The crowd erupted into a standing ovation.

Thousands of hands clapped throughout the Glasco Palace.

The applause rolled through the hall like waves crashing against a shoreline.

Many guests rose from their seats.

Some applauded because they were genuinely impressed.

Some applauded because they had witnessed the birth of an invention that would likely change the Steam-Carriage industry.

Others applauded because they had just watched a young inventor survive the Scholar’s Bombardment without suffering a single defeat.

Of course...

Not everyone looked pleased.

Several representatives from companies and noble families sat quietly in their seats.

Their expressions were stiff.

Their smiles looked forced.

The goal they had entered the event with had completely failed.

Instead of lowering the value of the Phantom Rolls, they had watched its value rise higher and higher with every successful answer Ezra gave.

The bitter feeling left in their hearts was difficult to hide.

Yet even they couldn’t deny reality.

The Phantom Rolls deserved its value.

The invention had proven itself.

Whether they liked it or not.

Meanwhile...

The live chat on the Skynet had completely exploded.

Messages rushed past so quickly that most people couldn’t even read them properly.

The excitement of the online viewers was no different from that of the audience present inside the Glasco Palace.

Lara looked toward Ezra.

A pleased smile appeared on her face.

"Now..."

She waited for the applause to settle.

Gradually...

The noise softened and the cheers lowered.

The atmosphere remained lively, but people became attentive again.

Lara walked back toward the center of the stage while Ezra remained standing beside the Phantom Rolls.

The polished black body of the vehicle reflected the lights hanging from the ceiling.

It almost looked like a noble beast calmly resting after winning a battle.

"Let’s see the latest stock value of the Phantom Rolls."

Lara waved her hand.

Immediately...

A giant holographic screen materialized above the stage.

The crowd instinctively looked upward.

The screen displayed the current market analysis directly from Britannia’s Stock Exchange Network.

Many investors immediately sat straighter.

Several merchants narrowed their eyes.

This was the moment everyone had been waiting for.

As of the last time Ezra and Lucy had checked... 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

The Phantom Rolls had been valued at one thousand Dals.

But that was before the Scholar’s Bombardment.

Before the successful presentation, and before the growing increase in public attention.

Now...

The number began updating.

The chart climbed upward.

Then finally stopped.

Four Thousand Dals.

The hall fell silent.

For a brief moment, nobody spoke.

Then...

Gasps exploded throughout the venue.

Many people widened their eyes.

Others immediately checked their personal devices to confirm the value.

Four thousand Dals.

A four-fold increase.

And all of it happened during a single event.

Even many veteran investors looked shocked.

Such growth was extremely rare.

So much money.

Ezra thought silently.

His expression didn’t change.

Yet his eyes carefully observed the chart.

The arrow showing the market trend continued moving upward little by little.

The value still wasn’t stable.

Meaning people were still buying confidence in the invention.

The sight alone would have made many inventors faint from excitement.

Ezra simply continued watching.

"Wow..."

Lara looked at the screen, even she couldn’t hide her surprise.

"This is genuinely mind-blowing."

She nodded repeatedly, then her expression softened.

"Well..."

She looked toward the audience.

"Everything that begins must eventually come to an end."

Her voice lowered slightly.

The crowd immediately became attentive again, because they knew what came next.

The final stage.

The stage everyone truly came for.

The Auction.

Lara smiled.

Then her professional voice returned.

"Ladies and gentlemen..."

She spread her arms.

"It has reached my ears that today’s audience has become the largest recorded gathering since the famous Circuit Theory presentation that changed Blacksmithing."

The crowd immediately became excited again.

Many older craftsmen remembered that event.

Some even nodded proudly.

"The number of guests physically present inside the Glasco Palace today exceeds six thousand."

She pointed toward the audience.

"And on the Skynet..."

Her smile widened.

"We currently have more than nine hundred thousand live viewers."

The hall erupted once more.

Cheers followed immediately.

The orchestra began playing a lively melody.

The atmosphere became festive.

Many audience members smiled proudly.

They knew they were witnessing a historic event.

"Now..."

Lara slowly turned toward the Phantom Rolls.

"Let’s move to the main event."

She pointed directly at the invention.

The black body of the vehicle seemed to shine even brighter under the stage lights.

"I’m sure all of you noble families, merchants, investors, and company representatives have been waiting patiently for this final program."

She laughed softly.

"As the Auction rules have always stated..."

Lara pointed toward Ezra.

