"Are you sure? My dear, it's still too early for you to learn about potions involving dragon liver. That stuff is extremely expensive and not suitable for beginners."
The old woman paused mid-sentence after hearing Allen's polite request to buy dragon liver. Narrowing her eyes, she asked, "Wait, what exactly do you plan to use it for?"
"Cooking, of course," Allen replied with a charming smile, pointing toward a glass jar. "Also, what is the liquid the dragon liver is soaked in? It isn't poisonous, right?"
"Of course not," the old woman responded. "That's pure water imbued with antiseptic magic. It's commonly used to brew or dilute potions. Non-toxic and harmless. You can even drink it directly, though..."
She hesitated, concern etched into her expression. "Are you really going to eat this?"
"Madam, everything exists with a purpose," Allen replied, his tone serious.
But their true value lies in the hands of a potionist, not a cook... The old woman held her tongue, finding the thought a bit rude.
"Alright, if you insist." She sighed, reluctantly taking a jar of dragon liver and handing it to Allen.
Allen accepted it and immediately activated the Eye of Discrimination.
[Dragon Liver]
Category: Food
Source: Hungarian Horntail
Hunting Level: 70
Special Abilities:
Long-distance Dragon Breath (A)
Magic Resistance (B) (inactive in ingredient form)
Physical Resistance (A) (inactive in ingredient form)
Characteristics:
Sweet and moist
High-grade ingredient
Resistant to magic
Boils when infused with magic
Note: Ingredient must make up at least 15% of total dish to activate strengthening points and abilities. Current ingredient integrity: 8%.
Allen's heart skipped a beat.
A hunting level of 70. Three powerful special traits. Two magic-infused characteristics. There was no doubt—this was a top-tier ingredient.
Unfortunately, one jar wasn't enough to make a proper dish. That realization disappointed Allen, who had hoped to at least sample it and gain a related ability.
Well, if one can isn't enough... he'd just have to get more.
"You know what, ma'am? I'll take another can," Allen said with a defeated sigh.
"Isn't one enough? Boy, this isn't cheap," the old woman warned.
"I know it's not," Allen muttered bitterly. But I still need it.
"Just one more," he insisted.
With a face full of pain—more emotional than physical—Allen paid for the second can. With his current funds, he couldn't even afford a full dragon liver, let alone several. His savings were practically evaporating.
As he prepared to leave, Allen paused and reexamined the new can with his Eye of Discrimination. Then, he froze.
"Ma'am, can I exchange this can?"
"What's wrong with it?" she asked, surprised. "There's nothing wrong with the quality, is there?"
"No, the quality is fine. But these two cans of dragon liver don't come from the same fire dragon," Allen explained.
He pointed out the issue: the second can came from an Australian Opaleye, not a Hungarian Horntail. The Opaleye had a different set of traits, including High-Temperature Breath instead of Long-Distance Dragon Breath. Even the magic-related characteristics were slightly off.
Mixing the two wouldn't result in a dish with coherent properties—meaning Allen would receive no benefits from cooking with them together.
The old woman picked up both jars and examined them carefully. "You can tell just from looking at them?"
If it had been dragon skin, she wouldn't have been surprised—some people specialized in identifying it. But dragon liver? That was like telling someone's ethnicity from their molars. Not impossible, but the level of expertise required was shocking.
Allen didn't feel like coming up with an elaborate explanation or excuse. Too much effort. So instead, he said plainly, "Can you just bring out the rest of this batch and let me choose from them myself? Please, ma'am?"
Accompanied by an adorably shameless grin, his plea worked. The old woman relented.
"Alright, alright. You can choose," she chuckled. With a flick of her wand, jars of dragon liver floated off the shelves and aligned neatly in front of Allen.
"But let me warn you," she added, "even a single batch might not come from the same dragon."
Allen had already thought of that. Given the wizarding world's outdated and inefficient inventory system, it was quite likely that organs from the same dragon were grouped together for convenience. Unless he was extremely unlucky, he figured some intact sets would still be available.
Luckily, his hunch paid off. After a careful scan with his Eye of Discrimination, Allen was able to pick out three jars that definitely came from the same Hungarian Horntail.
"These three, please." Allen stacked them together and placed them on the counter.
The price was steep—9 Galleons in total.
That may not sound like much to a noble or a high-level potionist, but for Allen, it was one-twentieth of his entire annual living expenses. Just like that, a chunk of his budget was gone.
If he kept spending at this rate, he'd be broke before winter.
Still, it was worth it.
Clutching the jars close, Allen muttered to himself, "Guess I'll just have to make money selling vegetables again…"
He glanced at the third jar, which technically wasn't necessary but felt like a long-term investment.
On his face was the grin of a seasoned profiteer. Wait until my wallet starts screaming. Stupid wizards trying to compete with a chef for ingredients!