Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 142

Episode 142 Auction House (2)

The expected value of Mabel's earrings is 800 million elk.

Since the starting price was 500 million, Verden thought it would be possible to win the bid for about half that, between 600 and 700 million. However, the process was much more intense than expected.

[Number 22, 540 million! Number 54, 550 million! Number 14, 600 million! In an instant, it breaks the 600 million elk mark! And number 43! 610 million elk!]

Competitors followed suit.

The number of bidders quickly decreased in the beginning because there were many who had only vaguely looked into it. The purpose of Mabel's earrings was limited. The design was not particularly special enough to be used as decoration.

But still, there were those who clearly followed.

'Especially number 14.'

As if trying to completely suppress their rivals' competitiveness, they are raising prices by 30 to 50 million elk at a time.

I thought maybe it was a deliberate attempt to drive up the bid price… … but that couldn't be the case.

If it was a wind catcher, the price would have been raised gradually. And decisively, the desire could be felt in the distorted voice.

'Are you an elemental wizard?'

It is highly likely.

It would be very useful if you could handle a wide range of elemental magic.

But it was the same for Verden.

[640 million.]

[650 million.]

[680 million.]

[690 million.]

[730 million.]

He raised the price by the smallest increment without taking his mouth off the mic.

Although the price is higher than expected, we have prepared 5.1 billion elk in funds to prepare for this situation.

'I don't miss a single one.'

[740 million.]

[700 million… … 60 million.]

I can feel the annoyance from the other person's microphone. The number of households has also decreased.

It meant that there were no proper circumstances to spend any more money than this.

Verden drove a wedge into it.

[770 million.]

[Number 43! 770 million elk! 770 million elk! Is there nothing more?!]

The voice number 14 was not heard.

Instead, all that could be heard was a faint sound of a table being slammed down. When the count passed and there were no bidders, the announcer shouted.

[770 million elk! Auction! Number 43! Number 43! Congratulations!]

The guards guarding the inside of the auction house applauded in unison.

Accordingly, the atmosphere became even more heated. Since the price was almost close to the expected price from the beginning of the auction, the host also proceeded with the auction in an excited voice.

“Phew.”

Verden, having achieved his first goal, sat back down on his chair.

It was my first time participating in an auction, let alone watching one, so I felt awkward, but the thrill of successfully winning the bid was palpable.

'It's worth it to put your soul into saving money.'

There is still a turn left until the next objective, the Brain Wing Amulet.

Verden watched the auction leisurely.

Whether this year's auction was particularly fierce or just normal, the distorted voices that lingered around the auction house were endless.

A single word can cause prices to rise by hundreds of millions, and there have even been instances where items were sold for more than their expected value.

'I guess there are a lot of wealthy people.'

By the way, Prince Liviant also said that he obtained the center of the three primary colors of the artifact from an auction house he visited when he was young. Although it is anonymous, it is unknown who it is, but there must be someone related to a high-ranking noble among the participants.

Although Verden had enough money to compete, I didn't necessarily want to take them on.

Meanwhile, a giant two-handed axe was exhibited.

It was over two meters long and had two blades attached to each side, larger than a person's torso. It felt heavy enough that even the most skilled warriors would have difficulty lifting it.

[This axe is a weapon called 'Hwe-Wol (毀鉞)'! It doesn't have any special magical effects, but the body and blade are refined from Damascus steel, rare metal, and flak alloy, and the blade part has a small amount of the superior metal, Solidite, added! It's an extremely durable axe that won't break even if you cut hundreds of people! The starting price is 900 million Elk!]

Bidding began, but no one volunteered.

I'm worried about that. It's too heavy to use directly, and it's also too big to carry around.

It wasn't even aesthetically pleasing to use as a home decoration. It was too crude and rough.

At that moment, the microphone lit up.

[1.134 billion!]

The host was surprised by the loud voice, but he didn't show it. It was a professional spirit.

[Number 37 1.1 billion! 1.134 billion! Are there any more? 3… … 2… … 1… … ! 1.134 billion Elk! It has been sold! Congratulations, number 34!]

[Hahahahaha! Very good!]

With that laugh and that tone of speech, the exact amount of money – 1.134 billion elk – it was easy to figure out who number 37 was.

'Anonymity is colorless.'

Verden shook his head and straightened his back.

That was the end of his leisurely rest, because the next item to be exhibited was one of his goals.

A small rectangular amulet that appears at the center of the stage.

The amulet of the brain wing. Its pale blue light reflected through the glass.

* * *

Room 14 of the Roafra Auction House.

Inside, two men were sitting side by side. One had a skinny body, the other had a muscular, bulky build.

Although their body types were completely different, their facial features were exactly the same.

Twin wizards, Robart and Rocky.

As officers of the Wintert security force, they were brothers who were notorious in Loafra.

The frail brother, Robert, looked at the auction house and shook his fists.