"The winner shall be the individual or organization capable of presenting the most appealing offer to the young inventor himself."

Another burst of stage fireworks exploded behind her.

The audience cheered loudly.

The excitement reached another level.

"Le..."

Lara was just about to officially begin the Auction.

"Sorry."

Ezra suddenly interrupted.

The entire hall paused.

Lara blinked.

The crowd also looked confused.

Ezra rarely spoke unless necessary.

For him to interrupt now meant something important.

"Please allow me to point something out."

His voice remained calm.

Lara tilted her head.

"What is it, young inventor?"

She asked.

Ezra looked toward the second floor.

Toward the representatives.

Toward the noble families.

Toward the companies.

Then he spoke.

"I will not be accepting any contract-based offers."

The words landed heavily.

Many people frowned immediately.

Ezra continued unbothered.

"Even if the contract appears more attractive than other offers."

His gaze remained calm.

"I will not accept it."

Then he delivered the true bombshell.

"I will be selling the rights to my invention to the highest bidder."

Silence.

Complete silence.

The entire Glasco Palace froze.

For one second.

Two seconds.

Then...

"What?!"

The reaction exploded almost instantly.

Voices rose from both the second floor and the main floor.

Many guests stared at Ezra as if they had just heard something completely absurd.

Several representatives couldn’t even hide their shock.

Some leaned forward in their seats.

Others exchanged confused looks.

A few investors even lowered their bidding boards to properly process what Ezra had just said.

They simply couldn’t understand it.

Why would he willingly throw away an opportunity that countless inventors dreamed of obtaining?

Too many people present...

A contract with a major company was worth far more than immediate money.

It meant influence.

Connections.

Resources.

Protection and Future opportunities.

A contract could turn a nobody into an important figure within Britannia’s industrial world.

That was why so many people couldn’t understand Ezra’s choice.

Although...

Many of them also understood one thing.

Ezra couldn’t accept a contract from another Noble Family.

Not openly.

As a member of the Duke House of Ashenlocke, even if he was only a Lowline, there were still restrictions attached to his status.

Joining another noble faction without permission would create political complications.

That much was obvious.

Because of that...

Most people believed the smartest path available to him was joining one of Britannia’s major industries.

A powerful Steam-Carriage company.

A manufacturing giant.

A transportation corporation.

Something capable of elevating his status.

Such a partnership wouldn’t only grant him wealth.

It would also increase his standing within the Ashenlocke Family.

It would allow him to build influence.

Build relationships.

Build a future.

Yet...

He had rejected all of it.

Instead...

He planned to sell the complete rights to the highest bidder.

The more they thought about it...

The crazier it sounded.

Is this kid insane?

The thought appeared in many people’s minds.

Even Lara couldn’t stop herself from frowning slightly.

Her eyes remained fixed on Ezra.

Are you crazy?

She genuinely wanted to ask.

As a broadcaster, she had witnessed countless inventors.

Some were brilliant.

Some were greedy.

Some were arrogant.

But this was the first time she had seen someone willingly reject the path everyone else desperately fought to obtain.

Yet...

Ezra completely ignored her stare.

His expression remained unchanged.

His black eyes remained calm.

As though the entire hall wasn’t currently questioning his decision.

As though he hadn’t just shocked thousands of people.

Whispers immediately spread throughout the Glasco Palace.

The second floor became noisy.

The main floor became noisy.

Even the Skynet live chat exploded.

Messages flooded the screen so quickly that they became impossible to read.

***

"He’s crazy."

Joseph274

"He should sign a contract."

Green_Alchemist

"That’s a terrible decision."

Stark_Drake

"No, that’s actually smart."

Flame_00

"What is he planning?"

Bnc_Loyal

"He’s throwing away his future."

Lord_111

"Maybe he already has a backer."

Scholar_Percy

"Shut up! I’m sure he knows what his doing guys"

Gena_0977

***

Every opinion imaginable appeared.

People argued.

Debated.

Questioned and criticized.

But despite all the theories being thrown around...

No one truly understood what Ezra was thinking.

Only Ezra himself knew.

Because his goal had never aligned with becoming attached to an industry.

What he wanted...

Was something else entirely.

"Is that really okay with you?"

Lara finally asked.

Her voice softened slightly.

The look she gave Ezra carried a silent attempt at persuasion.

Even now...

She hoped he would change his mind.

At least reconsider.

At least think about it one more time.

Yet Ezra’s answer came immediately.

