Auction (1)

"That's the end. Find out about the rest with your own understanding."

The lecture finally ended. After three hours of class, Deculein left the room without looking back. Sylvia hesitated to follow him out. She had a question that she wanted to ask but her pride did not allow her to do much.

"..."

Sylvia just continued to sit down as she started meditating and pondering.

Theory and intuition.

There were only a few professors that could have both so she did not necessarily need to cling to Deculein willingly. And she believed that theory was only a 'frame'. And even that was only a 'wavering' standard. Magic was ever- changing just like the flow of mana. It could not be tied to theory from the moment it was born.

Imagine if your mana quality suddenly changed inside the dungeon or a barrier? Theory was bound to falter. What if a mana storm suddenly happened in the middle of a magic spell? What if you were in the face of a mana disaster?

What if you were in an unstable and imperfect area right after a mana explosion? Could theory still remain constant and unwavering in the face of such a sudden shift?

I don't think so.

For wizards, theory was something that was incomplete. A theory that had always been correct would be proven wrong in just an instant. Depending on their levels, a new theory might be needed for each of them. Therefore, the thing that most wizards ought to pursue was to perfect their own 'intuition'. Their senses that would reach the peak would soon reign supreme and become the new law.

"..."

Sylvia sat for a while before looking at her notes. She had faith that her intuition could also solve theory.

". "

This was her answer to her own belief that she could save herself without anyone needing to teach her.

". "

A small triangle. Then, a large inverted triangle that enclosed and surrounded it. And a circle that embraced the two shapes inside of it. This was water. A pure element that consisted of six lines and one curve.

And the combination of fire and water…

Deculein's explanation replayed in her ears as she continued to think fiercely.

She could take advantage of the primary colors to explain the framework of this theory. A combination of pure elements could easily be drawn just like a painting.

Theory is just the 'path' in my process. I am the one who is walking, so…

"..."

…it was a disaster.

A Mage's Note.

And just like she had expected, ordinary art notes have limitations. To express a magic formula as well as the

techniques' flow to a certain extent, one needed to have a Mage's Note. That was where one should transcribe their notes relating to magic.

". "

The problem was that her senses couldn't maintain these three primary colors for long. Of course, her pencil could last forever as long as it stayed in her hands but the graphite of the pencil that stuck on her notebook and formed her handwriting would start to scatter in just an hour.

"..."

On the contrary, the lecture ended with her filling as many as 60 pages of her notebook. Even if she got her hands

on a Mage's Note, everything would disappear in the middle of her copying spree.

". "

Sylvia looked around. There was no one else around her. The room was now empty. All of them were motivated to learn after hearing Deculein's lecture.

"..."

She blinked blankly as she stared and agonized over her pencil and notes. However, no answer came to mind.

Sylvia couldn't help but murmur to herself.

"Oh no."

If this continued, the notes that she had written would all disappear. She knew that the loss of the contents was

inevitable even if it was transcribed in a Mage's Note but… this was still a tragic fate if she couldn't find a solution.

And the answer to her desperate situation was… just asking questions to the professor directly or finding someone who was 'diligent' and 'good' at taking down notes.

✶✶✶✶✶

Epherene just finished her three hours of review while sitting at the third seat of the Mage's Library's row A. She

looked at the clock blearily and saw that it was already past midnight.

"…I never thought I would do something like this."

She mumbled blankly as she stared at her notes.

[Organized Notes for Deculein's Lecture.]

She bought a note book instead of bread today just so she could record and transcribe the lecture.

"Well, I heard it wasn't like this before though."

She sighed as she stretched her body on her seat.

In other words, Deculein's lectures have long been notorious. People have said that his lectures were explained well at first glance but in the end it was all about him bragging. If one did not buy the book that he wrote─ You should get 5,000 Elnes!─then, it would be difficult for you to do well in his exams and homeworks…. That was the reason why the application for the subject was relatively wide even though it was a lecture by a senior professor.

But that was not the case at all with Deculein's lecture today. She wanted so badly to force him down but the qualitative level of the lecture was vastly different compared to the other professors. It was a really great help.

In fact, Epherene was not really aware why a pure element magic was called a 'pure element'. It was because she did

not attend the Academy and she has only been learning on her own with her magic theory books.