“Number 43… Who the hell is that guy…!”

Robart was an elemental wizard with high-level attributes who dealt with lightning.

There were three purposes for that Robart. Two of them were Mabel's earrings and Brain Wing's amulet.

He was also a member of the Winterts, so he had received information in advance and had prepared money accordingly. Since the above two items had extremely limited uses, I thought it wouldn't be too difficult.

But Mabel's earrings were stolen.

It was annoying, but I could bear it. Compared to the other two, I only regretted not having the earrings.

After suppressing his anger like that, he placed a bid on the Brain Wing amulet as soon as it came out.

[1 billion elk.]

The starting price was 800 million, and 200 million was added. It was ten times the minimum unit of 20 million elk. It was a kind of threat to the others not to dare to compete.

but.

[1.02 billion.]

Number 43 chimed in. It was the number that took Maybelle's earrings.

Robert, his facial muscles twitching for a moment, spoke into the microphone again.

[1.1 billion.]

[1.12 billion.]

[… … 1.2 billion.]

[1.22 billion.]

Every time you raise the price, it follows with a minimum unit, as if you were raising the drug.

Robert, his face flushed, rubbed his forehead and drummed his fingers on the desk. His younger brother Rocky, who was standing next to him, said,

“Brother, it looks like it’s going to keep following you? Why don’t you just give up?”

“…….”

“Are you going to do more? What about my birthday present?”

Yeah, that's right.

The last of Robart's goals. It was to buy a present for his younger brother, Rocky. He promised to give Rocky some money because he wanted something.

There was no more money to waste, said Robart, after a moment's thought.

“Let me try one more time, little brother. I’m sure it’ll still help you get your gift.”

“Well, then it doesn’t matter……”

My brother shrugged.

The older brother, who had received permission, gritted his teeth and raised the price.

[1… … 1.3 billion… … !]

This was the last one.

No more was possible. Robert hoped that No. 43 would not follow. But the world often does not go as planned.

That was the case for Robert today.

[1.32 billion.]

“That fucking kid……!”

Robert threw down the microphone in a nervous manner, spitting out curses.

It was a declaration of surrender. When there was no answer, the host shouted, “Sold the auction,” and along with Maybell’s earrings, the Brain Wing Amulet ended up in the hands of number 43.

Rocky comforted the depressed Robert.

“Just be patient, bro. You can always come back later and take it back.”

“A Wintert official is telling us to rob the participants of an auction house hosted by Wintert? That’s against the rules. If we do that and offend ‘him,’ you and I will both be dead.”

The owner of the item being auctioned is not Wintert.

If that were the case, Robart and Rocky would have gotten what they wanted without having to participate in the auction.

After all, Wintert is only the organizer of the auction.

The main role was to revive the auction house and receive a large commission. If a manager were to tarnish the reputation of the auction house due to greed, he might be killed by the king of the underworld.

Rocky said.

“Who is Hajae in Loafra? Just find out who it is and catch them outside later. Or you can hire someone else to do it.”

“And what if number 43 leaves the kingdom? And do you think he won’t know that you asked for it?”

“Uh… is that so? I guess so?”

Rocky scratched his head.

As big as his physique was, his younger brother's head wasn't that great. Robert let out a small sigh and reached out his hand. Mike, who was pulled by his telekinesis, returned to the desk.

'I feel like I'm going crazy because I miss you… … but I can't help it.'

Robert took a deep breath to calm his mind.

Still, I felt relieved that I could give my younger brother a present.

Robert was more concerned about his brother than the auction bid.

Even though they were people who killed people by blowing them up for fun, their brotherhood was strong enough to be the envy of others.

As time passed, Rocky's goal was revealed.

[Gravity Magic Book Set]

This is a book that will teach you the theory of high-level magic with powerful physical powers.

Rocky grinned, showing his teeth. He had been making a fuss, saying that he wanted to learn high-level magic too, and that he absolutely wanted it.

'I don't know if you can learn with that head, but… … .'

But he did understand the magic of enchantment, so maybe he had talent in that area. Instead of being pessimistic, Robart believed in his brother's potential. That was his older brother.

The book's starting auction price is 1.5 billion. The expected price is 1.8 billion.

Since Robert hadn't bid on a single item, he could easily buy more than enough money with his brother's money. Shaking off his previous feelings, he activated the microphone with a relieved feeling.

[1.8 billion.]

[1… … 14! 1.8 billion! 1.8 billion elk has appeared!]

As soon as I started, I raised the bar. This was a declaration that I would definitely get it, and it was also a desire to show my younger brother as an older brother.

My younger brother waited for the announcement of the winning bid with a bright expression. Unlike his fierce muscles, his face was innocent and childlike.

That was when.

[1.83 billion.]

[Number 43! 1.83 billion elk!]

"……ah?"

One person followed him.

* * *

'I knew I'd raise the bar from the start.'

