Chapter 49 - Bidding (1/2)

After Koen had given the sign, the auction officially began. The first lot, which the auctioneer kindly introduced, had already been on the stage.

”Ladies and gentlemen, for the opening, we`ve prepared something really interesting.” Saying this, the man was pointing his cane at a painting completely covered in fabric.

It might have seemed like an unfortunate decision to put the painting on the first lot. Usually the best and most interesting things are always left for the end. Nevertheless, the first lot should show the general mood of the whole auction. A simple painting could not be an attractive enough lot to bring excitement among the auctioneers.

But, it wasn't as simple as it might have seemed at first glance.

Whoosh.

The auctioneer threw the cloth aside and showed everyone what the painting looked like. However, instead of admiration or indignation, people were puzzled. The canvas of the painting was completely blank, moreover, the painting didn't even have a frame, just a white canvas.

The auctioneer immediately proceeded to explain: ”I can see the doubt in your eyes, but don't worry, there's nothing wrong with the painting. It's a very special painting, and it won't appear until you put mana into it. It's a high class painting, and in the paints that were used the powder of ”Azure Stone”. That's what makes it possible to hide the painting until the very end.”

”Before I announce the price, you must remember that the pattern can be anything. You may like it, or you may find it so awful that you will regret your purchase. The starting price for this unusual painting is 100 gold pieces, with a minimum bid of 10 gold pieces. The bidding begins!”

Immediately after the auctioneer's words, many people began shouting out the price and outbidding each other.

”110!”

”120!”

”150!”

Even though the painting was essentially like a pig in a poke, it was unique. Moreover, the unknown has always not only frightened people, but also attracted them. Also 100 or 200 gold pieces was a pretty small amount, which could be called a warm-up before the main part.

”200!” Shouted one man, and the bidding stopped for a while.

The auctioneer was about to close the bid and hand over the painting. But suddenly he said loudly: ”Room 19 - 400 gold coins!” and pointed with his cane to one of the rooms on the first floor.

Obviously, the people sitting in the rooms on three floors could not shout out a price like the other guests. The rooms were very far from the stage, and they were also obstructed by glass. A special mechanism was devised so that the distinguished guests could call out their price.

In every room, without exception, there was a special sphere on a stand by the window. A magician had to touch it, name a number and pour mana into the sphere. After such simple manipulations, the sphere would glow brightly and numbers would appear in the air. Through the wide windows the numbers were easy to see, so as soon as the auctioneer saw them he immediately announced the new price.

The bid of the man in room 19, was large enough to scare away most of the guests. It wasn't that 400 gold coins was an unaffordable sum for them. It was just that the painting and the element of surprise weren't worth that much. For that kind of money, you could buy something more useful and interesting.

Seeing that no one was offering a larger sum, the auctioneer began the countdown.

”400 once!”

”400 two!”

”400 thr...!”

The auctioneer was about to close the bidding on the painting and move on to the next lot. But, suddenly, he raised his cane up and said loudly: ”Room number 4 - 1,000 gold coins!”