Ch.28Auction House (2)

Ruide considered Irene Windsor a lunatic because her actions were completely unpredictable.

Like right now.

The reason Irene suddenly attacked him was…

“I was worried.”

She was concerned.

Whether his barrier was strong enough, whether it worked properly.

That’s what she was testing.

“How are you going to survive in the Institute if you’re this weak?”

“I think I’d live just fine if it weren’t for you, sister.”

Irene responded with a deep smile.

“Are you talking back?”

“Not at all.”

Ruide answered immediately. Then, with a disapproving look, he crossed his arms and asked.

“So, why are you here?”

Irene stepped closer and stroked Ruide’s head. She caressed his cheek and gently lifted his chin with her thumb, forcing him to meet her eyes.

“I missed you.”

But Ruide knew better. This lunatic never acted without a purpose.

After staring at her intently, Irene finally answered at her own pace.

“Father wants the crystal ball containing your footage. And while I was at it, I came to see my little brother too.”

‘So that’s her objective.’

Ruide let out a faint sigh.

Irene’s eyes met with Hersy, who was trembling beside Ruide.

“Is this your new friend?”

“Yes.”

“She’s cute. Reminds me of your childhood friend from the North. My brother’s taste is consistent.”

Honestly, Hersy was terrified of Irene.

The atmosphere was frightening. Her voice was gentle, and her expression was smiling, but…

…just looking at her gave Hersy a chilling sensation in her throat.

But failing to maintain proper etiquette out of fear would be unbecoming of a noble. She answered as politely as possible.

“Thank you… It’s an honor to meet you. My name is Hersy Minerva. I’d love to meet Ruide’s childhood friend from the North if I ever get the chance.”

Irene nodded.

“You both have white, fluffy fur, so you’ll get along quickly.”

“…Sister.”

Ruide glared at Irene.

“I meant a human female friend, not that kind of friend. Does Hersy look like an arctic fox to you?”

Irene slowly turned her head to look at Ruide.

A strange light flickered in her emotionless pupils.

“So she’s not a pet.”

Irene realized her misunderstanding.

Only a Windsor could be equal to a Windsor. The only one who could compare was perhaps the Emperor.

That’s why she couldn’t imagine a friend in the sense of an equal. After all, Ruide would call even magical beasts his friends.

There was no malice in her assumption.

“I apologize. My brother’s friend. Your name was…”

Irene had just heard the name but couldn’t remember it.

Ruide helped her out.

“Hersy.”

“Hersy.”

Irene smiled brightly. She also patted Hersy’s head.

“Take care.”

“H-hiccup.”

Hersy hiccupped. Irene paid no attention to it and looked back at Ruide.

“Where’s Amelia?”

“I don’t know. Probably wherever the fencing club people are.”

“Where’s that?”

“…You attended the Academy too, so you should know.”

Irene slowly shook her head.

“I was expelled after just one day.”

“…Expelled?”

This was news even to Ruide. Irene continued with her smiling face, blinking her eyes.

She stared silently for a long while.

Ruide waited without saying anything. Finally, Irene spoke.

“Do you really want to know?”

“…No.”

Ruide shook his head with disgust.

“That’s good. Well then, see you later, Rui.”

Irene slowly walked away.

Hersy, who had been frozen in place, belatedly tried to bow goodbye.

But by then—she had already disappeared.

“Ugh.”

Hersy collapsed to the floor. Cold sweat trickled down her skin.

‘So that’s… the Windsor heir.’

Hersy gulped nervously.

‘If I marry Ruide someday… I’ll have to follow such a terrifying person.’

Hersy was already worrying about unnecessary things.

**

The Institute’s auction house “Mediaevali” operated in a unique way.

It would only open when at least five items of significant value had accumulated, and entry was impossible for non-nobles from the start.

But not all nobles could enter Mediaevali either. One had to prove they had sufficient funds to purchase items from this auction house.

Ruide headed to the counter with Hersy.

“Oh my.”

The staff member helping with identity verification noticed the two wearing Academy uniforms.

