To Any Cost

Chapter 18: Beginner Bets

Heyo!!! Finals are coming up so please don't murder me if I don't update much next week... I'm really sorry... I would totally just skip school and testing and society for you guys, but that isn't really... socially acceptable according to some people... like teachers... Anyways, hope you like this new chapter!!! ;)

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   "LISANNA STRAUSS AND CANA ALBERONA!" Makarov shouted into the microphone.

   Cana groaned, "Gah... Here we go again..."

   "It'll be fun!" Lisanna smiled broadly.

   "Just get me a drink..." Cana grumbled and climbed up on stage after Lisanna.

   The two mages could see that all the circular tables that had been set up in the hall were filled and that some people had to either stand or sit on the ground. It was amazing how many men had actually shown up.

   "Alright!" Makarov pushed the two of them to the front of the stage, "Who should we bet on first?"

   Several shouts came from the crowd.

   "Well," Makarov chuckled, "I'll just pick! Lisanna, you're up!"

   Lisanna straightened, beaming, "Alright, Master!"

   Cana took a step back and a spotlight fell on to her fellow white-haired mage.

   "SO COOOOOLLLL!" a way too familiar shout came from the front of the crowd.

   "Oh dear God," Cana glared as the Sorcerer Weekly reporter, Jason climbed onto stage.

   "So, Lisanna," Jason held his own microphone up to the transformation mage's face, "How are you feeling about tonight?"

   "U-uh..." Lisanna's ears burned red, "Good I guess?"

   "COOOOL!" he shouted into the mic before turning back to her, "Who do you hope will win you?"

   "Oh! Um..." Lisanna blushed, "I-it doesn't really matter... I'm just happy to be helping out my guild!"

   "SO COOOOOOLLLL!" he shouted and turned away, allowing the auction to proceed.

   "I'm going to murder someone if I don't get a drink soon..." Cana grit her teeth.

   "ALRIGHT!" Makarov shouted into his mic, "This lovely lady is a transformation mage, sister of Mira-Jane Strauss, can cook extremely well, died but came back from the dead, and is one of the sweetest ladies in the guild," he paused to let that sink in.

   "H-hey!" Lisanna retorted, "I didn't die, I went to Edolas-"

   "So who wants to bet on her?" Makarov ignored her, "Do I here a 20? 30? 50?"

   "100!" someone shouted.

   "400!" someone else shouted.

   "1,000!" another exclaimed.

   "3,000!"

   "4,500!" 

   "6,000!"

   "10,000!"

   This went on for a good five minutes, until...

   "1,000,000J!" a familiar voice shouted.

   "Oh, hey, Bixlow!" Lisanna smiled sweetly. 'It's all going as planned,' she thought happily, 'I won't let you down sis...'

   "Going once... going twice..." Makarov glanced around at the betters. No one was willing to go higher, "SOLD! Bixlow, put the money in this box," he held up a large box.