Reborn with Infinity Money System, I was Worshipped by All Universes!

Jerry's hands trembled as he reached out and took the ring from Velen. His eyes were filled with a deep, almost painful reluctance.

This was five million low-grade mana crystals!

And just like that, his hard-earned first place was bought away by Velen.

Meanwhile, inside Velen's mind, he was feeling incredibly smug, secretly boasting to the system:

"See that, System? Didn't I say I could secure the deal for under fifty million? Tell me, wasn't that wasteful spending behavior executed cleanly and beautifully?"

"Hmph. You, Host, have merely completed the task. Consider yourself lucky that this system chooses to overlook your antics for now,"

came the system's cold and slightly exasperated reply in Velen's mind.

Holding the ring tightly, Jerry stared at Velen. For a moment, the atmosphere between the two became tense and strangely awkward.

Jerry's heart was seething with unwillingness.

Hmph! As soon as this transaction is over, I'm challenging you immediately!

There's no way you can just buy my ranking with money! I'll take it back with my own hands!

Experience still counts in the end — the older, the wiser!

The two locked eyes, neither willing to look away, for nearly three full minutes.

Sweat was starting to mat Jerry's hair to his forehead from sheer anxiety.

"I say, Brother Velen..."

Finally, Jerry couldn't hold it in anymore. He tapped his fingers irritably against the table and said,

"You didn't prepare a duel contract, did you?"

Velen blinked innocently.

"Why don't... you bring one out?"

What the—

What did he just say?!

"Don't tell me... you don't have one either!"

Jerry almost crushed the cup in his hand from sheer frustration.

"If you don't have it, this whole transaction has to be called off!"

I'm the freaking number one on the Rising Magi Rankings!

Am I supposed to walk around carrying duel contracts in my pockets like a hawker, constantly challenging the second place?!

Where's my dignity as number one? Where's my sense of style?!

Of course, Jerry didn't dare voice any of this out loud.

He was terrified that if he said anything reckless, the five million crystal offer might suddenly plummet even further!

Forcing out a stiff commercial smile, Jerry said,

"Fortunately, I just happen to have a few contracts stored with Christian. Please wait a moment, I'll fetch them right away!"

Without wasting a second, he bolted out of the guest room and headed next door toward Christian's room.

When he arrived, he found Christian roasting marshmallows leisurely over a small magical flame.

"Jerry, who exactly is this Velen guy?"

Christian looked up curiously when he saw him enter.

"Loose lips sink ships!"

Jerry immediately glared fiercely at Christian, his eyes full of warning.

"From now on," Jerry said in a stern, low voice, "you better call him 'Lord Velen.' Don't say I didn't warn you."

"While I may not be afraid of him, his capabilities are far beyond what you can afford to provoke!"

Christian froze, instantly scared stiff by Jerry's sudden stern attitude.

He nodded repeatedly, not daring to even breathe loudly.

"You should have some Mutual Consent contracts on hand, right? Bring me two!"

Jerry urged, his voice low and impatient.

Right now, all he wanted was to get this deal finalized and over with.

Hmph, even if I lost five million crystals today, I'll still snatch back my number one ranking soon enough!

In his mind, Jerry remained confident.

Velen may have bought his way to the top for now, but in a real battle, as Blackgold Sovereign's mentee, I have nothing to fear!

Grabbing the two contracts, Jerry hurried back.

As he walked, he muttered under his breath,

"Five million crystals is a little painful... but once I beat him down and reclaim the top spot, it'll all be worth it!"

"And when they carve the inscription under my champion statue… what should it say?"

Soon, the two of them activated the Mutual Consent contracts.

Velen calmly handed over the spatial ring packed with five million low-grade mana crystals.

"I concede!"

Jerry practically shouted the words faster than an auctioneer at a black market, tightly clutching the ring to his chest like a starving man grabbing his last meal.

He was terrified Velen would change his mind and snatch it back.

As the Mutual Consent burned away into gray ashes before their eyes, Velen knew with satisfaction that, once the Hall of Magi processed the contract, his new ranking would be official — task complete.

Meanwhile, deep within the Hall of Magi…

Kelsey stared at the spontaneously appearing Mutual Consent in front of him, a flicker of admiration crossing his eyes.

He quickly picked it up and examined it carefully.

The contract detailed a full item exchange, alongside a formal acknowledgment of defeat.

The familiar format and procedures made Kelsey nod in approval.

He couldn't help but mutter under his breath,

"Although I don't know exactly how many crystals Young Master Velen spent… this method of 'defeating' an opponent is truly ingenious.

We should consider promoting this tactic more widely!"

Back inside the guest room…

Ding! Achievement unlocked! Reward: 10 million Luxury Points!

Ding! Task complete! Reward: 300 million Luxury Points!

Two system notifications rang out almost simultaneously in Velen's mind.

The corners of his lips lifted higher, revealing a thoroughly satisfied smile.

"Having insiders sure makes life easier,"

Velen chuckled to himself.

"The Mutual Consent had barely turned to ashes, and they've already processed the transaction over there. Such efficiency!"

However, there was a slight disappointment.

Despite the extravagant wasteful spending involved in buying the ranking, no special rewards were triggered this time.

Still, when Velen checked his Luxury Points balance, he couldn't help but feel delighted.

"Six hundred and fifty million Luxury Points... not bad at all."

His smile grew even wider.

Just then—

"Velen! I challenge you!"

Jerry's voice rang out, brimming with fighting spirit.

Without hesitation, he launched a formal challenge.

"I refuse."

Velen replied instantly, his eyes gleaming mischievously.

He had no intention of sparring right away — teasing Jerry for a while sounded much more fun.

???

Jerry froze.

He couldn't believe his ears.

Was… was he allowed to refuse a challenge?!

"Velen, the Hall of Magi has clear regulations!"

Jerry blurted out, anxiously reminding him.

"If someone on the rankings challenges you with a Mutual Consent, you must accept.

If you refuse, your ranking gets revoked!"

"And so?"

Velen smiled slyly, the corners of his mouth curving up wickedly.

"Should I call Kelsey over again to explain how that rule doesn't apply to me?"

Holy crap!

Jerry's mind almost exploded.

How can you be so shameless?!

Now he finally realized:

Velen was a "relationship household," a true insider protected by the system itself!

And here he had been naïvely dreaming of a clean fight!

Dammit, so what if you have connections!

I have backers too! I'm no pushover either!

But before Jerry could work himself into a rage—

"Hahaha!"

Velen burst out laughing at Jerry's crestfallen face.

"Relax, just teasing you!"

"I accept your challenge."

"However," Velen continued, "we need to pick a private place to fight.

Don't want to disturb the others."

"Fine!"

Jerry, still seething with frustration, agreed quickly.

"When you activate your spatial transfer array," Velen said,

"Just set the destination coordinates to that flying artifact of yours."

With a wave of his hand, Velen casually retrieved Jerry's previously used seventh-grade flying vessel and stashed it into his own spatial ring.

Then, without further delay, Velen activated the transfer array.

In a flash of light, he disappeared from the room.

Watching him vanish, Jerry's mind raced.

Where the hell is this guy planning to take me?

Surely… surely he's not planning to sell me off somewhere, right?!