Chapter 21

Investment Standard (1)

The musical instruments auctioned through 1890 became a hot topic even in the capital of Albion.

'The Lira of Terpsichore. Vasco Grayer sold it for 5 million dinars in the original manuscript after repairing it for a bargain price. But now, it is said that Vasco is on the continent of Centrum... If no one recognizes it, I'll have to buy it.'

In the previous world, he had no opportunity to invest due to a lack of funds, but now he had both funds and information. He knew if he acted passively, he would only be caught up in the demands of others.

'Whether it's my father or the main character, ...or the author.'

It was on the pages of this world that all their wills collided.

'Originally, I think I died on page two, but the author doesn't want to leave alone a person who was already given a name and power. Wherever I run, I'll be caught at the center of the story again.'

Dione and Gideon Asel were also people bound by the author's will. Even if he outran them, another character or element would arise to capture Kleio.

'Additionally, even if Chapter 1 concludes and I can use Editor's Authority again, the author won't listen to any recommendations on unwelcome developments. I can't even say what I want to do directly; it hurts.'

In that sense, the author was rather economical. He wasn't only having him take on a character's role, but he was even forced to edit. As he thought so, another idea came up.

'He dragged me in like this, but then he comes in and tells the story. Why is he using such a bothersome and complicated method?'

This story, written as it was on tattered, unwritable paper, might be a work that even the author couldn't easily correct. If the author had such infinite authority, he might've removed some of those early upsets from the start. As he thought about it, his questions continued to grow, but they were impossible to answer with his power.

'Wealth is also a strength so that it will give freedom to my movement. Even if there is a war, I'll surely find a way to survive if I have wealth. I can't depend on my father, who's trying to push me into the political scene. I have to find my own way.'

If he couldn't stop himself from getting caught up in the narrative, then he had to be determined to counter it as much as possible.

'If I know a disaster is coming, then I can defend myself.'

As his head cleared when he set his goal, numerous plans came to mind. Kleio, running barefoot in his pajamas out onto the balcony, shouted down at Dione across the garden.

"Lady Dione! Before we depart, could you gather some supplies?"

"Why are you so lively today? Just tell me, I'll take care of it!"

Dione looked up to the second floor with a smile as if happy to see Kleio so energetic.

"I need a hearthstone opal and a lira string covered with the golden sand of time!"

"Oh, we have something like that in our warehouse. How did you check our inventory?"

"It's a coincidence. And one more thing, I need a guide on the auction rules."

***

While Kolpos was a trading port city at the western end of the capital, Novantes was a resort city at the southern end. The work was quick and easy as Kleio and Dione hurried to make their preparations. They departed as soon as the reply came, arriving at Novantes three days before the party. It was a resort city with many yachts anchored in the Saeblue bay.

From the train station, Kleio could see the De Neju Hotel up on the hill. Dione screamed with excitement as she looked out the window, but Kleio's eyes weren't focused on any of the scenery. As soon as he left the train, he ran towards the Trinity auction house near the station. As the train had been delayed for an hour, he was worried he might be late for the auction. It was worth running around the school every day for several weeks, as Kleio quickly arrived at the auction. Gasping, he bought a ticket and sat in the back of the auction house. It hadn't started yet.

'I'm not late!'

Dione, who was slowly walking behind him, arrived at the auction house about a dozen minutes later.

"Young Master, you have to tell me before you go. What if you abandoned me at the party like this?!"

"Sorry, but it was important."

The person in charge of the auction discussed the weather and cracked jokes for a while. Rather than feeling serious, it was more like entertainment for the resort. Meanwhile, Kleio only stared at the podium with burning eyes.

"Then, I will reveal the first item for auction! It is a good decoration for your garden; an ancient item and genuine article saved from the sea around the continent of Chentreum. It starts at 1000 dinars."

The stone lira sculpture on the podium seemed to be of unknown age, with a limestone cluster at its bottom attached. At a glance, it didn't appear to have any engravings. It was a product that caught attention before the major auction products were announced. As Kleio examined it, dazzling golden letters appeared in his mind.

[-Stage two function, Understanding, of Promise is activated.]

[Lira of Terpsichore

-Relic

*Restoration is required.]

'That's it! I'm sure of it.'

The Understanding function of Promise was rather useful. Being able to read the information on magic tools was a rather invaluable skill. While Kleio considered it, most people around him were chatting and drinking champagne without paying attention to the stage.

"I don't think there's much to see this year."

"I saw the catalog. Among the things coming out today, the malachite tables are huge, so maybe the other items have been neglected?"

