Edmund Auction House

Abel knew just how perfect the rubies were. The Horadric Cube was an artifact, after all—how could anything it synthesized have flaws? Among gems of the same grade, they could only be the most perfect. He had not expected them to be worth as much as 300 gold coins. The hundredfold difference between 3 and 300 gold coins made him understand even more clearly how precious the Horadric Cube on him was. If anyone learned of such a treasure, it would bring disaster.

This was already the safest shop in Libo Town, and the price offered satisfied Abel as well. He took the last ruby from his cloth bag and handed it to Yvette. As he shook the bag to show it was empty, he said to her, "There's another identical ruby. The price can be as you said."

Yvette accepted the second ruby. After examining it, she could not help praising it in the distinctive lyrical tone of a noblewoman. "A fiery, passionate gem. Two identical perfect specimens."

"I need some medicines for knight training. What would you recommend?"

Like Abel's elder brother Zack, who used medicine every month, it was a miraculous potion made by pharmacists. Taking it before training could increase the formation of qi. It was called a "Qi Condensing Potion," but no one had explained anything further to him because his rank was too low.

"Edmund Auction House can provide beginner Qi Condensing Potions at ten gold coins per bottle." Yvette paused, a smile on her lovely face. She picked up the coffee on the table and took a sip before continuing, "To be honest with you, beginner Qi Condensing Potions contain a great deal of impurities. Frequent use can harm the user. Generally speaking, after taking beginner Qi Condensing Potions for one month, one must rest for another month to allow the body to recover on its own."

"What about the effects of beginner Qi Condensing Potions?" That was what Abel cared about most, so he immediately asked.

"The best way to use them is to take five bottles each month while training. The effects of those five bottles make one month of training equal to two months. Then you wait a month before taking another five bottles." Yvette knew the effects of the auction house's goods very well. She could tell that the boy before her knew absolutely nothing about this.

"If there are beginner Qi Condensing Potions, are there more advanced ones?"

"Of course. With intermediate Qi Condensing Potions, you take five bottles a month, then wait half a month before taking more. The effect of five bottles equals four months of training. With advanced Qi Condensing Potions, you take three bottles each month without stopping, and one month of training equals five months of training."

Seeing the boy's wide-eyed expression, Yvette could not help laughing. "Our auction house currently only has intermediate Qi Condensing Potions, at fifty gold coins per bottle. Advanced Qi Condensing Potions are only available at the main branch."

Abel knew that spending power here was limited. He did not even need to ask about the price of advanced Qi Condensing Potions; they had to be outrageously expensive. There were not many wealthy people in Libo Town, and even fewer who could afford intermediate Qi Condensing Potions.

Yvette hesitated. The boy before her seemed to inspire considerable fondness in her, so she leaned forward toward Abel and whispered, "According to the Potion Master at auction house headquarters, the more Qi Condensing Potions a Rookie Knight takes during training, the harder it becomes to advance into a formal knight. Whether they are beginner, intermediate, or advanced Qi Condensing Potions, they leave medicinal residue in the body. The more one takes, the more residue accumulates. When attempting to advance to a formal knight, that residue lowers the chance of success."

Abel felt Yvette's kindness. It was only their first meeting, yet she had told him such important information. He was deeply grateful, and his tone unconsciously became more respectful. "Beautiful Lady Yvette, thank you for the warning. It is very important to me. Is there any potion without this danger?"

"Of course. There are master-grade Qi Condensing Potions, created in flashes of inspiration by Potion Masters. Their production cannot be guaranteed. It is said that a master can make around ten bottles of master-grade Qi Condensing Potion a year, and these Qi Condensing Potions never reach the outside market. They are given directly to the master's friends and family, or purchased by great nobles and the royal family. The Potion Master of our Edmund Auction House puts five bottles up for auction each year, and every bottle sells for more than 1,000 gold coins. Just one bottle of master-grade Qi Condensing Potion can save a Rookie Knight a year of training." Yvette answered with both envy and pride in her voice.

If he did not have the Horadric Cube, Abel would not have bought Qi Condensing Potions even if his training progress were slower. His previous training had already proven that his aptitude as a knight was not poor. Compared to his father and elder brother, he could absolutely be called a genius. He was only twelve years old now. Although this body, like that of a European on Earth, already resembled that of an adolescent, he was still very young. He had plenty of time to train, and becoming a formal knight was merely a matter of time.

But after hearing Yvette's introduction to master-grade Qi Condensing Potions, Abel was tempted. Each bottle could save a year of training time and had no side effects. It was simply too perfect. They were only gold coins, weren't they? Gold coins were easy enough to obtain. I'll give it a try. Having made up his mind, Abel raised his head and said, "Give me fifty-four bottles of beginner Qi Condensing Potion. Will the remaining money be enough for a Hand Crossbow?"

After the dangers he had encountered on the road here, Abel had already realized how dangerous this world was. Even walking along the main road, one could be attacked by ferocious beasts. He had killed the Shadow Leopard partly because of his calmness and composure, but luck had also played a part. He could not rely on luck every time. Equipment was important too.

After buying the potions, he would not have enough money for a greatsword or armor. Even if he did, Abel would not dare buy them. He did not yet have the ability to protect his secret. A Hand Crossbow was an excellent choice. Like the dagger his elder brother Zack had given him, it was a weapon that could easily be concealed. The dagger was for close combat, while the Hand Crossbow was for ranged attacks.

"How about this Hand Crossbow made by dwarves?" Yvette went out for a while, then returned with the beginner Qi Condensing Potions and an entirely gray Hand Crossbow, which she placed on the table before him.

Abel picked up the Hand Crossbow with one hand. It was not heavy, weighing only two pounds. Its limbs, grip, and even its bowstring were all gray, making it look utterly unremarkable. There were several ugly holes in the grip. Abel raised his head and looked at Yvette questioningly.

"This Hand Crossbow is secondhand. Someone pried the gems off it, leaving only the crossbow, which was then sold to me." Yvette pursed her lips in a soft laugh before continuing, "A brand-new Hand Crossbow made by dwarves costs at least five hundred gold coins. This one is considered a fine dwarven piece, but the gems were removed, and its color is unpopular. Otherwise, how could it have remained here until now?"

"I'll take it." Abel could tell that Yvette was treating him very well. Though he did not know why, with the experience of two lifetimes, he knew this woman would not deceive him.

"Be careful when taking these potions. You're still young." Yvette neatly arranged the fifty-four bottles of beginner Qi Condensing Potion into a box and handed it to Abel. She reminded him once more in a soft voice, then slipped him several bolts specially made for the Hand Crossbow.

"Thank you, Lady Yvette. I'll be careful." Abel's serious attitude made Yvette understand that he had taken her warning to heart.

When Abel left the auction house, his pockets now held fifty-four bottles of beginner Qi Condensing Potion, a Hand Crossbow, and five bolts.

At the window on the second floor of the auction house, Yvette stood behind the glass and watched Abel's departing figure. She could not help thinking of her younger brother. He had been away from home for two years now. He should be about the same age as Abel, shouldn't he?