Does Ezreal's discount apply to the energy cost paid for Hard Bargain's effect?

Ruling: No, Ezreal cannot discount Hard Bargain's energy cost. Hard Bargain's cost is paid to get an effect separate from the spell (to not counter your spell), not as part of the spell's cost itself.

Nuances:

• Hard Bargain's payment is a cost for an effect that is separate from the spell being cast
• Ezreal's discount only applies to spell costs, not to costs for separate effects