Chapter 116: Extremely Rare Treasures (1)

The hooded figure on the stage raised a hand, silencing the remaining whispers and murmurs in the hall. “Now,” he announced, his voice echoing through the magically amplified space, “it is my distinct pleasure to introduce our esteemed auctioneer for this evening’s proceedings.”

A side door opened, and a woman stepped onto the stage, drawing gasps and appreciative whistles from the crowd. She was breathtakingly beautiful, with long, flowing dark hair that cascaded down her back, framing a face of striking features. Her eyes were a vibrant emerald green, sparkling with intelligence and a playful mischief. Her figure was equally captivating, her curves accentuated by a form-fitting crimson dress that shimmered under the chandeliers’ light. The dress, while elegant, was also strategically revealing, hinting at the alluring figure beneath.

“Good evening, gentlemen… and ladies,” she greeted, her voice smooth and seductive, a playful smile gracing her lips. “For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Brita, and I’ll be your guide through tonight’s… acquisitions.” She paused, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Try not to spend all your gold in one place, though I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”

A ripple of laughter spread through the crowd, the tension in the air easing slightly. Even Alaric found himself appreciating her charm and wit. ’She’s good,’ he thought, observing her carefully. ’She knows how to work a crowd.’

“Now, without further ado,” Brita continued, gesturing towards a covered object that had been brought onto the stage, “let us begin with our first item, a true treasure for any discerning mage.”

With a flourish, she pulled away the cover, revealing a small, intricately carved wooden box. It was crafted from a dark, almost black wood, inlaid with silver runes that shimmered with a faint magical light.

“Behold,” Brita announced, her voice filled with excitement, “the Elixir of Arcane Reservoir.” She paused, allowing the name to sink in. “This, gentlemen, is not just any elixir. This is a potent concoction, a formula lost to time for nearly a century, capable of permanently expanding a mage’s magical energy reservoir without diluting the intensity of their magic.”

A collective gasp swept through the crowd. This was indeed a remarkable treasure. The ability to increase one’s magical capacity without any negative side effects was a dream for any mage. Such elixirs were incredibly rare, and the formula to create them was considered lost to the ages.

Alaric’s interest was piqued. ’This is indeed a valuable item,’ he thought, his eyes fixed on the wooden box. ’To think that such a potent elixir is being offered here as the first item… the other items must be truly extraordinary.’

Brita continued her presentation, elaborating on the elixir’s properties and its history. “This particular batch was discovered in the ruins of an ancient mage’s tower,” she explained. “It’s believed to have been crafted by a renowned archmage, known for his mastery of energy manipulation. The elixir has been carefully preserved, and its potency remains undiminished.”

She paused, her eyes scanning the crowd. “The bidding will start at one thousand gold coins,” she announced. “Do I hear a bid?”

A hand shot up in the crowd. “One thousand five hundred!” a voice called out.

“Two thousand!” another voice shouted.

The bidding quickly escalated, the price steadily climbing as mages in the audience eagerly competed for the elixir. The numbers rose quickly: three thousand, five thousand, eight thousand, ten thousand. The excitement in the hall was palpable, the air thick with anticipation.

Alaric observed the bidding, his eyes scanning the crowd. He noticed that none of the occupants of the VIP rooms were participating. They simply watched the proceedings with a detached air, as if they considered the elixir beneath their notice. ’They’re not interested in even this elixir?’ Alaric thought. ’Does that mean that treasures of this quality regularly appear in this Auction, and they want something much better?’

The bidding continued to climb, reaching twenty thousand, then thirty, then fifty. The pace slowed slightly, as the less wealthy bidders began to drop out. But the remaining bidders were determined, their eyes fixed on the wooden box, their minds set on acquiring the elixir.

The price eventually reached seventy thousand gold coins, and the bidding finally came to a halt. A richly dressed mage, his face flushed with excitement, claimed the elixir, his hand trembling as he accepted the small wooden box from Brita.

“Congratulations, sir,” Brita said, offering him a warm smile. “I trust this elixir will serve you well.”

The mage beamed, clutching the box tightly to his chest. He quickly retreated back into the crowd, eager to examine his prize.

Brita then turned her attention back to the stage, gesturing towards another covered object that had been brought forward. “Now,” she announced, her voice filled with anticipation, “for our next item, we have something that will surely appeal to our more… physically inclined guests.”