On one side was an extremely cute little boy, and on the other was a slightly taller but equally adorable young lady.

Both of them exuded such elegance that anyone could tell at a glance they were children of high nobility.

With a bright eye-smile, she greeted them politely.

“Welcome to Mediaevali, handsome young sir and lovely young lady. Is it just the two of you?”

“Yes!”

Hersy answered brightly.

“I humbly inform you that only carefully selected individuals may enter Mediaevali. Do you have something to prove your identity?”

Hersy took out the Minerva family crest from her pocket.

“Hersy Minerva, eldest daughter of House Minerva.”

Ruide simply stated one word.

“Windsor.”

That was sufficient proof of Ruide’s identity. No fool would impersonate a Windsor, and his brilliant golden hair and clear blue eyes were evidence enough.

The staff member bowed deeply to show respect, then handed them two silver bracelets.

“These bracelets have perception-inhibiting magic. They also serve as proof that you are guests of Mediaevali. Please be careful not to lose them, as that would cause trouble!”

Ruide nodded slightly and put on the bracelet.

…It was loose, probably because his wrist was thin. Ruide narrowed his eyes and used magic to reduce its size.

‘These nobles really love gold, don’t they?’

Ruide looked around as he entered the auction house with Hersy. Red and gold seemed to be symbolic colors of nobility, as they were attached to everything.

“Is this your first time at Mediaevali, Ruide?”

“Yes.”

Today’s visit to the auction house was at the Chancellor’s suggestion. To avoid gossip about casually transferring Rak’s Orb, he advised Ruide to sell it through auction. That would be cleaner.

The Chancellor said he would pay whatever the winning bid amount was. Ruide didn’t think the Chancellor, money-loving as he might be, would try to swindle money from an Academy student.

“Since we’re here, should we buy something?”

“Oh, then let’s get a catalog over there.”

“No need. It’s boring if you see everything in advance.”

“Is that so?”

“It’s less boring if there’s some anticipation about what’s coming next.”

Ruide sat down in any general seat in the auction house.

The bracelet on his wrist indicated a VIP seat, but he was worried about possibly encountering Irene.

Irene was much stricter than she appeared and would scold him if his etiquette was even slightly off.

Despite pretending to be strict, she was completely different from the ditzy Amelia. Irene would genuinely scold him.

“By the way, what are you looking for, Ruide?”

“…I don’t know. Maybe some bedding material if they have any.”

“B-bedding?”

“Phoenix feathers are too bright to use as bedding.”

In truth, Ruide didn’t feel the need for a blanket. He could release mana to create a thick layer and drape it over his body for warmth.

Ruide reclined halfway in his chair and asked.

“Is there anything you want to buy, Hersy?”

“…Ahem. The recording of Ruide’s demonstration. I want to try bidding for it.”

“Why? You’ve already seen it in person.”

Hersy subtly averted her gaze.

“Just… reasons.”

-Thank you for visiting Mediaevali today. We will now begin the auction.

A woman’s voice filled the auction house. It was the same woman who had checked their identities earlier.

‘She’s diligent.’

The auctioneer was the host. She seemed to be Baroness Carolina Vali, the owner of Mediaevali. For someone of her position to handle such menial tasks…

‘The rich are rich for a reason.’

He respected hardworking people.

-The first item is “Rene’s Heart,” an artifact. It forms a protective barrier against hostile magic, or amplifies a mage’s magical power to cast powerful spells…

One of Ruide’s eyes turned blue. It was to determine the magical value of that artifact.

“What? It’s nothing special.”

“Despite how they describe it, it’s usually worn as a necklace. Rene’s Heart has more value as a jewel.”

-Number 124, one thousand gold. Three thousand gold!

-Ah, that gentleman over there bids fifty thousand gold! Whoever his fiancée is, she must be very happy!

‘Fifty thousand gold is about 500 million… burning 500 million on a single necklace?’

Ruide shook his head.

“No matter how much money you have, spending fifty thousand gold on a luxury item…”

“I was thinking the same thing! If I were his fiancée, I’d think a man who wastes fifty thousand gold on such an artifact is pathetic.”

