After asking Julius, he noted his pouch contained around forty thousand gold.
The bag venture boomed in the first few months before competition began to threaten its dominance. Other influential individuals, unwilling to let the Kaur family monopolise such an enormous market, launched their own products. Gradually, rivals emerged, each chipping away at their growing profits and market share.
Initially, Adam panicked. Yet, he rapidly calmed down and shrugged. This income always bothered a part of him, making him feel he didn't deserve it.
Just remembering the brand name he chose back then caused him to blush in shame. Any earthling would see the connection and scorn him for abusing his advantage.
Thus, he resolved to earn money himself during the next academic year and transfer his shares to Julius.
Then, he focused his eyes on the stage, remembering Gaston had sought a rogue mage's help to develop his ritual five years ago. Since he couldn't travel alone and didn't want to endanger Julius without reason, he had never met one in the past. But their knowledge always intrigued him for a good reason.
With everything he discovered, he suspected them of practicing remnants of destroyed paths. Who knows? Maybe he'll spot something unexpected among the rogue's possessions.
Without delay, the auctioneer introduced the first items as employees guided a floating table to the stage.
"We'll start with a package of three tier-two potions," he said, pointing at ordinary flasks. Yet, what drew the eye wasn't their outward appearance but the shimmering green liquids they contained. "We tested their effects, and trust me, they are incredible! Upon ingesting them, you'll strengthen your basic affinity slightly!" He continued, causing the hall to blow up into an uproar.
Even old individuals gave up on their stern facades to shout excitedly. After all, affinity was the basis of their power system in this age. Strengthening them equated to increasing their firepower, reducing their casting time, and lowering their consumption, making those brews of extreme value for any magic practitioner.
Well, except for Adam. Gazing at the crazy crowd, he smiled wryly. 'My affinities are perfect.'
Meanwhile, the resounding sound of the gavel striking the podium echoed as the auctioneer called for silence before continuing with what everyone waited for.
"The starting price is fifty gold coins. Increments must be no lower than five gold coins!"
A split second later, a fierce competition unfolded. Many wealthy nobles roared their bid, willingly raising the price by an enormous amount each time.
Soon, under Adam's enlarged eyes, the starting fifty gold coins asked for the batch soared to two thousand!
'Did they lose their minds?' He thought, his mouth wide open. He could buy four tier-four potions with that amount of money, yet someone bought those tier-two ones for the same price. But the most stunning thing was to see the man's eager smile and hear the crowd applaud as a staff member gave him a paper to confirm he had won the items.
'I'd better prepare myself,' he thought, gazing at his coin-filled pouches on the table with determination. 'I won't get any items if I try to save money with those madmen.'
As he pondered their reactions, learning from experience in his first auction, the auctioneer presented the following items in succession.
The same scene took place each time. Most products stemmed from lost knowledge, possessing incredible effects they had never seen.
However, none of those items caught Adam's attention. Well, not entirely. A tier three material sadly escaped him. With the starting price set at two hundred gold, he believed he could get it. But he underestimated the nobles' frenzy. The price rocketed to six thousand, forcing him to give up in a few quick minutes.
Unbothered by the failure, he waited to see the tier-four items. They were his real aim.
Fortunately, the auctioneer presented them a moment later.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we finally reached the last segment of this auction. I'm sure most of you can't handle the suspense anymore. So, without further ado, let me present to you."
He turned to grab a white fabric covering the floating table. With a broad smile exposing his white teeth, he pulled with enormous strength, revealing this event's second most valuable item.
Adam's eyes narrowed, piercing the chamber's opaque glasses to scan a glowing gem with interest. Entangled by thick roots spiralling on themselves into a staff, it radiated a soothing bright light charming any mage present.
As everyone observed in shock, the auctioneer continued, his speech appealing to their hunger for power and their patriotism.
"You all guessed it, and you are right. It's a magic staff of the fourth tier! But that's not it! It's enchanted to optimise the casting of light spells, our glorious empire's speciality!"
Once again, the lower floor exploded into boisterous discussions. Meanwhile, Julius eyed the staff with interest. "What do you think, big bro?" He asked, believing it would help construct the puppet. If not, it was still an impressive weapon they could use.
However, Adam shook his head, disappointing him. The roots interested him, but he knew he would have to buy the entire staff to get them, and he didn't doubt the price would be shockingly high. "I can only hope the last item will suit my needs better," he muttered, a bitter smile stretching his lips as doubts filled his mind.
He believed he should have bid to get the material early because, at this rate, he would return to college empty-handed.
Another bidding war unfolded as his thoughts turned somber. However, the nobles on the lower floor rapidly palled, turning silent under the V.I.P.S. mad assault. Each time those mighty individuals raised the price, they felt a part of their sanity crumble.
Ten minutes later, silence engulfed the hall as the auctioneer began counting. His elegant voice resounded in everyone's ears as the gavel struck the podium for the third time. Yet, despite his years of experience in the field, he failed to control his excitement entirely.
"Congratulations to the gentleman in room one for acquiring this incredible staff for thirty-five thousand gold coins!"