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In the end, Carter opted solely for the physique-enhancing potion. Ivan provided her with three low-level potions and three intermediate-level ones, throwing in an extra low-level physique enhancer as a discount.
Both parties were content, avoiding prolonged negotiations. They promptly signed the contract, and Carter departed with the acquired goods.
Subsequently, Ivan met other customers individually, mostly for testing purposes. Those genuinely interested in trading offered little value. Eventually, most were persuaded by Ivan's persuasive charm, agreeing to deals extending over two years.
Turning to the mysterious man seated before him, draped in black robes exuding potent magic, Ivan posed a question, "Do you know why I chose to trade with you in the end?"
The black-robed man's voice, though low, conveyed unwavering confidence. "Because you enjoy saving the best for last."
Applauding, Ivan wore a cheerful smile. "While your words might sound blunt, they hold truth. Should I declare you the Dark Lord?"
At the mention of the Dark Lord, the man in the black robe tensed, hand on his wand concealed within his sleeve. Swiftly regaining composure, he relaxed. His followers, however, drew their wands, poised for a confrontation if needed.
"Stop"
The black-robed man commanded, prompting his followers to stow their wands. He then unveiled his handsome face, not yet distorted into the monstrous image of a noseless, half-human, half-snake creature that defined the Dark Lord. Years of authority imbued him with a commanding presence.
Though the revelation of his identity startled him, the followers remained vigilant. The Dark Lord, now composed, addressed Ivan, "I don't know how you discovered my identity, but you're no devil. I sensed magic on these items, indicating they are enchanted."
Unfazed, Ivan responded, "Indeed, I'm an insider. Yet, that's not crucial, is it?"
"It doesn't matter what you are. What matters is that we both stand to gain. I hope what you possess will pique my interest."
"Rest assured, you won't be disappointed. Let's proceed with the deal. By the way, what should I call you? The Dark Lord, Voldemort, or Tom Riddle."
Voldemort, having calmed down, was taken aback at the mention of Tom Riddle's name but quickly regained composure.
"Call me Voldemort, that name is in the past."
Ivan nodded, then activated the light screen, allowing Voldemort to peruse the items. After a brief review, Ivan pulled out a piece of unknown-quality paper and placed it on the table.
"As the Dark Lord of the magical world, special considerations apply. Here's another list. These items are exceptionally precious, some even unique. With your Dark Lord influence, affording the corresponding costs shouldn't be an issue."
When dealing with Carter earlier, Ivan refrained from presenting this list, knowing it would be futile due to the external constraints on her decision-making as the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Voldemort, distinct from others, exercised absolute control over his subordinates, marked with the dark seal. Dissenters faced direct opposition, with no room for resistance. The desires of Voldemort were synonymous with the wishes of all Death Eaters. Given this authority, he could effortlessly procure whatever satisfied Ivan.
Upon glimpsing the light screen list, Voldemort was shocked but swiftly retrieved a piece of paper to inspect it. His expression grew more solemn as he perused the concise list containing around twenty items. Ivan briefly outlined the characteristics of each item.
Among the treasures were three unique magic wands, each with distinct magical attributes. One, crafted from unicorn horns, specialized in potent healing, far surpassing ordinary wands. Another, hewn from lightning strike wood, heightened aggression and added a lightning attribute to magic attacks.
The pinnacle, however, was a wand fashioned from the bones of ancient fire dragons. In reality, it was constructed from Smaug's fallen teeth, a detail Ivan considered an integral part of a dragon's skeleton, staunchly denying any deception.
Unaware of the true origins of the Dragonbone Wand, Voldemort was captivated by the introduction and desired it immensely. A thirty percent improvement across all aspects promised a formidable tool for combating adversaries like Dumbledore and Lupin the werewolf.
Thoughts of Lupin brought a wave of depression over Voldemort. The Dark Lord's relations with his Death Eaters had soured due to the sudden rise of werewolf Lupin.
Initially, Voldemort recruited pure-blooded families to solidify control over the wizarding world, comfortably navigating the dark forces. He engaged in several clashes with Dumbledore's White Wizard forces, maintaining the upper hand with the assistance of old monsters in the pure-blooded families.
However, Lupin's emergence altered the landscape. In their first encounter, Lupin, transforming into a nearly two-meter-high giant wolf, showcased extraordinary speed and power, allowing a few white wizards to escape unharmed. Subsequent occurrences saw Lupin rallying werewolf forces to his cause, their allegiance swayed by his undeniable strength.
Lupin's steadfast support of Dumbledore and his clashes with the Order of the Phoenix posed relentless challenges for Voldemort. Resorting to desperate measures, Voldemort sacrificed some of his Death Eaters in a deadly trap to eliminate Lupin. Yet, Lupin's heightened beast instincts enabled him to detect and evade the trap, rendering Voldemort's efforts futile.
Voldemort, grappling with the challenge posed by werewolf Lupin, sought to enhance his strength and that of his subordinates. He hoped to find a powerful ally capable of resisting the werewolf threat. His visit to the Devil's Cabin aimed to explore opportunities to strengthen his position.
Little did Voldemort know that the source of his predicament was the very devil before him. This encounter marked their second meeting, the first having ended with Voldemort receiving a severe lesson. Whether Voldemort would engage in a confrontation with Ivan after learning the cause and effect remained uncertain.
Upon seeing the introduction of the Dragonbone Wand, Voldemort felt an immediate urge to seize it. Fortunately, he swiftly suppressed this impulse, recognizing the inappropriateness of acting recklessly in this particular domain.
The value of the Dragonbone Wand was outlined on the paper, and Voldemort calculated that acquiring it through his means would exact a considerable toll. Consequently, he reluctantly abandoned the idea.
Undeterred, Voldemort turned his attention to other items. The treasures showcased extraordinary qualities, with Voldemort carefully studying each introduction and seeking additional details from Ivan.
One item that particularly captivated Voldemort was a locket boasting more than a dozen magical effects, including space concealment, curse defense, spiritual enhancement, and auxiliary flight. In Voldemort's eyes, this surpassed even the Slytherin locket he currently possessed.
In reality, this magical locket was an invention of Ivan's creation, utilizing a combination of magic runes to produce various effects. The intricate arrangement of runes within the box created a unique item with multiple magical attributes.
The high price of the more than 20 items did not dissuade Voldemort, who believed their value justified the cost. However, he wondered if Ivan had specific requirements for the items he sought to trade.
In response to Voldemort's query, Ivan pondered for a moment before expressing his difficulty in providing a clear answer. He explained that the value of items could be subjective, with some holding worth for him that others might not appreciate. Knowledge, in particular, was priceless in his eyes.
Regarding magical creatures, Ivan claimed to have collected most species in the magic world, including fire dragons, phoenixes, basilisks, and griffins. He expressed a unique interest in acquiring a male phoenix, offering to estimate its value at three times that of a female phoenix.
Voldemort understood that the most precious items to Ivan were those he did not possess and were rare in the world. Intrigued, he inquired about a magical creature that might surprise Ivan.