Chapter 50 The Essence of Investment (2)
Clayo was still wearing his pajamas when he ran towards the balcony, barefoot. He looked down and spotted Dione, who was crossing the garden and shouted at her.
“Lady Dione! Before our departure, would you please get some items for me?”
“Why did you have to run so fast?! Be aware of your manners as a gentleman at all times, young master! Anyway, just tell me what you wanted, and I’ll get those items for you!”
Dione scolded, but there was a smile on her face when she looked up towards the second floor and saw Clayo full of life.
“Please get me Mana Opal Stone and Lira’s string, one that was made from gold sand of time!”
“Oh, I think we have all of them in our warehouse. How did you know we have those things in our inventory?”
“It’s only a coincidence. Oh, before I forget, one more thing. Kindly bring me the auction guide and rules for sellers as well.”
***
If Colpos was known as the hub of trade in the western end of the capital, Novantes was likewise acknowledged as the resort town at the southern end.
As such, after confirming that they accepted the invitation, Clayo and Dione hurriedly prepared themselves for the trip. Fortunately, it didn’t take a long time for them to pack up. So, as soon as they received the reply from the other side, they left for Novantes and managed to arrive a full three days before the party started.
There, they saw a resort town with numerous yachts anchored along the bay of Saeparan. And they could see the De Nege Hotel on the slanting White House hill from the train station.
Dione, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, praised the scenery as she looked out of the car’s window. It was unlike Clayo, whose eyes didn’t register the view as he focused on the plans he had.
As soon as they got off from the train, Clayo hurriedly ran to the branch of Trinity Auction House located near the station. And he had to hurry since the train was delayed for one hour, so he had no idea if he was late for the auction or not.
At this time, he couldn’t help but think to himself that the few weeks of running around the school every day was worth it; since he was able to arrive at the auction house quickly.
Breathless, he immediately bought tickets and sat at the back table of the auction house. Fortunately, the auction had not started yet.
I’m not late!
Meanwhile, Dione, who walked as fast as a snail due to her elegant shoes, followed him into the auction house about ten minutes later. And she didn’t look pleased in the slightest.
“Young master, do tell me the reason why you abandon the summer party and choose to come here instead?”
“I’m sorry, but this is important.”
While they talked, the person who was in charge of hosting the auction delivered a lot of witty jokes and weather stories to the guests before the auction started. And because of his action, the rather solemn atmosphere the place changed and replaced with a mirthful ambiance.
In the meantime, while the other guests were entertained, Clayo was the only person staring at the podium attentively with a burning spirit.
“… Then, I’ll put the first item up for auction! It’s a great ornament that is suitable to decorate your garden with its ruined appearance, and surely it will add an archaic ambiance to the garden! It is an ancient item that was discovered and excavated from the sea of the Centrum Continent. The starting bid is at 1000 dinars.” The host explained, throwing in some persuasion to attract bidders.
On the highlighted platform, the item displayed looked like a stone collection. With just a glance, it was apparent that it was an antique with unknown age. However, Clayo was unsure whether it was the item he was anticipating, as only one-third of the top of this item was shaped like a lira. And the bottom part was merely a lump of limestone that one glance seemed to be irremovable.
Hence, it did not appear to be the correct collection item he was aiming for at first glance.
But the unknown antique item that opened the auction to set the general mood before the main items appeared seemed to fit with what he had read. So, Clayo scrutinized the item on the platform carefully to check whether it was the item he knew from the novel. While he was doing that, a dazzling golden letter suddenly flashed in front of his mind.
[― The function of Promise’s second stage: [Understanding] was available.]
[Lira of Terskore]
― An artifact
*Restoration is required.]
That’s it! That’s the item for sure. Jeongjin thought triumphantly.
Understanding, the function of Promise’s second stage was quite useful. Furthermore, it was gratifying to know that the information of the Mado item, as well as the manner of restoring it, was also available to peruse.
While Clayo was still in the midst of being impressed, most of the people in the auction were chatting and drinking their champagne. They didn’t even cast a glance at the auctioned item on the stage, deeming it unimportant.
“I’m afraid there’s nothing noteworthy this year.”
“I saw the catalog for this auction. Among the list of the items, there are a lot of malachite tables available today. So, won’t the other items be neglected in favor of it?”
“But Mrs. Silleum, someone who likes objects coming from ruins, always exists.”
But of course, no one is going to bid 10,000 dinars for the item before us.
Listening to the people’s conversation, Clayo was sure that no one would outbid him. However, he was still careful in choosing the timing to lift his license plate to bid. As such, he opted to observe for the moment as the bidding price slowly went up.
“3,680 dinars. Number 21, 3,680 dinars. Do we have any higher bids?”
Clayo noticed the person holding No. 11 was talking with his companion. And that person looked like he was going to ask for some money to borrow from his companion. Following him, No. 67 had just turned the license plate upside down. From all these, Clayo could infer that this moment must be his best chance to bid and win that item.
Thus, without further hesitation, he picked up his license plate.
“10,000 dinars!”
“Oh, there’s a customer with a high taste. Yes, 10,000 dinars. No. 82 has bid 10,000 dinars!” The host exclaimed with great fanfare. It seemed he was trying to rouse other people’s interests.
Meanwhile, the gazes of the surrounding tables gathered on Clayo’s table with slight interest and ridicule. Because they never expected that someone would spend a considerable amount of 10,000 dinars for such an old ‘garbage’. And what was even funnier to them was to see the person holding the number 82 license plate was nothing but a young student.
“Lira Sculpture is sold at 10,000 towards the gentleman with No. 82 plate!” The host, seeing no one would be interested in bidding anymore, announced with great aplomb.
Then, hearty laughter broke out from the audience. And Clayo even heard some of them joked with each other about how an ignorant child was overcharged or that the child is way too gullible to pay for something that’s obviously exorbitant.
Heh, I wonder what they’ll look like the day after tomorrow when I’m done restoring this item and resell it at a sky-high price.
Clayo didn’t care about the demoralizing jeering directed to him. He was delighted to achieve his aim. Dione, accompanying him, also ignored the ridicule directed their way. She merely focused on discreetly observing Clayo, having a hunch that the boy beside her had a plan for the item.