Shinji Matou at Your Service

"The auction will now resume, with the current bid at $240 million," announced the auctioneer, named Leandra. From her appearance, she seemed the most like the owner of the train.

She was dressed in a luxurious fur coat, with short hair and a model-like figure. Strips of leather were wrapped around her eyes, yet it didn't hinder her movements. This auctioneer also possessed Mystic Eyes.

The auction was held in a carriage known as the Vault of the Thousand Mystic Eyes, which used spatial folding technology to make the interior space more than double the actual size of the carriage.

The walls of the vault were lined with glass cylinders containing eyeballs. The dense collection of eyes made even Shinji feel a shiver down his spine. These were all Mystic Eyes, each containing rare mysteries.

Amid the countless eyeballs, Leandra struck the gavel, announcing the resumption of the auction.

"$250 million."

"$260 million."

The astonishing numbers quickly flew through the carriage.

First was Adashino Hishiri, followed by Melvin. The former glanced at the latter, narrowing her eyes like a snake.

Before she could raise her paddle again, someone else joined the fray.

"$280 million."

It was Yvette.

This time, it was Shinji's turn to narrow his eyes, shifting his gaze from left to right and back again.

The Lehrman family might be a noble lineage, but their secret arts involve using gemstones to simulate Mystic Eyes, which places a heavy financial burden on them. There's no way they have that much liquid capital. Without a doubt, someone is backing her. Is it that mastermind behind the scenes? Or could it be Luvia, who shouldn't be here? Or is Luvia herself the mastermind in disguise?

Soon, Adashino and Melvin caught up again.

"$300 million."

"$320 million."

Amidst the continuously escalating bids, which seemed to rise with competitive fervor, Shinji quietly nudged Waver with his elbow.

"Tell me your thoughts on these Mystic Eyes. Are they worth spending so much money to acquire?"

Waver thought for a moment, holding his chin, and replied, "The value of something isn't absolute but depends on its significance to the individual. If this were an unrestricted auction at the Clock Tower, and the legendary Rainbow Mystic Eyes of Death Perception were up for bid, it wouldn't be surprising for the price to increase by several times. Mystic Eyes can transcend theory and causality to grant the result called death—everyone would covet them. However, the Mystic Eyes of Transience in this auction don't hold that kind of decisive power. Although Jewel Mystic Eyes are rare, and even a lord would have to put in significant effort to acquire them, the ability to make the past appear in the present has varying value depending on the person. For people like us, who are tied to the remnants of the past, they're valuable, but for other magi, perhaps not so much."

"I see."

Shinji turned his head to a different target.

"What do you think, deputy manager?"

"Eyes and people influence each other. A person can control their eyes, but the eyes can also restrain a person. I suggest that you consider this carefully. I feel that the Mystic Eyes of Transience are not suitable for you. If you have needs in this area, you can contact the master through this individual. I'm sure she can find the most suitable Mystic Eyes for you."

"Thanks. Arcueid, what do you think?"

"Crunch, um—"

Arcueid, somehow having procured a bag of chips, mumbled as she chewed.

"It should suit Mana-chan quite well. Past, present, future—she has a knack for that kind of thing. After all, she's that woman's child."

"With your reassurance, I'm at ease."

Shinji finally opened his narrowed eyes.

Ryougi Mana, the daughter of Ryougi Shiki, was a girl Shinji regarded as the best unpolished gem, and she was his intended top disciple. Although she hadn't formally become his student yet, her future master was already planning for her.

In his previous life memories, there wasn't much information about Mana, only that she was a precocious girl who, despite being only ten years old, could outwit adults in their twenties.

These adults included not only her father, Kokutou—no, Ryougi Mikiya (Mikiya had married into the Ryougi family to ensure the continuation of the prestigious exorcist clan)—but also a man named Mitsuru Kamekura.

Mitsuru was a key figure in the chapter of Kara no Kyoukai (The Garden of Sinners), and, like Shinji, he had a hidden profession as an explosion artist or, more accurately, a bomber.

Unlike Shinji, who engaged in explosives as a hobby, Mitsuru was a professional, setting bombs for profit. His precision and minimal collateral damage earned him a notorious reputation in Tokyo's underworld, a level of skill far surpassing Shinji's (who nearly blew himself up). His accuracy was due to his special ability or Mystic Eyes—Future Sight, a determinative type of Future Sight. This was the opposite of the Transience Mystic Eyes, determining the future he set.

Generally, the future seen through deterministic Future Sight cannot be changed. However, exceptional cases do exist, and Mitsuru encountered one such exception.

This unlucky fellow was spotted by Ryougi Shiki during one of her missions. To eliminate any potential threat, Shiki constantly tracked him, and eventually, Shiki used the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception to kill his predetermined future, rendering his Mystic Eyes useless and ending his explosive career.

For some reason unknown, Shiki spared Mitsuru at that time. Over a decade later, her daughter, Mana, took a liking to Mitsuru and clung to him all the time.

Apart from Mitsuru, Mana and Shiki also had significant interactions with another person possessing Future Sight, Mother of Mifune.

She had Mystic Eyes that allowed her to see destiny's branches and the ultimate future. She once performed a divination for Shiki's other personality, SHIKI, before Shiki fell into a coma, predicting that SHIKI would die no matter what but that Shiki would have a happy ending.

After Mother of Mifune lost her abilities and fell into poverty, Mana, along with Mitsuru, found her and thanked her on behalf of her other father, SHIKI, encouraging her to restart her career.

Additionally, Mana's father, Mikiya, while still surnamed Kokutou, had interactions with another woman possessing Future Sight, Seo Shizune. Her Future Sight was the weakest type, predictive Future Sight, only occasionally seeing fragments of destiny. But this also highlights this family's deep connection to the future.

The future attracts the present, and the present is tied to the past. As Arcueid said, this family has strong ties to both the future and the past, making them ideal candidates for the Mystic Eyes of Transcience.

Although the Mystic Eyes of Transcience are weaker compared to the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception and the ultimate Future Sight, they are more than sufficient as a welcome gift for an apprentice.

Only one problem remains—money. Does Shinji have enough to make such a bid?

While they chatted, the auction price had climbed from $320 million to $460 million, with Melvin as the bidder.

"Deputy Manager, I have a question."

"Please, go ahead."

"Does this auction accept payment in gold?"

"The currency used in this auction is the U.S. dollar. For customer convenience, the train does offer a dollar exchange service, though the rate is conservative due to real-time fluctuations. We appreciate your understanding."

"That's fine. As long as I can exchange it, then I'll make my bid."

"Please, go ahead."

The woman wrapped in roses handed him a bidding paddle.

Shinji took the paddle, and after Yvette called out the staggering price of $500 million, he raised it high and, with a playful voice, announced his bid.

"I bid, hmm, let's start with ten tons of gold, as a gesture!"