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After settling everything, Tom signed a contract with Mr. Lawrence.
Tom's expression was serious as he earnestly signed his name on the contract. He then watched as Mr. Lawrence elegantly added his own name.
"Does this contract have any magical effects—like, if you violate the terms, something..." Tom carefully examined the contract, trying to discern any hidden details. This was his first time signing a magical contract.
Mr. Lawrence was momentarily puzzled. "Uh... legal effects?" But he quickly understood and continued, "This is just an apprentice contract. There's no need for a magical contract. Truly magical contracts are used for very formal events."
Tom understood his misunderstanding. If he ever signed important contracts in the future, he might get to see a real magical contract?
After leaving the Ribbon Bookstore, although Tom had signed the contract today, his actual work would start tomorrow. Now, he needed to find a place to rent.
As for where to stay, Tom had a plan. Of course, he would stay at the Broken Cauldron Inn. The accommodations there were not expensive, and for someone like Tom staying for several months, there was even a monthly discount. He learned this information from a girl named Hannah, the niece of the bar owner.
However, as Tom passed by Ollivanders Wand Shop, a notice caught his eye: "Hiring apprentices, free meals and lodging, salary negotiable."
Tom couldn't move his feet: this job seemed very suitable!
So, he entered Ollivanders Wand Shop.
Wands were not consumable items. Mr. Ollivander's wand shop was only busy during the few days when new students enrolled each year. On regular days, he hardly had any business. The shop could be described as "quiet and deserted."
Entering the shop, Tom found Mr. Ollivander standing in front of his wand mountain, lost in thought.
Hearing the sound, Mr. Ollivander turned around, a gleam in his eyes. "You're Tom? The wand is made of Golden Acacia wood, with the horn of a Longhorned Water Snake, thirteen inches long?"
"That's right, your memory is excellent." Tom sincerely praised. Mr. Ollivander sold at least a hundred wands a year, but he remembered every wand and its owner very clearly. That was the true spirit of a craftsman.
"Here to apply for an apprentice position? Please have a seat." Mr. Ollivander also moved over two stools, and the two sat face to face.
"Do you have any prior knowledge of wandlore?" Mr. Ollivander skipped the small talk and got straight to the point.
"I know some basic knowledge." Tom had read a book on wandlore before, but it was only superficial.
Hearing Tom's answer, Mr. Ollivander became more alert. Wizards interested in studying wandlore were becoming fewer and fewer. Even his own descendants were not willing to delve into this craftsmanship. After all, Hogwarts did not offer a course called "Wandlore."
Of course, Mr. Ollivander was not worried. The study of wandlore was niche. In a country's magical world, one or two people were enough—so learning this trade was naturally about opening a wand shop, but not many wand shops were needed.
Mr. Ollivander asked Tom a question, "Then let me test you. What is the most curious and versatile wood?"
"Chestnut wood. Chestnut wands produce a wide range of magic and are easily influenced by their owner."
"Not bad. Personally, I like to use Unicorn tail hair, heartstring of a Fire Dragon, and Phoenix feather as wand cores. Wands made with Unicorn tail hair are the most loyal. Can you tell me about them?"
Tom thought for a moment. "Wands with Unicorn tail hair cores have a small drawback—they cannot be made into the most powerful wands. At the same time, if not handled properly, Unicorn tail hair can become melancholic. This means the tail hair has 'died' and needs replacement."
Mr. Ollivander smiled. He wobbled to his house and brought out a few boxes, then took out a piece of wood, letting Tom identify them one by one.
Tom made an awkward smile—he didn't recognize any of them, except for common woods like Pine and Oak.
However, Mr. Ollivander seemed unconcerned about this shortcoming.
"Alright, last question. Mr. Yodel's works, 5 galleons each. The bookstore is having a promotion: buy seven, get a 10% discount. A copy of 'The Prophet's Annual,' 7 sickles and 5 knuts. A copy of 'The Secret History of Grindelwald,' 3 galleons and 9 sickles—discounted by 20%. If a person buys a set of Mr. Yodel's books, a copy of 'The Prophet's Annual,' and 'The Secret History of Grindelwald,' how much would they need to pay? He paid 34 galleons, should he receive change or be asked to pay more?"
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(End of this chapter)