"Mr. Logick, you've come!" though busy accommodating adventurers with their quests, Vanessa spared some of her time to greet Alfraed when she saw him entering the Association.
"Yes, I want to see how the potion fares in the auction. And, I've never been to this kind of event before. So, I want to have the experience" answered Alfraed honestly.
"I think your potion will do great. After all, It's a rare item that can practically heal any physical wounds. What's more, it hasn't been in the market for years. Lots of high-ranked adventurers and merchants would want to have their hands on it. Oh, look at the time, the auction will start in fifteen minutes…There is someone who wants to meet you actually, can I have you meet him now?"
"I don't mind Ms. Welsh"
"Great! Please wait a moment, I'll bring him here"
As Vanessa left, Alfraed was wondering what kind of person who wanted to meet him...?
The answer came immediately when Vanessa brought along a two-meter tall human male who had broad and muscular body with face full of scars that could make crying babies... cried louder. Simultaneously, he had an austere expression and firm air of intimidation. If not for his elegant and sleek attire, Alfraed might mistook him for a notorious bandit group's supreme leader. But, that was just his first impression, he would not let that silly judgement affected his behaviour toward the man.
"Mr. Logick, allow me to introduce you to the Vice Branch Master, my supervisor. Don't worry, I know you think he is scary and can make babies cry, but he is actually the kindest and most understanding person around" told Vanessa, who could somehow sense precisely what he was thinking.
…Did his expression gave it all away? Or, Vanessa simply capable of reading other person's mind? Interestingly enough, his master often knew what he was thinking too, hiding something was nigh impossible. If there was such a skill, he would be happy to be given a chance to learn it. Anyway, her earlier comment left him in an awkward position now…
'…Should I apologize for having an impression…?' Alfraed was internally conflicted.
"It's an honour to meet you Mr. Logick. I am Balthazar Smith, the Vice Branch Master, I oversee all administrative and business activities. Don't worry about what Vanessa said, I'm used to it" said Balthazar with a friendly and warm tone of voice, while extending his rugged hand to him.
'Apparently, I don't need to. Thank goodness'
"You're too kind. The honour is all mine Mr. Smith. I thank you for the trouble of holding this auction" replied Alfraed, and made a handshake with Balthazar.
"No trouble at all. I believe our side will also gain handsomely from this auction. So, it's mutual. Moreover, I sincerely hope for your continuous business with us in the future"
"Likewise… While on the subject, I actually have other products that, I think, can sell well. I can give you samples if you're interested"
"Other products? ...Ms. Welsh, you went to his store before, did you see other interesting products?"
"There are certainly other products. But, I did not look into them further as the priority at the time was the Greater Grade potions, sorry"
"I see... Mr. Logick, at later day, Ms. Welsh and I will intrude to your store once again to take up your offer"
"You are very much welcome, and if I'm not around you can talk to my employees about them"
"That's fantastic. By the way, are you here to see the auction? If so, we've prepared a seat for you. Ms. Welsh, please guide our guest to his seat. I have to get ready for the opening speech"
"Will do, boss. Mr. Logick come this way please"
With the conversation concluded, Vanessa led Alfraed to a spacious multifunction room located in the third floor. As he went through an ornate oak door, the inside was already crowded by diverse adventurers and merchants who sat on small, round chairs which were lined up closely and neatly with each other in front of a prepared auction stage.
Additionally, among them, he noticed Fiona Hazelstar, a lady with rose-coloured hair whose athletic body covered by white belted blazer dress, and wore matching white double-hoop earrings and ankle-strap heels. Her selected outfit created an impression that she was glowing, and the surrounding could not help stole glances at her.
How did he knew her? She was Kelreas' assistant.
"This is your -special- seat Mr. Logick" informed Vanessa.
Alfraed thought he was going to seat among other attendees. Far from it, the prepared seat was located precisely behind the auction stage. Personally, he would have liked it if he was guided to somewhere less conspicuous though. Once Alfraed took his seat, he immediately caught the attention of the audience, and, except for the hilariously-surprised Fiona, they began looking at him with intense curiosity, wondering who he was.
'…The stares are killing me…'
Before long, the unique figure of Balthazar appeared, stealing all attention and diverting the gazes from him. He confidently stood up on the stage and made his already towering figure even taller, Alfraed had to look up to see him properly. Then, the man slowly ran his stare toward all of the people present in the venue.
"We shall now begin today's auction!" that declaration felt like a roar from the king of a jungle, and Alfraed was sure the room quaked a bit.
""Ooooohhh!!!""
But, it managed to magically bring excitement to the venue.
"First, let me introduce the seller for this time's auction. He is one of our trusted suppliers, and owner of 'Herbs & Lotions' that will provide steady supply of Greater Grade potions; Alfraed Logick!"
'...I didn't know about this! Should've worn something more suitable!"
