Grenades and gold! The booming exchange

Norris's consciousness materialized in Orum'thik domain. As expected the domain reacted and started to change to the expectation of its current customer. A slick modern twenty-first-century commercial store was created. Norris consciousness took on his human form, feeling liberated though he took it for granted having done this before. Orum'thik seeing the change in his domain recognized who it was. He came with a smile, he too changing to the expectation of his customer; A golden skinned man dressed in modern corporate wear, the golden skin his personal preference.

"Haha! Norris you are here again, had a windfall or are you running an errand?", Orum'thik laughed as he walked towards Norris

Norris stopped in shock, mock shock and look at Orumtik with a look of being betrayed, "why can't it be that I worked for the money and came to purchase for myself?".

"Hahaha! I don't even need to answer the question my dear Norris, ask yourself, if after working extra time to create and sell your magical goods your magical goods would you come to the Arcum plane to engage in commerce?", Orum'thik made a jest that touches the soul.

Norris smiled though inwardly his good mood because of coming to in Orum'thiks domain and making it train was dashed.

He berated himself, "it's actually not my money so; ding!!! reality check!!!", while imagining a notification from the phones in his previous life.

"Well I've come loaded my good friend and I'm here to get a lot of things". Norris said while changing the topic.

Orumtik smiled and tactically went along with him, "Okay Norris, let me be blessed by the golden god today".

Norris was a little confused before realizing it meant gold coins, "Funny way of saying it Norris chuckled.

"Well Norris money can buy almost anything" Orumtik smiled and said though his voice bellied a hint of seriousness and conviction.

Norris understanding it was an advice from a friend who had seen and heard more replied "Fair enough. Even gods trade wealth."

They smiled at each other with one satisfied that his subtle advice was understood and the other happy for the advice.

Norris planning to buy one of the cores of a mage group asked, "Okay now first on the list is the theory of group spells".

"Well Norris", Orumtik smile widened, "knowledge is always the most expensive. I had a whim today that today was going to be a good day and it really is". Orumtik joked "Well because of a joint blockage by the gods of nobility to strengthen their core rights the Arcum realm reached a compromise. They will sell knowledge like this that can be used to equip an army for a sky high price that can only be bought by nobles themselves. Norris I hope you are ready to bleed?"

Norris who already felt cold when he saw Orumtik smile that looked like he was about to butcher fat meat felt even colder after hearing this.

"why is life so difficult?", Norris sighed sadly. Most of what he had planned to buy for himself might be scrapped. No wonder he was given a lot of cash. Here he was thinking he made a windfall and he could splurge a little on himself. "what a joke well let's be good guys and not be corrupt with the money", Norris berated himself.

"What version of theory do you want? You know in the world there are two things I am very sure will never change; war and money. it will always be part of society for as long as it goes. Now because of war, they've been a lot of updates on these theories. Whoever has the latest theories wins. This makes spell grouping a high end skill. Now the latest theory used by the strongest empires in the material realm each having their own variations and edits is going to be sold for 2,000,000 gold coins.

Of course there are alternative payments but I have a feeling you wouldn't want to hear them. There's also a theory used by ancient kingdoms. It is outdated now but during its time it was the best. Of course it's cheaper and it sells for 400, 000 gold coins. Then there's a theory used a very long, long time ago. Well it's still the foundation of group spells today and it's it's cheaper since it's very obsolete. But I will advise you to buy this one. The more advanced and expensive theories need minimum requirement since they've been customized accordingly but for the base you can edit it freely as you like."

Norris feeling numb from the numbers took a nod agreeing with Orum'thik. The cheaper the better. Of course he tried to delude himself thinking, "I'm going to create group spells needed for undead. In order to so I need something without much additions".

Of course, he knew he was deluding himself but you have to to stay sane. For Norris this was the truth. You don't believe it? Skill issue on your part. Norris after scratching his hair while thinking decided to spend the remaining cash, "I should buy consumables Empty scroll, gems and other common consumables we can use for a mage group during war".

You are the trader and this is my first time as a logistics officer in a war. So cook! give me what you can. I believe in your honour as a merchant", Norris decided to raise Orum'thik to the high moral ground hoping he would be cheated.

Orumtik smiled and Norris in pain said the amount he had been giving 500, 000 gold coins. He'd leave it to Orum'thik to calculate the platform fees and all other maths to be done. Now not a single penny left, Norris felt empty. He knew that to get money that far exceeded your capabilities was hard but he didn't expect it was this hard. Of course they're various unsavoury methods to make money but that's just asking for trouble. Who'd invite chutulu style monsters just because of money. Well…actually some people would! Intelligent races as a whole. Filled with the most noble and also the most despicable.

"How about I sponsor you today, Norris. I'll sponsor you by giving you discounts…", Orum'thik tries giving Norris sweet deals

"Stop Orum'thik, I treat you as a friend but you try to get me to owe you a favour. How?", Norris looked angry.

"Haha, profession problem. It's an instinct to get benefits at this point". Norris knowing it was a way to gauge his character wasn't really angry though. Then Norris started thinking of what he can do to make money.

Norris who suddenly had an epiphany shouted, "Orum'thik, I've got it! I have something that's handy, cheap, and most importantly, consumable," Norris said, his words tumbling out in a rush. "Something that can be used once and then discarded making sales consistent. It also has a low technical rate"

Norris's face lit up. "I call it a grenade"

Orum'thik leaned forward, his eyes shining with interest. "Tell me more. I tell you Norris, today is really a good day"

Norris seeing hold coins asked for a contract first. Orum'thik put away his smile becoming more serious. It seems that Norris really cooked something up this time. "A grenade is a device used to spray energy".

Orum'thik smile faltered, his lips twitching, "Wow a nice idea". Norris looked at him with a smile feeling breezy. Deciding that the tease was enough he decided to continue telling him what he thought of. " Well we could enchant the container in a way that it'd try to injure all those around it". It'll be a good weapon for warriors to fight against mages in the early stage. For money, Norris sold his entire practitioner group. Ohh the evil in the heart of men. Orum'thik felt better. Though it was not as great as he thought it was better than nothing.

Norris began to pace back and forth, his mind racing with possibilities. "We can create different types of grenades for different situations. Some could release clouds of smoke or illusions, while others could deal massive damage or heal wounds. Some are just to created massive burst of light to disorientate. It can also spray smells helping to track. A brand name; grenade, made for war. "

Orum'thik nodded, a slow smile spreading across his face and his eyes. "I'm starting to see the idea."

Norris stopped pacing and turned to face his friend, a grin still plastered on his face. "I know it will be. We're going to make a fortune with these things."

Orum'thik chuckled and leaned back in his chair. "I have no doubt that we will."

"Now let's decide the profit." The atmosphere took a quick turn with both ready to duke it out.