CHAPTER 37: END OF THE AUCTION SALES

"I must acquire this treasure at all costs!" the red-haired man said to me, causing a brief smile to spread on my lips.

"Goodluck. You know it’s worth it, so place the right value on your money for it," I said to him assuringly.

In the same way, people continued to murmur their words of determination as to how they would acquire such an item.

"You aren’t wishing to possess the Crimson Tide Reed?" the red-haired man questioned, noticing my indifferent expression.

I was only able to smile at him before muttering the words that came to my mind.

"Sometimes, we need to let go to make come," I said, staring seriously at the golden box used to package the Mana plant.

"What do you mean?" the red-haired man asked.

"Oh! Nothing much to think about. I only planned to purchase the Academy Entrance Form. I’ve never been into impulse buying," I replied, with another slight smile.

"Big Brother is strict with his principles," Muna added her voice to mine, nodding at the same time.

It sent me a message that she understood whatever it was that the man didn’t understand.

The chaos from the VIP tables caught my attention once again, as Mages continued to measure their knowledge of the Level 14 magic item. Everybody looked at it with lustful eyes.

From the look of things, there are those who would choose becoming penniless overnight over not having this item return home with them.

Their reasons were kind of justified anyway.

In Montana, in as much as Mages had Powers and were ranked accordingly, some of these powers didn’t affect their opponents as effectively as they wished.

So, gaining combat skills became their next and best option. Not only did they resort to gaining these skills, but they especially preferred swordsmanship.

And that was exactly the type of combat skill the Mana plant granted its beneficiary.

Once the anticipation within the auction house was at its maximum, Lady Minxx spread her arms and spoke with a wide smile.

"So without further ado, I’d like to start the bidding for this peak magic item considered to be equivalent to a Lv. IV Ascendancy. The starting price will be 1 million Gold!"

Despite the outrageous price, the people at the auction house began bidding like there was no tomorrow.

"1.1 million Gold!"

"1.9 million Gold!"

"5 million Gold!"

Someone had the audacity to spike the price for this item. Within minutes, the minimum price for the Level 14 Crimson Tide Reed increased to 11 million Gold.

Listening to the prices alone made me unable to believe myself. Although I would be the benefactor once the item is sold, thinking I had consumed Mana plants worth three times its value was...

"Truly, people don’t know what they have until they lose it," I found myself muttering.

Muna looked at me, tugging at my clothes so that I could get myself together.

"15 million Gold!" the red-haired man bid, and brought his head to look me in the eyes. "Are you sober?"

I shook my head negatively. "Was just reminiscing about some old days."

The man patted me and tried to console me. "I understand how it can be when you have to spend a lot for something you could have gotten at a cheaper rate. That old vendor is a jerk! But this should also teach you to be among the first at acquiring things you desire while they last."

"Even being among the first might not be helpful at times," I responded, looking up at the ceiling.

The man wanted to speak, but got distracted once he heard Lady Minxx trying to close down the bidding.

"20 million Gold!" He exploded, almost rising from his seat with his right hand raised to showcase his upright index finger.

I listened to the bidding with a dazed face, seemingly in disbelief.

"The Ruler of the Sea will have a banquet tonight," Bonnie murmured from the Spirit Pouch.

"More food!" Lovina replied.

Although I was able to hear their words, no one, even an inch closer to me, could hear them.

The sudden high bid by the red-haired man slowed the bidding pace briefly, but after a few moments, it returned to normal.

At 27 million Gold, the pace slowed down permanently. Only a few voices of very rich nobles could be heard.

"28 million Gold!" the green-haired boy at the other end of the table roared joyfully, like a champion.

The Terravale Duchedom was naturally a wealth accumulator. It was believed that they had resources that, when sold, could amount to an income that could make other Duchedoms three times richer than they were.

"28 million!"

"30 million!"

After a few more minutes of bidding from the same three people, a new voice suddenly resounded.

"45 million Gold!"

The voice sounded distant, nothing like what a mage of Montana had heard in the past.

The owner of the voice wasn’t a member of the VIP members, but was among the many who stood behind. He wasn’t even having a seat for himself.

Everybody looked behind to see this being who had bid a price with that much gap. Instead of murmurs that should show there was a little bit of recognition among the crowd, there was absolute silence.

"Whomever that man is, can you see the amount of Aura he’s exuding!" Muna said with bewildered eyes.

"Yes. I guess this item would have to vanish once again," the red-haired man said.

My next words left the man dazed as he hit my head as a way of cautioning me.

"I wonder what fighting him would be like. Someone as powerful as he is..."

"Even as a Lv. III Master-Ranked mage, I can’t afford to go against him. Boy, first things first. Pass those Academy Tests. You will see plenty of strong demons to fight."

"As for this strange man, I would have to forfeit this item to him for the sake of peace," the man said.

I was shocked first. To think that I had been sitting beside a Lv. III Master-Ranked mage ever since the beginning of the auction.

"What’s your name?" I asked to at least create familiarity.

"Mobix," the man called my name, shocking me for the second time, smiling widely. "You will find out in due time."

I didn’t pester him to tell me who he was. I only turned my focus to the man who became the celebrity of the event.

The amazing man from behind began to work forward, carrying his shoulders like a high monkey.

Nobody deemed it fit to challenge his price. Probably, for the same reason as the red-haired man.

However, when the strange man noticed me as he passed the aisle, he looked at his side.

Although there was nothing so out of the ordinary about me, he could sense a massive level up in status coming from me. And, he was also able to sense a formidable presence coming from my being.

Nodding satisfiably, he walked toward the stage and stood before Lady Minxx, still catching everyone’s attention.

"It seems we will be closing the bid for the Level 14 Crimson Tide Reed at 45 million Gold. Congratulations to the esteemed guest for winning this peak treasure!" Lady Minxx clapped with a smile all over her face.

She knew how rich she had become just from selling the item. And, how popular her Auction House would become henceforth.

"I would like the item to be given to me right away while I make the payment. I’ve got some busy schedules, you see," the strange man said to the woman, stretching out his hand to summon a silver box that could serve as a box safe.

Lady Minxx collected and opened it to confirm the credibility of the coins in it.

Then, she kowtowed to the strange man and thanked him dearly, handing out the Crimson Tide Reed.

"You can always come next time when we are hosting this Auction," Lady Minxx said, still beaming with a smile.

The strange man collected the Mana plant, nodded and left through the exit door at the right extreme of the hall.

"The beneficiaries of the items should now wait to pay their debts and collect the items they bid for," Esme returned, announcing as every other person began to leave the hall.