Exploring Technology in a Wizard World

Chapter 142: Chapter 141 Auction of the Examination Exemption Certificate
 

The auction continued, with items being brought up for auction one after another, but there were very few bidders. Most of the people present were waiting for the main event—the Examination Exemption Certificate—to make their move.

In the meantime, Richard managed to win a few items at prices that could be considered conscientious, such as a bronze lamp base suspected of containing Metal Chromium and a Silver Statue suspected of containing Metal Titanium. Gro asked curiously about his reasons, to which Richard responded that he liked them.

Time kept slipping away…

After quite a while, the auctioneer wiped the sweat from his face, glanced at a servant below the stage, and then turned his head to look at the many nobles present.

Taking a deep breath, the auctioneer’s voice lifted, resounded with vigor, “Ladies and gentlemen, the next item up for auction is an extremely rare, extremely scarce, and extraordinarily precious wonder! I believe everyone should have some understanding of it, and I won’t elaborate any further.

All I want to say is that whoever obtains it will be able to establish contact with the Mysterious Wizard, have the potential to become a Mysterious Wizard, and will have the opportunity to travel to unknown continents to study. Now, without further ado, let us introduce this wonder—the Wizard World’s Examination Exemption Certificate!”

As soon as the auctioneer’s voice fell, the atmosphere in the room instantly changed, dispelling the previous coldness and becoming exceptionally lively, so lively as to almost boil over, so lively it crackled with the smell of gunpowder.

“Tap tap tap…”

A young servant carefully walked onto the stage holding a tray and presented the Examination Exemption Certificate displayed on it to everyone.

The crowd’s expressions varied after they saw it.

Some were seeing it for the first time and couldn’t help but click their tongues in amazement.

Some had already seen it beforehand, touched it, and even came close to possessing it; upon seeing it again, they couldn’t help but be filled with regret. Then, thinking of something, they turned their heads angrily to look at someone not far away, only to meet that person’s equally intent gaze. Their eyes clashed in the air, and the smell of gunpowder grew stronger.

Inside a private box, Gro’s eyes twinkled as he gazed at the Examination Exemption Certificate, a sense of longing emerging.

Richard, however, was expressionless, as though the Examination Exemption Certificate was not as attractive as the initial “Dream Girl” stone statue.

The auctioneer spoke up, “Ladies and gentlemen, I won’t beat around the bush, so as not to bore you. I declare that the auction for this Examination Exemption Certificate officially begins. The starting bid is set at 1,000 Gold Coins, with each increment not to be less than 50 Gold Coins. Please start your bidding!”

No sooner had the auctioneer finished speaking than Gro raised his bidding sign, showing his determination to win the Examination Exemption Certificate.

“Number 1, 1,050 Gold Coins!” the auctioneer immediately announced.

After that, the entire venue fell into a prolonged silence, as if everyone was shocked by the high starting price of the Examination Exemption Certificate, as if they were afraid to compete with Gro, or as if they were making some sort of decision.

“Number 1, 1,050 Gold Coins! First time! Is there anyone who will offer a higher price?” asked the auctioneer.

No one answered.

“Number 1, 1,050 Gold Coins! Second time! Is there anyone who will offer a higher price?”

The auctioneer asked again, with the same words but a slightly faltering tone. If the Examination Exemption Certificate was sold to Gro for the price of 1,050 Gold Coins because no one else dared to bid, it would be a big loss.

However, the auctioneer’s worries ultimately did not materialize; as soon as he had spoken the second time, someone raised a bid.

“Number 28, 1,100 Gold Coins,” the auctioneer said with a sigh of relief.

And with that bid, it was as if a keg of gunpowder had been ignited, one bidding sign after another rose up in quick succession.

“Number 42, 1,150 Gold Coins.”

“Number 56, 1,200 Gold Coins.”

“Number 69, 1,250 Gold Coins.”

“Number 99, 1,300 Gold Coins.”

