The Frugal Mage-Chapter 132: The Auctioned Item

Three days later, as Rayven finalized preparations for his mayonnaise business, sealing the first batches, arranging labels, and negotiating with grocers, a knock came at his door.

It was Rennard, informing him about a messenger from the Aurora Auction Hall outside the estate. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Rayven’s eyes lit up. He immediately thanked Rennard and went out to meet the messenger.

The man was dressed in a dark blue uniform bearing the hall’s golden emblem.

The sight immediately piqued Rayven’s interest. It had been more than a month since he consigned an old relic there. It was the cracked, half-deciphered slab of stone covered in faint markings.

[ Item: Fragmented Spell Rune Slab ]

[ Rarity: ??? ]

[ Status: Incomplete - Damaged Record ]

[ Description: An ancient slab that contains remnants of a Spell Rune once used by Archmage Kai the Twilight Binder, a Tier 5 Mage. It is protected by lingering Soul Energy. Only 70% of the rune sequence has survived, while the rest has eroded over time. The existing sequence could still be activated to form a working spell, but its incompleteness introduces instability and severe negative side effects. ]

[ Warning: Attempting to reconstruct the missing portions without sufficient knowledge of Ancient Rune Theory may result in spell corruption. ]

[ Estimated Market Value: Unknown ]

It seemed very valuable, but in the end, he didn’t need Spell Runes to cast Spells at all. It was basically useless to him. He doesn’t even have mana to begin with.

’I wonder how much I earned this time...’ Rayven thought as he looked at the smiling man outside the estate.

The messenger then bowed politely and handed him a sealed envelope.

"Sir Rayven, Manager Darius asked me to deliver this personally. The consigned item has been sold."

Rayven’s eyes lit up as he accepted the letter. He then confirmed that the wax bore the Aurora Auction Hall’s emblem, an open eye surrounded by radiant lines.

’It’s really been sold... Finally.’

He tore it open and quickly read the contents.

The first part was some greetings from the Manager and how he explained how he worked hard on this matter to be sold at a high price...

After a few more words, he finally got to the point.

Final Bid: 2,300 Gold ]

Buyer: Tier 5 Mage - Confidential ]

Auction Fee: 3% ]

Amount to be collected: 2,231 Gold ]

Rayven blinked, reread the number twice and smiled

"Two thousand... two hundred thirty-one gold. Just a sixty-nine gold fee..." Rayven paused.

’Seriously... Finding treasure might still be the best.’ Rayven thought, though he knew it wouldn’t be easy. After all, hidden treasures weren’t something he’d always find lying around untouched or unappreciated by others.

Nonetheless, that was no small sum, more than what most merchant families earned in a year.

He had expected a good price, but not this much.

Apparently, a Tier 5 Mage had taken interest in the relic, perhaps seeing in it a challenge or a missing piece of some ancient research.

’Amazing...’

A Tier 5 Mage was called an Archmage.

He already knew about these tiers. The first tier or Initiate Mage, Adept Mage, Arcanist, Exemplar, Archmage, and for the sixth tier, the Grand Magus. If there was something higher than that, he didn’t know.

’I wonder if Ardania knew about this Tier 5.’ Rayven couldn’t help but think about this.

Ardania was the only Tier 5 Mage he knew and he couldn’t help but feel that their population wasn’t big. Because of that, these Tier 5 should be aware of each other’s existence at some point.

Nonetheless, it didn’t take that long before Rayven made his way to the bustling district of the Central Region of the City, where the Auction Hall was located.

Just like before, the lobby was in pristine condition. It was grand as ever with its chandeliers that could attract customers.

Manager Darius, a dignified man with graying hair, met him personally in one of the private transaction rooms.

"Congratulations, Mister Rayven..." Darius said while sliding a document across the table. "Your item has fetched quite the attention. We had six Mages bidding for it before the final offer came."

Rayven’s eyes turned over the contract, confirming the numbers. "It’s really a Tier 5 Mage, huh? I suppose the relic finally found its proper owner."

"Indeed. The buyer requested anonymity, as most of that level prefer. But I assure you, payment was verified and transferred in full. After our standard 3% auction fee, your total balance comes to 2,231 gold."

Darius motioned to a clerk, who placed a heavy wooden coffer on the table. Inside shone stacks of gold coins neatly arranged.

Rayven nodded approvingly while counting a few stacks for formality. "It’s perfect."

"Would you like us to store the amount in your bank account? We can help you with the depositing process... or maybe you need an escort to send it to your place?"

There was no way Rayven could carry this much gold safely.

"I’ll take care of it..." Rayven replied.

Darius just nodded at this, unsure of what he meant.

Nonetheless, after completing the paperwork, Darius turned to Rayven again. "To be frank, I was surprised when you first brought that slab. Most appraisers thought it was too damaged to fetch a value. But your patience was wise, it allowed us to find the right buyer."

Rayven smiled since he knew that even his System’s Appraisal had a hard time knowing its true rarity, he knew that only higher-tiered mages could appreciate it...

"Sometimes, rare things need time to attract the right fool... or genius."

Darius chuckled. "Either way, fortune favors you once again, Mister Rayven."

"Thank you... But can you leave me here for a bit? I just want to check my gold coins again. I’ll leave after I’m done." Rayven said.

Needless to say, he wasn’t here to count the coins or enjoy it. He just wanted to deposit them all in his Coinbound System!

Darius, on the other hand, didn’t think too much it.

"Very well... You can take your time, Sir Rayven."