep silver-gray eyes sparkled like the night sky.
This was Viola, the academy senior Amy had mentioned.
“Amy? A rare guest. I didn’t expect to see you here,” the silver-haired witch said with a playful tone, her gaze sweeping over Jie Ming and Victor with a hint of scrutiny. “And you brought two kids along. Aren’t you supposed to be out there struggling to survive? What, giving up already?”
“Long time no see, Senior Viola!” Amy replied with a sweet smile, stepping forward. “We’re not that fragile. As I mentioned earlier, we’re here to ask for advice… and maybe explore some cooperation opportunities.”
Viola raised an eyebrow, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
She gestured for them to sit, settling into a comfortable chair herself, her slender fingers tapping the table. “We’ve already discussed this over the communicator, but…”
“Cooperation? Interesting.” Viola smiled, though her expression carried a trace of pity. “You know wizard transactions always follow equivalent exchange. So… what can you offer?”
Her question left Amy and Victor momentarily speechless.
In their excitement, they had overlooked this issue.
Though they had advanced to first-level formal wizards, they hadn’t yet accumulated enough wealth to offer something that would tempt a senior like Viola.
“Out of respect for our past dealings, Amy, I can give you two pieces of suitable intelligence for free,” Viola said, looking at Amy seriously. “But that’s it. If you want more, you’ll need to offer something of equal value in exchange.”
“So… what do you have that might interest me?”