Epherene's brain was tickled. To put it simply, Deculein had filled her 'Blank Space of Ignorance' with his lecture. "Injured pride…"

No,itdoesn'thurtmypride.Wouldn'titbemorehumiliatingifIabsorbtheknowledgethatyouimpartedandbecamestrongerthan you?

"That's right. That should be correct. Haaaaaa~"

Epherene, after convincing herself, stretched her body once more.

On her way back to the dormitory, she saw plenty of undergraduates eating hotdogs on the street.

…Looks delicious.

Epherene rummaged through her pockets and realized that she did not have a single penny left. It was because she bought a note with the money that she set aside for eating. For a college wizard, using the special note 'Mage's Note' for writing and transcribing would cost a huge amount of money.

"Oh! It's Ify! Ify!"

Then, someone from behind her called out to someone weirdly.

"Ify!"

That Ify should definitely be me. No. Why would you shorten my name without asking for my consent?

Epherene looked back with a glare.

Daphy, a woman with light pink hair, was a debutante in the 1st Mage Department. That woman was currently rushing to where she was.

"Ify! Ify! Weren't you taking Professor Deculein's class?"

"Yeah. Why?"

She's not even close to me so why is she calling me that?

Although she felt a bit uncomfortable, Daphy still smiled at her as she continued to ask her bluntly.

"That… Did you take notes?" "…Yeah?"

Epherene tilted her head at her.

"No~ it's on the Wizard's Board today. Senior Professor Deculein's lecture was very good. So I'm looking for it now. And if you have notes, I'm willing to buy them. Just copy them for me."

Buy. Money. Notes. Copy.

She will buy my notes with money.

The words that could let Epherene eat today had caught her interest, hook, line and sinker.

But…

"I'd love to… but you know me. I was at the disciplinary committee not too long ago. I couldn't even take the class properly because I felt very weak."

She did not want to reveal the fact that she reviewed Professor Deculein's lecture so hard that she became weak.

"Ah, really? Then… Well. It can't be helped."

Daphy frowned as Epherene laughed bitterly.

"Sorry."

"I'll have to go to another commoner then. Bye~"

Then, she left quickly. As she left, she heard her murmur something along the lines of 'They really couldn't hold on to the luck that's rolling in on them~'.

No,seeingthatyou'regoingtofindanothercommoner,areyoujustlookingforsomeonewhodoesn'thaveanymoney? But I'm not a commoner, I'm a nobleman. Does that mean that I look like I have no money?

…If you had asked me one more time then I would have gone and done it for you.

Groooowl─

Epherene walked while clutching her empty stomach. Walking like that, she felt surprised at the scene in front of her. She even bumped into another person on the street.

"…Huh?"

It was a blonde wizard with a robe that was made out of velvet. Whoever it was, they were definitely someone from a great aristocratic family. But when she looked up at the person…

It was Sylvia.

". "

She stood still as she stared at her in the middle of the street. Epherene suddenly felt a chill when she hesitated about whether she would go around her or not. The only thing that she did was to stop and keep herself at a safe distance.

"What are you doing here?"

Epherene asked her but Sylvia remained silent as she looked at the notes in Epherene's hands.

". "

"Excuse me?"

Shiiiiing──!

She stared at her with her laser-like gaze.

Grab!

Then, she reached out quickly. Epherene hid her notes behind her at the spur of the moment.

"Wh, what the hell! You─ Huh!"

Sylvia did not give up when she failed once. Just like a crane, she tried to snatch the notes away from her. Her hands swung fiercely thrice that she couldn't help but step back.

Epherene looked at her dumbfounded.

"No. You. What the hell? What are you doing, for real? Did you become a gangster?"

". "

Sylvia did not say anything. She just smacked her lips in regret before turning around snappily and leaving her behind. Her figure that disappeared into the dark looked like a ghost.

"Wow. That's creepy. What the hell was that…"

She's not a psychopath, is she?

Just to be sure that she wouldn't suffer from another attack, Epherene hurriedly and carefully returned back to her

dormitory with her notes tucked securely and safely in her arms.

Grooowl─ Groooooowl─

Her growling stomach almost shook the dormitory's hallway with how loud it was.

"Sigh…For the first time in history, a wizard will die of starvation. For real. If someone would just give me food for free, then I'll work hard to make a lot of money for you."