“Lot number 203…”

“…”

The price of the Examination Exemption Certificate kept rising amidst the angry stares and mocking jeers of numerous nobles, as if venting some pent-up emotions.

“The Lorand family, I heard that last night in the scramble for this Examination Exemption Certificate, one of your direct lineage was killed? Haha, what a pity that even after a death in the direct lineage, you didn’t get your hands on it and still have to sit here, bidding against us. And the saddest part is, you can’t even outbid us.”

“Philip family! Don’t go too far! Who killed a member of our family, don’t you know? What’s this ‘I heard?’ Mire died right in front of your people, you know! Let me tell you, this matter isn’t over. Our Lorand family will seek revenge sooner or later. As for today’s bidding, who will lose and who will win, nobody knows until the end.”

“Oh, is that so? Well then, let’s see how many gold coins you’ve prepared this time. Did you bring out your entire fortune? I’ve heard that your family loves to hoard money, always burying gold coins, silver coins, copper coins, and such underground, fearing someone might steal them. Turns out, one time when you needed money and wanted to dig it out, you forgot where you buried it, hahaha, hopefully, you haven’t forgotten this time.”

“Philip family, there’s no need for you to be smug. Whether we’ve forgotten or not, what’s it to you?”

“Hmm, so you’re saying…you really did forget again this time? Haha, everyone come and see, our Cuijin City might have a foolish family that forgets where they’ve hidden their money, hahaha.”

“Shut up!”

“I won’t shut up, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to fly over here and hit me…ouch, damn it, you actually dare throw a boot at me! Green, give me your boot, I’m going to throw it back. What, why your boot, not mine? Of course your boot is heavier, you idiot! Give it to me quick!”

…

The situation in the auction hall gradually descended into chaos, moving from a noisy marketplace towards a dueling arena. The nobles, harboring grudges from last night’s robbery incident, were very agitated, and amid the quarrel, would likely angrily throw boots, hats, canes, jewelry, or anything else that could be thrown.

Indeed, boots flew alongside bracelets, and hats were as common as canes.

Rarely, shouting and brawling nobles still managed to focus on the auction, continuously raising their bid cards.

Thus, amid the ruckus, the price of the Examination Exemption Certificate rapidly climbed to 1700 gold coins.

It was a terrifying figure already.

In the box, Gro remained composed, sitting in his seat, both intrigued by the theater playing out in the hall and continuously raising his bid card to even higher prices. Gro’s pricing strategy was clear: wealth empowered caprice. You can bid whatever you like; in the end, your offer will never be higher than mine.

So, after a while, the Examination Exemption Certificate’s price at the auction hall was called out at the high price of 2000 gold coins. The bid, coming from Gro, made everyone in the crowd hesitate.

After all, that was a whole 2000 gold coins, enough to forge into a lump of gold and kill a swath of people.

Gro glanced over the crowd, clearly a bit overwhelmed, and allowed himself a smug smile. In his opinion, he had pretty much secured this first Examination Exemption Certificate.

And with nearly 8000 gold coins brought by him this time, given the current situation, if nothing unexpected happened, he would be able to win the remaining two certificates at auction as well. Then, he could use one, discard one, and cling to Richard’s coattails by gifting one.

Gro thought this as the auctioneer began the procedure.

“Lot number 1, a price of 2000 gold coins for the first call! Does anyone have a higher bid?”

The hall was deathly quiet.

“Lot number 1, a price of 2000 gold coins for the second call! Does anyone have a higher bid?”

There was silence in the hall.

“Lot number 1, a price of 2000 gold coins for the thir…” The auctioneer inhaled deeply, about to declare Gro the winner of the bid, but he was suddenly interrupted.

A new bidder raised their number card and called out firmly.

“Lot number 4, 2500 gold coins.”

“Hmm?” Gro was momentarily stunned, as was everyone else in the hall. Richard’s eyebrows arched, and he slightly turned his head to look in the direction of the voice.