Isn't the Ministry of Magic employing Dementors because they don't need money, work all year round, and bring their own torture instruments?
Adrian thought silently but still said generously, "Forget it, let it rest for a day. We'll come back tomorrow."
Being able to upgrade the Patronus Charm to Level 4 was enough for him. Now he just needed to take the time to practice slowly.
Dougt could see that Adrian was in a good mood, but since Adrian had been fighting the Dementor for so long, he still made a suggestion.
"It's still early. How about I take you outside for a walk?"
Adrian nodded. Staying in the dark magic shop every day without going out was getting boring after a while.
Since coming here, Adrian had always wanted to know what Knockturn Alley really looked like, but before upgrading the Patronus Charm to Level 4, he hadn't had the guts to go out alone.
"Let's go. I think you'll like this place," Dougt said mysteriously.
Adrian was interested.
Dougt re-locked the box holding the Dementor, then set protective magic in the empty room before taking Adrian out of the house.
"What if a patient comes while we're gone?" Adrian glanced back.
"They'll wait there obediently," Dougt said matter-of-factly.
Those willing to come here for treatment were special patients, either injured for shameful reasons or dark wizards with criminal records. They couldn't go to a regular hospital, so they could only come to him.
They'd have to wait no matter how long it took!
Adrian quickly figured this out and understood in his heart. No wonder Dougt offered such harsh prices during treatment. It turned out he wasn't afraid of people refusing.
After walking for about twenty minutes, Dougt's path became more and more crooked, and Adrian's brow furrowed.
If it weren't for his memories showing that Dougt had been acquainted with his mother for more than ten years with a good relationship, Adrian would almost think he was being trafficked.
Fortunately, a few minutes later, Adrian found there were more pedestrians around.
Further ahead was a large square that was somewhat run-down but very lively. On both sides of the square, many wizards sat on the ground with a piece of cloth placed in front of them, displaying strange magical objects or materials.
"That's what you were talking about?" Adrian looked around curiously. He felt these wizards were like street vendors at a night market from his previous life.
"Of course. Your mother hasn't brought you here yet?" Dougt looked back at him, then explained.
"This is the Wizard Market in Knockturn Alley. Whether legal or illegal, everyone can find what they want here."
"No," Adrian shook his head, remembering that Irene would only take him to Diagon Alley occasionally to look around.
"Did you buy the Dementor here too?" Adrian asked.
"You wish!" Dougt rolled his eyes. "It took me a lot of talking and a lot of Galleons to get it through a friend."
"Even here it's impossible to buy one," Dougt said proudly, not noticing Adrian muttering to himself.
Then why did you say you can buy everything here? Liar!
"Let's take a look. If there's anything you want... I'll pay for it and treat it as a gift for you." Dougt gestured, but saw Adrian's eyes light up, so he quickly added, "Don't choose anything too expensive."
Adrian ignored him but walked to one of the stalls, crouched down, and picked up a bottle of blood.
This was a bottle of Thestral blood, and beside it were bottles with dragon blood and unicorn blood. Adrian felt emotional for a moment. What he'd worked so hard to get could be bought so easily in the market.
But after touching it, Adrian realized the difference.
[Thestral Blood]
[Activity: Very Low]
[Description: This is the blood of a male adult Thestral, which contains the magic of death.]
Noting the prompt in the system's display, Adrian shook his head with disappointment and put the bottle back. The blood's activity was too low, he didn't know how long it had been sitting. It couldn't be used to make bloodline fusion potions.
"A bottle of dragon blood, thirty-five Galleons. Thestral blood, fifty Galleons. Unicorn blood... seventy Galleons!"
The stall owner was an old witch with a pipe hanging from her mouth, wearing a pointed hat and puffing smoke. After seeing Adrian shake his head, she leaned forward and stared at him.
"But seeing you look so cute, how about this old woman gives you a thirty percent discount, hmm?"
Adrian leaned back calmly. He didn't understand market prices completely, but he knew this was really high, abnormally so. A unicorn horn in Diagon Alley only cost twenty-one Galleons, but...
"Why is unicorn blood so much more expensive than the others?" Adrian asked curiously.
"Have you heard of anyone raising unicorns?" the old witch asked.
Adrian understood. Dragons were bred in some places, and some Thestrals were also tamed by wizards. It was normal for their prices to be lower.
"Haven't you chosen yet?" Dougt walked up at that moment. When he saw the three bottles Adrian had been looking at, he frowned, picked up one of them, and took out some gold Galleons from his bag to put on the stall.
"Black market price, Thestral blood, eleven Galleons. I'll just buy this one!"
The old witch's hand shook, cigarette and all, and she started cursing with raised eyebrows. But after looking up to see who it was, she stopped talking and smacked her lips.
"Dougt the Unhinged?"
"Say that again and I'll press your head into a cauldron!" Dougt grinned. After dropping the money, he took Adrian and left the small stall.
"Why did you buy Thestral blood? I was just looking at it," Adrian said helplessly.
"Don't worry, it won't be wasted. Even if you don't need it, your mother will use it." Dougt winked at him.
Adrian looked at him, thinking that Dougt had discovered the secret of the bloodline fusion. But then he realized, Dougt meant it should be used to make certain magical items. He slowly breathed a sigh of relief, then asked curiously, "Why did that old witch call you that just now?"
"Hmm... sometimes having a threatening nickname can save a lot of trouble," Dougt explained casually, his eyes shifting.
Adrian didn't ask more. After spending an afternoon together, he hadn't seen Dougt act like unhinged. Although he liked to drink and behaved strangely, he was still normal.
Did it mean he liked to go crazy when drunk?
Adrian looked at Dougt's half-drunk appearance and calmly moved a little farther away from him.