Overpowered Archmage Doesn’t Hide His Talent
Chapter 90: …You!

Chapter 90 – …You!

The social gathering at Udit’s mansion was over.

Butler, a servant of the Knight of the Flickering Flame, was reporting various things to Scarlet.

“Two hundred thousand?”

Scarlet’s expression crumpled as she listened quietly.

“…Two hundred thousand. Did you just say that?”

She asked again, facing Butler, who was trembling and opening his mouth.

“Yes. Yes, miss. He took a check worth two hundred thousand gold coins. He said he was going to visit the midnight auction…”

“What…!”

Scarlet couldn’t believe Butler’s words.

Not a hundred gold coins, not a thousand, not ten thousand, but a whopping two hundred thousand gold coins.

People would call this an ‘astronomical figure’.

And he just took that much of a check. 

Udit’s wealth was not infinite, and losing two hundred thousand gold coins would be a big blow.

“You, you… You just watched him do that? No one tried to stop him?”

As Butler met Scarlet’s red eyes, his face was covered with sweat in an instant.

“I, I’m just a servant… And he said, since he won the bet with Miss Scarlet, it would be fine…!”

“Enough. Enough. Stop talking.”

“Ah, yes!”

Leaving Butler behind, Scarlet quickly walked to her office.

“I’m going crazy…”

She picked up the ledger and examined it carefully with eagle eyes. 

She turned the pages so hard that it was a miracle that the paper didn’t tear.

“I’m going to lose it…”

First of all, the timing was bad.

Udit was currently facing big expenses. 

It was pointless to say twice that losing two hundred thousand gold coins would cause trouble.

“Don’t interfere with anything he does…”

Scarlet remembered that she had promised that, of course. 

And because she had promised, she had to keep it.

But.

Even so.

“There’s a limit to everything. This is…”

Scarlet put his hand on her head. 

Her well-groomed hair became messy in no time.

“This is not the time for this.”

She got up from her seat and walked briskly toward the door. 

Literally, this was not the time.

“No, no…”

But she soon returned.

The midnight auction was already underway, and it would be too risky for Scarlet to show herself.

She got up from her seat again.

And then she sighed deeply and sat down again.

“Sigh…”

Anyway, after dawn, she had a meal with Theodore.

She had to ask him everything then.

◈

The auction stage of ‘Exclamation Mark’ was very splendid.

It was covered with black velvet and embroidered with gold ornaments. 

Anyone who looked at it would think of nobility.

The expensive perfume scent, the leisurely laughter of the nobles, everything blended together in this place where I looked over the auction list for today.

“…They have everything.”

Teacups, brushes, clocks, paintings, armor, wands… And finally, ‘Surt’.

Surt was the name of a sword, but I still paid close attention to its name.

“Tonight. I would like to thank each and every one of you for giving us your precious time…”

The well-dressed auctioneer appeared, and everything except the stage went dark. 

The nobles’ chatter died down in no time.

“From the first order, amazing items are waiting for you. Now, aren’t you excited!”

As the auctioneer hurriedly spoke, the others moved the item to the center of the stage.

“First, it’s a good idea to call the price and think about it. The first item. Look!”

It was a clock with a luxurious appearance.

“It’s a clock called ‘Reversal’ that the craftsman made with his blood and sweat. It’s a masterpiece among masterpieces, where the color of the second hand and the appearance change according to the wearer’s magic. The starting bid is a thousand gold coins, and the bid is a hundred coins!”

It would be nice to have it. But it’s not necessary.

The story of buying all the items is, only when all the items are useful.

I don’t feel like indulging in luxury.

That’s what I thought then.

“…”

I sensed a faint energy from the clock.

“Number 14, eleven hundred! Ah… Number 113, twelve hundred!”

The price kept rising as I pondered. But I focused on the energy.

There was no doubt. It was the energy of the ancient runes.

It goes without saying that every time I study an ancient rune, my magic level leaps up dramatically.

So I had no reason to hesitate. I made up my mind.

“Number 64 is at 1,300! Number 65 next to it is at 1,400 right away!”

1,500. 1,600. 1,700.

The price of the clock, which was rising fiercely, finally stopped at 2,500 gold coins.

“Number 2 is at 2,500 gold coins. Is there anyone who wants to bid higher? I will call it three times and award it. 2,500 gold coins. 2,500 gold coins…”

My budget for today was 200,000 gold coins.

The clock with traces of ancient runes was 2,500 gold coins.

“Hah.”

It was unbelievable. 

There was no such thing as a bargain like this.

I pressed the button on the armrest of my seat. 

There was no reason not to buy it, and no reason I couldn’t.

“Number 1, 2,600 gold coins!”

“Number 2, 2,700 gold coins!”

The price of the clock soared even after that, but I didn’t care about it anymore.

‘Manipulation.’

It was certain. 

It was a manipulation-type ancient rune.

2,800. 2,900. 3,000.

I just pressed the button.