"But there are people who like ruins-style decorations."

'Of course, nobody here would spend more than 10,000 dinars.'

As the conversation flowed into his ears, Kleio was carefully waiting for a chance to bid as the price slowly went up.

"3,680 dinars, 3,680 dinars. Any more bids?"

It seemed that No. 11 was conversing with his companion to try and call more money. No. 67, who followed up, put his plate down. Now seemed to be the time. Kleio raised his plate.

"10,000 dinars."

"Oh, we have a customer with a noble hobby. Yes, 10,000 dinars, 10,000 dinars."

Those around him turned to look with wonder. Who would spend 10,000 dinars on such garbage? Soon, the atmosphere grew light as they saw the person was a young student.

"The lira, sold for 10,000 dinars!"

Laughter burst out from his left side as a couple of the others cracked jokes.

'I'm curious what sort of expression everyone will have the day after tomorrow.'

Kleio paid no mind to any of them as Dione watched him. It seemed to her that he had a plan for it.

***

When he checked in at the De Neju Hotel and handed over Cel's invitation to him, he received a third-floor suite. The suite had two bedrooms connected with a living room in between. It was probably given out of consideration to him since he had checked in with his tutor. As soon as Kleio entered the room, he spread the bedsheets on the floor and pulled out the Lira he had acquired. Instead of having it delivered, he carried it back with him. Next to him were lira strings coated with the golden sand of time and a hearthstone opal. Although he had purchased it at a special price from Dione, they were materials worth 50,000 dinars.

'The Lira sculpture was also a bit damaged by the auction house. It's a tricky thing, so Vasco was only able to restore it after combining a dozen different materials.'

Dione, who entered his bedroom without knocking, drew closer to him with curiosity in her eyes.

"What are you doing? Can I see it?"

"You won't just leave just because I want you to."

"That's right. I'm also a research wizard, so wouldn't I be interested in restoring such an old object?"

Dione pulled up a chair and sat while Kleio spread out a small circle. It was a narrow circle of about 2 meters in diameter that shone around the materials and the Lira. He needed only one type of magic formula, but the formula itself was rather complicated. It had appeared at the very end of Volume 1.

"[Restoration!]"

The magic that emerged shone a little before distorting.

'It doesn't work well without a mantra.'

It would've been nice if he understood Vasco's mantra, but he had shown up with the finished product. He recited a few more mantras, but the Lira only swayed a little, and the piece of limestone remained stuck to it. Dione listened to his mantra before speaking up.

"Do you think you know the original shape of this object?"

"I do."

At Kleio's quick affirmation, Dione looked surprised.

"If so, let's write a mantra that dictates the shape and use it more specifically."

Kleio looked down at the Lira as he sat with a frown.

'It's easy to say that.'

It was difficult for him to squeeze out a mantra every time. However, considering the price of the restored object, he had no choice but to try it.

'Is there a reason Vasco, who studied old books, named it the Lira of Terpsichore? Is it an instrument that was played by some muse? It has a mythical tone to it.'

Kleio thought up all sorts of words for five straight minutes. He once more wished he had studied Korean literature before he confirmed the final mantra. Dione admired his speed and precision, and he carefully opened the circle and loaded a magic formula. When the light of the circle brightened, Kleio shouted his mantra.

"[Return to the form that gave joy to hymns when you were in the hands of the muse!]"

The radiant light of ether flashed and whirled around the circle, coloring the space around him white.

'Ugh, this... this formula eats up quite a bit of ether.'

Finally, the light faded and even Dione seemed enchanted by the results. It was the expression of one who had witnessed the impossible. The Lira shone in the middle of the bedsheets. It was a musical instrument with seven strings covered with the golden sand of time, looking like the gods had crafted it themselves.

"This is... unbelievable..."

Overwhelmed, Dione looked between the Lira and the person who restored it.

"Young master, can I do some analysis magic?"

"Go ahead."

Dione opened her circle and quickly launched a [Tracking][Analysis] magic formula on it. Results came out quickly from such a formula, but the combination couldn't analyze incomplete objects, which had its flaws.

"[Reveal your origins!]"

Dione's circle flashed. Due to his Understanding, the letters [3rd level wizard] appeared in front of Kleio. Dione analyzed the results as she bit into her lip, forgetting herself.

"It's a thousand years old- No, more than that! It's a relic!"

Her voice raised with excitement. The restoration had been a success. Kleio's tense shoulders relaxed.

'Done! Now, to sell it...'