With another flourish, she removed the cover, revealing a long, slender bone, polished to a gleaming white. It was clearly the bone of some large creature, its surface etched with intricate patterns and markings.

“Behold,” Brita announced, her voice filled with awe, “the Spirit Bone of the Azure Wind Serpent.” She paused, allowing the name to resonate with the crowd. “This magnificent specimen,” she continued, “was a creature of immense power, capable of controlling the very winds themselves. Its spirit bone, imbued with its potent magical energy, is a treasure of immense value to any martial artist.”

She then proceeded to explain the properties of the spirit bone, elaborating on its history and its potential benefits. “The Azure Wind Serpent was a creature of legend,” she explained. “Its scales were as hard as steel, its speed unmatched, and its breath capable of summoning powerful gusts of wind. This spirit bone,” she continued, holding it up for the crowd to see, “retains a portion of that power. When fused with a martial artist’s body, it can significantly enhance their battle aura, increasing their strength, speed, and agility. In some rare cases, if the fusion compatibility is high, it can even permanently strengthen one of their bones to the same level as this Spirit Bone.”

A murmur of excitement rippled through the crowd. Spirit bones were incredibly rare and valuable, especially those from powerful magical creatures like the Azure Wind Serpent. The potential benefits for a martial artist were immense, making this item highly sought after.

Alaric’s interest was again piqued. ’This is indeed a valuable item,’ he thought. ’Spirit bones are incredibly difficult to acquire, and the potential benefits are immense. I can see why the martial artists in the audience are so interested.’

Brita then announced the starting bid for the spirit bone: five thousand gold coins. The bidding began immediately, with several martial artists in the crowd eagerly raising their hands. The price quickly escalated, the numbers rising rapidly: ten thousand, fifteen thousand, twenty thousand.

Alaric once again observed the bidding, noticing that the occupants of the VIP rooms remained silent. They simply watched the proceedings with a detached air, their expressions showing no signs of interest. ’They’re still not interested,’ Alaric thought. ’They’re waiting for something else. Something far more valuable.’

The bidding for the spirit bone continued to climb, reaching thirty thousand, then forty, then fifty. The pace slowed slightly, as the less wealthy bidders began to drop out. But the remaining bidders were determined, their eyes fixed on the spirit bone, their minds set on acquiring its power.

The price eventually reached sixty thousand gold coins, and the bidding finally came to a halt. A powerfully built man, his muscles bulging beneath his unsophisticated tunic, claimed the spirit bone, his face flushed with triumph.

“Congratulations, sir,” Brita said, offering him a warm smile. “I trust this spirit bone will serve you well in your training.”

The man nodded, clutching the spirit bone tightly in his hand. He quickly retreated back into the crowd, eager to examine his prize. The bidding for the second item had come to a close.

~~

Brita’s captivating presence held the audience’s attention as she presented the next item, her voice ringing out through the hall, amplified by subtle magic. “Now, for our third offering,” she announced, her emerald eyes sparkling with anticipation, “we have something truly extraordinary. Something that will appeal to those seeking… longevity, vitality, and perhaps even a touch of immortality.”

A hush fell over the crowd as two attendants carried a large, ornate glass vial onto the stage. Inside, a shimmering, golden liquid swirled gently, emitting a soft, ethereal glow.

“This, my friends,” Brita declared, her voice filled with reverence, “is the Essence of the Enchanted Grove.” She paused, allowing the name to sink in. “Extracted from the very heart of the fabled Enchanted Grove, a place of immense magical power, this essence is said to possess extraordinary rejuvenating properties. It can mend even the most grievous wounds, restore lost vitality, and even grant temporary invulnerability to the user.”

A collective gasp swept through the hall. The Enchanted Grove was a legendary place, shrouded in myth and mystery. Its existence was doubted by many, but the very mention of its name sent shivers down the spines of those who knew its legends. The idea that an essence extracted from its heart could be offered at this auction was truly astonishing.

Alaric’s interest was now fully engaged. ’This is no longer just a collection of valuable items,’ he thought, his eyes fixed on the shimmering vial. ’This is something else entirely. Something… significant.’

This time, the bidding started at ten thousand gold coins, a testament to the item’s perceived value. Hands shot up immediately, the bidding escalating rapidly. Twenty thousand, thirty thousand, fifty thousand… the numbers climbed, the excitement in the hall reaching a fever pitch.

