102 The Tenth Item (1/2)
”Everyone, it's a layered pill made by Sir Gavin of the Alchem Town!” The host's voice reverbated throughout the hall.
As the voice reached the end of the room, the alchemists' eyes widened and people who knew the famous layered pill were startled.
”Impossible, somebody actually copied Sir Alchemist Morgan's layered pill!”, Alice was dumbstruck by the revelation.
”It's not a perfect copy.”, Edwin said as he narrowed his eyes. ”Look at it, it's deformed.”
'And it doesn't look like it was made through pill merging.' The boy added in his mind.
”Yeah, it's actually deformed.” Alice's agreed at Edwin's observation.
”What do you think, Allen?”, Edwin looked over at the shop owner and asked.
”That layered pill is less effective than the normal product.” Allen replied.
”How are you sure?”, Edwin asked.
”It's a Pine Sight Pill, made from the Elliptic Pine plant which is a primary material to other low-grade illusion miscellaneous potions or pills that could affect people who are at the Mage level. I can see the pill's flaws even from afar. It's only effective to people who are a the level of Mage-apprentices”, Allen replied.
”Can you tell me the flaws then?” Edwin requested.
”First of all, the pill is obviously deformed. Second, the method used for layering just decreased the overall effectiveness of the pill. Third, based from my second observation the creator of that pill wasted a lot of resources just to make that one product. Fourth, there is a chance it will easily become defective.” Allen finished stating all the flaws; meanwhile, the image of the pill to Edwin further plummeted by the other's criticism, like it degraded from being an eagle to a featherless chick.
In fact, the boy was already disgusted just by looking at it.
”Another question, do you know that 'Sir Gavin', the one who made it?” aEdwin asked.
”Yes.” Allen nodded, ”He's my senior brother.”
”The bidding for this item shall now commence!” The host signalled the start, cutting the duo's conversation.
”100,000 gold coins!” Someone from the audience said.
”500,000 gold coins!” Another person from the audience called out.
”10,000 mana stones!” A figure from one of the private rooms has began bidding.
Next, that figure was followed by other more people in the other private rooms, most of which were with mysterious backgrounds.
The price of the pill finally peaked at 75,000 mana stones.
”Are there any more bids?” The host asked.
The faction representative from the Midea Republic nervously stared below and to the other private rooms if there were other figures that would topple the given price, specially at Allen.
”We can't increase it anymore. It won't be worth it.” The representative nervously muttered.
”It's alright. There's still the final object to be auctioned. I heard it's something groundbreaking for alchemists.” A person with a more calm composure tried to relax his nervous companion.
”Remember.” The calmer man added, ”We need an object that we could study how does the alchemy of these Niburgians work. That's our priority.”
In the end, the pill was successfully sold out to the folks from the eastern republic.
”Only 75,000 mana stones?” Gavin became disappointed by the result of the auction.
”It's already great for a pill to be sold for that amount. Normal pills at that level can only be bought for hundreds or thousands of mana stones.” Mr. Howard said.
”You have a point.” Gavin replied.
”I hope sir's decision to auction it won't risk your reputation. It has a lesser quality in terms of its medicinal strength. It will be detrimental to the status of the alchemists in Alchem Town.”, Mr. Howard warned.
”Don't worry, nobody would complain. I only want for everyone to know that I am here to participate in the upcoming tournament!” Gavin only shook off the warnings, ”Plus, people only tried to buy it because of its rarity and uniqueness.”
'Not to mention the original dimwit who knew how to make a layered pill went missing.' Gavin thought. After which, he grinned as he fantasized other contestants in the upcoming tournament would respect and fear him.
However, he still kept his guard up. He expected there would be exceptional people joining in it.
Host: ”Ladies and gentlemen. Now it is time for the last item!”
The people from the private rooms and almost all the guests on the balcony and below became eager. Afterwards, another jar containing a pill was placed on top of the table where the 9th item once was.
”Uhh, sir.” Mr. Howard's eyes widened, ”You should take a look a the last item.” He urged Gavin who was with his eyes closed while grinning.
The glass of the private room had a special function. It was enchanted to close in onto the item being auctioned. That's why Mr. Howard was able to clearly see the item although he was only a normal person.
...
”So the news was right. It's indeed another pill, but why is it groundbreaking for alchemists here?” The calmer man from the Midea Republic pondered.
...
”Haha, the informants were right after all!” The faction representing the local government of Ryon City became estatic.
Everyone in this particular room were wearing formal clothes with emblem of the local government on their collars.
”Mi'lord, it looks like you were correct.” One of the people looked at the person sitting foremost from them.
”So that means, he's here.” The marquis of the Ryon City stood up and approached the window with his back straightened up, his hands behind him like a born nobleman.
He scanned the crowd, trying to find somebody. He also looked over to the other private rooms, however, he couldn't see anything on the other rooms as all of them including the place where he was standing had their windows magically tinted and surroundings sealed.
...
In another room, there were a group of people wearing robes, of which, the deeper the color of the robe, the higher the rank in their group.
”He's here?” A woman was startled when she saw the pill inside the jar. She was wearing a purple robe with glittery-like designs. With all the designs, her body was like wearing a sun-setting starry heaven.
Of course, their group came from none other than the Aeoshun Observatory.
”Most likely, our lady.” One of the women respectfully agreed.
...
”What is it?”, Gavin snapped back into reality and spotted the 10th item for the auction. His visage froze when he recognized what was it.
”He actually came back? The nerve of him!”, Gavin's tone turned more frenzied on each word he spoke out.
...
”What's going on with a lot of people looking so dumbstruck in here?” Edwin surveyed around him, noticing almost everybody has their sights fixed onto the pill.
Meanwhile, the ones who didn't know what was going on had curious gazes latched onto their faces.
”You're kidding, right?” Alice showed a weird look to Edwin.
”No.” Edwin shook his head like an innocent little boy.