Whether it was someone who had a passion for collecting clocks, someone who admired the craftsman, or someone who wanted to buy the heart of a precious person with a gift… It was all futile.

They were all powerless in front of 200,000 gold coins.

“Again, number 1 is at 3,100 gold coins. I will call it three times.”

“3,100 gold coins. 3,100 gold coins. 3,100 gold coins! The clock goes to number 1!”

The guests applauded me cheerfully. I just nodded quietly.

“…You must like the clock very much?”

A nobleman I didn’t know approached me and spoke. Number 2 participant. 

The person who had bid several times.

“Very much.”

“…Tsk, you should have shown your strength from the beginning.”

“I haven’t even warmed up yet.”

“Is that so?”

He spoke with a sarcastic tone. Number 2 seemed to have liked the clock quite a bit.

“Let’s move on to the second item!”

The auction proceeded swiftly.

“A masterpiece that captures the emotions meticulously, the painter Carso’s soulful ‘Faint’. The starting bid is 1,000 gold coins. The bid increment is 100 gold coins!”

…That’s a masterpiece?

As soon as I saw the second item, I felt disappointed with the night auction. 

My aesthetic sense, which I prided myself on being accurate, did not react at all.

1,000 gold coins? More like 10 gold coins.

But then.

“Number 2 is at 1,100 gold coins!”

The auctioneer called out number 2, and the person turned his head and looked at me.

“Well, do you have enough gold coins?”

His attitude was quite cute, so I muttered softly.

“Enough. I can write four thousand.”

“Uh-huh.”

The guy raised his hand high without hesitation. 

And he shouted with all his might at the auctioneer.

“Eight thousand!”

“Eight thousand! Eight thousand words have been offered! It’s number two! If there are no objections, I will call it three times!”

Finally, ‘Faint’ was sold to number two.

Number two looked at me with a smug face.

“I can easily afford eight thousand, you know?”

“I admit it.”

I quietly clapped my hands for him.

“You have a great talent for wasting money on trash.”

“…?”

He only then looked around.

Clap clap clap─!

People were clapping loudly for him. 

Their faces were full of mockery.

When he realized that, number two’s face turned red as if it would explode.

Soon, his head hung low in shame.

The auction continued after that.

“Fifth item, Fantasy Bracelet─ Sixth item, Dawn’s Collar─”

The items were diverse and I examined them for traces of ancient runes.

If there were no traces, I evaluated their usefulness. 

How to increase their value by adding magical properties, or how to modify them into artifacts for mages, etc.

As a result.

“6,200. Sold to number one!” 

“5,500. Sold to number one!” 

“A whopping 9,000. Sold to number one!”

The items, the auctioneer’s voice, the atmosphere of the auction hall, and perhaps even the time of those who visited this place today.

Number one.

They are mine.

◈

The second-year knight department of Merhen Academy. 

The students of ‘Celestial Blessing’ sat quietly in their seats, waiting for their turn.

‘Surt’.

A blade that is said to contain a mysterious power. Surt. 

That was the only thing that Celestial Blessing cared about.

“…”

But Janet’s eyes were fixed on number one. 

Everyone around her was talking about him.

Two noble ladies next to her chattered.

“Who is he? He’s wearing a mask.”

“He must be one of the rich nobles, or rather, the richest of them all.”

“Should we try to seduce him?”

“Oh, you’re so naughty.”

Janet’s sharp gaze swept over number one.

The seats were darkened, so the view was not very good, but she could see his rough silhouette.

The way he pressed the button, the way he nodded lightly to the applause of others… 

Every movement he made was natural and noble.

Number one. He annoyed her.

If he was also after Surt, it would be a tough fight, so Janet felt a bit nervous.

“No. No way.”

But she soon shook her head. 

She had brought a huge amount of gold coins for Surt. She would have enough.

“Oh, aren’t you Janet of Celestial Blessing?”

In the meantime, one of the noble ladies who was talking next to her spoke to her. 

She was always glad to meet someone who recognized her, so Janet smiled gracefully and replied.

“Yes. That’s me.”

“Is it because of Surt? Oh, I see. You and it would look so good together, don’t you think?”

“Ah… Thank you. Hmm.”

She also liked compliments, one of her favorite things. Her lips curved naturally.

“I will not give up on training until I can communicate with Surt.”

“Oh, my. How amazing.”

Surt. The potential of this blade was ‘the best’.

But that was just the potential.

Surt was nothing but an ordinary sword if she couldn’t awaken its potential, so she was allowed to carry it in the hunting competition.

‘It’s a chance I can’t miss.’

Janet muttered silently.

The main event of the hunting competition. 

A stage where she could swing her sword against many strong opponents. 

Janet intended to raise her affinity with Surt as much as possible there.

As she always did, she would achieve results this time too.

“Aren’t you feeling pressured by the expectations of the people around you? My niece also mentions Celestial Blessing sometimes.”

“I don’t feel any pressure, I’m just grateful to those who trust me.”

