Merit points could be sold or bought in black markets in the academy. However, it was sold mainly by commoners seeking wealth to send back to their families, and purchased by noble descendants.
Anyone caught selling their merit points for money, even if it was just a report, would be under scrutiny by the academy itself and would suffer severe punishment if found guilty of such charges.
Instructors. Workers. Noble descendants. Commoners. Everyone obeyed the rules.
So it was within reason for the instructors to allow MidnightFire to keep her position as long as she could pay the fine.
How it was done was none of their business.
"Sold once more, to Miss Bloodberry."
After that, Bloodberry kept on bidding for each item.
Each time someone else tried to outbid her, she would increase her bid by a thousand or two.
It continued like that up to the thirteenth item.
None could outbid her.
Everyone glanced at her while whispering among themselves.
I also subtly glanced at her.
I’d hoped that I could get something from the auction. But if it continues , then I might return empty-handed.
"Now, it’s time to showcase the highlights of the events," Manager Shade said.
He clapped his hands dramatically.
Suddenly, seven display tables appeared, neatly arranged, beside one another in front of him.
He walked to the first table and removed the first red cloth covering the item.
He picked up a red pill with green dots covering its body.
"The first item is Muscle Tempering Pill, a Perfect Grade Two pill, that can be used to increase one’s strength permanently. It’s highly effective for Rank Two Awakeners."
"Rank One Awakeners can also use the pill, but it comes with a risk. Taking it while one’s body is weak can lead to long-term internal body injuries, so it should only be taken after proper preparation has been made. The higher the rank of an awakener, the less effective it becomes."
"The starting bid is 10,000 merit points."
The holographic image of the red pill with green dots in Manager Shade’s hand appeared in front of me.
Dungeons contain many strange flowers and herbs, and other magical materials that can be harvested to craft miraculous pills to aid awakners on their path to ascension.
It could also be used to harm them.
The higher the grade of a pill, the higher the potency. The grade directly correlated to the Rank of an Awakener.
Non-graded pills, which were less effective due to their low potency, were used by ordinary humans.
For instance, a Rank Two Awakener could safely take this pill, while for a Rank One, it posed a serious risk.
It made sense why MidnightFire had decided to sell it rather than consume it herself.
Unlike the structured Classes and the Paths, Alchemy was a profession that was born in response to the world’s current state. In time, other professions rose as well, such as Blacksmiths, Artificers, and many more.
To learn any of these professions, one needed to possess spirit veins to channel mana, making them eligible to become Awakeners as well.
Yet, just as an Awakener trained their skills, mastering a profession demanded steadfast dedication and years of effort.
This often caused one’s skills as an Awakener to stagnate, even as their craft grew stronger.
Only a few were willing to give up their combat abilities to learn these professions, which was why professional artisans were far rarer than Awakeners. Each profession was indispensable.
And because every practitioner was also an Awakener, they were often valued highly than Awakeners depending on their classes or needs.
"11,000 merit points."
Bloodberry placed her bid.
"12,000 merit points."
This time around, another voice echoed immediately, outbidding her by 1,000 merit points.
"12,500 merit points."
"13,000 merit points."
No one was willing to let go of the Muscle Tempering Pill.
Even if they couldn’t utilise it now, they could use it to further increase their strength when they ascended to Rank Two.
Getting it early was a worthwhile investment than buying the same thing outside the academy.
The bid offer continued to increase steadily.
"15,000 merit points."
Everyone turned silent.
Not a single person attempted to outbid her.
I could earn those merit points in just a week and a half if I took the difficult dungeon tasks every day and cut back on my spending.
For someone to be willing to spend this amount of merit points at the start of the auction meant that MidnightFire had a strong backing.
I couldn’t help but wonder if Bloodberry was from the Magus Department.
That was the only way to explain how she had so many merit points to spend.
"15,000 going, twice."
"Sold once more, to Miss Bloodberry."
"The next item is called Heart of a Fallen Oak, as its name implies, is a heart gotten from a Terant magical creature. Brewing it can increase the lifespan of an individual by 5 years."
"The starting bid is 20,000 merit points."
The holographic image of a half piece of heart that resembled as though it was sculptured from wood appeared in front of me.
There was no specification on how many people could drink this after it had been brewed. It might still have its limitations, which, depending on the container, could be used by multiple people.
Any item that could increase one’s lifespan was something that couldn’t be bought, whether it was by a few days, months, or several years, like the one before me.
Most especially, one that could increase the lifespan of multiple individuals by 5 years.
Yet within the Grand Avalon Academy, as long as one has enough merit points, they could purchase it.
Seeing that it was cut in half, it was clear that someone had been smart enough to cut a piece in half and use it for themselves.
I never realised how valuable MidnightFire’s position was until today.
I understood why she would sell these items to retain her position.
In the future, she would surely get more valuable items.
"Don’t even think about it? I also want to get it," miniman said.
Then, he spoke loudly, "21,000 merit points."
"21,900 merit points."
Another person countered, offering a higher bid.
Miniman tightened his fists.
"22,..." Just as miniman was about to complete his words, another voice cut him off, resonating, "25,000 merits."
Fairmoon01! She had finally made a bid.
I turned to Rosybloom0006, who was seated one seat spaced from her. Maybe I was right; she was only here to watch how the auction would play out.
"25,000 going twice."
She hadn’t made a bid yet.
I doubted that she was interested in an item .
Had she finally run out of merit points?
I realised I had spoken too soon.
"30,000 merit points."
Bloodberry increased the offer by 5,000.
"31,000 merit points."
Fairmoon01 countered with her bid.
She didn’t appear to want to lose easily.
"31,500 merit points."
"32,000 merit points."
"TCH!! I can’t believe that I have to let such a good item go again," miniman said, his tone annoyed.
"Most of all, I came with a broke friend, or else we could combine our merit points to buy that and brew the Heart of the Fallen Oak together to drink."
"I knew that there was going to be tough competition, but I never expected it to be that difficult."
Meanwhile, Fairmoon01 and Bloodberry continued to outbid each other.
"34,500 merit points."
Fairmoon placed her bid.
From her tone, it is evident that she was frustrated.
"35,000 merit points."
Bloodberry’s voice was calm as though she was merely placing another bid.
Fairmoon01 became silent.
Once more, what followed next was Manager Shade trying to steer the audience.
But at this point, anyone with half a brain cell knew that Bloodberry was intent on purchasing all of the items on the auction.
It wasn’t even a competition, as long as they weren’t willing to put up all their merit points on the line.
"Sold once more, to Miss Bloodberry."
"The next item is the Brownwater pearl..."
"Sold once more, to Miss Bloodberry."
"The next item is a Silver Fang Tusk..."
Bloodberry bought all seven items.
A few of the guests had angrily raised a bid, doubling it. Since none of them had managed to purchase anything, they could pool their funds together to buy the item, leaving her no chance to acquire it.
It seemed more like a desperate move.
Yet, even when the item reached 60,000 merit points, she bought it.
More and more valuable items, from one-time spell scrolls, crafting materials, and more, regardless of their price, she purchased them.