Bloom and Boom - The Elixir's Debut

"There's just one more thing," Sun-woo added as they were finalizing the details. "Would you be able to provide the ingredients for the elixir? I can give you the list, and of course, I'll pay for them."

Alaric, eager to get the ball rolling, readily agreed. "Of course, young man! Anything to expedite this venture."

Sun-woo then listed the ingredients: Dewdrop Petals, Sunstone Berries, Moonshadow Root, Springwater Essence, and Golden Honeycomb Shavings.

Alaric's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "That's it? These are… rather ordinary ingredients."

Sun-woo chuckled. "Indeed. The magic lies in the recipe and the process."

With the ingredients secured and the demonstration a resounding success, Sun-woo and Alaric moved on to the practicalities of their partnership. "Now, about the ingredients," Sun-woo began, "what would be a fair price for them?"

Alaric, ever the shrewd businessman, considered for a moment. "Given their common availability, I'd say sixty copper coins per batch would be reasonable."

Sun-woo nodded. "That sounds fair." He knew Alaric was being honest; the ingredients were indeed easily sourced. "And what about the price of the elixir itself?"

"Two silver coins per vial," Alaric stated firmly. "Given its remarkable effects, I believe that's a very fair price."

Sun-woo agreed. Two silver coins was a significant sum, but the results were undeniable. He knew people would pay for such a transformative product. He made a mental note to keep in mind the local currency exchange rate: 100 copper coins to 1 silver coin, and 100 silver coins to 1 gold coin. This would be important for future transactions and calculations.

They agreed that for the initial launch, they would adopt a simple, yet effective strategy –

Become living testimonials.

They would position themselves outside the shop, showcasing the transformative effects of the Radiant Bloom Elixir on their own appearances.

The next day, Sun-woo returned to Azurebloom with a fresh batch of elixirs, having procured the ingredients from a delighted Alaric.

True to his word, Alaric had already consumed a dose. While the lines etched by time were still visible, his skin had a healthy glow, his eyes sparkled, and his hair seemed less wispy. He looked undeniably… handsome.

The couple positioned themselves outside the shop. Elara, radiating an almost ethereal beauty, and Alaric, exuding a newfound charm, stood as a testament to the elixir's power. Passersby did double takes, their eyes widening in disbelief. The old couple, who had been fixtures in the marketplace for decades, looked like they had undergone a miraculous rejuvenation.

As a crowd began to gather, their curiosity piqued by the transformed couple, Alaric and Elara launched into their well-rehearsed pitch.

"Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and witness the miracle of the Radiant Bloom Elixir!" Alaric boomed, his voice surprisingly strong. "This wondrous concoction has transformed my dear wife into a vision of youthful beauty!"

Elara, with a playful wink, chimed in, "And it's done wonders for my husband too! He's practically glowing!"

Alaric puffed out his chest, striking a pose. "Indeed! I feel like a young buck again! All thanks to this amazing elixir!"

He lowered his voice conspiratorially. "And let me tell you a secret, folks," he whispered, leaning towards the crowd. "This elixir doesn't just make you look younger, it makes you feel younger!" He winked again. "If you know what I mean..."

The crowd erupted in laughter, their initial skepticism replaced with intrigue.

"But that's not all!" Alaric exclaimed, his voice booming across the marketplace. He glanced at Sun-woo, a mischievous wink flashed toward him, and then shouted, "Making these Elixirs is such an utterly exhausting endeavor!" He dramatically dabbed his forehead with a handkerchief, despite not breaking a sweat. "So come get your Radiant Bloom Elixirs! Because, frankly, there's simply not enough for all you fine folks!" He finished with a wide, knowing grin.

Sun-woo, recognizing the signal – a subtle nod from Alaric earlier during their discussion about sales tactics – instantly grasped the ploy. He understood that creating a sense of urgency and scarcity would drive sales. With a theatrical flourish of his own, he shouted, "No way! I'll take all your stock!" He made a show of lunging towards the display of elixirs, pretending to be a rival buyer with mock desperation.