The gravity magic book set was expensive, but it seemed like it would be the easiest to obtain, but it turned out like this. Berden frowned and immediately entered the competition.

1.83 billion.

1.9 billion.

1.93 billion.

2 billion.

The numbers went up like crazy.

A set of gravity magic books would be valuable as a collectible, but it definitely wouldn't cost more than 2 billion. But seeing as how desperate they were… … it was highly likely that they were not simply decorating their study, but trying to learn gravity magic themselves.

'Is this already the third time I've run into number 14?'

I don't know who it is, but so far, Verden has won.

Unlike him, who spent almost half of his money, 14 did not spend a single penny. It was impossible to guess how much money he had.

But I have no intention of giving up.

The remaining money is about 3 billion.

I was thinking of having a go at it.

Only the sound of the microphones in rooms 14 and 43 lingered in the auction hall.

It was so intense that the host had no room to intervene. Even though expectations were far exceeded, no one backed down.

That was when it exceeded 2.2 billion.

[2.7 billion… … !]

A voice came out as if spitting out from microphone 14.

The starting price of 1.5 billion was a whopping 2.7 billion. Even if it was sold, it would have been a clear loss if only considering the value. Still, the fact that they offered such a price must mean that they were desperate. That emotion could be felt even in the voice that was distorted by the microphone.

'But it's none of my business.'

Verden spoke softly.

[2.73 billion.]

Another increase in the minimum unit amount.

Verden's bidding method aroused in his opponents a boiling anger that seemed to be a slap in the face.

For him, who was new to auctions, he was just trying to buy it at the cheapest price.

Silence fell.

Immediately after that.

Kwaaaaang!

There was a loud noise and room 14 collapsed. A man with green hair screamed.

“Number 43! What the hell are you doing! How dare you give my little brother a birthday present…!”

“Brother, brother! Hold on! Brother! If you ruin the auction, he’ll kill you!”

The giant, who was called a younger brother, pulled his older brother and disappeared inside.

A piece of shattered tile rolled onto the stage. The host cleared the debris with his foot and cleared the air with a cough.

[Sorry, there was a little commotion. Let's resume the auction. Lot 43! 2.73 billion! 3… … 2… … 1… … ! Sold! Lot 43! Congratulations!]

With the announcement of the winner by the host, Verden's objectives were fully achieved.

Even so, he was a little nervous. The amount of money he had spent was a whopping 4.82 billion elk. The auction house had only 280 million elk left in its funds.

If I had prepared the money by just meeting the expected value without any complacency, I would not have won this competition.

'What a relief.'

Verden breathed a sigh of relief.

My heart feels light. I have to learn gravity magic in addition to the 5th-tier magic, so I know I'll have busy days ahead of me, but there's no problem. Time is always on Verden's side.

Slowly moving upward steps.

If things go this way and the kingdom ends in the future, Verden will be different from what it is now.

It was none other than confidence.

As time passed, the final turn arrived.

[Witch's Crown of Thorns]

The only artifact ever offered at an auction house. Starting price is 4.5 billion, with an expected value of 7.8 billion.

I could feel the eyes of the participants who had been waiting burning. I could hear them breathing as the microphone button was turned on and off, as if they were anxious.

The host explained the witch's crown of thorns.

Verden watched the strange tension creeping into the auction house.

'I wonder who will get the artifact.'

Exactly how much will the artifact sell for?

It aroused curiosity among those watching the auction.

Verden also waited for the auction to begin with an interested look, and soon the bidding began as soon as the announcer shouted.

That moment.

[10 billion elk.]

… … Now, a bid was made for an amount different from what had been offered before. The inside of the auction house was filled with shock. Verden was no exception.

'10 billion elk… …?'

No matter how I think about it, it's excessive.

Not only that, but the amount itself was difficult to understand.

How on earth did they come up with 10 billion elk in cash?

And to throw that money at something that doesn't even have competition yet. Artifacts are valuable, but they weren't this expensive.

'Besides, the Witch's Crown of Thorns is a difficult artifact to use.'

It has no clear effect, only women can wear it, and it is said that wearing it for a long time can lead to the death of the wearer.

From Verden's point of view, it was an unacceptable amount.

Who the hell.

How on earth.

For what reason?

Everyone who participated in the auction had the same question in their mind. Of course, no answer came.

The host, who came to his senses late, glanced to the side.

The official shook his head. That amount was not a mistake. The host swallowed and spoke in a trembling voice.

[4… … 4 times, 10 billion elk… … more, is there anything else?]

Of course, that couldn't happen.

The fact that he offered 10 billion elk, which was way beyond the value of the artifact, was a kind of warning. This was his, so don't even think about opposing him.

Whether inside or outside the auction house, anonymity had no meaning in this situation.

The offering of an artifact that should have been a spectacular finale to the auction house.

Everyone, including Wintert, expected a passionate competition, but the reality was that the closing ceremony was buried in cold shock.