As soon as Kadgar left, the reception room was once again occupied by only Leon and Farrow.
Leon seemed perfectly at ease, but Farrow was clearly suffering...
Even now, Farrow still couldn't figure out how things had ended up like this.
At first, Farrow just didn't want to waste time. Seeing that Leon was so young, he figured he was probably just an apprentice alchemist, so he hadn't bothered to be polite.
In fact, Farrow dealt with plenty of apprentice alchemists like this every day—newcomers who had just set foot in the world of alchemy, clutching a few works and hoping to find an opportunity at the Blackhorn Auction House.
Most of the time, Farrow would have them leave their items and come back for payment if they sold. As for the unsold ones, they’d usually end up tossed in some corner, and if anyone wanted to claim them, they’d have to find them themselves.
Honestly, it might sound a bit like the big store bullying the little guys...
But the Blackhorn Auction House was so large, with so much business passing through every day, no one really cared what Farrow did. As for those apprentice alchemists, most of them were just trying their luck—if their stuff didn’t sell, it didn’t sell. It wasn’t worth offending Farrow over it.
So, after all these years, Farrow had never run into any trouble.
But this time, his luck had truly run out...
This really is the worst luck imaginable—who could have guessed that a mage in his twenties would catch Kadgar’s attention? Who would’ve thought that the two random alchemical potions he produced would turn out to be the Volcano Potion and the Ghost Potion? Who could have expected...
Forget it. At this point, whether I saw it coming or not doesn’t really matter...
Just thinking about Kadgar’s warning before he left makes Farrow’s legs go weak. If he slights Mage Merlin, he’ll be packing his bags for Auckland. And what he did earlier wasn’t just a slight—he nearly insulted the guy outright. If Kadgar hears about this, he really will be out on his ear, and then everything will be over—his job, his future, everything...
As Farrow thought about it, his face turned pale...
But Farrow hadn’t gotten this far so young, nor landed a job at Blackhorn Auction House, without some decisiveness. Sensing things were going south, the young alchemist gritted his teeth and suddenly threw himself at Leon’s feet.
"Mage Merlin, I was wrong, I really was wrong! I shouldn’t have judged you so harshly, I..."
Leon stared, dumbfounded, his jaw nearly hitting the floor. What the hell...? Is this even allowed?
"Mage Merlin, please, have mercy. I really can’t lose this job..." Farrow had already thrown pride out the window. Embarrassing? Sure. But losing his job would be worse.
Besides, it’s not like anyone else saw...
In fact, Farrow started thinking, what if someone did see? So what? He was begging a future master for mercy—most people wouldn’t even get the chance.
Leon had been strung along for ages, and to say he didn’t have any thoughts about it would be a lie. Truthfully, after Kadgar left, he’d kept his cool just to see what the young alchemist would say next.
But...
Leon saw the beginning, but he sure hadn’t predicted the ending.
Sure, the young alchemist did bow his head, but this way of admitting defeat—wasn’t it a bit too unconventional?
Damn, a grown man in his twenties, an alchemist no less, clinging to your leg and sobbing—what kind of scene is this supposed to be?
Leon took a deep breath and said as calmly as he could, "Get up."
Farrow tried to play stubborn: "No, Mage Merlin, unless you promise to forgive me, I’m not getting up..."
"Are you getting up or not?"
Farrow shivered and scrambled to his feet...
"Enough. You don’t have to keep playing the victim. Kadgar told you to look after me, didn’t he? Take me to see the auction now."
"Not right now..." Farrow said, then glanced nervously at Leon’s face. Seeing that the future master wasn’t upset, he quickly explained, "It’s like this, Mage Merlin—the Blackhorn Auction is semi-private. Only invited guests can attend..."
"Huh?" Leon was stunned. So that’s how the Blackhorn Auction works?
But before Leon could finish processing that, Farrow flashed a flattering smile and said, "But it’s fine, Mage Merlin. You’re Magus Kadgar’s guest, which makes you a VIP at Blackhorn Auction House. I’ll take you to get registered, and once that’s done, you can attend the auction as usual."
"That’s a relief..."
