Chapter 724 Intense Bidding War <TOC> Chapter 726 Shalom's Departure
Translator: SumTLMan
“Isn’t it plagiarism? Blatant plagiarism, even if it’s from a famous alchemist, doing such a thing is truly disgraceful.”
“Disgraceful? I think, as long as there are magic crystals to be made, anything goes. For instance, everyone is crafting energy stabilizers, so why don’t you accuse them of plagiarism?”
“You’re conflating the issue!”
“Who defines plagiarism? Accusing someone of plagiarism for crafting a music box is just stirring up trouble. Are you just envious because they made money and you can’t taste the grapes, so you claim the grapes are sour?”
“Even if it’s not plagiarism, it’s still copying someone else’s creativity.”
The conversation below the stage gradually shifted to “plagiarism of creativity.” In the mundane world, plagiarism is considered a loss of integrity for cultured individuals, but in the Wizarding World, there is no strict rule about it. Even if it were considered plagiarism, it would only upset the original creator and tarnish the plagiarist’s reputation slightly.
However, a slightly tarnished reputation wouldn’t hurt an alchemist; people who needed their services would still come to them, so they had no fear.
As a result, even if the plagiarism issue became a hot topic, it didn’t have much real impact.
Nevertheless, Silon, standing on the stage, shook his head, knowing that those leading the conversation were arranged by the head of the Shalom family. The head of the Shalom family had already violated an unspoken rule by deliberately revealing David as the auction’s consignor. Silon was actually quite resentful towards Shalom’s actions, which now included this new tactic.
Shalom was completely offending this alchemist.
Even if the topic gained traction and tarnished the opponent’s reputation, it wouldn’t be of much use. Which wizard in the Wizarding World is completely clean? Time is the greatest eraser of memory, and even a bad reputation will be diluted over time.
But the resentment of those involved would be hard to dispel. Thus, what the head of the Shalom family was doing by leading this conversation was truly foolish!
Especially considering that even apprentices could see the situation clearly, very few people were genuinely swayed by the conversation.
Silon sighed inwardly, but as a member of Magical Oasis, he couldn’t criticize his own family head. Once the auction was over, he would have a serious talk with the head of the Shalom family.
However, Silon didn’t expect that while the conversation didn’t gain much traction, someone was fed up with it.
Moreover, this person was the most powerful among the participating buyers – Sumesh.
A cold, authoritative snort suddenly silenced all the apprentices who were engaging in disputes.
Sumesh’s cold voice echoed throughout the auction hall: “I never thought that the Ancient Auction House would engage in such slanderous acts. It seems this is all you’re capable of.”
When Sumesh spoke up, Silon’s heart skipped a beat.
Just as it had been previously exposed that David was the one who submitted the item for auction, it was only natural for some to suspect something fishy. The head of the Shalom family was leading the narrative, and it wasn’t without a trace. Sumesh discovering the truth was also within the realm of possibility.
However, though the discovery was one thing, being willing to speak up and support the truth was not something Silon had expected.
It would have been one thing if others had spoken up, but Sumesh’s voice held significant weight, and he directly pointed the finger at the Ancient Auction House!
Silon felt a bit anxious and secretly cursed Shalom for his foolishness, wondering how he could remedy the situation.
But just then, Shalom, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up: “Lord Sumesh, isn’t it wrong to say that this matter has anything to do with our auction house? Even if he plagiarized someone else’s creativity, didn’t we still auction it off?”
Though Shalom didn’t explicitly say it, he did bring up the issue of plagiarizing creativity.
Sumesh suddenly laughed: “So, it’s Lord Shalom who has committed this act of defamation?”
“I didn’t defame anyone,” Shalom naturally wouldn’t admit it, “Besides, plagiarizing creativity is not a big deal, and it can’t be called defamation.”
“So, you can throw dirty water on others, but they can’t speak up?” Sumesh sneered.
As Shalom was about to respond, someone else laughed: “Lord Shalom, do you have any evidence of plagiarism?”
