Chapter 106: Deliberation

"One million gold coins?"

Cervantes couldn't help but laugh. He wouldn't presume to speak for other places, but here in Hertz City, he was the only one—the sole and exclusive—who could forge space rings. Moreover, the most advanced space ring he could currently craft was worth only five hundred thousand gold coins at most. So he didn't think much of the black ring Roland handed him. Casually, he extended a wisp of magical power into the ring, and in a moment, he had temporarily refined it. With a flicker of thought, he examined the space within.

However, in that brief instant, his extremely relaxed face first showed a hint of astonishment, then transformed into ecstatic joy. "A space of ten cubic meters! Roland, where did you get this space ring!"

Roland hadn't expected the other man to react so strongly after examining the ring, but he still answered honestly: "Master, I obtained this during my training in the Maya Mountains."

Cervantes' gaze lingered on Roland for a moment, then he said, "Oh, it seems you're truly a person of great fortune. A third-level mage who enters the Maya Mountains and comes out with such an exquisite space ring—that's luck that defies heaven itself. By the way, you just asked whether this space ring is worth a million gold coins. I'll tell you—it is. Of course it is!"

Roland was overjoyed to hear this. Coming from the other man's mouth, it meant the space ring was certainly worth that much money, and little Hawke's surgery fees were as good as secured. He quickly said, "Master Cervantes, then... can you make the transaction right now and give me the million gold coins?"

"Well..."

"Oh, Master, is the purchase price not that high? Just say the word—even a bit fewer gold coins would be fine." Seeing Cervantes hesitate, Roland couldn't help but feel anxious. If the other man didn't deal with him, what would become of his brother's surgery?

Cervantes waved his hand repeatedly. "No, Roland, that's not what I mean. In my view, this ring is worth more than a million gold coins. It's just that my shop doesn't have that much liquid capital on hand at the moment. Otherwise, I would certainly buy it outright in one go."

He was telling the truth. Although this alchemy shop was the largest in the imperial capital and brought in enormous daily income, great size came with great difficulties. Income was high, but expenses were no less substantial. Moreover, to keep the entire shop running, he constantly had to invest in new facilities and equipment. One could say that most of the money earned was poured right back into the alchemy shop.

Roland grew flustered upon hearing this. "Master Cervantes, then... how many gold coins can you spare right now? Could you pay a portion as a deposit? I can leave the ring here with you, and you can give me the rest whenever you have the money." Having finally found a place where he could exchange the ring for gold, Roland didn't want to let the opportunity slip away.

"Roland, you're in such a hurry for money right now. Is something urgent happening?" Cervantes asked with some confusion.

Roland then explained that his younger brother needed a major Light-element surgery costing a million gold coins, and furthermore, would require an additional hundred thousand gold coins every year for follow-up corrective procedures.

Cervantes couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly after hearing this. Such an enormous expense would make the vast majority of families balk. If not for Roland having this space ring, he too would have had no way at all.

"Roland, didn't the church say preparations would take three days? How about this—in my alchemy shop, let me hold a small auction specifically for your space ring. During these three days, I'll spread the word. I believe those who are truly wealthy won't care about a mere million. What do you think?" Cervantes said after a moment's thought.

This alchemy shop possessed an extremely large venue, so besides the buying and selling of alchemical items, it also held auctions at certain times to help rare treasures fetch their maximum value. That was why Cervantes had made this suggestion.

"Excellent idea, Master! You're a genius. Old Fourth, I think we should do as the Master suggests!" As the son of the Minister of Finance, Malle naturally had a sharp economic mind. This kind of promotional auction could indeed maximize profits, so he was the first to agree.

Roland thought it over and felt it wasn't a bad idea. After all, the surgery required three days of preparation, and the money just needed to be gathered within that time. So he said, "Very well, Master Cervantes, I'll follow your arrangement. By the way, what commission will the auction require..." Roland knew that auctions took a certain percentage as commission. After all, the venue, the publicity, the manpower and resources—those were no small expense either.

