Mika 026 (Patreon)

Patriarch Tegro glared at the boy, but it was Alte Tegro who was putting pressure on the boy. Mika fell onto his knees as the pressure forced him down. He hadn’t expected it and so was unable to defend from it. He could even feel blood pour out of his nose as he tried to resist.

It was then a sudden overwhelming pressure filled the entire Auction Hall, which fell silent and watched with bated breath. Alte dropped down, coughing and hacking. He vomited blood beside the Patriarch, who swiftly took a knee. 

“We ask for your forgiveness, Great Elder! My son is but a foolish boy who had allowed his emotions to get the best of him! He meant no disrespect!”

Mika coughed as Yan stood up, clenching his fist as his entire face turned red. He didn’t expect anyone to make trouble in the Auction Hall either. Mika caught the man’s gaze, blinking twice, and then looked up to the Elder of the Auction Hall.

“It seems as though the Tegro family doesn’t have my guild or your Auction Hall in their sights and has brought such a mess here. This Elder asks for the Great Elder’s forgiveness for our part earlier, though we would never make such a move within your wondrous Auction Hall.” Elder Yan tossed a pill to the Great Elder. 

The Great Elder grabbed it, though not before every ken eyed member noted what the pills were. 

Silverforge pills.

Everyone remained silent, and even Patriarch Tegro was shocked. The Great Elder’s faze fell upon the Patriarch.

“Please forgive us, Great Elder,” the Patriarch repeated.

The Great Elder’s eyes gaze remained fixated on the pair, and even the Patriarch could feel the pressure against him. He had enraged a man who was far stronger than he, and if the Great Elder wished it, the Patriarch could die within moment. 

Patriarch Tegro turned to face Mika, still kneeling. “This Patriarch asks for forgiveness on behalf of our family. We apologise caused due to the inconvenience caused due to my son’s foolishness.”

The Great Elder stopped his pressure, and then his gaze fell on Mika. Mika realised he probably shouldn’t make too much of a scene since the Great Elder was mediating.

“This little one appreciates the Patriarch’s apology. It is in our nature, as those within the Starr Alchemy, to be kind of heart in these moments.” Then Mika stared deep into the Patriarch’s eyes. “In the same way it is in the nature of the Tegros to behave like shameful dog’s in another’s house!” 

He quickly turned on his heel and looked to the Great Elder, ignoring the shock everyone was being struck by. “This little one thanks the Great Elder for his assistance. This little Alchemist will not forget what you have done for me.”

Elder Yan tossed a bottle to Mika, full of High Grade Health pills. Mika graciously accepted them, swallowing one right away. He could see the rage on Patriarch Tegro’s face as he ran off to the City Lord. He caught the eyes of Patriarch Chen, nodding his head at the Patriarch, before arriving in front of the City Lord.

“Forgive this little one’s rudeness, but my Elder has a message for me. Would the City Lord be willing to listen.”

“Forgive the slight my city’s men have caused you, young Alchemist. Please tell me this message from your Elder.” His voice was much deeper when he was up close.

“There are some circumstances with my Elder and the city Alchemists. Elder is hopeful that you would bid against them for the next two potions.” Mika summoned a long box in front of the City Lord, offering it to the older man. The City Lord looked into the box, paused for a moment, and then nodded. 

“My Elder also wishes to speak with you after the auction if you are willing to win the bid against the Alchemists. The same offer will be made to Patriarch Chen. It’s easier to say that the Elder is willing to meet with you as long as the Alchemists lose the bid.”

The City Lord stared down at the boy, but then nodded. “I will agree with your Elder’s terms.”

“This little one thanks you.” Mika bowed. “This little one must be leaving now.”

The City Lord bowed his head, dismissing the boy. Mika then rushed off to Patriarch Chen, panting slightly. He placed his hands together, bowing before the Patriarch. “My Elder wishes to pass on a message, may I speak to the good Patriarch Chen?”

“Speak.”

There are some circumstances with my Elder and the city Alchemists. Elder is hopeful that you would bid against them for the next two potions.” Michael then held out a long box that he summoned from his own ring. Patriarch Chen looked into the box, and then he narrowed his eyes. “Though my Elder has bid against you, it was quite regrettable. My Elder also wishes to speak with you after the auction, if you are willing to win the bid against the Alchemists. The same offer has been given to the City Lord, but you do not need to win against him, only as long as the Alchemists do not win.”

“What is your name, young Alchemist?”

“This little one is called Mika Blackhand.”

“How old are you?”

“Ten years old.”

“How long have you been an Alchemist?”

“Close to one season.”

“…” Patriarch Chen remained silent for some time. “Very well. I accept.”

“This little one thanks you on behalf of his Elder.”

Mika returned through the same route, passing the City Lord and then the Tegros, who ignored him. He could feel their glares against his back, and he tried not to smirk. 

“They have both agreed,” he said, taking his seat beside the Elder.

No one had yet surrendered, though Patriarch Leone was looking up at the pair of Alchemists, raising his brow. He seemed curious of the circumstances, but did not press the matter, instead watching the matter.

City Lord and Patriarch Chen stared at one another for some time, as though speaking through their eyes. City Lord bowed his head, and then leaned back slightly. 

“One hundred and twenty,” Patriarch Chen said.

“Patriarch Chen, this is quite regrettable…” Baex frowned slightly. “One hundred and thirty.”

“One hundred and fifty,” Patriarch Chen said, his voice as even as ever. 

“…” Baex sighed. “Then I will surrender.”

“I surrender as well,” City Lord said.

Patriarch Leone crossed his arms, tapping his finger against his bicep. He didn’t seem to be the kind of man to think deeply about such a thing, but there he was, thinking. He opened an eye, looked to Patriarch Chen, and then grinned. 

“I wonder! Should I bid now, or should I wait for the next item?” Patriarch Leone kept tapping his bicep. “This Patriarch Leone will… surrender!” 

‘How dramatic,’ Mika thought. Still, it wasn’t as though he disliked it.

“One hundred and fifty thousand to Patriarch Chen! Congratulations on your fortunes!” Tara clasped her hands together, almost unable to contain herself. “This is quite special. It is a rare occasion that we are able to procure such a potion. Allow this one to reveal the last item of the day, perhaps the greatest item we will have on display this entire year!” 

The box was taken away and then replaced by another. She opened it up, and the item almost shone to all. Everyone knew what it was just by looking at it, and even the Great Elder’s eyes flashed with a want. No one would ask for this potion to be verified, they could all feel it in their bones.

“While this may look like a Perfect Grade Cultivation potion, it’s not entirely the case. One might recall that a Perfect Grade Cultivation potion lasts for an incense stick worth of time, but this…” She bit her lower lip, holding up her hand. “This Perfect Grade Cultivation potion lasts for an extra ten minutes on top of that! The time it takes to enjoy tea!”

Each Patriarch sat up straighter, hearing the words echo through the Auction Hall. Even the Great Elder hadn’t been told of such a fact, otherwise he may have offered something personally. He’d have to speak with his granddaughter.

The Tegro family stared at the potion with utter shock, before the Patriarch’s face contorted into frustration. There was a treasure right in front of him but he was unable to bid on it! 

The Great Elder arrived on stage in the blink of an eye, unable to satiate his curiosity. He looked at the potion, and then his granddaughter, who was staring up at him with gold coins spilling out of her eyes. He could only sigh before he disappeared, reappearing above once again. 

Tara couldn’t help her grin this time, clasping her hands together. She was unable to help the fact that she was shaking so much. “Can this one be so rude as to ask for one hundred and fifty thousand right away?” Her voice was full of glee.