For How Much

As they worked, the spectators were feeling a plethora of emotions. The siblings were both quite skeptical of Lin Ke's sketch. How could a sketch be anywhere near the same level as a painting? Wasn't he just asking to lose?

However, despite their doubt, they continued to watch silently as the time ticked away. At times, Lin Ke swapped out his pencil for a new one when it got dull, at other times, he erased portions of his sketch, and at others he paused to look at the artwork.

As they continued on, the spectators started conversing quietly to themselves. Mr. Wraht was talking passionately to Lia, trying to get her to answer his questions. However, all he got out of her was her name. At some point, someone came in with a tray of teacups and a teapot.

Finally, as the last bits of sand falls to the bottom of the hourglass, Mr. Wraht stands up. "Times up."

At this point, both of them were already finished with their artwork. Abraham had started earlier, and also finished a few minutes before Lin Ke. However, Lin Ke used the last for minutes to look over his work and dabble his eraser here and there. When Mr. Wraht called time, he immediately put down his eraser.

"Alright, now who will present their artwork first?" Mr. Wraht asks.

"How about I go first?" Abraham says, fully confident in his painting. He was extremely confident that he would be able to take the win, but he was also a little pissed that the kid didn't even bother to try.

Abraham glanced at Lin Ke with disdain. Not only was he disrespecting artists, but also pretending to be one. Abraham couldn't stand it. His behavior was straight up unacceptable, and that is why Abraham had to win this, and teach the kid a lesson.

A lesson on the pride of an artist.

Abraham stood up and turned his painting to face the judges, causing them to nod in satisfaction. The painting was a beautiful scene of a deer standing in the middle of an open plain. The deer was munching on grass, with a clear sky with a few clouds on top of it.

"Mmm. Very well made painting. It's nearly perfect, with immaculate,well calculated brush strokes. Nice textures…" Mr. Mast comments. "However, here at the deer, you could have used a scraper to scrape off some parts of the paint to add more detail to the deer. Other than a few slight things, I think this is a great painting! It's perhaps somewhere around the middle of C-tier. Quite good for a painting you made in an hour."

Mr. Wraht also gives a few small comments on the painting, not saying much about it. However, he does give a small nod.Mr. Yotzal, on the other hand, doesn't even bat an eye, instead keeps silent.

"Alright then, Lin Ke, could you please show us your… artwork." Mr. Wraht said. In his eyes, the result was already clear for all to see. Lin Ke was still so young, so reckless… maybe if he had a few more years, he could turn out a artwork as good as Mr. Abraham's.

Lin Ke nods, and turns his easel around.

"Alright then… I'd have to say my vote goes to-...." Mr. Wraht's voice trails off as the artwork comes into his sight.

Mr. Wraht stares at shock at the sketch. It radiated a sense of despair, of sadness, one that seeped into your mind when you least expected, causing you to lose yourself in the drawing.

It was an immensely complexed sketch, but it had such a strong message. It was an image of a man, clutching at a woman's body. There was a large, intricate sword in the woman's stomach. One of the woman's hands rested on the man's cheek, and her expression was peaceful. The man's expression reflected his pain, his sorrow.

All around them were signs of the battlefield. Broken blades littered the ground, countless corpses and other unidentifiable objects created a scene of devastation.

As they all stared at the masterpiece, the first person to return to their senses was Mr. Mast. When he finally got over his shock, he began to critique the artwork.

"Amazing! This drawing isn't something anyone could do! Amazing, simply beautiful! Each mark of your pencil was just the right strength, each neat and perfectly calculated. Your use of an eraser to make the sides of the painting more blurry was simply marvelous! It gave more attention to the main focus of the painting whilst still retaining the environment. Well done! Perhaps even I would find it hard to do better!" Mr. Mast praised.

"This… this is simply a masterpiece!" Mr. Wraht exclaimed. "I… Sir Lin Ke, would you mind selling your painting to us? Or, we can help you sell your painting here!"

Even Yotzal, with his cold attitude, gave a surprised nod. "Good. It's definitely better than the trash that other guy made."

Abraham looked at the sketch in shock. On one hand, he didn't want to admit he had lost. However, the truth was right before him. "B...B-tier painting? H-how?"

Abraham feels his heart sink. This person was truly an artist. Not only was he an artist, but he was also a damn good one at that. The badge he showed earlier was most definitely his, but in a moment of outrage, Abraham didn't think clearly.

"It's my loss. There's no need for the judges to give their opinions. This one was clearly my loss." Abraham sighs. He extends a hand out to shake Lin Ke's. "I apologize for doubting your abilities, you are truly a genius."

Lin Ke accepts Abraham's hand and gives it a firm shake. "So, where's my 5 Mid-Grade Chaos Stones?"

Abraham freezes. He wants to bang himself on the top of the head. Why did he have to say that? What was wrong with him???

However, he couldn't go back on his words. Reaching into his spatial ring, Abraham pulls out 5 Mid-Grade Chaos Stones, causing the air to thicken from the World Energy seeping out.

As he hands it over to Lin Ke, Abraham feels his heart bleed. That was almost half his life's fortune! The amount of time it took for him to accumulate that amount of wealth was mind boggling. However, due to one moment's lapse in judgement, he had lost it all. However, there was no one to blame but himself and, as such, he didn't hold any ill will towards Lin Ke.

Then, Lin Ke turned over to Mr. Wraht. "You said you could help me sell my work here? For how much?"