Shalom was stunned; it wasn’t Sumesh speaking, but Leon, the “Wild Sand Bear” from the Western Deserts.
Shalom asked, “Leon, are you also going to denounce me?”
Leon shook his head: “Of course not, I just want to speak a fair word. The plagiarism you mentioned is nothing more than the Illusion Music Box everyone is discussing. I can confidently tell you that the Illusion Music Box is the real plagiarism.”
Leon’s words suddenly silenced the room, even Sumesh quieted down. He had only spoken up to defend the dignity of the Phantom lineage and had some goodwill towards Angel, not minding speaking a few words on his behalf. But Leon’s sudden declaration caught him by surprise.
Leon had an excellent reputation, widely recognized in the entire Southern Wizarding World.
People would weigh his words carefully.
Silon’s expression also became serious at this point. Handling the narrative would have been easier, but if it turned out they had really been slandering others, it would be a significant blow to their Ancient Auction House.
Silon could only pray in his heart: please don’t let the Illusion Music Box be plagiarized.
Leon continued: “Coincidentally, last year, I heard that a young Cloud Whale would be auctioned at the mid-year auction in the Deep Twilight Well. So, I went to the Deep Twilight Well to attend the auction, where I saw a music box named ‘On Cloud 6.’ This music box indeed featured an illusion accompanied by music, and the illusion created by its maker was quite impressive. Especially the island that appeared in the sky at the end, which was incredibly stunning, undoubtedly a rare alchemical item.”
“His final transaction was at 8,100 magic crystals, purchased by Red Lotus Lydia. And this music box appeared much earlier than what you call the Illusion Music Box.” Pausing for a moment, Leon continued, “I know about the Illusion Music Box as well, and I even bought one with a stroke of luck. But after listening to it, I can confidently say that it’s nothing compared to On Cloud 6. The illusionary realm is like child’s play, lacking any sense of reality, and can be described as crudely made… most importantly, On Cloud 6 only has one song called ‘Castle in the Sky,’ which was plagiarized by the creator of the Illusion Music Box.”
“So, the Illusion Music Box is the true plagiarist,” Leon concluded, looking in the direction where Shalom was on the third floor.
By then, Shalom had nothing to say, feeling his face swelling with embarrassment.
Leon’s words covered many details, including time, place, and even why he attended Twilight Auction, the final transaction price of On Cloud 6, and the buyer, which seemed convincing. If any part of it was false, people would criticize him, damaging Leon’s reputation. Thus, everyone present believed him, and Shalom knew that given Leon’s character, what he said should be true.
If it was true, then Shalom’s previous actions to manipulate the situation would be an embarrassment, and he even offended an alchemist in the process!
Shalom fell silent, but Sumesh laughed and clapped his hands, “Wonderful! Not only did you want to defame someone, but you also got it wrong. Using the real plagiarist to make a point, isn’t it awkward, Lord Shalom?”
Ignoring Sumesh’s mockery, Leon, who had supported him earlier, spoke up.
“Your words are not entirely accurate, Lord Sumesh. What I said earlier was simply discussing the matter at hand. The Illusion Music Box is indeed a plagiarized work, not an original.” Leon changed his tone, “But I never said that the music box currently being auctioned by Silon is an original. It could be plagiarized as well.”
Leon’s words were fair, leaving Sumesh with nothing to say.
At that moment, Jailall, who had been watching silently, suddenly said, “To prove whether the music box being auctioned now is plagiarized, why not display the effects of the music box for all to see?”
Leon nodded, “I agree.”
The other apprentices also nodded in agreement, thinking it could be shown.
Although Chilledin, who was still bidding, didn’t want the Alchemy Illusion to be exposed, the auction item was still in the hands of the organizer. According to the rules, until it was officially sold, the organizer had the right to decide how to display it.
Silon didn’t make a decision immediately but looked at Shalom on the third floor, seeking his guidance.
Shalom didn’t know whether to show the effects of the music box or not. If the music box were indeed the original creator’s, he would become a laughingstock today. But if it were made by a plagiarist, it could somewhat clear his name.
