Hearing the word "smartphone," my thoughts momentarily froze. A smartphone, as in, that thing? The one with all the apps that lets you send emails and make phone calls? Could such a convenient magical tool exist in this other world?

"Now then, is there anyone willing to place a bid!?"

The host’s voice echoed through the hall, but I had no time to focus on that.

But wait a second. Just because it’s called a smartphone doesn’t mean it’s the same thing. It could be an entirely different magical tool. Maybe it actually heats up when you place a pot on it or something—

"One million."

Hearing someone bid on the smartphone snapped me back to reality.

"...Shu, that’s the kind of smartphone we know, right?"

Hearing Rio’s words immediately afterward, I reconsidered. That did seem to be the most natural assumption.

Enhancing my vision, I focused on the smartphone up for auction. It definitely looked the same. Since it was facing the other way, I couldn’t see the volume or power buttons, but I could make out a USB port and something that resembled a headphone jack.

Wait a minute, didn’t the host say it was unidentifiable? And here I was thinking it might be a makeshift hot plate—clearly, I was way too shaken.

"…Seems like it."

"Why is there a smartphone in this world?"

"I don’t know, but we didn’t bring anything with us when we were summoned, right?"

"—One million one hundred thousand."

While Rio and I were talking, a second bid was placed. Since the item was a complete mystery, the bidding wasn’t exactly fast-paced.

"We have a bid of one million one hundred thousand! Any other takers?"

"One million two hundred thousand!"

The moment the host urged for more bids, I found myself shouting out mine. Rio didn’t object. I wasn’t sure why, but I just had this sudden urge to keep something from Earth with me.

"We have a bid of one million two hundred thousand!"

"It’s probably not going to turn on, is it?"

"I doubt it…"

There were nine of us summoned, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t others before us. It’s hard to believe Shimizu and the others somehow smuggled in a smartphone and it ended up in this country. There must have been other summoned "senpais" before us. That’s the only logical conclusion.

"Any other bids? …Then this 'smartphone' is sold for one million two hundred thousand flon!"

As the sale was finalized, the audience clapped. It wasn’t an overwhelming round of applause, probably due to the low number of bidders, but applause nonetheless.

Still, a win is a win. Securing an item at my first auction left me with a small sense of satisfaction.

"How was the auction?"

As the first day wrapped up—though I had no point of comparison to say if it had been a great success—Fleur asked for our impressions.

"It was my first time, but it was pretty fun."

"Hmm… There were some cute accessories, but they felt like things I could buy at a regular store, so I didn’t feel like bidding on them."

"Oh, I totally get that. If something seems like it’s just out there for sale, you hesitate."

"Haha."

Even though I won the smartphone, it still cost one million two hundred thousand flon. Compared to my total funds, it was a negligible amount, but for some reason, I hesitated on other things.

"For now, let’s go pick up the item we won."

"Yeah."

Once most of the audience had left, we stood up from our seats. Instead of following the flow of people exiting, we turned down a different corridor leading to the pick-up area. This was actually the same room where people dropped off their auction items.

Unlike before, a simple counter had been set up. Several staff members stood behind it, assisting the few people waiting in line. Most of them had probably won other auction items.

Soon, it was our turn. The transaction was simple—pay one million two hundred thousand flon, and that was it. Holding the smartphone in my hand, I examined it closely. It really did look just like the smartphones from our world.

"Yeah, the power won’t turn on."

"It probably can’t be charged either…"

Holding down the power button did nothing. The battery was completely dead. Honestly, it would be weirder if it still had any charge left.

"Um… do you two know what that is?"

As we fiddled with the smartphone, Fleur hesitantly spoke up.

"Ah, sorry. I was just a little curious why you chose to bid on it…"

At her words, Rio and I exchanged glances. We hadn’t told anyone in the Arclight Kingdom that we were summoned from another world. But how were we supposed to explain this piece of technology?

It’s not like we were deliberately keeping it a secret, but explaining it would be a hassle.

"Ah, well… It just reminded us of something we know, so we bid on it out of nostalgia."

"Huh? …Then…"

"We’re not completely sure, but there’s a chance."

Hearing Rio’s response, Fleur’s eyes widened.

"T-That’s incredible!"

Wait, what’s with that reaction? Aren’t you overreacting a little? To us, it’s just a smartphone—something completely ordinary.

"I mean, even the Second Magic Research Institute couldn’t figure it out, yet you two know what it is!"

As Fleur explained her shock, we finally understood why she was so surprised.