To Dane, examining items was very easy, since he had the aid of the system. He merely had to wish for it and immediately a bunch of words would appear in his sight, listing the characteristics and details of items. Randwen and the rest of the npcs affiliated with the Thunder Tower could know the details of every item stored in the tower, even if it is removed, so he could know the quality of Heaven's Rose too. And talking about Shera is unnecessary, since she is basically the tower itself.
However, Rethos didn't have a way to observe the details of the staff just by plain sight. Actually, no one could, except for some classes that had a skill that allowed them to do just that. So, it was hard getting scammed by buying at a high price an item that looked very powerful but it was all just a façade.
For this reason, appraisal spells were created. They were one of the easiest spells to learn, but it was still a spell, which made it a rare commodity. This is why a lot of failed magicians spent the rest of their lives appraising items for a big organization and earning some money from it. They had a low mana consumption and the spell model was very simple.
But still, they were not omnipotent. Apprentice magicians, those belonging to rank 0, levels 1 to 9, could learn "Lower Appraise Item", which allowed them to fully read the description of common tiered items. Low-rank magicians could use "Appraise Item", and it was effective on uncommon and rare items. Mid-rank ones could use "Higher Appraise Item" for epic and unique items. The high-rank spell was "Absolute Appraise Item", and it covered from legendary to celestial. But still, celestial items always had a 50% chance of having one or more effects missing from the spell result, so it needed to be cast more than once. As for origin items, it didn't matter what type of magic or method you used, only the owner could see its description. And there were still ways to conceal or modify the result, so it was not a combat-viable magic.
All things said, it was still a very easy spell, so most magicians learned it. Rethos was no exception.
He recovered his wits after Randwen cleared his throat, but his eyes were still glued to the staff. He couldn't help it, it was just too beautiful, and he sensed a very powerful aura emanating from it. This was the sign of a very rare item.
"Your High… Magician Randwen, allow me to be frank. The list for tomorrow's items have already been decided, so it is very unlikely for a new item to be included." Rethos was telling the truth, but he still underestimated the true value of the staff.
"Well, your organization is the one in charge of the auction, is it not? And you are the head of this branch, so it would not be a problem to include another item on a short notice. Especially one as special as this." Randwen answered seemingly cordial, but the words of a high-level transcendent were of a too heavy weight.
"Well, yes, that is the case, but it still is…" Rethos got interrupted.
"Appraise it." Randwen just coldly said, to which Rethos just sighed, resigned.
"Yes, magician Randwen. But it still needs to be approved by the headquarters."
"With your tower, that shouldn't be a problem at all." Not if the message reached its target only, but that wouldn't be the case.
"Yes, you are correct." Rethos took out his wand and prepared. "Higher Appra…"
"No. Use the high-rank one."
"What?" Rethos was dumbfounded, his eyes showing doubt more than shock. The reason was simple. Common, uncommon, and rare items were, as their names imply, abundant in Zeryann. They were found in bulk inside of ruins and treasure troves, and sometimes just lying in the basement of an old house.
Epic and unique items were exponentially rarer, with being guarded by powerful monsters and the like. Also, they were very difficult and expensive to craft, so new ones were not sold to everyone. But even then, they were still obtainable.
Legendary items, on the other hand, were way, way scarcer. They were the heirlooms of powerful families or the final treasures of organizations. Even most of the royal families only had one of these, if they had any. Celestial items were ones that rivalled gods, so they had been brushed as a myth. Of course, a few people had items like these, but they could be counted with the fingers on one hand and they always kept silence about it.
This is why Rethos was, for the lack of a better word, hesitant about it. He knew "absolute appraisal", sure, but he didn't see the need to cast it. But still, it would just cost a little mana and this was the request of a High-tank transcendent magician, so he would comply.
"Yes, of course." He stilled his mind. It was an easy spell, but it was still a 7th rank one, so a little state of mind was necessary. "Absolute Appraisal."
