I Only Tame Dragons

Chapter 100 The Last Item in the Auction

"The other bidder seems dead set on getting that [Construct Plating]," Trisha murmured, glancing sideways at Cedrick.

Her voice was tight with concern as she watched the tension rise in the auction hall.

Cedrick rubbed the back of his neck, his face torn between frustration and determination. Without another word, he pressed the buzzer.

"80 Bullions!" he declared.

Trisha's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you serious, Cedrick? You're really going to bid that much for a material?" Her voice dropped to a whisper, almost panicked. "You know Aeloria's not going to like this."

Cedrick sighed, his lips curling into a sneer. "Aeloria doesn't understand the value of this material, Trish. But I do. There's a recipe back in the Star Kingdom—something we can forge with this [Construct Plating]. A life-saving item. Trust me, once mother sees what it can do, she'll want it, too."

Trisha wasn't convinced. "Still . . . bidding that high—80 Bullions? That's nearly an Aurum.

And don't forget we've already bid on several items today. Our budget of 20 Aurums is almost depleted. Any more, and Aeloria won't just disapprove—she'll have our heads."

Technically, Cedrick was their leader—at least in name. He was a prince of Star Kingdom, but everyone knew the real authority rested with Aeloria, one of the kingdom's feared generals. And Trisha knew all too well how she ruled with an iron fist.

Cedrick waved her off, clearly irritated. "Stop whining, Trish. Since when are you so scared of Aeloria? Have you forgotten who I am? I'm the prince of the Star Kingdom. Money's not an issue for me." His voice rose with a mixture of arrogance and annoyance.

"Besides, whoever's bidding against us is bound to back down now."

But as if on cue, the auctioneer's voice boomed through the hall once more.

"1 Aurum!"

Cedrick's jaw dropped, fury bubbling up inside him. "Who's the bastard?!" he hissed through clenched teeth. His hand shot toward the buzzer again, but Trisha quickly grabbed his arm, stopping him.

"Cedrick, we're down to our last 80 Bullions. We can't bid more than that—we don't have enough funds to cover it."

He shot her a glare, pulling his arm free. "We've got plenty of money in the bank. I'll withdraw more if I have to. It'll be fine."

Still she couldn't help but wonder on who the bidder was? 1 Aurum for a material?

"That guy's insane," Trisha thought, glancing at the balcony where the mysterious bidder had just won the [Construct Plating] for 1 Aurum. "Must be a native forger. That's the only reason anyone would bid that high for a raw material." What's more it came from one of the balconies, so he must be a big shot. Even Cedrick didn't earn a Crystal Card.

It could only be a native Forger, probably in the Master level already.

After all, Forgers and Crafters were greatly valued in Auction Houses and by the Merchant Federations than royalties.

Trisha's thoughts were interrupted by the host's voice booming through the auction hall. "Ladies and gentlemen, behold the final item of today's auction!"

All eyes turned to the stage as a strange black blade, shimmering with a dark, ominous glow, was revealed. It radiated an aura that commanded attention.

"This," the host continued with reverence, "is the [Dragonkin Blade]!"

Trisha and Cedrick barely glanced at the screen. They were mages—what use did they have for a blade?

Cedrick scoffed, uninterested. "What's so special about a Tier-5 Silver weapon?" he muttered, crossing his arms.

But then, the blade's description flashed across the screen, and their expressions changed in an instant. Their jaws nearly hit the floor.

+70 STR!

Not only that, but the blade had special effects that were typically only seen in high-tier Gold weapons—effects powerful enough to tip the scales of any battle.

Cedrick, normally indifferent to melee weapons, felt a wave of desire wash over him. As a mage, he had no need for physical weapons, but the sheer power radiating from this blade was undeniable. Even he wanted it.

"I . . . I should've saved my money," Cedrick muttered, visibly frustrated as he realized how much he had squandered earlier in the auction. He had spent too much on other items, and now, the one thing he desperately wanted was slipping out of reach.

His hands clenched into fists as he glared at the [Dragonkin Blade], knowing he couldn't afford another bid.

For the first time all day, the prince found himself feeling like a fool.