Chapter 152: The Mysterious Bidder

"I present to you... an Epic-rank skill book!"

Magnus’s words echoed through the hall, followed by a silence filled with anticipation.

"This is an Epic skill book with no class requirements, meaning anyone can buy it and learn the skill within, whether they are a mage or a close-combat fighter. It was obtained from one of the Academy’s towers in the Imperial Capital!"

A growing murmur spread through the hall.

There were two types of skill books in this world.

The first type was tied to a specific class, and the skill within it could only be learned by someone possessing the appropriate class. The second type, however, required no class whatsoever, allowing anyone to learn the skill within regardless of their class.

Naturally, the second type of skill book was the more expensive of the two. They gave people of different classes the opportunity to learn skills they normally couldn’t access.

A knight, for instance, could learn a magical skill and use it like a mage, while a mage could learn combat skills normally used by swordsmen and other fighters.

But skill books of this type were not common at all.

It was never easy to find an Epic-rank skill book with no class requirements, and even when one did appear, its price could reach astronomical figures, making it something only those with immense power and unimaginable wealth could afford.

Magnus gestured toward the glass case and announced loudly, "We shall start the bidding for this masterpiece at fifty platinum coins!"

Upon hearing the opening price, Malrik’s eyes widened slightly.

Fifty platinum coins alone was a massive fortune to some nobles, and this was merely the starting price?

At that moment, a strange thought crossed Malrik’s mind.

If I could somehow turn the skills I copy using Lokris into actual skill books and sell them... I would never have to worry about money for the rest of my life.

"One hundred platinum coins!"

The voice snapped him out of his daze. Malrik turned quickly, only to realize that it had come from inside their own box.

Velrosa was just pulling her hand away from the crystal bidding stone, her face completely calm.

"Sister..." Malrik asked in bewilderment, "do you need this book?"

"No," she answered simply without looking at him.

"Then why are you bidding on it?"

Velrosa sighed and turned to him with a serious look. "For you, of course. If any skill books appear that support close combat and suit you, you should get them. They will help make up for your weaknesses as a mage."

Malrik replied quickly, "It’s fine, Sister. I really don’t need it right now."

Velrosa furrowed her brows in mild reproach. "Of course you need it! Didn’t you see yourself when you emerged from your fight against the Minotaur in the Banner Bearer’s Trial? You were almost killed and crushed because you lacked any direct combat skills. And when you enter the family Treasury again, you should choose a good Legacy Art. I remember seeing some that would suit spear combat."

Malrik fell silent, truly not knowing what to say. He couldn’t tell her that he didn’t need to buy skill books because he possessed Lokris, who was capable of copying the skills of anyone of his rank.

But deep down, he realized she was absolutely right.

When he reviewed his current arsenal of skills, he found it severely lacking in anything suited for close combat. His personal skills, such as Corpse Explosion, Soul Rend, and even Death Bullet, were all long-range offensive skills.

As for the skills he copied from Gravios, they were designed for wide area control, while Fenrir’s skills focused on enhancement or escape.

In other words, he possessed almost nothing suitable for direct combat.

In truth, Malrik didn’t like close combat to begin with. After all, he was a mage, and he preferred to keep his enemies as far away from him as possible.

But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be forced to fight personally in certain situations. Just like what happened during the first wave in Blackthorn. If it hadn’t been for Lokris back then, Biggie would have easily killed him.

Perhaps Velrosa was actually right. Having a few close-combat skills in my arsenal wouldn’t hurt.

"Do whatever you want." Malrik finally said, giving in to her insistence. Despite his neutral tone, he felt a faint warmth settle in his chest.

Outside, the competition for the skill book had already erupted. After all, no one would willingly pass up an Epic skill book for a few coins, driving the nobles to compete fiercely for it.

"One thousand five hundred platinum coins!"

"One thousand five hundred coins from Box S53!" Magnus echoed enthusiastically.

"Two thousand platinum coins!"

"Two thousand coins from Box A05!"

"Two thousand two hundred platinum coins!"

"Two thousand two hundred coins from Box B20!"

Magnus’s voice echoed through the hall, his smile widening with every new jump in the price. Soon, the competition narrowed down to only a few VIP boxes, while the rest of the nobles and merchants remained silent, watching the prices soar to numbers most of them couldn’t even imagine paying.

Velrosa remained unfazed by all the clamor. She placed her hand on the crystal again.

"Three thousand platinum coins."

Malrik sat beside her, blinking slowly, unable to comprehend how the price had reached such an absurd amount.

Just how wealthy was she to calmly spend three thousand platinum coins on a skill book for her brother?!

"Three thousand platinum coins from Box A07!" Magnus shouted, his eyes gleaming. "Is there another bidder?"

A long silence followed.

The bidding came to a complete stop at that price, and it seemed everyone had finally given up.

"Three thousand platinum coins, going once!"

Magnus raised the gavel. "Going twice!"