At the corner of the room, he could see Vanessa giggling at the situation he was put into. Alfraed suspected she must be the culprit behind this circumstance. Nonetheless, he should be thankful to her as this was actually a good marketing campaign for his business. So, he stood up from his seat and made a bow to the crowd.
"Oh! So that's the maker…"
"He's quite young!"
"Is he really the one who made the potion?"
Mixed of surprise and doubtful comments could be heard floating around immediately from the audience after seeing how young Alfraed was.
There was a quote 'your age does not dictate your ability to accomplish'. But, apparently people tend to forget about this.
"I know, I know that Perfect Grade Health Potion has not been in the market for the longest of time. Nevertheless, the Association has thoroughly analysed and guarantee its authenticity! Rest assured, the product is real! Now, Mr. Logick, please say a little something to today's honored attendees..."
Looking at their restlessness, Balthazar swiftly threw a life-saving statement, and the audience was convinced. That showed how trustworthy of an organization the Association was.
"...I am Alfraed Logick, owner of Herbs & Lotions. I thank you all for participating in today's auction. I made the potion with great care. So, please purchase it expensively.... Well then, may you all have a fruitful bargain"
Laughter resounded throughout the room, and some of them began to clap after his short speech. Before long, all of the audience gave him a round of applause, and Alfraed bowed once again to them.
"Now then, without further ado, let's start what you've been waiting for. The price starts at 850,000 rune. Please, place your bids!"
"Redpoint Company bids 900,000 rune!"
"Cubestar Company bids 950,000 rune!"
"Ingthin Ravaphyra, silver-ranked, bids 1,000,000 rune!"
In seconds, the value of the bid already reached the expected market price for a Perfect Grade potion. Alfred had no clue the price would increase this quickly, he thought the increase would be around 5,000 rune.
"Fairmount Company bids 1,100,000 rune!"
"Gelareo, gold-ranked, bids 1,200,000 rune!"
Afterward, the rate on how the price increase was going faster.
"Hazelstar Company bids 2,000,000 rune!"
All of a sudden, the price of the potion was now twice the expected market price, and it was Fiona who placed the bid.
"...Oh, its her..."
The lady mentioned to him that she was the daughter of a merchant, and worked under Kelreas as a form of training to learn from the best, and she was not the only one.
Since Fiona was using her family's company for bidding, she must be here on her own accord. Nevertheless, the other participants were fearless, and did not back down, they refused to back down. Thus, the price continued to rise further.
"Blue Legion Company bids 2,100,000 rune!"
"Waterwell Company bids 2,500,000 rune!"
"Silver Company bids 3,000,000 rune!"
The increase in price was definitely good for his profit as the seller, but surely bad for his untrained heart.
'...It still goes up?!'
.... Within a short, yet intense quarter of an hour, the audience issued countless bids, and the Perfect Grade Health potion was finally sold at 6,000,000 rune to Hazelstar Company.
Nearing the end of the bidding battle, adventurers who participated grudgingly admit defeat, and only veteran merchants remained. This outcome was understandable, since the latter had stronger financial muscles than the former. It was a muscle type that got developed not by fighting beasts and formidable opponents, but by constantly providing goods and services to customers and seek lucrative opportunities.
Alfraed himself forgot to take the needed oxygen to satiate his lungs for the last several minutes due to being a witness to the gripping situation in front of him. It was like seeing brutal battle royal of champions.
---After all required payment from the winner and documentation were concluded, the Association received their fifteen percent listing fee out of the final selling price, which was equal to 900,000 rune, leaving Alfraed with a clean 5,100,000 rune for the potion.
"...."
Upon receiving the money, Alfraed thought he would be thrilled, yet he just silently stood there, wondering whether it was alright to receive this much from a single bottle of Perfect Grade Health potion.
Did the price make sense? Did they really understand the efficacy? Was there any misleading he made? These questions were swirling in his head.
When he conversed with Fiona and asked what was her plan for the potion she just won, the maiden revealed to him that she already had a fixed buyer who willingly secure the potion for 7,000,000 rune. So, her company still profited from this transaction, though not as musch as she hoped for.
His money sense was a bit distorted hearing her story. Was this much money normal to them? Should he get used to this to be able to negotiate better for the next transactions? Alfraed decided that he must.
Anyhow, the saying 'the rich is getting richer' was, in fact, true…
Additionally, he was greeted by spirited merchants and adventurers, asking him when the next batch of the Perfect Grade Health potion would be produced and showed intentions to buy directly from him, before Alfraed could provide any answer, Balthazar and Vanessa came and told them that every potion of such degree would be sent to the Association and auctioned.
Alfraed was sure the two said that because they wanted to continue to receive listing fee from him. The gain he received from the auction exceeded his expectation, so he had no problem with what the two declared.
He actually had four Perfect Health Grade potions remaining. But, it was already sold to a certain buyer for 3,000,000 rune. Considering what the result he had today, she really got a great deal out of him.
'...I wonder what Mikaela was doing right now...?'
Until she came to pick up the goods, he would keep them safely in his store.