After leaving the lounge, Farrow quickly helped Leon get registered. Along the way, Leon found himself seeing the young alchemist in a new light.
He had to admit, this young alchemist was quite the talent—efficient and resourceful, a master at throwing his weight around...
All it took was Kadgar’s name, and in half an hour Farrow had sorted out everything. Whenever someone tried to make trouble, Farrow just dropped Kadgar’s title: This is the Chief Appraiser’s guest—do you want to lose your job?
Who would dare hassle the Chief Appraiser’s guest?
With Kadgar’s name and Farrow’s bravado, it was smooth sailing. In just half an hour, Farrow secured Leon an invitation to a luxury box—the best seats in the house. There were only seven, usually reserved for the leaders of the top factions in the eastern kingdom. In Seaview City, only Sage’s Spire’s Saruman and Twinmoon Trading Company’s Monchi could claim a spot. Even the likes of Viper’s Nest’s Soth could only sit outside.
Once everything was sorted, the two made their way to the auction hall. It was at the very top of Blackhorn Auction House, a massive venue that could hold thousands. By the time they arrived, quite a few guests were already seated.
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Kadgar was right—Blackhorn Auction really was the biggest event in the eastern kingdom. Leon glanced inside and saw that nearly all of Seaview City’s top figures were present: Saruman from Sage’s Spire, Monchi from Twinmoon Trading Company, Soth from Viper’s Nest, Sass from Silvermoon Mercenaries, and so on...
The VIP boxes were on the second floor, with the best view in the house. Farrow led the way, Leon followed, curious about everything. They soon reached the base of the box seats.
Just as they were about to head upstairs, someone blocked their path.
"I say, Young Master Merlin, this isn’t a place you should be." The person blocking them was Jonathan, the Monchi family’s steward. He looked to be in his fifties, short and graying. In Leon’s inherited memories, this was a petty man, always a little mean in word and deed.
Before Leon could respond, Farrow stepped forward.
"Who are you, and what do you think you’re doing blocking our way?" Farrow was blunt as ever.
The young alchemist was never one for politeness. Before Kadgar showed up, he’d already given Leon a hard time. As for a mere steward, Farrow didn’t even bother. And now, with Kadgar’s authority backing him, he spoke and acted without restraint.
"I’m Jonathan, steward of the Monchi family. That’s my master’s box upstairs. You two barging in like this and disturbing him—can you take responsibility?" Jonathan wasn’t easy to deal with. In Seaview City, the Monchi family was nearly untouchable, except for some respect to Sage’s Spire. Everyone else, especially two kids, were beneath notice.
But Jonathan hadn’t counted on meeting someone even more unreasonable. Seeing the short, skinny old man refuse to budge, Farrow didn’t hesitate—a slap rang out, echoing through the hall. Jonathan clutched his cheek and pointed at Farrow, eyes wide with disbelief.
He was the Monchi family’s steward, one of his master’s most trusted men. Even the heads of Seaview City’s top factions treated him with respect. And now this... this brat, barely grown, had the nerve to lay hands on him?
"You—you—you... You dare hit me?" Jonathan clutched his face, pointing at Farrow, both hands shaking, eyes full of disbelief.
"Why wouldn’t I?" Farrow, still unsatisfied, shot back, "Causing trouble on Blackhorn Auction House turf? You must have a death wish."
Honestly, Jonathan had it coming...
Normally, Jonathan should have been inside, attending to Monchi. A steward of the Monchi family had no need to stand outside the box.
But for some reason, Jonathan happened to spot Leon approaching from afar.
Talk about a coincidence...
Leon’s recent hospitality toward Mason was well-known in the Monchi family, Jonathan included. Spotting Leon from a distance, Jonathan saw a chance to impress the second young master.
To Jonathan, this was the perfect opportunity.
With the master himself present and elite family mercenaries stationed outside, there’s no way that Mafa Merlin would dare lay a hand on him, no matter how bold he was.
As long as Mafa Merlin didn’t dare retaliate, Jonathan could humiliate him, avenge Mason, and win favor in the family. Maybe Mason would even put in a good word with the master...
But Jonathan saw the beginning, never the ending...