The wooden gavel was about to strike the podium, when a cold, automated voice suddenly cut through the hall.

"Ten thousand platinum coins."

Gasps swept through the hall as hundreds of eyes turned toward the source of the voice in shock.

Malrik and Velrosa froze for a moment before turning sharply toward the voice.

It had come from the box directly beside theirs.

Ten thousand?

The price had jumped from three thousand to ten thousand platinum coins in a single bid, more than tripling the previous amount.

"T-Ten thousand platinum coins from Box A06!" Magnus stammered for a fraction of a second before quickly regaining his composure.

Inside the box, Velrosa’s eyes narrowed, and all traces of warmth disappeared from her face as she stared at the wall separating the two boxes.

"That bastard..." she whispered, her voice low and filled with murderous intent.

"Sister..." Malrik asked, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Do you know who is in there?"

Velrosa looked at him for a moment. Displeasure was evident on her face, but she didn’t answer. Instead, she turned to the crystal and pressed down firmly.

"Twelve thousand platinum coins!"

"Twelve thousand platinum coins from Box A07!" Magnus shouted.

Not even a second passed before the reply came from the adjacent box, faster than the echo of the previous bid could fade.

"Fifteen thousand platinum coins."

"Fifteen thousand coins from Box A06!"

Signs of displeasure and anger began to show clearly on Velrosa’s face. The price had already reached a ridiculous level.

"This spoiled brat..." Velrosa muttered, pressing the crystal again.

"Twenty thousand platinum coins!"

"Twenty thousand coins from Box A07!"

Malrik looked at Velrosa for a moment, hesitating.

"Sister... I think ..."

"Shut up."

Malrik stopped mid-sentence.

"...Alright."

Malrik realized that Velrosa’s anger had reached its peak. He had absolutely no idea how to calm her down, so he simply decided to do as she said.

Silence fell over the hall. Even those who had been following the auction with keen interest couldn’t hide their shock. Twenty thousand platinum coins was a colossal sum.

Magnus stared at the glowing crystals with a tense smile, waiting for a reply from Box A06.

Ten full seconds passed without a response and murmurs began to spread through the hall.

"It seems that’s his limit."

"Just who is the noble in Box A06?"

"Who would willingly pay more than twenty thousand platinum coins for a skill book?"

Even Velrosa raised her chin slightly, seeming certain that the matter was settled.

Magnus was about to raise the gavel and announce the next call when a cold, automated voice echoed from the adjacent box once more.

"Fifty thousand platinum coins."

The entire hall fell silent.

The nobles held their breath, and the workers stopped moving. Even Magnus, the seasoned expert, kept his wooden gavel suspended in the air, as if he could hardly believe his ears had heard the number correctly.

Fifty thousand platinum coins!

Never before had an Epic-rank skill book reached such an astronomical price in the history of the Ducal Auction House... or perhaps even in the history of the entire Empire!

Malrik immediately looked at Velrosa.

Her face was terrifyingly calm, devoid of any readable expression, yet her aura churned so violently that he felt she was on the verge of erupting and tearing down the dividing wall with her bare hands.

At that critical moment, her personal maid stepped forward with quick, silent steps. She leaned in close to Velrosa’s ear and whispered a few hurried words that neither Malrik nor anyone else in the room could hear.

As soon as Velrosa heard her words, she shut her eyes tightly and took a slow, deep breath.

When she opened them again, the sharp edge of her anger had slightly receded, replaced by a cold, heavy calmness.

She slowly pulled her hand away from the bidding crystal without saying a single word.

Down below, Magnus swallowed hard, his throat dry, and forced himself to speak, attempting to break the deadly silence.

"Fifty thousand platinum coins... going once!"

"Fifty thousand platinum coins going twice!"

He looked toward Box A07, but no response came.

He raised the wooden gavel high, then brought it down forcefully, its resounding crack echoing throughout the hall.

"Fifty thousand platinum coins... for the third time! Sold!"

The moment the gavel struck, the atmosphere in the hall changed.

Magnus’s entire demeanor shifted. The polite merchant’s smile vanished, replaced by a quiet dignity. He stepped back from the podium and raised his voice in a formal, respectful tone.

"Esteemed guests, please direct your attention to the box above."

He paused for a moment until he was certain that everyone’s eyes had shifted toward the upper boxes, then continued in a clear voice.

"Today, a figure of great importance has decided to honor us with his presence!"

The hall held its breath as Magnus continued, his voice carrying clearly throughout the entire hall.

"Please join me in welcoming His Royal Highness... the Second Prince of the Valorian Empire!"

The moment those words left his mouth, the auction host was the first to move. He placed his right hand over his chest and slowly dropped to one knee, bowing his head in complete submission.

One by one, everyone in the hall turned toward Box A06.

At the same moment, the obscuring magic surrounding the box began to dissipate.

The opaque black glass slowly turned transparent.

The figures inside gradually came into view, and the entire hall fell silent once more.

****

Author’s Note