Iya Continent: Card God

Auction house backstage.

Linta and young Tim were waiting for someone there. Tim had connections at the auction house and wanted to buy magic skill books or something similar; it was just a matter of a word from him.

Of course, Linta didn't beg him. It was this young Tim who forcibly pulled Linta over, seemingly wanting to show off. Linta didn't care whether Tim was putting on an act or not; he just wanted to buy the skill books related to magic as soon as possible.

"The auction is over, why aren't they here yet?" Tim complained, stomping his feet repeatedly.

Linta had some guesses based on the other person's words. Someone she could only see after the auction? Could it be...?

"So you weren't really here to see me. If you really wanted to see me, you wouldn't complain no matter how long you wait." The girl's voice rang out like a silver bell.

Linta's gaze shifted, and his eyes darkened.

Sure enough, it was her! The girl in the red dress who hosted the auction.

"Who said I wasn't sincere! I was sincere!" Tim's resentment vanished in an instant, replaced by a beaming smile.

The girl curled her lip in annoyance and disdain, her gaze quickly sweeping over Linta, who seemed much older than Tim. Based on her long experience knowing him, she knew this guy wouldn't make friends like him.

For a moment, the girl in the red dress had a deep and sharp look in her eyes.

Linta frowned slightly, sensing a hint of hostility.

It seemed that, in the girl's eyes, she had ulterior motives for approaching the boy Tim.

“Hello, I’m Daisy, Daisy Greene,” the girl said to Linta with a polite smile.

Linta's thoughts drifted, "Grinel?"

The owners of the auction house, the Greene family?

When the person from the Greene family identified themselves, were they declaring to me that the Greene family would not stand idly by if they had designs on his friends?

Young Tim showed a hint of displeasure, his expression seeming to say, "Impressive, impressive, now I know your family is powerful, humph."

"Linta, my name is Linta." Faced with the other party's frankness about his identity, Linta naturally responded with his name.

“Linta? I’ll remember that,” Daisy Greene said with a smile.

Tim couldn't help but interject, "Let's get down to business. Do you have any magic skill books here? They don't need to be high-grade, bronze level is fine."

Items and tools are categorized as common, fine, and superior, with magic skill books being an exception, classified according to the user's strength level: bronze, silver, etc.

They are categorized into gold, etc.

Daisy's eyes flickered slightly as she looked at Tim and then at Linta, immediately realizing who must want it.

"Yes, I have."

Tim chuckled, "That's good. Let's sell a few copies to this guy."

Daisy smiled sweetly and said, "No."

Linta remained calm, showing no signs of sadness, joy, or surprise.

"Why! Why can't those broken bronze-level skill books be sold!" Young Tim exclaimed, somewhat agitated.

It wasn't because of any personal relationship; he didn't think he had any unnecessary connection with this Linta. It was just that he had boasted to him that, given his status, getting him something from the auction house would be a piece of cake.

In other words, you have to deliver on the promises you make. Otherwise, you'll lose face big time.

Daisy laughed and said, "Everything in the auction house is for auction. Selling it privately to anyone is against the rules. That's unacceptable to the auction house."

An auction, by its very nature, is an auction. If an auction house were to sell items privately to acquaintances, it would damage the reputation of the auction industry, especially for a national enterprise like the Greene family's. Countless eyes are watching; its competitors are waiting for it to make a mistake and bring it down from its pedestal. As members of the Greene family, they must adhere to ironclad rules more than anyone else.

Tim said, "It's just bronze-level, is it really that big of a deal? It's not like I'm asking you to secretly sell gold-level skills. Besides, why don't you just sell the ones that don't have owners and that your auction house collects?"

For an auction house to maintain continuous operation, it cannot rely solely on others bringing items to auction and collecting commissions. The auction house itself must also privately collect auction items from various places for its daily operations.

Daisy Greene's eyes flashed with a sharp, cold light as she firmly stated, "No means no, you brat. I'm not going to bother explaining to you. If you want it, come back tomorrow. I can add a few more skill books to tomorrow's auction list."

"Who are you calling a kid? Aren't you? Just because you're wearing a necklace and earrings doesn't mean you're an adult!" Young Tim retorted, somewhat indignantly.

The girl rolled her eyes and responded with a cold snort.

"You two can continue catching up, I'm heading back now," Linta said, interrupting their argument.

Tim was even more excited, "Hey! Wait a minute!"

Linta ignored Tim and left the auction house backstage area.

He knew in his heart that the girl would not break the rules today no matter what.

Outside the auction house, Linta walked along the street, preparing to go home.

I can come back tomorrow; I'm only one day away anyway.

"Hey! Linta, don't go yet!"

Young Tim ran excitedly to his side, looking somewhat aggressive.

Why did you leave like that?!

Lin Ta said, "Don't even think about it. She won't break the rules. As a member of a large family, she understands the importance of family rules better than anyone else. Also, don't make things difficult for her. She's a true friend and has always been thinking of you."

The young Daisy Greene kept wary of Linta, subtly telling her that she would not let her get away with harming Tim.

"Tch, he's supposed to be thinking of me, but he won't help me with even the smallest things," Tim muttered resentfully.

He muttered to himself, "I'm going to lose face in front of this guy again."

“Come on, come with me!” Tim gestured to Linta.

“Huh? Where to? I want to go home,” Linta replied.

Tim said, "I told you! Today I'll let you buy the skill book, and today is today! Don't underestimate me! Do you think this is all the connections I have?"

"Oh?" Linta smiled faintly, somewhat curious.

The young man's earnest and passionate words made me willing to continue accompanying him.

"Okay, I trust you. Where are we going?" Linta asked with a smile.

Tim smiled and said, "The library."

"Forehead?"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

library.

The library built by the Vasquez family contains famous books from various countries of the continent of Iya, as well as various legends, tales and strange events related to magic.

However, there wasn't a single magic skill book inside.

Magic skill books aren't actually books; they're mostly contained in special scrolls and are for one-time use only. Once learned, the magical runes on the scroll will automatically disappear.

“I don’t remember seeing this here,” Linta said slowly, looking at the magnificent library.

Tim said smugly, "Hmph, with your status, you don't even have that."

"Follow me!"

Linta chuckled softly and followed the boy's retreating figure inside.

Inside the library, it remained quiet and peaceful, with the sound of turning pages being the loudest noise.

Young Tim walked toward the counter.

The old donkey, the caretaker, was leaning back in his rocking chair, fast asleep with his eyes closed, or perhaps he wasn't asleep at all.

Tim, who was arrogant in front of Linta, became respectful and polite in front of the old man.

"Old sir, Tim is here to say hello again."

The old donkey kept its eyes closed, showing no further reaction.

Young Tim said, "Old sir, do you have any extra, unwanted bronze-level magic skill books? Linta wants them, could you..."

Before Tim could finish speaking, the old man spoke up, his weathered voice saying, "This Linta, if you beat me, I'll give it to you for free."