Then, a voice echoed from one of the VIP balconies. “Sixty thousand,” a deep, resonant voice declared.

A small light illuminated the number “37” above the balcony from which the voice had originated. The crowd below craned their necks to try and catch a glimpse of the bidder, but the tinted windows prevented any clear view.

“Sixty-five thousand!” a voice from the open area countered.

“Seventy thousand,” another voice echoed from a different VIP balcony, room number “82” lighting up.

The bidding war intensified, the price climbing steadily. Eighty thousand, ninety thousand… the tension in the hall was palpable. This time, the occupants of the VIP rooms were actively participating, their interest clearly piqued by the Essence of the Enchanted Grove.

The bidding eventually reached one hundred and twenty thousand gold coins, with the final bid coming from VIP room 37.

“One hundred and twenty thousand, going once… going twice… sold! To VIP room 37!” Brita announced, her voice ringing out through the hall.

The crowd murmured with admiration and envy, their eyes fixed on the darkened balcony.

Brita then presented the fourth item: the Mirror of Reflected Souls. “This mystical mirror,” she explained, holding up a beautifully crafted silver mirror, its surface shimmering with an ethereal light, “is said to possess the power to reveal the true nature and deepest secrets of anyone who gazes into it. It also has the ability to temporarily bind the soul of an adversary, rendering them powerless.”

This item drew even more interest from the VIP rooms, with several bidders engaging in a fierce bidding war. The price quickly soared, reaching astronomical heights. Threats were exchanged between bidders, both from the open area and the VIP rooms, creating an even more tense atmosphere.

“If anyone else bids on this, they’ll regret it,” a harsh voice echoed from VIP room 12.

“We’ll see about that,” a defiant voice countered from the open area, and the bidding continued.

The auction house staff, however, maintained a discreet but firm presence, ensuring that no physical violence erupted.

The bidding for the Mirror of Reflected Souls eventually concluded at two hundred thousand gold coins, with VIP room 99 claiming the prize.

The fifth item, the Tome of Forgotten Spells, was presented next. “This ancient tome,” Brita announced, holding up a thick, leather-bound book, its pages filled with intricate symbols and incantations, “contains spells and incantations that have been lost to history. Each page holds the potential for immense magical power, waiting to be rediscovered.”

This item drew the most intense bidding war yet, with almost all of the VIP rooms participating. The price skyrocketed, reaching an unprecedented three hundred and fifty thousand gold coins, with VIP room 50 ultimately winning the bid.

Throughout the auction, Alaric had remained silent, observing the proceedings, his eyes scanning the crowd and the VIP balconies. He hadn’t seen any clear signs of the Phantom Assembly’s presence, but he knew they had to be here.

“We need to start participating,” Alaric murmured to Rowena, Helena, and Petra. “If we don’t bid on anything, that manager will become suspicious.”

“But what if we win?” Rowena asked, her brow furrowed. “We don’t have that kind of money on us.”

Alaric smiled reassuringly. “Fortunately,” he said, pulling out a much larger pouch from his magical bag, significantly bigger than the one he had given the manager. “I’m not exactly short on funds. The Steele family businesses are doing quite well.”

Rowena, Helena, and Petra exchanged shocked glances. They had known that Alaric was from a wealthy family, but they hadn’t realized the extent of his fortune.

“Alaric,” Helena whispered, her eyes wide with awe. “You’re… incredibly wealthy.”

“It has its advantages,” Alaric replied with a wink. “Now, let’s decide which item we’re going to bid on. And remember,” he added, “we’re also marking the VIP rooms of the winning bidders with a faint tracking spell. That way, we can follow them later and hopefully identify them.”

The three women nodded, quickly agreeing on their respective tasks. Rowena would focus on tracking the winning bidders from the VIP rooms, Helena would keep an eye on the crowd below, and Petra would assist Alaric in observing the stage and the auctioneer.

~~

For the next several items, Alaric maintained a casual presence, bidding intermittently on items that caught his eye, but never pushing the price too high. He focused on maintaining his cover, appearing as a wealthy collector with a passing interest in acquiring a few rare pieces.