"Yes."

Firm.

Direct and unwavering.

There wasn’t even the slightest hesitation.

Lara stared at him for several seconds.

Then she sighed helplessly, because she knew there was no changing his mind.

Inside one of the VIP rooms...

Park couldn’t help laughing.

Several executives of the BNC Group beside him laughed as well.

Even the Duke of Galehart showed an amused smile.

"That kid is quite smart."

The Duke smirked while watching the holographic screen displaying Ezra.

Park nodded in agreement.

The executives also smiled knowingly.

Unlike the audience outside...

They understood exactly why Ezra was doing this.

The immediate profit from selling the rights would likely surpass what most companies would initially offer him through contracts.

More importantly...

It gave him freedom.

With no obligations.

No restrictions, and no chains.

Meanwhile...

A cold voice sounded inside the room.

"I don’t know whether to call him smart or stupid, Father."

Elena crossed her legs.

Her expression remained displeased.

The Duke simply chuckled.

Before he could reply....

Selena spoke.

"Elena, you’re being too harsh."

Her voice remained soft and gentle.

Yet firm.

"I’m sure he has a reason."

She looked toward the holographic image of Ezra.

Then toward the executives.

"And I’m sure all of you already know what that reason is."

Her words caused several executives to smile.

The Duke nodded slightly.

Park laughed again.

Only Elena remained stubborn.

"Humph." She folded her arms. "I don’t care. He’s still an idiot."

She looked away briefly.

Yet moments later...

Her gaze quietly returned to the stage.

To the star of the event.

Back on the stage...

Lara exhaled slowly, then she straightened herself.

Her professional smile returned.

"Alright."

If the inventor himself had already made his decision...

There was nothing left to discuss.

She raised her arm.

"Then let the Auction begin!"

The crowd immediately erupted.

The atmosphere changed.

The confusion from earlier began transforming into excitement.

Because regardless of what they thought about Ezra’s decision...

One fact remained.

The Phantom Rolls was now available.

And everyone wanted it.

This time...

Every participant interested in bidding had already completed registration through the BNC site before the event.

As part of the Auction process, each registered bidder had been given a small electronic display board.

The purpose was simple.

Raise the board.

Submit a bid.

Fight for the rights.

Lara pointed toward the Phantom Rolls standing proudly beneath the lights.

"The starting price..."

She paused.

Allowing anticipation to build.

"...will begin at Four Thousand Dals."

Immediately...

Dozens of boards shot upward.

The movement looked like a giant wave rising from the sea.

Rows upon rows of hands lifted into the air.

The sight stunned many spectators.

Perhaps it was because Ezra had eliminated contract negotiations entirely.

Perhaps it was because every company now believed they had a fair chance.

Perhaps it was because greed had taken over.

Whatever the reason...

The battle had officially begun.

Or at least...

That was what everyone thought.

Because very soon...

They would discover that this Auction was about to become far more brutal than they imagined.

"Se-Seven Thousand Dals!!"

Lara’s voice echoed through the entire Glasco Palace through the amplification array connected to her microphone.

The shock caused by Ezra’s earlier decision was gradually being replaced by something even more exciting.

Competition.

Pure competition.

The kind that made merchants nervous, investors sweat, and businessmen throw caution aside.

"Seven Thousand Dals from Silver Wheels!"

Lara announced loudly.

Her eyes swept across both floors of the hall.

Immediately...

Another bidding board rose.

Then another.

Then another again.

Almost twenty boards shot upward nearly at the same time.

The sight caused many spectators to gasp.

It was as though everyone had suddenly gone mad.

"Eight Thousand and Five Hundred Dals from Bremer and Steels!"

Lara announced.

The number immediately caused another wave of whispers to spread through the audience.

Rena sat elegantly in her seat.

Her legs remained crossed.

Her arms rested calmly against the armrests.

Compared to the nervous representatives around her, she looked completely relaxed.

She glanced toward the stage.

Toward Ezra.

Ezra also happened to be looking in her direction.

His expression remained as blank as ever.

Rena smiled, then she winked.

Ezra simply stared back expressionlessly.

Not a single reaction appeared on his face.

The corner of Rena’s lips twitched.

This child really doesn’t react to anything.

Before anyone could dwell on it...

Another board rose.

Then another.

Then a whole flourish of boards appeared again.

"Nine Thousand and One Hundred Dals!"

Lara nearly shouted.

Even she was getting carried away by the atmosphere.