After casting, the tip of his wand as well as the contour of the staff started glowing in a white light. Rethos was still hesitant but maintained his mind at ease in order to keep the spell working. A few seconds later, only a shout could be heard and the spell dissipated, but Rethos's face was frozen. Arched eyebrows, absent eyes, pale skin, round mouth, and a twitching lip. All of these could be observed in the branch-master's face.
Silence predominated for a minute or so. Randwen was waiting for the result of the appraisal, but Rethos was just too shocked to speak. In the end, it was Dane that broke the silence.
"Um, branch-master, are you ok?"
He asked in his faked innocent voice. This did the trick, as Rethos snapped out of it and just switched his eyes between the staff and Randwen repeatedly. Apparently, he couldn't believe it, so he cast his spell again. From his face, it was the same result.
"So, Magician Rethos. Is this staff enough to make the auction?" Randwen asked.
"YES! Yes. Absolutely. Wait a second. I have to… Yes, just wait a moment." Rethos took out a black card and started manipulating it with his mana. All along, he was mumbling "Heaven's Rose… Heaven's Rose…" over and over again. Apparently, the item shocked him more than Dane could've imagined.
By the time he seemed to have recovered his composure, he handed Randwen the black card, although it now had golden edges and the letters "Heaven's Rose" wrote in it.
"Your Hi… Magician Randwen, here is your voucher. I will gladly take the staff and present it in the auction, you have nothing to worry about." Rethos said, apparently forgetting Randwen's power and being absorbed with the staff. He would most definitely try it later.
"Great." Randwen took the card and nodded. "I hope there is no need to say this but let me make this clear. I don't care who the person who takes the staff home is, but it must definitely go to the person who offers the highest price. If the city lord or whatnot arrives and says he will take the staff in the name of national protection, I will act. And I am sure you know that there is no one, and I mean no one, that can stop me if I so desire, so please make sure to inform your superiors about that in the report you will send later, which you will." After that, Randwen released a bit of his aura, but not aimed it towards Rethos, so he could keep his calm.
Randwen words could be read in two different ways by Rethos. By saying he will send a report, he could be saying that he knows he will send one or could be ordering him to do just that. Whatever choice Rethos chose to understand, the outcome is the same for Dane and company.
"Yes, yes, Magician Randwen. I will make sure to report this to both the association's and the pavilion's headquarters. I am sure they will send their best, so there is no problem whatsoever with handling this staff." Rethos assured, after which Randwen nodded and once again hid his aura.
"Great, it will be done in that way, Magician Randwen, I will do my utmost best." Rethos seemed hesitant to continue to speak, but he did so anyway. "The pavilion charges 5% of the value of the item auctioned for its services, so it will come out of your earnings. Also, the association usually takes an additional 5% in the auctions it organizes, but you will not be charged for it."
Rethos expected to see gratitude in Randwen's eyes but got nothing in return. His face looked as if this much was a given, and he didn't need to feel grateful. And to be honest, it was a good point. An object like this one would gather the attention of a lot of powerful people, so it only enhanced both the association's and the pavilion's reputation.
"Mh-hm." After seeing he was going nowhere, Rethos cleared his throat and continued. "Of course, magician Randwen can join the action for any item he wants, as there is no limit for objects purchased. I am not sure about this, but I presume that "Heaven's Rose" will be the last object auctioned, as to close with a magnificent item. The black card also works the part of a key to the VIP area, so feel free to show it when you arrive at the pavilion's premises." Rethos stopped talking and was waiting for Randwen's response.
"Great. I greatly anticipate the auction tomorrow then, Rethos. And remember, no power-play crap, or I take action." Randwen said these words with a chilly tone, which reminded Rethos of the unfathomable might he carried with him, and beads of sweat started accumulating in his forehead.
He swore, by all of his gods and descendants, he would warn every person he meets about this magician's power, lest someone makes him angry and he takes it out in the entire city of Enas.