The chances of success... they're too low!
"Alright." Arthur shook the bell again, instructing Bunian to bring out several books and place them on the wooden stump in the center. He then introduced them, "The witchcraft I practice originates from Wizard Donna, from hundreds of years ago. I specialize in the gravity and life series, as well as potion crafting."
"These books cover the basics of the gravity series. Among them, 'Exploration of the Stars' was personally written by Wizard Donna. Even putting aside the mystical knowledge within, it's quite valuable just as a collector's item."
"The starting price is five Magic Stones!"
Gravity witchcraft doesn't belong to the Natural School but to the Star School. However, it's very different from astrology. This branch of witchcraft prioritizes control and usually lacks lethality. That's why Wizards of this school often study other types of witchcraft as well.
"Five and a half Magic Stones!"
After all, this was mystical knowledge personally written by an Official Wizard, so the bidding quickly reached ten Magic Stones. But beyond that point, the price struggled to increase.
It eventually sold for eleven and a half Magic Stones.
"Zero-Circle Magic—Blood Summoning. It's a life series witchcraft that can control an opponent's blood flow, completely dominating beings below the Knight level. Even a Basic-level Wizard Apprentice can easily kill several Peak Knight Attendants with it."
"Starting price, three Magic Stones."
Carl's gaze flickered.
Three Magic Stones certainly wasn't expensive, but this magic was of little use against Knights or Great Knights with their robust physiques. Or rather, it wasn't very useful. Furthermore, many Wizard Apprentices already knew this magic, so there was no need to compete for it here.
In the end, it sold for five Magic Stones.
Witchcraft, since it can be copied indefinitely, rarely sells for a high price unless it's part of a complete inheritance. Demonized Items, however, are different.
One item after another was auctioned off. Knowledge, books, materials, Potions, Demonized Items, and witchcraft inheritances occasionally stirred excitement. Every Advanced Wizard Apprentice had accumulated a great deal of knowledge and wealth. This was especially true for those like Arthur, who had lived for seventy or eighty years; their accumulations far surpassed those of younger apprentices.
Carl also acquired two Potion recipes: one was 'Robustness Potion,' which enhanced skin resistance, and the other was 'Cold-Resist Meat,' which helped one withstand severe cold.
The total price was six Magic Stones.
Mainly, not many Pharmacists were participating in the auction, and even fewer were willing to spend money on recipes, so he faced little competition.
"Mr. Karl," Bunian approached as the auction was about to conclude and said quietly, "Please wait a moment when it's over; don't leave just yet."
Oil lamps lit the wooden cabin, their light flickering. The simple furnishings made the moderately sized room feel very cozy.
Arthur, leaning on a cane, was helped by Bunian to sit down. He did so shakily, his forehead glistening with a layer of cold sweat.
"Mr. Karl," he let out a long sigh and said slowly, "Sorry to have kept you waiting."
"It's no trouble," Carl replied. "Elder Arthur, you don't look well."
Just from hosting an auction, he looked as if he had undertaken strenuous exercise, showing clear signs of fatigue.
"'Not well?'" Arthur gave a wry smile, a hint of sorrow flashing in his eyes. However, he shook his head without elaborating and changed the subject. "Adolf and I were friends, and you're friends with Bunian. So, there are some things I don't mind selling to you. It's better than selling them to an outsider."
Carl's expression grew serious. This was precisely why he had stayed. However, while Arthur's words sounded pleasant, what truly mattered was the final price. As the inheritor of Adolf's legacy, and a Pharmacist and Alchemist himself, Carl possessed some wealth. That was the key reason he was asked to stay behind alone.
Arthur said, "I possess two inheritances: one is the gravity series' 'Gravity Burst,' and the other is the life series' 'Life Plunder.' I've already promised 'Life Plunder' to an old friend, and I can't give you the complete 'Gravity Burst' inheritance either."
Carl's expression remained unchanged. It was customary not to pass on such core inheritances; otherwise, they could have fetched a better price at auction. He didn't have any extravagant hopes. Besides, although he had accumulated some Magic Stones, affording a complete inheritance was still beyond his means.
"'Zero-Circle Magic—Gravity Distortion, priced at six Magic Stones. And a Demonized Item—Meteorite Ball, which is enchanted to control gravity. The stronger your spiritual power, the larger its area of influence. It's priced at twenty Magic Stones," Arthur stated. "That's twenty-six Magic Stones in total. Non-negotiable!"
As he spoke, he placed a book and a dusty-looking stone on the table, gesturing for Carl to inspect them.
Twenty-six Magic Stones?
Carl's eyes flickered. He first picked up the stone from the table to examine it. It was a meteorite imbued with Magic Power that had been enchanted with witchcraft. Its Tier was very high. At least, he couldn't refine something with his current abilities. Once activated, it could alter the gravitational force in the surrounding area, either doubling or halving it. When paired with a Lesser Force Field spell, its power would be even greater.
As for Gravity Distortion, it was a type of gravity witchcraft that could pull distant objects closer or repel nearby ones. Used skillfully, it could produce surprisingly ingenious effects.
After a moment, Carl winced slightly, a pained expression on his face. "I'll take it!"
Arthur's face lit up with a smile.
"Elder," Carl began as he took out the Magic Stones for the transaction, asking casually, "you've seen many patients. Have you ever encountered a situation where a patient has a strange consciousness within their body—one that distorts their physical form and will, and could even potentially contaminate those who come into contact with them?"
Dragon King Zimorman's body exhibited precisely these symptoms.
"Yes, I have," Arthur nodded.