Some of the items he had genuinely liked, such as the Staff of Celestial Convergence, a powerful magical staff capable of channeling celestial energy, and the Phoenix Feather Cloak, a beautiful and resilient cloak woven from the feathers of a phoenix, were snatched up by other bidders, specifically VIP room numbers 45 and 89 respectively.

Rowena discreetly marked the corresponding VIP rooms with a faint tracking spell, ensuring they could follow the winning bidders later. Petra, meanwhile, kept her sharp eyes trained on Brita and the hooded figure, observing their every move, searching for any clues that might reveal their connection to the Phantom Assembly.

“It’s a pity we couldn’t acquire the cloak,” Helena murmured to Alaric, her voice tinged with regret. “It would have been a valuable addition to our… collection.”

Alaric chuckled softly, patting her hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Helena,” he said. “We’re not here to amass a collection of artifacts. Our primary objective is to identify the members of the Phantom Assembly. As long as we track the winners effectively, we can still achieve our goal… and even acquire the items later, if we’re clever enough.”

Helena nodded, understanding his point. Their mission was far more important than acquiring a few trinkets.

After a short pause, Brita’s voice rang out through the hall, signaling the beginning of the auction’s final stage. “Ladies and gentlemen,” she announced, her emerald eyes sparkling with excitement, “we have now reached the culmination of our evening. The final three items we are about to present are of unparalleled rarity and power. Their value is… beyond measure.” She paused, a playful smile gracing her lips. “So, I advise you to hold onto your seats… and your gold.”

A ripple of anticipation swept through the crowd, the atmosphere charged with excitement. Even the occupants of the VIP rooms seemed to lean forward, their interest finally fully engaged.

Two attendants wheeled a large, ornately decorated pedestal onto the stage. Atop the pedestal rested a crystal orb, pulsating with a soft, ethereal light. It seemed to shimmer and shift, as if the very air around it was distorting.

“Behold,” Brita announced, her voice filled with awe, “the Orb of Temporal Distortion.” She paused, allowing the name to resonate with the crowd. “This artifact, my friends, is a relic of unimaginable power. It grants its possessor the ability to manipulate time itself.”

A collective gasp swept through the hall. The manipulation of time was considered a near-impossible feat, a power reserved for the gods themselves. The idea that such an artifact existed, and was being offered at this auction, was truly mind-boggling.

Brita continued her presentation, elaborating on the orb’s capabilities and its limitations. “This orb,” she explained, “allows its user to slow, accelerate, or even briefly reverse time within a limited area. However, it requires immense focus and a vast amount of magical energy to control. Prolonged use can be incredibly taxing, even for the most powerful mages.”

Alaric’s breath caught in his throat. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. An artifact capable of manipulating time itself? This was beyond anything he had ever imagined. ’This is… legendary,’ he thought, his eyes fixed on the shimmering orb. ’To think that the Phantom Assembly is willing to sell something like this… what are they planning?’

He felt a strong urge to bid on the orb himself. The potential applications of such an artifact were limitless. But he knew that the price would be astronomical, far beyond anything he could reasonably afford.

Brita announced the starting bid: six million gold coins. The bidding began immediately, with several voices echoing from the VIP rooms. The numbers climbed rapidly: ten million, twenty million, thirty million. The excitement in the hall was palpable, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

Alaric found himself drawn into the bidding war, throwing his hat into the ring with a bid of thirty-five million. He knew it was a long shot, but he couldn’t resist the temptation.

“Forty million,” a voice echoed from VIP room 11.

“Forty-five million,” another voice countered from VIP room 63.

The bidding continued to escalate, the price climbing higher and higher. Alaric continued to bid, pushing the price as far as he dared. But when the bidding reached a staggering sixty million, he knew he had to concede. He simply couldn’t compete with the vast resources of the other bidders.

The bidding continued, the price reaching eighty million, then one hundred million. The tension in the hall was almost unbearable. Finally, the bidding came to a close at a staggering one hundred and fourteen million gold coins, with VIP room 11 claiming the Orb of Temporal Distortion.

“One hundred and fourteen million, going once… going twice… sold! To VIP room 11!” Brita announced, her voice ringing out through the hall.

The crowd murmured in awe, their eyes fixed on the darkened balcony. Alaric, however, was already thinking about the next item. If the Orb of Temporal Distortion was any indication, the final two treasures would be truly extraordinary.