Bagnold thought for a moment, then looked at the other department heads. "In fact," she mused, "we could incorporate these humanoid targets into our field-readiness evaluations. If we introduce power measurement tests in promotion exams for frontline staff, we'll have a standardized method of assessing combat effectiveness."
A brief silence fell over the room as the directors processed the idea. On the surface, the proposal sounded logical and beneficial. However, some of them weren't thrilled about the implications. The Ministry had many departments, and not all of them were eager for strict standardization.
For some, having looser assessment criteria was more convenient. Stricter evaluations meant more effort, fewer promotions, and tighter oversight, things that weren't always welcome. Bagnold immediately caught on to their hesitation. Her expression hardened slightly, and she let her gaze sweep over them. 'They're worried about their own convenience', she thought. Seeing the minister's expression darken, the directors realized that resisting her decision was pointless.
"I think it's an excellent idea!" one of them quickly chimed in.
"Minister, your wisdom is unmatched!" another added with a forced smile.
"Brilliant foresight, my lady!"
Moody, watching the scene unfold, fought the urge to smirk. He could see right through them, they were just playing along because they knew Bagnold wouldn't budge.
Bagnold ignored their forced enthusiasm and continued, "We'll start by ordering three humanoid targets, one for each department. If this system works well, we'll expand the program in the future."
There was no room for argument. "Understood, Minister," the directors replied in unison.
"Good. Now that the procurement priorities are set, let's determine the order volume and equipment rollout timeline. Alex's production capacity is limited, so we need to structure deliveries accordingly." With that, they began finalizing the exact numbers for their purchase.
Once everything was settled, Alex was finally called back into the conference room. Amelia slid a piece of parchment across the table toward him. "Alex, this is the finalized order list," she said. "Look it over. The enchanted handcuffs and tracking glasses are top priority, how soon can you deliver them?"
Alex picked up the parchment and scanned the numbers. His heart leapt. 'Merlin's beard. This was huge.' The Ministry of Magic had placed an order worth thousands of Galleons, far exceeding Alex's initial expectations. The sheer scale of the purchase was staggering. The request included 100 defensive amulets, 80 communication amulets, 50 sonic charms, and 160 flash amulets, bringing the total amulet value alone to 6,000 Galleons. Beyond that, the Ministry also ordered 80 pairs of tracking glasses, 80 sets of magic-proof handcuffs, 50 pairs of defensive gloves, and 10 self-test pocket watches, pushing the total cost of this section to 6,800 Galleons. The most noticeable difference, however, lay in the demand for jammers. While only five shielding jammers were requested, the Ministry placed a substantial order for 20 anti-Apparition jammers, adding another 2,850 Galleons to the overall invoice. This was a serious contract.
In addition to the various amulets, jammers, and tracking devices, the Ministry of Magic also ordered three humanoid targets for 2,250 Galleons. However, they completely ignored tactical backpacks and leather boots, making it clear that their purchases were highly selective.
Alex didn't mind. In fact, he was more than satisfied. While the Ministry had placed a bulk order, he knew that individual officials and Aurors would likely come back later to buy equipment on their own dime. The real money wasn't in one-time orders, it was in continuous demand.
Still, just from this single deal, Alex was looking at a total payout of 15,060 Galleons. What truly pleased him, though, was the profit margin, his net earnings alone would be 10,000 Galleons. It was a huge win. But he also understood that orders like this wouldn't come often. The Ministry had limited budgets, and after this bulk purchase, future sales would likely depend on repairs, upgrades, and replacements, unless, of course, he could expand his client base. "I'll prioritize the production of tracking glasses and magic-proof handcuffs first," Alex said after a brief moment of thought. "You should receive them within three days. The remaining equipment will be completed within one month. Does that work for you?"
Bagnold and the directors looked surprised. "You can finish the first batch in just three days?" Minister Bagnold raised an eyebrow. "That's over a hundred alchemical items."
"Yes," Alex nodded confidently. "If I handle the core crafting myself, it's entirely manageable."
Amelia, ever the sharp-eyed enforcer, narrowed her gaze. "And you're sure there won't be any drop in quality?" she asked. "We won't accept anything substandard."
Alex smirked. "Minister, if I were going to scam someone, the last group I'd pick would be the Ministry of Magic. You'll be able to inspect everything yourselves. If any item doesn't meet your standards, I'll accept full returns at no cost."
That seemed to satisfy them. "If you can maintain that level of speed and quality, that would be ideal," Bagnold said. "Once the first two batches are done, focus on the Anti-Apparition Jammers next. The humanoid targets can be delivered last."
"No problem," Alex replied easily. "For the Ministry of Magic, I'll treat this order like I'm making it for Merlin himself."
Bagnold chuckled. "If everything goes smoothly, you'll be doing us a great favor." She then pulled out a fresh parchment and placed it in front of him. "This," she said, "is the risk classification report for your company's products."
Bagnold scanned through the classification report, her eyes moving swiftly down the list. "Based on the assessment, the following items have been classified as MR – Minimal Risk, meaning they can be freely sold to all wizards," she began, her tone formal and precise. "Defensive amulets, communication amulets, protective gloves, and self-test pocket watches all fall under this category." She paused before continuing, her expression turning more serious. "However, the following items are classified as RU – Restricted Use, meaning they can only be sold to the Ministry of Magic or licensed individuals. Any sale must be registered with the buyer's official Ministry credentials." She glanced up at Alex before listing them out. "Sonic Boom Amulets, Flash Amulets, Magic-Proof Handcuffs, Tracking Glasses, Tactical Vests, Tactical Leather Boots, and Humanoid Training Targets."
Lowering the parchment, she gave him a pointed look, as if to emphasize the restrictions placed on the more specialized equipment. Alex frowned slightly at that last entry. "The humanoid target is RU-level?" he asked. "It's not even a weapon."
Bagnold folded her hands. "It fires spells as part of its training function," she explained. "That makes it a potential hazard for weaker adult wizards and underage students. Any magical object that can attack on its own is considered restricted under Ministry regulations."
Alex immediately saw a loophole. "What if I remove the spell-casting function?" he asked. "If I leave only the damage absorption, self-repair, and power measurement features, could it be reclassified?"