My System Just Exploded, And You Ask Me to Become a God?-Chapter 21 --Not Bad at All

"Hey, friend, surely you understand the concept of 'first come, first served,' right?"

"I already said I'm buying this crimson witchgrass—what you're doing isn't very appropriate."

Joad's tone carried a hint of displeasure as he examined the young man before him. But what surprised him was the arrogant attitude the guy gave off.

"First come, first served? All I know is: the highest bidder wins."

"You're really cocky, aren't you?"

Joad scanned him once more, and at the same time, unleashed his mind power like a vast web.

He quickly detected a dozen figures lurking behind the young man.

At the front of the group stood an elderly noble with snow-white hair.

Joad's eyes lit up—

this old noble was actually a mage, and a high-tier elite mage at that!

His power even surpassed that of Headmaster Simar!

Beside him stood a young full-fledged mage, also of high rank.

Just then, the young man in front of Joad suddenly spoke up:

"Joad, I know who you are. A student from Ilan Royal Academy, the youngest son of Marquis Whide."

"You only act this smug because you've got Ilan Royal Academy and your senior Leit protecting you, so no one dares mess with you here."

"But I want you to know—I'm not afraid of you."

Joad frowned.

"Are you trying to provoke me?"

"What do you think?"

...

A flicker of confusion crossed Joad's face.

"What exactly do you gain from this?"

"Nothing in particular. I just feel like knocking you down a peg. Let Leit know... he's really got nothing to brag about."

Trying to stir up trouble with Leit—right here in Ilan Principality?

These people... who are they, to be this arrogant?

Even Ivy was at a loss.

At that moment, the young man flashed a smug grin and added,

"Oh, I forgot to mention—I'm from the Pyrothian Kingdom."

As soon as the words dropped, he looked at Joad mockingly.

Joad raised a brow.

The Pyrothian Kingdom was ruled by an actual king—not a duke.

Typically, within a kingdom's territory, there might be many principalities.

But the Pyrothian Kingdom's strength was undeniably immense.

To put it plainly, the strongest figures in Ilan Principality might be elite-rank mages,

but in the Pyrothian Kingdom, elite-rank mages were considered... average.

Even so, Joad didn't show the slightest hint of surprise. He replied calmly,

"So what if you're from the Pyrothian Kingdom? Are you going to kill me now?"

The Pyrothian Kingdom had laws of its own—

They weren't allowed to abuse their status or bully the people of other principalities without reason.

If they were caught doing so without provocation, the kingdom itself would deal the harshest punishment.

"Seems like you're well-informed."

The young man smirked, then continued,

"Since you know the rules, then do yourself a favor and crawl back into your shell.

This crimson witchgrass—be a good boy and hand it over."

Joad was speechless. It was obvious the guy was deliberately trying to provoke him.

But it was also clear that Joad was a small fry to them—not worth the effort.

Their real target had to be Leit.

But why were they so determined to go after him?

Joad frowned, then said,

"Well... maybe this crimson witchgrass isn't yours either.

I'll pay 3,000 mana stones!"

Hmm?

A surprised look flickered across the young man's face.

"Are you trying to outbid me? Flexing your wealth?"

He'd been to many principalities, and everywhere he went, people treated him with respect.

But Joad clearly had no intention of backing down.

He wasn't acting now just to avoid trouble—once they were off Ilan territory, he fully intended to crush this guy.

Joad might keep a low profile, but that didn't mean he was someone to be toyed with.

And when it came to wealth—

even Pyrothian Kingdom's minor nobles couldn't possibly match the riches of House Rima's heiress!

The young man sneered,

"Alright then. If you want to play, I'll go all in. I'll pay 4,000!"

Joad glanced at the shopkeeper, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

"5,000!"

"6,000!"

"7,000!"

"10,000!"

Ten thousand mana stones!

The young man faltered for a moment. That wasn't a small amount.

But with the situation building to this point, backing out now would be a slap to his own face—

and an insult to the Pyrothian Kingdom as well.

So he gritted his teeth and declared,

"12,000!"

"20,000!"

Joad raised two fingers and waved them slowly in front of him.

The young man's face turned pale with rage, but he didn't immediately respond.

This crimson witchgrass normally only cost about 1,000 mana stones,

but now the bidding had reached 20,000—

a full 20x markup!

No one with half a brain would continue bidding!

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The young man hesitated, while Ivy remained completely unfazed.

Joad had helped her so much recently.

20,000 mana stones? No big deal.

If he wanted it, she'd gladly buy it for him.

Just then, Joad used magical telepathy to whisper in Ivy's ear:

"Ivy, we have to get this crimson witchgrass."

"Because it's not crimson witchgrass at all. It's phoenixfire herb!

The shopkeeper doesn't know what he's selling—and neither does the Pyrothian guy.

We have to buy it!"

Ivy was stunned.

She'd heard of phoenixfire herb before, but had never actually seen one.

Still... if even someone from the Pyrothian Kingdom couldn't recognize it, how did Joad?

What neither of them noticed—

was that the young man's face had lit up with delight.

He used his own mind power to re-examine the plant.

Sure enough—he now sensed an unusual magical fluctuation coming from it!

Right then, Joad spoke up,

"Since our friend from the Pyrothian Kingdom isn't bidding anymore, I suppose this crimson witchgrass—"

"Wait!"

"Who said I was done bidding?"

"Shopkeeper, I'll pay 22,000!"

Joad frowned and hesitantly raised three fingers.

"30,000!"

"32,000!"

The young man called again, his gaze full of open provocation.

Joad's expression turned completely dark.

He stayed silent for a long time, eyes fixed on the plant with unwilling intensity.

Ivy was just about to speak, but the young man cut in:

"What, you're not bidding anymore?

Though I guess it makes sense. Ilan Principality only makes a few tens of thousands mana stones per year.

30,000's probably your limit, huh?"

Joad abruptly lifted his head, glaring at the man.

But the young man wasn't intimidated at all—he shot back a glare just as fierce.

"You think I didn't hear your little magic whisper just now?"

"You're just an apprentice mage. A nobody."

Joad's face turned even darker, like he'd been gravely insulted.

The young man, emboldened, pulled out a pouch of mana stones and handed it to the shopkeeper.

"Wrap up the herb. I'm buying it!"

Joad's face was thunderous with rage as he spat,

"You Pyrothian Kingdom bastards really are despicable. Fine—you win. I'm out."

In the end, Joad had no choice but to walk away with Ivy, fuming with frustration.

The young man felt immensely satisfied watching Joad's angry retreating back.

"Hmph, you really thought you were something special? Going up against me? Please."

...

Joad and Ivy walked down the main street.

Ivy quietly followed, then hesitantly asked:

"Joad, actually... I had more mana stones on me.

If you really wanted that crimson witchgrass, we could've bought it."

"But why didn't you let me say anything back there?"

Joad glanced at her—then suddenly grinned.

The anger and frustration from before vanished without a trace.

In its place was a face full of smug delight.

"Ivy, are you kidding me?"

"Spend tens of thousands of mana stones on a herb that's only worth a thousand?

Do I look like an idiot?"

Ivy came to a full stop, stunned. Her bright red lips parted in shock.

"Joad, you—"