The efficiency of the Aslan Magic Workshop was indeed impressive. When Vid left the premises, he already had the first edition of the "Friendship Book" in hand.
This was a preliminary omnibus edition, with a minimum of two people linked, and a maximum of fifteen. The cover was far more exquisite than Vid's casual handwriting, with fonts trimmed in gold, and an ever-so-slightly swaying lisianthus. The internal pages are differentiated by colors and flowers, for example, two-person versions are shown by sunflowers, three by tulips, four by daylilies, five by violets, and so on, all representing flowers of friendship.
To Vid, this "Friendship Book" was already quite exquisite, but Machioni wasn't fully satisfied.
"This is a version aimed at women; they should sprinkle a little perfume on it."
"Are there other versions?" Vid asked.
"Of course," Machioni said, "There are versions aimed at men, with illustrations of pine trees, crowns, scepters, bows and arrows; an animal version featuring unicorns, phoenixes, fire dragons, pegasi; a children's version with Puffskeins, Little Fairies; an eccentric version with Dementors and three-headed dogs; a Quidditch version with famous Quidditch players and flying broomsticks; and also architectural versions, Veela versions, Merlin Medal versions, school versions..."
He rattled off dozens of types in one breath as though money-making ideas never needed a second thought, finally saying: "There are a variety of options to choose from, so many people, even if they don't need them, will buy a few copies to collect. But at this moment our flower template has the most, so we make this first. If you don't like it, you can give it to your female classmates. When other versions are printed, I will send you a few sets."
Vid shook his head, "What do I need so many for?"
"For your own collection!" Machioni said with a grin. "Or give them to classmates to foster closer relations!"
"I don't like to curry favor with others."
Or rather, his life has never reached a point where currying favor with others is necessary to sustain it, both in this life and the last.
"It's not about currying favor, just that if someone helps you a little, you can use the Friendship Book as a token of thanks, not too much, just a two-person or three-person set." Machioni advised him like a brother: "This thing costs you almost nothing, but for others, it's a relatively valuable gift. They'll be delighted to receive it. And Vid—"
He gently touched Vid's soft hair and said, "We are not lonely stars in the night sky, there will always be times when we need others' help—if you don't give first, how can you get?"
"Machioni makes a valid point, but if it makes you feel uneasy, don't learn from him," Professor Morry suddenly said: "Blindly imitating others only makes you lose your judgment; just be yourself—lonely stars may be solitary, but if you are the sun, stars will naturally gather around."
"Okay, perhaps, Professor, you are right," Machioni shrugged. "But I always think that having good relationships with most people is not wrong."
"You've been thinking about how to make money since the first grade, but Vid is not a businessman, he is an Alchemist—relishing solitude, seeking the unknown, and being accompanied by knowledge; that's the true nature of an Alchemist! Don't contaminate my students with your unscrupulous business tricks," Professor Morry said, not too happily.
"Hey, that's slander, Professor!" Machioni protested, immediately giving an example: "If I were really unscrupulous for money, I would have had the technical department adjust the use period of the Friendship Book to one year, so that users would have to buy a new one every year. That would create a real flow of Golden Galleons! But I didn't do that, which proves that even in business, I possess noble character!"
"But you surely thought about it, didn't you? Otherwise, such a vicious idea wouldn't have slipped out so quickly."
"—It's not illegal to think about it."
…
Their next stop was naturally Gringotts.
By this time it was late afternoon, and the wizards shopping in Diagon Alley were few, but instead, a number of individuals in dark cloaks, moving surreptitiously, began to appear, almost all entering a dark and eerie alley.
"Don't look over there! That's Knockturn Alley, a favorite haunt of Dark Wizards."
Machioni shielded Vid's gaze and, with his arm in a wide sleeve, nearly covered Vid completely, while Professor Morry walked on his other side.
They smoothly arrived at Gringotts, and a goblin standing nearby bowed to them.
"Good evening, gentlemen."
"Good evening," Machioni gestured with his hand and said, "Mr. Vid Gray needs to rent a new vault."
"Vid Gray?" The goblin looked up at Vid, who was only half a head taller than him, without questioning his age and nodded, "Alright, I understand — which type of vault would you like to rent?"
"Please explain the types and prices to Mr. Gray first."
"Please come this way—"
Vid followed the goblin and Machioni to handle the vault procedures, while Professor Morry went to another goblin sitting on a high stool writing.
"Long time no see, Ring Pull."
"Hello, Professor Morry, is there anything I can do for you?" The goblin named Ring Pull said respectfully.
"I need to take something from my vault," Professor Morry displayed the key.
"Alright, please wait a moment—I'll get the jingle piece."
The goblins kept a fire dragon in the underground vault to deal with those with ill intentions; the jingle piece allowed goblins and clients to move safely within the vault.
Vid sat on the legendary small cart for the first time; Michael had once described it to him — it felt like it was going to shake your brains out.
The small cart appeared narrow and small with its unadorned appearance, yet even with two adults, a child, and two goblins, it wasn't crowded. Ring Pull nudged the lever connecting the front of the cart, and it started off with a clatter.
"Close your eyes, and don't open your mouth!" Machioni called to Vid while clutching his arms for support.
Vid didn't foolishly ask questions and did exactly as told.
The small cart slid down a steep slope, gathering speed, and gradually he could hear the cold wind whistling past them. The path in the middle must be especially winding and twisting, as their bodies swayed involuntarily left and right, as if to fling them out. But thankfully, he kept his eyes closed, and the dizziness was greatly diminished. Machioni's arm was clamped tightly across his chest, like an additional safety bar.
After an unknown period, the small cart finally stopped. By then, everyone had turned pale and leaned against the railings for quite a while, before Vid and Machioni could climb out of the cart.
As for Professor Morry, he still needed to continue downwards to retrieve something from his vault.
"Alright, let's proceed," Ring Pull said, nudging the lever on the small cart again.
Another goblin named Kuler stood by the road, and a "317" plaque hung on the door of a vault. He pinched the ancient bronze key with his slender fingers, inserted it into the keyhole, and turned it several times. The chains suddenly sprang to life and crawled away, and the vault door swung open.
Vid stood at the doorway and looked in; the empty vault seemed like a gigantic cave, without even a single blade of grass inside.
"This will be your vault from now on, Mr. Vid Gray." Kuler handed the key to him, saying: "Please make sure to safeguard your key."
Vid took the key, which was attached to a slender silver chain, perfect for wearing around his neck.
"A bit empty, isn't it?" Machioni said with a smile, and then signed a document and handed it to Kuler: "Transfer fifty thousand Galleons from my vault into Vault 317."
Kuler received it expressionlessly, saying: "Okay, please wait a moment."
Seemingly within just a few breaths, the sound of jingling suddenly filled the air. Vid was searching for the source, when he suddenly saw thousands upon tens of thousands of Galleons raining down from above, as if a rainstorm had occurred inside the vault. They tinkled down onto the floor, forming a small golden hill, glowing brightly under the light of torches.
Machioni laughed: "One day, this place will surely be filled to the brim with Golden Galleons, won't it?"