Chapter 39: The Auction

The hubbub continued for about half an hour before the hall gradually quieted down at last. Kevin, standing on the stage, still had the smile on his face as he hit the table with the gavel in his hand. “The auction for the Arcane Magic Potion officially begins now!”

A simple sentence was more effective than a Terror Spell. All of a sudden, the spacious hall fell silent, and not even the slightest sound could be heard.

Just as Lin Li was patiently waiting for the auction to start, he saw Gerian return sighing in despair.

“How was it?”

“Lost a bottle of Arcane Magic Potion.” Gerian plopped down on the chair with a resentful expression on his face. “Damn, this is such a big loss…”

“Only one bottle?” Lin Li rolled his eyes. What was the big deal about it, he thought they were robbing eggs…

“It’s also money!”

“5,000 gold coins!” Just as Gerian was grudging over it, someone in the hall began bidding.

Lin Li got a shock as soon as the bid was called out. He knew the Arcane Magic Potion was worth a lot, and he also knew these fellows could afford it. But he had never thought that the first bid for the Arcane Magic Potion would be raised to such an alarming level…

What was the concept of 5,000 gold coins? If he were to think of it as a quest from the Adventurers Guild, then McGrenn and his daughter would have to kill 100 Manticores or look for 50 black castles before they could get the chance to exchange for a bottle of Arcane Magic Potion.

Moreover, 5,000 gold coins was merely a starting price.

It was a short young man in his twenties or thirties who had called out the price. He wore a mage robe with fine craftsmanship. Gerian couldn’t remember his name even after taking a few looks at him—he was most likely a leader of some smaller force. This guy was probably just like Lin Li, not having seen too many gold coins. After he had called out 5,000 gold coins, he thought that victory was in his hands and was smiling smugly as he sat among the crowd, a smile that said the bottle of Arcane Magic Potion was his to claim.

But before he could sit tight, someone offered a new price.

“10,000 gold coins!”

It was a middle-aged man who participated in the competition. Gerian took a look at him and whispered to Lin Li, “This is Aaron Matsis, the leader of the Blood Brotherhood, one of the six underground forces in Jarrosus that is mainly in control of the casinos. This fellow is not simple; Old Odin has fought for the control of the casino rights with him, but not once did he succeed. Just look, that shorty is in trouble…”

The price was doubled abruptly, which was apparently beyond the young mage’s expectations. It was obvious that he was at a loss, but at last, with clenched teeth, he offered a new price. “12,000 gold coins!”

“15,000 gold coins!” There was no hesitation from Aaron Matsis at all. The shorty’s voice had just settled when a 15,000 gold coins bid was thrown out.

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Aaron Matsis bidding without hesitation was a fatal blow to the short mage. 15,000 gold coins was not the latter’s ceiling, but the other party’s tone as if it was not 15,000 gold coins but only 15 silver coins made him feel despair.

“15,000 gold coins going once!” The gavel landed on the table, but it felt just like it landed on the short mage’s heart instead.

“15,000 gold coins going twice!”

“20,000 gold coins!” Cold sweat broke out on the short mage’s forehead. It was all of his assets; he had expected to get at least two bottles of Arcane Magic Potion, but now, the hope of getting even a single bottle was slim. He finally realized how deep the water for the auction was when he recalled how he had arrived at the auction with big ambition.

“30,000 gold coins!”

Aaron Matsis sentenced the short mage to death without even blinking his eyes. This was a price that would send someone into the depths of despair.

The hall was shockingly silent. There was only the sound of the gavel landing on the table.

All eyes fell onto Aaron Matsis. Even the leaders of several mage families were surprised; the Blood Brotherhood had always kept a low profile, and its reputation was far less impressive than that of Old Odin… To think that they had such wealth and guts.

“30,000 gold coins going thrice!” The gavel in Kevin’s hand landed heavily on the table as he announced the first done deal of the day. “Deal! Congratulations, Mr Aaron Matsis!”

“This… this… It’s 30,000 gold coins just like that?” Lin Li’s mouth was agape; the money had come too easily.

“This is just the beginning.” Gerian was dismissive of his reaction. “Although the six underground forces are running various lucrative businesses, they are still far from boasting the wealth accumulated by the 11 magic families over the past thousand years. Look on carefully; when the time comes for them to show their hands, it will be the real highlight of the auction!”

“How come these fellows have so much money?”

“We won’t talk about the six underground forces. Almost all the lucrative businesses in Jarrosus are in their hands. But compared to the 11 mage families, they are merely a group of nouveau riche. You’ve seen Old Merlin; do you know how much the staff he was holding cost?” At the mention of Old Merlin’s staff, Gerian’s eyes were full of envy. “A million gold coins!”

“F*ck!” Lin Li almost bit his tongue off. A million gold coins for a staff? No wonder he had a son like Cromwell…

“Don’t feel that it’s too expensive yet. If not for Old Merlin’s reputation, he might have not even got it for double the price.” Gerian took advantage of the opportunity to educate Lin Li lest the kid always made a fuss about small things. He stretched out his chubby hand and pointed at the few mages beside. “And look at these useless bums, the gear they wear is worth at least 80,000, or even 100,000. A mage is such a profession, it all depends on spending money. Of course except for a monster like you. Damn it, I have never seen you buy a piece of equipment before!”

“Why do I need to buy equipment…” Lin Li mumbled softly. In his heart, he thought, I am a guru well-versed in all five series and I’m still buying equipment from others? If this goes out, where should I put my face?

At this point, Lin Li couldn’t help but sigh. “No wonder the Guild of Magic is so poor…”

“Wrong again!” Unexpectedly, Gerian shook his head. “The guild is not poor. Just the three rare mineral veins in the Demon Fall Valley alone bring in a steady income of three million gold coins every year.”

“Then why does it seem to me that all of them are emaciated and sallow? Do you abuse them usually? Wait, why do I feel like the name ‘Demon Fall Valley’ sounds familiar?”