Iya Continent: Card God

Auction transactions are essentially competitive bidding. This is a form that is inevitable for any community. The items traded in auctions range from food and materials to real estate and even living people.

Auctions of items related to magic users are something that only exist in prosperous cities. Sandel City is such a city.

The auction house in the city is owned by the "Grindel" family from the capital city of Toronto.

This is a wealthy and renowned family throughout the Kingdom of Modly, primarily engaged in the auction industry. Those familiar with its rules know that this is not an industry that ordinary families can operate in. The long-term management of an auction house requires extraordinary effort and resources. The Greener family has this capability; their family connections are like a spider web, linking them throughout the entire kingdom, even extending to the royal family.

"This is it."

Linta stood before a bright red, domed building and murmured something.

Needing to purchase some magic skill books, and not wanting to trade at underground casinos, I chose this place—the auction house's auction.

It is said that items needed by magic users are auctioned here.

But when you'll have what you need is another matter.

Linta, about to step into the auction house, glanced at those entering. Generally, there were two types of people: those wearing cloaks and hoods to conceal their faces, and those dressed in opulent attire, clearly wealthy and powerful.

"Afraid that others will recognize their identity, and afraid that others won't know their identity," Lin Ta muttered to himself.

Then he looked down at himself and thought, "I'll pass. It's not like I'm going to buy anything ridiculously expensive."

His gaze returned to the front, and he stepped in calmly.

Although the auction house's auction hall is a circular space, only half of it is used as the auction venue. The other half is the backstage area.

In front of the semi-circular area was a platform over a meter high, where the auctioneer presented and hosted the event. Below the platform were seats, enough to accommodate over a thousand people.

However, at this moment, the auction hall was almost empty, with only about a hundred people scattered around.

"This business isn't doing too well..." Linta muttered to himself, finding an empty seat to sit down.

On the stage, a young woman in a red dress was hosting the auction.

The young woman possessed a refined air, a captivating smile, and impeccable manners.

On her table sat a curved, brown cow horn, as thick as a thigh, which gave an idea of ​​how enormous the original beast must have been.

"This is the horn of the Mountain Bull Demon Beast from the Spear-Cutting Plain. It was captured by an adventurer after a great deal of effort. He commissioned a weapon-making craftsman to forge one of the horns into a weapon, and he auctioned off the remaining one to raise money."

"According to our auction house's appraisers, this ox horn should be classified as a high-grade ordinary item."

"It is best used to make weapons, which have a very high deterrent effect against bronze-level opponents."

Starting bid: 800 copper coins.

As the girl spoke methodically, many of the few auction guests below the stage became interested and began bidding with increments of 10 copper coins.

Linta watched calmly, without any intention of bidding.

During his time in Sandel City, he hadn't spent much of his total wealth of over 120 silver coins, leaving him with over 110. Buying the horn of this mountain ox would cost him at most one silver coin.

But it's pointless; I'm not thinking about weapons right now.

Learning to use magic through magical skills is what you should be doing. For a magic user to be completely ignorant of magic is utterly ridiculous.

"Ugh, when will we get to that point..."

Lin Ta sighed, wondering if the auction today would have anything he needed.

"Hey, you're here too." A boy's voice came from outside.

Linta turned his head and saw a familiar young face appear before him.

I've seen this boy before.

When he was at the library, he temporarily looked after the library for the old donkey librarian.

"Oh, who are you?" Linta said expressionlessly.

The boy raised an eyebrow, somewhat annoyed. "What memories do you have? You don't recognize me?"

The boy wanted to speak loudly, but because it was an auction, he forced himself to keep his voice down.

Linta said calmly, "I really don't remember your name."

The boy opened his mouth, then stopped, thinking carefully. He realized he hadn't introduced himself to the other person. "Didn't the old man tell you?"

Linta said, "I don't remember."

“Tim, just call me Tim. I’ll allow you to call me that since you know the old man,” young Tim said somewhat arrogantly.

Linta remained calm and did not pay much attention to the young Tim.

In his own eyes, he was just a brat.

Tim was somewhat resentful, but he didn't lash out. He scoffed, "Hmph, this kind of small auction is just what you guys love to do."

A small auction?

Lin Ta suddenly realized why there were so few people at the scene. It turned out that today's event was a small-scale auction.

"Aren't you here too?" Linta replied to the young Tim in a calm tone.

Tim explained somewhat excitedly, "I'm different... I... came to see a friend..."

As he spoke, his gaze fell upon the girl in the red dress on the auction stage.

Linta asked, "Are you familiar with this auction?"

“Of course I know. How could I not know about the premier industry in Sandel City?” Young Tim said slowly, somewhat proudly.

The Greene family's auction house is open almost daily. However, the level of the auctions they hold varies. Generally, they are small-scale auctions. These auctions primarily sell ordinary-grade items.

Approximately every twenty days, there will be a medium-sized auction. On these days, in addition to the common items, you can also see some exceptional items. On these days, the number of guests at the auction will be much larger, at least exceeding three or four hundred people.

Large-scale auctions, held every few months, are not only packed to capacity but also attract wealthy individuals and adventurers from various cities within the prefecture. To host such an auction, the auction house prepares a wide variety of high-quality items in advance. Each item is bid on in gold coins, making it impossible for even gold-level powerhouses to refuse.

“I see…” Linta murmured softly.

However, large-scale auctions are none of my business. I don't have the money to participate in the bidding.

In the continent of Iya, 1000 copper coins equal 1 silver coin, and 100 silver coins equal 1 gold coin. The silver coins I possess are worth at most 1 gold coin, hardly enough to compete with those wealthy and powerful individuals for high-quality items.

Moreover, I only came here today hoping to buy some simple, common-level magic skill books.

"By the way, are there any magic skill books up for auction next?" Linta asked curiously.

Young Tim said, "Why don't you go to the front desk and get a list of today's auction items?"

"Huh?" Linta was taken aback.

Tim could tell that Linta knew nothing about this. "You're not here for the first time, are you? The items for each auction are listed in advance. Except for a few special items, most of them are listed. That way, the guests know whether they need to come in and bid."

"Oh, I understand, thanks." Linta said with a smile, temporarily leaving the auction.

Tim had intended to continue his mockery, but the guy was shameless and wouldn't provoke him, which was really boring.

A short while later, Linta returned with a form.

When will this item be auctioned?

Linta pointed to a common-level magic skill book on the watch and asked.

Tim frowned, biting his lip slightly, and said, "It's over. Look at it in order, from top to bottom."

"Huh?" Linta was immediately disappointed.

"It's over, I'm going back now."

Tim quickly said, "Wait a minute, it's just a magic skill book, right? Beg me, and I'll get it for you today."

The boy looked at Linta with an arrogant and smug expression, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Linta looked at the boy without any expression, "Please?"

Turn around and leave.

"Hey, don't go! You don't believe me, do you...?"