She was lucky enough that the dormitory and the tuition were free. Otherwise, she would have died long ago. She trudged in the hallway as she grumbled about her sad fate. Eventually, she stood in front of her own room.

"….Wow. This is so childish."

Epherene murmured with a sickened tone to her voice. Her door was filled with red graffiti.

[Who do you think you are? Dare to mess with me?] [You're not even from the Academy! You lowlife!] [Get the hell out of the Mage's Tower! You moron!]

These were definitely the works of some of Sylvia's supposed fans.

"A group of wretched people. Really worthless."

Tch.

She erased the words on her door with her magic before entering inside. Then, she saw an envelope lying quietly on the floor.

In just one glance, she could tell that it was a [ Certificate of Sponsorship ] from the University's Mage's Tower.

"…This is a bit smart."

Her heart sank for a moment before it started thumping hard. For someone to talk about sponsorship with her…

I'm sure that it's a nutjob in line with the Eliades and Deculein's house who's trying to annoy me.

Although it was a bit smart, she thought that they could do something a bit smarter. However, even though she did not show it, it was already heartbreaking for her to hear rumors about her being a beggar going rampant in the university.

[ Mage's Tower's Sponsorship Certifcate ]

Target : Debutante Epherene Luna Amount : 100,000∃

"100,000 Elnes? Isn't this guy completely crazy?"

Knowing that no one would sponsor her anyway, Epherene had set the maximum amount of sponsorship, which was at 10 million Elnes, on her form.

But someone sponsored me 100,000 Elnes? If you're going to do it, then do it properly…That…Uhm…it looks too sophisticated just to be a forgery…

What the hell? Did some crazy nutjob forge some of the seals?

She thought that she should report it right away.

"I should be able to get the prize money then." Thanks kid. You're dead.

Epherene 's mouth turned into a nasty grin as she immediately headed straight towards the Magic Administrator that was near the dormitories.

"Excuse me. Uhm. I came to report this." "Report?"

The staff at the counter tilted their head in confusion instead of typing.

"Yes. Someone forged it and left it in my room."

"Forgery?"

"Yes. They even forged a seal. I think it was because they were trying to tease me."

"…Yes. Ah. Yes. Let me check."

"There's something like a reward, right?"

"No. There's none."

"Ah…"

Epherene waited while she scratched her neck in embarrassment.

And just like that… After three minutes…

". "

Epherene looked like her spirit had escaped from her body when she stepped out of the administration building. She was clasping the certificate of sponsorship in her hands.

"This…"

She looked again at the certificate of sponsorship that was clasped tightly in her hands.

"This… This is a dream, right?"

100,000 Rlnes.

She slapped herself harshly on the face.

100,000 Elnes.

She felt her cheek throb at the pain.

100,000 Elnes.

It was really 100,000 Elnes.

Stop─

Epherene stopped on her tracks as she felt the chilling breeze. Then, she looked around as she tucked the certificate safely in her arms.

Someone might see it. That I have 100,000 Elnes. Maybe a thief will come to steal my 100,000 Elnes. I should quickly go to the bank.

Epherene, who was trying to sneak around, couldn't help but squat down on the side of the road. She couldn't move

anymore.

Something that was coming from deep with her chest was disturbing her movements.

". Kghhk."

Epherene buried her face on her knees while she gritted her teeth. Unknown emotions ran rampant in her head that wanted to escape through her mouth. She tried to put up with it but she couldn't do so.

"Keuk."

Did you want to tell me that it's still worth living in this world? Was there someone who recognized my talent that they ignored the higher-ups grip on me?

But how would she know? She knew nothing.

"Keuk… keeeeut…"

She suddenly let out a sound that no one would know if it was similar to an animal's cry or purr. A strange cry like that rang loudly in the street.

Epherene remained in that position for quite a while as she cried, unable to force her tears to stop.

✶✶✶✶✶

The first weekend of April…

On the day when the auction would be held, I arrived at the city of 'Routen' in my car. I came here to purchase the Snowflake Obsidian.

"We have entered Routen. We will arrive in 5 minutes."

The driver informed me of our time of arrival.

"Okay. Good work. When we arrive, you can relax while waiting for me."

"Yes? Ah, yes! Thank you very much!"