The passerby crowd, initially stunned by the sudden outburst, quickly grasped the situation. The combination of the couple's remarkable transformation and the perceived scarcity of the elixir created a frenzy. Who knew when the next batch would arrive? They couldn't afford to miss this opportunity.

A surge of energy rippled through the crowd as they realized this was a limited time offer.

The air crackled with excitement, and a chorus of voices erupted.

"I'll take one!" a woman shouted, pushing her way through the throng.

"No, I was here first!" a burly man retorted, shoving past her.

"How much are they?" another voice called out, the speaker already reaching for their purse.

The crowd surged forward, clamoring for the Radiant Bloom Elixir, their initial skepticism completely forgotten. They were no longer just curious onlookers; they were eager customers, desperate to experience the elixir's transformative effects for themselves.

The small alchemy shop, once a picture of quiet neglect, had become the epicenter of a marketplace frenzy.

Sun-woo, watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but grin. His gamble was paying off.

The Radiant Bloom Elixir was about to take Azurebloom by storm.

-------

A few days passed, and Alaric's dilapidated alchemy shop was transformed into a bustling hub of activity. The Radiant Bloom Elixir had become the talk of Azurebloom, its reputation spreading like wildfire through the marketplace and beyond. Word of the miraculous elixir reached every corner of the city, and the once-forgotten shop now drew crowds from dawn till dusk.

Meanwhile, at The Grand Luminary Hall, a different atmosphere prevailed. The once-vibrant establishment, known for its high-quality goods and discerning clientele, was experiencing a noticeable decline in sales. Fewer and fewer people were venturing inside, their attention drawn elsewhere.

The head of The Grand Luminary Hall, a shrewd merchant named Theron, a man in his late forties, with a meticulously groomed, dark beard that framed a face etched with the lines of shrewd calculation was alarmed by this development. He summoned his staff, demanding an explanation. His eyes, sharp and observant, held the glint of a seasoned merchant, always assessing the value of every item, every person, every opportunity.

"What is the cause of this sudden drop in business?" he inquired, his voice laced with concern.

His most trusted staff members, a trio of anxious-looking individuals, shuffled into his office. "My lord," began the eldest, a man named Kaelen, his voice trembling slightly, "we've been investigating the matter. It appears there's a… a new phenomenon in the marketplace."

"A phenomenon?" Theron raised an eyebrow, his patience wearing thin. "Speak plainly, Kaelen."

"It's a product, my lord," chimed in a younger staff member, a woman named Lyra. "A cosmetic elixir, called the Radiant Bloom Elixir."

"Cosmetic?" Theron scoffed. "In a city of cultivators and warriors? What absurdity is this?"

"It's… it's quite popular, my lord," Kaelen stammered. "People are lining up for it. They say it makes them look… younger, more beautiful."

"And that's why our customers are abandoning us?" Theron's voice was sharp, laced with disbelief. "For a mere cosmetic?"

"Yes, my lord," Lyra confirmed, her voice barely a whisper. "The effects are said to be… remarkable. People are talking about it everywhere."

"And where is this… elixir being sold?" Theron demanded, his eyes narrowing.

"At Alaric's shop, my lord," the third staff member, a nervous young man named Jorin, piped up. "The old alchemy shop in the south corner of the marketplace."

Theron's expression darkened. "Alaric's shop? That dilapidated excuse for a business? How could they possibly…"

A sudden realization struck Theron.

That young man... the elixir... I dismissed him. He slammed his fist on his desk, the sound echoing in the silent office. What a fool!

He paced back and forth, his fine robes rustling with his agitated movements.

Mine! It could have been mine! He ran a hand through his meticulously groomed beard, disheveling it slightly.

Alaric? Reaping the rewards? Unacceptable!

He slapped his forehead, a wave of regret and simmering anger washing over him.