"We are about to hit Ten Thousand Dals!"

She pointed dramatically toward the second floor.

"The battle is becoming intense!"

The audience erupted with excitement.

Many people who had only come to watch the event found themselves unconsciously clenching their fists.

The atmosphere was simply too infectious.

Meanwhile...

On the second floor.

"Everyone is really going all out."

A representative from Silver Wheels clicked his tongue.

His eyes remained fixed on the bidding boards.

The amount had already exceeded what many of them expected.

"Contact the Executive Board immediately."

A representative from another major company spoke sharply.

His expression had become serious.

"We have to obtain the rights to this invention no matter what."

Several assistants immediately took out their Zphones and began making calls.

Meanwhile...

A representative from The Eclipse frowned.

His gaze swept across the competing bidders.

"Can’t these people who have nothing to do with Steam-Carriage production mind their own business?"

He sounded visibly annoyed.

Originally, they expected competition from other carriage companies.

But now...

Noble families were participating.

Merchants were participating.

Investors were participating.

Even industrial groups unrelated to transportation were joining the fight.

Everyone could see the value hidden behind the Phantom Rolls and everyone wanted a piece of it.

"Nine Thousand One Hundred Going!"

Lara raised her hand dramatically.

The entire hall watched her.

A board suddenly rose.

"Nine Thousand Two Hundred Dals fro..."

Before she could finish speaking...

Another board appeared.

Rena had raised hers again.

"Nine Thousand Five Hundred Dals from Bremer and Steels!"

Lara announced brightly.

At this point, she was clearly enjoying herself.

The excitement on her face couldn’t even be hidden anymore.

"Mrs. Rena..."

Anderson forced a smile onto his face.

"Why are you doing this?"

His voice carried a trace of helplessness.

Rena turned toward him.

"I want the rights."

She replied with a smile.

The answer was straightforward.

Simple and brutal.

Anderson’s expression stiffened.

Meanwhile...

Rena’s husband leaned slightly closer.

"Shouldn’t we leave the bidding to industries actually involved in the field?"

He spoke casually.

As if making a reasonable suggestion.

Rena slowly turned her head.

Her eyes landed on him.

Silence.

A few seconds passed.

Her husband immediately turned away.

"Ahem. Never mind."

He pretended to look elsewhere.

Several nearby representatives couldn’t stop themselves from laughing quietly.

Even Rena’s smile widened slightly.

Back on stage...

"Going..."

Lara dragged out the words.

"Going..."

The suspense immediately rose.

The entire hall became quiet.

Many people held their breaths.

Then...

A board suddenly rose from one of the most anticipated sections.

The representatives of The Eclipse.

Lara’s eyes widened.

"TEN THOUSAND DALS!!!"

Her voice exploded throughout the hall.

The crowd instantly erupted.

The cheers became deafening.

"Ten Thousand Dals from The Eclipse!"

The name alone caused another wave of discussion.

The Eclipse.

One of Britannia’s largest industrial powers.

A company capable of spending such an amount without blinking.

Many smaller competitors immediately lowered their boards.

The number had already exceeded what they could reasonably justify.

"Ten Thousand..."

Lara repeated.

Even she looked amazed.

The value of the Phantom Rolls had reached a completely different level.

The representatives of The Eclipse finally relaxed slightly.

Many of them released breaths they hadn’t realized they were holding.

Several executives exchanged confident smiles.

Surely...

No one would continue now.

Ten Thousand Dals wasn’t a small amount.

Even some noble families would hesitate before spending such a figure on an invention and that’s for nobles at the High-Ember status rank and above, to other lower rank nobles, that was a bank breaker for them.

"Is this the end?"

Lara looked around dramatically.

Her gaze moved from the second floor...

To the VIP rooms...

Then back to the audience.

Many people who wanted to participate had already given up.

Some lowered their heads.

Some sighed.

Others simply watched quietly.

The battlefield seemed to have finally found its victor.

"Ten Thousand Going..."

Lara raised her voice.

The tension inside the hall became almost tangible.

"Going..."

She slowly looked around again.

"People..."

Her smile widened.

"Is there truly no one with another bid?"

The suspense hung heavily in the air.

The representatives of The Eclipse clenched their fists.

Several executives sat at the edge of their seats.

Everyone waited.

Waiting for Lara to finally bring down the hammer.

Waiting for the Auction to end.

Waiting for the Phantom Rolls to become theirs.

Or so they thought.