After thinking about it, Shalom wanted to know the difference between the Illusion Music Box in his hand and that one, so he sent a message to Silon, “Go ahead.”
Upon receiving the signal, Silon told the crowd, “Alright, let’s show it then.”
As Silon spoke, he opened the lid of the music box, activating its key mechanism. The instant the music box was activated, several lively and splendid notes suddenly struck everyone’s hearts.
It was like having someone whispering softly in their ears, yet as the notes turned, they transformed into a beautiful and delightful conversation. The prelude immediately captured the attention of the audience.
“Is this a piano piece? It’s quite an interesting piece of music.” Even those with no talent for music appreciation couldn’t help but smile, influenced by the lively notes.
Not long after the prelude began, everyone noticed that the environment around them had changed without their realization. Almost all the apprentice wizards were unaware of how the change occurred. Only the official wizards had some perception, but even so, they were astonished by the almost lifelike illusion.
The illusionist who crafted this had a skill level that could rival some illusion-based wizards! Just with this single ability, everyone understood that the starting price of 150 magic crystals was too low! No wonder the consignor would rather spend the money to bid for it themselves than hand it over to the Ancient Auction House.
For the alchemist who crafted this work, it was simply an insult.
In the illusion, they found themselves in a forest where a vague figure was conversing with a young woman. Although they couldn’t see their faces clearly, the gestures and expressions during their conversation, accompanied by the music, revealed that they were enjoying a pleasant exchange.
“The illusion is incredibly lifelike, with virtually no flaws,” someone sighed. “I also have an illusion music box, but its illusion is incomparable to this one.”
“I’m starting to believe what Lord Leon said. The illusion in that music box is trash compared to this one that’s almost like the real world. This might be the original version.”
Someone also asked Leon quietly if this was related to On Cloud 6 he had seen at the Twilight Auction before.
Leon replied, “I’m not sure yet, but the opening spell and the incredibly realistic illusion are even more astonishing than On Cloud 6.”
On the other side, Sumesh silently smirked, thinking, “Of course, the illusion is more impressive. As Granny said, Angel’s strength has grown to an astonishing level in a short time… Add in this nightmare-infused illusion, and it’s hard not to be realistic.”
At this point, everyone began to immerse themselves in the story within the illusion.
However, the wizards from the Savage Grottoes had purposely diverted a portion of their thoughts, pondering what magical power Angel’s crafted alchemical illusion held, allowing Gloria to gain insight and even receiving high praise from Lord Rhine.
At this moment, the music had entered the cheerful and magnificent overlapping section from the beginning, and the girl in the illusion, who was conversing, suddenly spun around joyfully, like a graceful dancing butterfly, twirling in the forest to the music.
As everyone’s eyes were still locked on the spinning girl, the surrounding illusion quietly changed once more.
They found themselves in the depths of a narrow alley.
The girl stopped spinning and saw a hunchbacked blind old man before her, engaging in a conversation with him.
Although the onlookers could not hear their conversation, they understood the meaning of the dialogue through the music: a kind girl encountered a blind old man, whose wish was to regain his sight and see the ocean and forests with his own eyes.
The girl sought to fulfill the old man’s wish, asking for help from others, and finally found another vague figure in the opening forest.
That was a mysterious wizard.
The wizard fulfilled the girl’s wish, casting a spell beside the old man, and light appeared in the old man’s eyes, revealing a series of scenes.
Accompanied by even more magnificent musical notes, these scenes appeared before everyone’s eyes in reality.
It was at this moment that the vast majority of wizards stood up, as the scenes in the old man’s eyes were indeed mountains and oceans, forests and waves, but they were filled with an eerie sense of incongruity.
“It’s him! It must be him!” Leon exclaimed, “This music box is definitely created by the original author of On Cloud 6! It’s exactly the same, and the feeling it gives me is the same as Castle in the Sky, no, even stronger and more… fascinating and yearning.”
Chapter 724 Intense Bidding War <TOC> Chapter 726 Shalom's Departure