Hersy responded with a bright smile.

“I’ve thought this before, but Ruide and I really think alike!”

In truth, Hersy believed that the person mattered more than such things.

If Ruide were to give her a gift, she would appreciate it if it were inexpensive because it showed his frugality, and if it were expensive, she would appreciate the thought he put into it.

“I really don’t understand spending money on useless things. Money eventually decreases as you spend it.”

With such thoughts, Ruide calmly watched the auction.

As expected of the largest auction house in the Institute, the amounts were extraordinary. Expensive items were sometimes traded for as much as a million gold.

If they were worth such prices, Ruide might have understood, but from his perspective, they were completely useless things.

-Next is not an object, but a pet. You could call this a little break! They’re rarely found in the North and took considerable effort to acquire. An extremely adorable arctic fox!

Ruide’s eyes widened.

A white, plump fox entered, wiggling its bottom.

Compact size. From Ruide’s perspective as an arctic fox enthusiast, it looked about 1 year old.

Its face was clean, and the moist black nose that twitched was particularly charming.

Hersy chimed in, just as Ruide had been doing until now.

“It’s cute. But buying such a pet at an expensive price is still a luxury no matter how you look at it…”

-We’ll start the bidding at one hundred gold…

Ruide mindlessly mashed the red button attached to his seat.

-O-one hundred thousand gold… Number 34 wins the bid.

**

“I should have brought one from home.”

Irene quietly smiled as she watched Ruide happily claiming his arctic fox.

At times like this, he was just like a child.

“Did you miss the North?”

She tilted her head.

While Amelia had an unusual personality, she couldn’t understand why Ruide, who hated troublesome things the most, was sticking around at the Academy.

He should have caused trouble once and gotten expelled like she did.

‘Hmm. Should I take Ruide whole instead of just the crystal ball?’

Irene briefly entertained a dangerous thought.

Next to her, a mysterious person in a white robe sat down.

Without even turning to look, Irene spoke quietly.

“Since you seem to be undercover, I’ll skip the formalities.”

The robed man chuckled and pulled back his hood.

It was Lucius, the young Emperor of the empire.

“I can’t fool you. Or perhaps the effectiveness of this robe, which can momentarily deceive even a grand mage, is flawed.”

“There aren’t many people who can sit next to me.”

Irene smiled serenely.

The entire first row where she sat was empty. It was because of the pressure she exuded.

Only those with a certain level of skill or absolute rulers could withstand this aura.

“Must you sit so menacingly?”

Irene turned her head to face the Emperor directly and said.

“If it’s disrespectful, I’ll withdraw it.”

The Emperor waved his hand.

“It’s fine. I don’t like crowds either.”

Irene was always smiling. However, her eyes showed no emotion, and her tone was dry.

Moreover, her attitude was bold even when facing the Emperor, which seemed disrespectful, yet she never crossed the line and her speech remained polite.

She usually observed etiquette, but at unexpected moments, she would pull out a line and skip rope with it.

In short, it was impossible to know what she was thinking.

That’s why the Emperor always described Irene Windsor like this:

As a madwoman.

‘If she inherits the title someday… it will be troublesome.’

To be honest, the Emperor preferred Amelia to inherit the title over Irene.

Irene was a person he was reluctant to face.

But even as Emperor, he couldn’t interfere with the Windsor succession.

‘This might not make a big difference, but it could cause Duke Windsor some disappointment.’

Ruide’s crystal ball.

The reason he came in person to obtain it was partly because he wanted it himself, but also—

Because he knew that the Duke Windsor he knew would definitely send Irene to get it.

After all, Duke Windsor was quite the doting father.

The Emperor probed Irene’s intentions by asking.

“You’re here for ‘that’ too, I presume.”

“If you’re referring to my brother’s crystal ball, yes, that’s correct.”

The Emperor opened his drowsy eyes and said without much expectation.

“…Hand it over. It’s an imperial order.”

Irene Windsor smiled brightly and answered immediately, as if his words weren’t even worth considering.

“No.”

The Emperor sighed.