The streets of 'Routen' were sparkling brightly. This was one of the richest commercial cities in the Empire. Although it was not much compared to the modern world, there were still plenty of high-rise buildings and some of the roads were lined up with luxury halls and jewelry stores.

We passed through these splendid streets as we headed towards our destination, the auction house that was built on the shoreline.

[ Routen Schatzinsel ]

I could read the language engraved on their signboard without any difficulties. With the motif as the 'Sydney Opera House', the Schatzinsel was a splendid building.

I arrived at the entrance of the auction house. In other words, I got off on the ground that led towards the sea. I was quickly escorted by the auction house's attendants.

It was a bit hard to move since my entire body was filled with wounds since I trained with my shurikens back in the mansion.

"We have arrived, Senior Professor Deculein."

I entered through the VVIP-only passageway and arrived in the waiting room.

"I will come back and guide you separately when the time for the auction to start has come. Please rest comfortably."

I nodded my head as I sat on a chair to kill time. No, I was actually going to, but I ran into an unexpected person.

A mysterious and bright ash gray hair that stood out anywhere together with a knight with white gloves. I did not know the reason why they were wearing armor in the auction hall. Well, it did not matter to me anyway. It was none other than Julie.

I never thought that we would meet at the auction.

She stood in the middle of the waiting room before looking at me and trudging towards my direction. Her gait and posture was definitely a knight's walk.

I greeted her politely.

"This time, I heard that you sent two wizards to the disciplinary committee."

That was right, Julie was the one who came to talk to me first. I just stared at Julie and felt that she was just here to meddle in my affairs again.

"Your ears are quite slow. It seems like you have just heard of that."

"I may be slow or not. I just heard it yesterday. Is that true?"

"That's right. Are you going to say that it was also my fault?"

". "

Julie looked like she was left speechless. It was hard for her to say something since she was not aware of the situation. So her lips opened and closed before speaking again.

"They are debutantes. They are freshmen who have just entered the Mage's Tower filled with dreams and hopes. Do not put them in despair. Do not repeat the past. One day, karma will come back to bite you. This is the last piece of advice that I will give to you."

Last. The word was no different from an end. Julie was already determined. As a matter of fact, the same was true for me. No matter how wonderful and beautiful this knight was, I did not want to get married to someone here when I did not even do that in the past.

And… I did not want to joke around at all. Entering the wedding hall with her would definitely kill me. There were a lot of death flags surrounding her. In particular, Julie's unnie was even more extreme than her.

"You should do that."

I nodded my head. This meant that I was affirmative and that I wanted the conversation to end. Julie also bowed to me as she left. While looking at her leaving back, curiosity suddenly reared its head.

"But did you come to this auction house just to say that to me?"

"...Wh, what? You're wrong!"

Julie turned around quickly as she shouted loudly.

If that was the case then that was fine. I was going to read my book in silence but Julie came up to me and added a few words.

"You're wrong. This meant that I did not come for you. You're delusional if you think that I came to see you…"

I just nodded my head.

Julie gave me a doubtful stare before finally stepping away. She wandered around, came back and murmured.

"I swear to God. I have things that I have to do here—"

"I already know. I understand it even if you say it once."

Aren't you being too dismissive of people who have the trait Understanding?

I cut her off decisively and Julie just pouted her lips before leaving. She was the one who misunderstood me first…

but her quibble was quite cute for no reason at all.

I was quite surprised when I realized that I was smiling. No way, were you telling me that I also received Deculein's feelings for Julie. Of course, whenever I see her, I never felt my heart flutter nor did I feel my head getting dizzy but…

At that moment…

─We are notifying the VIPs who are visiting the Schatzinselth at the auction will begin now. We advise you to please follow the instructions and guidance of the attendants. Thankyou.

The announcement from the loudspeaker heralded the start of the auction. I rose from my seat.

Before entering the auction house, a small claw grabbed the back of my collar.

"I don't think that you understand so I'll tell you one last time—"

"I already understand."

"You did it the last time. And I know that this time, you're trying to spread idle gossip in high society—" "I'm not spreading anything. Believe me."

"I'm not here to see you. You're wrong."

"I already understand…"

As we entered the auction house on good terms(?), we soon sat on our own seats. Far apart from each other.