Janet nodded once in a while with a smile on her face. Humility was also a virtue of a knight.

“Oh, by the way, Miss Janet.”

The noble lady’s eyes sparkled.

“You didn’t make it to the finals as the first place, did you? What happened? I was so curious that I couldn’t sleep.”

“I will win the finals for sure.”

Janet snapped back in a sharp tone, without realizing it.

“…Oh.”

She bowed her head slightly, but the lady-in-waiting coughed and said no more.

And then.

“…The last one! The item that will adorn today’s finale! The blade that holds the full power of the elements, the miracle that slashes and cuts. It’s Surt!”

With the auctioneer’s shout, Surt was brought to the stage.

“The starting price is 10,000 gold coins. The bid is 1,000 coins!”

The strange red blade that contained a mysterious power. 

As soon as Janet saw it, she pressed the button as if she was bewitched.

From now on, she will do everything in her power to get Surt.

The starting price was 10,000. 

The bid was a whopping 1,000.

There were many who coveted the red blade. 12,000, 13,000, 14,000…. The price soared to the ceiling.

“Number 44, 20,000 coins! Any objections?”

Number 44, Janet.

The four knights of the Celestial Blessing had scraped together gold coins from their respective clans. 20,000 coins was not easy for anyone.

“Huff.”

Just then, Janet let out a sigh of relief.

“Number 1, 21,000 coins!”

“…?”

Janet’s eyes turned to number 1.

Sure enough, he was interested in Surt too.

She frantically tapped the button.

“Number 44, 22,000 coins!”

She had been imagining swinging Surt for days. 

She had to have it.

“Number 1, 23,000 coins!”

The auction had already become a duel between the two.

The auctioneer’s mouth never stopped, and everyone in the seats began to watch Janet and number 1.

Admiration, exclamation, cheer…. All of that filled the auction hall like background music.

“Number 44, 25,000 coins!”

“Number 1, 26,000 coins!”

It sounded like a fierce fight to the ears. But to the eyes, the reality was completely different.

“Number 44, 27,000 coins!”

“Number 1, 28,000 coins!”

Number 44, Janet’s speed of pressing the button slowed down. It was not a fierce fight. It was more like number 1 was putting a leash on Janet and dragging her along.

“Number 44, 30,000 coins! 30,000 coins have been offered!”

The gold coins that the four disciples of the Celestial Blessing had gathered from their own clans. 30,000 coins.

A desperate last resistance.

Number 1 crushed it, without giving any room.

“Number 1, 31,000 coins!”

The bodies of the Celestial Blessing disciples stiffened.

The auction hall fell silent for a moment. 

The bid had already surpassed everyone’s imagination. 

Everyone held their breath and looked at Janet, number 44.

Bastian, a knight with scars all over his face, nudged Janet’s arm.

“…Janet, raise it.”

His eyes were very serious.

“We’ll make money for our family, even if we have to sell everything. Don’t lose this.”

Janet nodded, trying to catch her breath. She didn’t have time to thank him.

A moment later. 32,000 pieces from number 44.

The auctioneer felt the pressure to break the silence. He finally opened his lips.

“If there are no objections… I’ll call it three times…”

But then.

“Number 1, 33,000 pieces!”

“…!”

The eyes of the novice knights widened in shock.

“…”

The four knights exchanged glances.

It was their limit.

They hated to admit it, but they had to. They couldn’t afford to get Surt with their wealth.

The auction didn’t wait for them.

“I’ll call it three times. 33,000 pieces, 33,000 pieces, 33,000 pieces! Sold! The owner of Surt is number 1!”

The winner was officially announced as number 1.

A loud applause erupted for him. 

The winner himself didn’t seem to care much, he just nodded slightly.

The auction ended like that.

The nobles left their seats one by one, chatting. But Janet was still sitting.

Her eyes were on number 1.

He was still sitting too. He was inspecting his many auction items as if they were trophies.

…And among those trophies, there was Surt.

Janet approached him without thinking. Sᴇaʀᴄh the ɴøvᴇlFɪre.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

“Congratulations on becoming the owner of Surt.”

She said that, not out of courtesy, but out of regret for not getting the item she wanted.

Number 1 didn’t even look at her. He just examined Surt’s blade quietly.

And the next moment.

The words he uttered were beyond Janet’s expectation.

“32,000. That’s how much you bid, right?”

But the words that followed were even more unexpected.

“You’re lucky. Somehow, the blade is below my expectations.”

“…?”

Number 1 stood up from his seat. 

He didn’t seem tall when he was sitting, but he was actually an imposing figure.

He said calmly.

“Use the money you saved to train your knights.”

He turned away from Janet.

“32,000 won’t do much.”

He left those words behind.

Janet was stunned and stayed in her place, watching his back.

“What…”

Training.

He wants her to train the knights?

She was frozen by his shocking words, when she suddenly realized that his voice was familiar.

And the moment she remembered who he was.

“…You!”

She screamed, almost like a shriek.

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