The audience whispered among themselves while the auctions caught fire, the item is special and the seller is even more special.

'Is he really the heavenly magician? If he really is, the scroll is original and excellent.'

'I think so too, auction owners can't lie about their products, it will only harm them and their credibility.'

'The price is getting too high! I'll bet on the other scrolls and try my luck.'

.........

In the private room, the companions of the heavenly magician burst out laughing, the surprise was good.

'You're amazing as usual; I didn't honestly expect it from you.'

'A genius idea, you earn money, fame and the public's attention for you later.'

Both Ederson and Albus praised Maximus who just sat quietly drinking tea as if he expected a similar result.

'Even I need to make money guys, being a hero doesn't pay you money. You have to win it with your own efforts and that's what I am doing.'

'You're right. Now that the first phase of your plan has succeeded. What's next?'

Albus, who was the most vigilant of them, kept thinking and trying to anticipate Maximus' next move, but he rarely succeeded, as Maximus is atypical in his decisions.

'I'll take the stage as soon as the auction ends; no one will have the right to object if I think about it from the point of view of the others.'

.........

'It is sold for 210 gold coins, moving on to our next item which is the second scroll out of seven. The 'Black Flame field' is of the seventh grade. The same starting price of 30 coins. Let's start with the bid.'

Bids poured in like last time and sold at an incredible price and the same was the case with the rest of the scrolls. It was beneficial for both Maximus and the auction house, as they would each make fantastic profits after the auction ended.

'Sold for 250... Sold for 180... Sold for 200... The latter sold for 270.'

With a total gold coins of more than one thousand four hundred for all the seven scrolls. Maximus has gotten enough wealth to buy a small castle.

'Blessed be your wealth, comrade. You're amazing.'

'Who would have expected that the total bids on it would reach more than a thousand gold coins!!'

---------------------------

The auction continued after that and none of the items on display was as spectacular as those scrolls except for a few antiques every now and then. Only the last item out of the fifty remains.

'We conclude our auction with another amazing item. 'Chemistry Research Book of Ilos'. A book famous among alchemists as the legendary reference for the science of chemistry. An adventurer who found it did not want to be identified as he explored unknown ruins in the north. The starting price is 150 gold coins.'

Competition for this book, which had been missing for decades, flared up again.

'160... 170... 230... 280...'

The price continued to rise crazily and none of the attendees wanted to miss the opportunity to get big fame and money. A book with most of the recipes of known potions and treatments, even an intermediate-ranking chemist can implement these recipes to the letter and get high-quality potions that are sold at exorbitant prices.

Maximus also entered the bidding race and managed to get it for 430 gold coins.

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

'Congratulations on winning this book, was that part of your plan?'

'It was nothing more than a coincidence and I decided to make money as a precaution to seize an opportunity like this.'

'You told us earlier that you have comprehensive knowledge in most areas. So what do you want from this book?'

Emily, who was a chemist, asked a good question to Maximus, who entered the bidding race without warning.

'You're right, but I don't have time to rewrite a book about chemistry. I'll just examine this book and give it to you afterwards.'

Maximus stood up from his seat after the host finished his speech to take his place.

'I have to go now it's time.'

Maximus Momentarily moved to the stage and a clear astonishment appeared among the audience.

'What's happening? Is it a special event or is something out of the program?'

Maximus scrutinized the audience with a peek at them. He took a few steps while extending his arms and spoke in a tone of great pride.

'Greetings to all attendees at this event. This is the heavenly magician.'

He paused for a moment but the audience was completely agitated after hearing this name. Some suspected it was a hoax from the auction house and others thought they were just an impersonator.

'Silence!!'

One single yell reinforced by mana silenced all the attendees who had just been distracted.

'Please remain silent for the rest of the time as the noise bothers me very much.'

Complete silence pervaded the hall and not a single breath was heard.

'Many of you are regular attendees at this auction but your attention increased after you received replies from the Academy of Mydrias that things would be explained at the auction. '

He turned around and took a few steps away from the edge of the platform.

'The world is on the verge of a major catastrophe that could lead the entire population of the continent to annihilation. I came to this podium where dignitaries gather to discuss strategy to confront this inevitable disaster.'

Maximus applauded and transported his comrades who came with him to his side on stage.

'But!! Many of you may not believe me and I do not have time to convince you. So, if you are not convinced, leave. I won't force you to listen to this talk, but you are forced to carry out the orders we will give when we are done.'

None of the attendees left, but trembled in their places at the mere thought of how powerful and dangerous Maximus was. He did a number of things that broke conventional logic, such as the Universal Declaration and the scrolls he had previously auctioned.

'Nobody wants to leave then? It is a wise decision to listen until the end even if you do not like the talk. So let's continue our conversation.'

He thought for a moment about his next words and then pointed to his comrades first.

'These are my first partners in the plan that we started preparing a while ago. You are expected to know at least two faces of them.'

The audience has to know at least Academy Director Albus and Anastasia the Sun Sword, both dignitaries on the continent. Great magician and great sword lady.

'Let's go back to our main theme. Disaster will strike in just a bit less than three years, precisely on the day of the eclipse of the next leap year.'

Panic spread among the audience like wildfire, the threat of extinction is not a joke at least.

'Quiet!! Listen to the rest of the conversation first before speaking. If all parties cooperate in this plan, the worst could be avoided at a minimum and an all-out victory could be achieved at the maximum. Now I will tell you the details of the catastrophe that we got from the prophecy.'

The level of panic decreased but did not disappear completely, each felt deep down that things might not go according to plan. Or even that the prophecy is wrong which will create even greater disaster.

'From the details that we know so far, the disaster takes place through four stages: the first stage manifests itself in the form of natural disasters, the most important of which is the drought, which caused a food shortage crisis and countless deaths after that. While the second stage is a dramatic increase in the number of wild beasts and the emergence of new types from rubble, caves, etc. For the third stage, it is similar to the second with only one fundamental difference; the emergence of intelligent monsters capable of communicating in our language will play the role of leaders on the side of monsters, which will cause a huge problem, if not dealt with quickly.'

There was silence for seconds until an audience interrupted the silence with a question.

'Mr. Magician, you talked about four stages, so why did you mention only three?'

Maximus sighed and then answered this important question.

‘That is the problem, we know there is a fourth phase but we do not know what will happen during and afterwards.'

Fear turned into panic that filled the air, fear of a known danger does not even approach an iota of fear of the unknown...