Chapter 9 Boredom of Rich

These recent few days has been painfully boring.

Amos lay sprawled across the couch near the massive window of his room, staring blankly at the ceiling while afternoon sunlight poured across the floor.

His body had mostly recovered already thanks to his absurd vitality and mana. Unfortunately, recovering the body did not stop him from slowly losing his mind from boredom.

“This really sucks.”

He turned another page of the book lying on his chest, then shut it right away. Too dull. The issue wasn’t that the Kyros library lacked interesting reads, in fact it had far too many. Magic theory, ancient runes, mana circulation studies, kingdom histories, monster ecology, political records, swordsmanship manuals, alchemy, religion, economics, even the occasional cheesy romance novel for some reason.

Amos had spent almost three entire days inside the library already.

At first, it was exciting, but it soon became exhausting.

Because the more he learned the more he realized how little he actually knew.

Mana wasn’t just about making the body stronger, and spells weren’t simply about blasting mana harder. There were formulas, structures, and properties to consider. Conversions, affinity interactions, and mental image stabilization played their roles. Techniques like layered casting, compressed mana states, defensive shaping, sensory spreading, and counter-resonance added depth. And, astonishingly, some high-ranking mages could even alter the weather in the midst of battle.

“What kind of nonsense magics that.”

Amos groaned dramatically before rolling sideways across the couch.

“I’m bored.”

The room stayed silent. Even Ambrosia was busy. The little pale blonde-haired girl had become strangely motivated after entering the library and learnt about magic. She spent almost every day reading quietly beside Elena now.

Which honestly felt wrong somehow that she started learning from Elena. Ambrosia reading books peacefully while he was the one acting like a restless child.

“Did Elena just steal her away from me? Right in front of my own eyes?”

That thought alone offended him.

Amos let out a sigh and strolled to the window. Far below, servants bustled about the estate grounds while knights sparred in the distance. The scene was really wonderful. He crossed his arms, gazing out quietly.

Then his eyes narrowed slightly.

“Actually”

He had money now.

A lot of money to spend and nowhere to spend it on.

He had status, and in fantasy worlds, status usually meant access to exciting things such as magic tools, artifacts, rare materials, ancient books, weapons, and even slaves.

“Nope. Still hate that this world has that.”

Amos grimaced before pushing the thought aside.

Still an idea began to take shape in his mind.

“What do people even do for fun around here?”

As if on cue, there was a knock at the door.

“Young Master.”

“Come in.”

One of the servants stepped inside before bowing respectfully.

“There is news from the neighboring city.”

“Hm?”

“The Grand Aethalium Auction Hall will be holding a large-scale auction three days from now.”

Amos blinked.

“An auction?”

“Yes, Young Master. It appears many nobles, merchants, and adventurers will be attending, and an invitation has been sent here.”

The servant hesitated slightly before continuing.

“There are rumors that rare magical artifacts and dungeon relics may appear this time.”

Amos slowly straightened, his eyes scanning the room filled with dungeon relics, magic artifacts, and rare items, all waiting to be bid at the fantasy auction house.

JACKPOT.

His boredom vanished instantly.

“Now that,” Amos muttered, “sounds like my calling by fate itself.”

The servant looked confused.

Amos ignored him completely because his brain was already racing.

Fantasy auctions were never ordinary. They usually played out in one of a few ways: someone uncovered an absurdly overpowered hidden artifact, a protagonist managed to offend a noble, a cursed item made an appearance, an ancient inheritance was unveiled, or, on rare and chaotic occasions, an entire city somehow exploded.

“Perfect timing.”

A grin slowly spread across Amos’s face.

Finally, something interesting.

***

Three days later.Amos stood before the mirror, dressed head to toe in black. A dark traveling cloak draped over his frame, leather gloves hiding his hands, and a simple silver mask concealing the upper half of his face. The disguise wasn’t anything remarkable, but it would do.

"I look like every suspicious side character ever."

He turned slightly.

"Mysterious guy."

Another pose.

"Ancient hidden mysterious guy."

Third pose.

"Wealthy young master secretly attending an auction mysterious guy."

The mirror provided no feedback.

Amos nodded anyway.

"Good talk."

***

A few minutes later, he slipped out of the Kyros estate. Alone. Mostly alone. Officially, no one knew where he was headed. No one except Elena. She definitely did. She’d even caught him climbing over a window. The memory still hurts.

"Where are you going?"

Amos froze, slowly turning his head to see Elena standing below with her arms crossed.

"Somewhere."

"And that is?"

"Exercise."

"At midnight."

"Night exercise."

"You are attending the auction."

"..."

"You are attending the auction."

"Maybe."

"You are definitely attending the auction."

"Possibly."

"You are not fooling anyone."

"Just a bit more and you would have been."

Elena pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Just be back safely."

"No."

***

Several hours later, Amos reached the outskirts of the neighboring city. Towering stone walls encircled the bustling settlement, where caravans came and went without pause. Merchants, adventurers, nobles, and mercenaries filled the streets, their presence adding to the constant hum of activity that filled the air because everyone had come for the auction.

Amos joined the flow of travelers entering the city.

His mask drew a few curious glances, but nothing out of the ordinary. Many attendees wore masks some for privacy, some to hide their identities, and others probably simply just liked wearing masks. But as soon as Amos stepped into the city, he sensed it something in the atmosphere had changed. Expensive carriages lined the streets. Well-armed guards accompanied merchants. Mages in elaborate robes walked openly among the crowds. Even adventurers seemed stronger than those he usually saw.

He finally reached the auction hall.

"Damn."

The building was massive, a towering blend of white stone and enchanted glass. Golden magical lamps lit up its exterior, while dozens of luxury carriages lined the front. Nobles strode through the grand doors, adventurers flashed their invitation tokens, and merchants struck deals before even stepping inside. This wasn’t just an auction—it was an event, a gathering place for wealth and influence.

Amos felt excitement building immediately.

Because places like this always contained opportunities.

At the entrance a beautifully dressed receptionist smiled.

"Invitation, sir?"

Amos casually pulled out the Kyros family invitation. The woman’s professional smile instantly breaks, not because she knew him, but because she recognized the level of the invitations. A private VIP pass. The highest tier. The kind reserved for the most influential powers.

"Welcome, honored guest."

Her attitude changed instantly.

"Please follow me."

Amos followed, struggling to hide his amusement. Money really was the most powerful magic of all. The receptionist led him upstairs, past private rooms, guarded doors, and hallways that grew more lavish with every step. A private balcony suite overlooking the entire auction stage appeared before him.

The room was bigger than some houses, with soft couches, plenty of food and drinks, magical privacy barriers, and a perfect view of the stage. Amos eased into a seat, glanced around, then at the stage, and finally at the spread of free food.

"Now this is good services."

He immediately grabbed a pastry.

Far below, hundreds of wealthy guests milled about the hall. The auction hadn’t started yet, but the energy was already building. Amos felt that familiar, uneasy twinge—the one that came right before something big. Something that, without fail, would pull him straight into trouble.

"Yep."

He bit into the pastry.

"Something's definitely about to happen."