However, Cervantes waved his hand. "Roland, I was just about to tell you. For this auction held on your behalf, I don't intend to charge any fee at all."

Roland couldn't help but say, "Master, that... that can't be..."

Cervantes smiled. "However, I do have one condition. For these three days before the auction, this space ring must stay here with me. To be honest, the crafting technique of this space ring surpasses my own level. So during these three days, I plan to study it carefully. That's why I'm waiving all fees for you."

So that was the reason for Cervantes' elation when he had probed the black ring's interior space earlier. He could gain considerable inspiration from this space ring forged at such an extraordinary level of craftsmanship. For a master alchemist of instruments and artifacts like himself, that was far more precious than charging Roland some commission.

Roland naturally had no objection to this. Even if the fee hadn't been waived, he wouldn't have minded the other man keeping the ring for a few days to examine it—let alone now that the man was asking for no payment at all. So he agreed on the spot.

After chatting a bit more with Cervantes, Roland and the others took their leave. Once out of the alchemy shop, Roland turned to the group and said, "Malle, big brother, the surgery fee issue is basically settled now. I'm heading back to Chon Church. You all should go back to Porter Academy—there's still the inter-year competition tomorrow. Don't let it hold you up."

"Old Fourth, do I look like someone who can compete in the inter-year competition?" Malle, the eldest, rolled his eyes. "Of the four of us, only you and Second Brother have the strength to compete. Third Brother and I don't need to. But this surgery fee matter can't be completely pinned on Master Cervantes. How about this—I'll go back now and talk to the old man, see how much funds we can free up. If anything goes wrong at the auction, that can fill the gap. What do you think?"

Roland nodded repeatedly upon hearing this. "As always, Big Brother, you think of everything. Thank you for the trouble!"

"Hey, we're brothers—don't say such things. I'm off now!" With that, Malle exchanged a quick word with the others and hurried away on his black-striped leopard.

"Second Brother, I think you should head back as soon as possible to compete in tomorrow's inter-year competition. I'll stay here with Old Fourth." Seeing Malle leave, Bill spoke up.

Gebaz's talent was also outstanding—he had qualified for the inter-year competition two years ago. After two years of training, especially now that monstrous talents like Roland, Terish, and Simoni had advanced to the third year, he had the strength this time to contend for the second-year championship.

"Yes, Second Brother, you should head back. When you win the championship prize money, you have to treat us all to a proper meal." Under such gloomy circumstances, Roland managed a rare joke.

Gebaz thought for a moment. "That's fine, then. I'll head back first. Once the competition ends tomorrow, I'll come straight to the church to find you!"

So the three of them parted ways—Gebaz to the academy, and Roland and Bill back to Chon Church.

As soon as they entered the church, they saw Victoria and Karina sitting with Roland's parents, talking with them. Somehow, the two young women had managed to coax the old couple into no longer looking so worried—a faint smile even appearing on their faces from time to time.

Roland was deeply grateful to them. Stepping closer, he said, "Victoria, Karina, thank you. You two should head back to the academy. Bill and I will stay here."

"Why are you being so polite with me!" Hearing Roland's words, Victoria and Karina reacted in exactly the same way—they both said the very same sentence at once. After speaking, they glanced at each other, and couldn't help falling into an awkward silence.

"Right, right. Sis, Karina, Old Fourth and I can hold down the fort here. You two go on back." Bill quickly smoothed things over.

Victoria and Karina both said they wanted to stay, but under Roland's persuasion—especially since Victoria still had the inter-year competition to attend, and Roland asked Karina to pass word to the three teachers that he wouldn't be participating in the competition—the two women no longer insisted. With his younger brother so gravely ill, he had no heart for the competition anyway.

"Bill, let me tell you something. Take good care of Uncle and Auntie while you're here. If I come back from the competition and find out you've been slacking off, you'll see what happens to you!" Before leaving, Victoria pulled Bill aside and instructed him.

At that moment, Bill couldn't help feeling astonished. His sister had always been cold and indifferent in temperament—when had she ever cared this much about anyone else's parents besides her own? Could it be that something really had happened between her and Old Fourth before...?