Although Dahlia felt inferior to Headmaster Astoria, she also realized she had some advantages over her in regard to Vaan.
Nevertheless, she was surprised to find out that Headmaster Astoria was interested in Vaan. But when she recalled Vaan’s impressiveness, she found it quite normal.
Any witch in the academic circle would be interested in him if they knew what he had achieved.
However, Astoria seemed a little more than just interested in Vaan; she was jealous of her relationship with him.
As such, she found it amusing to tease her over it.
Nevertheless, given Astoria’s status and age, she wasn’t going to fight with someone who was at least over two hundred eighty years younger than her.
Such a person was a child to her.
Astoria casually turned her gaze to Vaan before she asked, “What do you want to do in the city, Sir Vaan?”
“We are paying a visit to the Potioneer Association and Artificer Association to sell some stuff, then head over to the Witch Union Bank to withdraw some mana stones,” Vaan briefly explained the plan to her.
After Astoria learned about it, she quickly agreed to accompany them.
Nevertheless, she couldn’t help but wonder why he needed to raise so many mana stones. Evidently, it wasn’t for a small matter.
After Astoria gave Vaan a furtive glance, she curiously asked, “What do you need so many mana stones for?”
“Property investment in Sunpeak Town,” Vaan calmly confessed.
Given Astoria’s intelligence, there was no point in keeping it a secret from her; she would have found out either way.
More importantly, there was no reason to keep it from her, especially when he was going to use her influence to raise money.
Without surprise, Astoria quickly understood the situation after hearing about property investment in Sunpeak Town from Vaan.
She was aware that many people would be interested in Aeliana once they learned about her recovery.
Furthermore, Sunpeak Town was a prime location for trading.
“Property investment in Sunpeak Town, huh? I would have overlooked it if you didn’t mention it, Sir Vahn. But as expected, someone like you wouldn’t miss this kind of golden opportunity to amass wealth,” Astoria commented with a smile.
“It can’t be helped,” Vaan casually shrugged and smiled back before he said, “Whether it’s men or witches, lots of resources are needed for swift growth.”
“That I can’t argue with,” Astoria agreed with his point before she calmly asked, “I trust that you wouldn’t want Lord Helia to learn about this either?”
“Yes, I wouldn’t,” Vaan nodded and said, “Although Lord Helia is bound to learn about it eventually, it shouldn’t come from us.”
Lord Helia was a businesswoman.
Letting her know early was the same as increasing his business competitors in Sunpeak Town and lowering the chance of him obtaining most of the prime plots of land and properties.
Furthermore, the relationship between Sunpeak Town and Redpine City was not good.
As such, it was unlikely for Helia to purchase any land or property in Sunpeak Town directly; she would have to use more indirect means. Through an intermediary like him, for example.
The ideal situation was to buy everything up for himself first.
Then, he would offer to help her expand her potion business by getting her to supply the potions to their general potion store in Sunpeak Town. That way, they could sell potions without investing in production.
Although the general potion store wouldn’t profit much from selling third-party goods, the bigger benefits would still go to him.
After all, he was a shareholder in the sales of Pore Stimulation Potions.
Sometime later, Vaan sold a few Gehenna plants and useable potions from his collection at the Potioneer Association for a fair price, thanks to Astoria’s presence, and made 2200 low-rank mana stones.
Afterward, they visited the Artificer Association to sell a piece of Rank 4 Black Metal, which caught the attention of a few Rank 3 Grandmaster Artificers and the Association Leader.
In the end, the piece of Rank 4 Black Metal was sold to the Association Leader for a whopping 4000 low-rank mana stones.
Finally, they visited the Witch Union Bank, where Vaan withdrew another 400 low-rank mana stones from his card.
The overall process took less than three hours.
Without Headmaster Astoria to accompany them, it would have surely taken much longer to accomplish, not to mention the effort they would have to put into finding adequate buyers.
While they would have caught the Association Leader’s attention at the Artificer Association for selling the piece of Rank 4 Black Metal anyway, they would not have received such a generous amount for it.
Astoria’s influence was no joke.
No one dared to shortchange him in her presence; they all offered very fair prices for the items he sold to both associations.
Nevertheless, after Vaan raised 6600 low-rank mana stones, he kept 1200 mana stones for himself and handed the other 5400 low-rank mana stones to Dahlia for the property and land investment.
Dahlia had never held so many mana stones in life and felt a little nervous and pressured by them.
That said, she quickly stored the bags of mana stones in her Magic Domain before she felt some relief.
“I suppose Lady Dahlia will be heading to Sunpeak Town now?” Astoria casually asked, but she was actually trying to get rid of her.
“I…” Dahlia wanted to have lunch with Vaan at least, but she ultimately replied with a nod, “Yeah.”
“Since time is of the essence, I should reach Sunpeak Town and start buying out as many properties and plots of land in the prime locations as soon as possible.”
“Then you’re going to need a ride. I plan to borrow the magic airship and return to Blackmoon Academy to sort out some matters I just remembered I need to do. I can drop you off at Sunpeak Town along the way, Lady Dahlia,” Astoria mentioned.
“This… Alright,” Dahlia agreed after a brief moment of hesitation.
She had planned to fly to Sunpeak Town with her improved Flight Magic, but a magic airship would get her there much quicker without the effort.
“I’ll see you again in two days, Sir Vahn,” Astoria said to Vaan shortly after.
But before the two ladies could leave together, Vaan stopped Dahlia.
Then, he handed her a letter containing an incomplete building blueprint, which he had drawn during one of the short breaks between the meetings with their buyers at the Potioneer Association.
“What’s this for, Vahn?” Dahlia curiously asked.
“Just some insurance,” Vaan calmly replied before he instructed, “Hand it over to Lady Solana and tell her it’s from me if she makes things difficult for you.”
“I understand, Vahn,” Dahlia affirmed with a nod.