Half a day later…
As the evening hours approached, the traffic slowly decreased.
Vehicles started to appear and disappear, soon Lucas reached Sky Imperium Palace.
Exiting Lucas gave a cursory glance to the surroundings. More and more people were coming to the auction and from their attire, it is easy to identify that they were rich. Observing the people entering it is obvious that two third of them were merchants from free market. Lucas indifferently moved towards the inner area where auction takes place.
"Sir please show your invitation card."
A personnel of the Sky Imperium Palace came toward Lucas and asked politely.
Lucas from his wine red colored coat took out the invitation card and gave it to him.
The staff member instantly acted more respectfully and politely upon seeing the golden card.
"So it was our Esteemed Guest that have arrived. Please come this way."
After examination, Lucas was guided to a higher floor and there into a luxurious room.
Past the door was a room made of green wood, golden patterns swirling across them like elegant art while the floor was lined with a scarlet rug that had golden embroidery running down its length. Crystal lamps lining the walls sparkled on the walls, their shimmering light attracting the eyes of the guests.
Lucas calmly entered the room. Entering the room Lucas was welcomed by his Uncle Merlin and Ivan Dawnris.
"Good evening Uncle Merlin, Uncle Ivan."
Lucas immediately greeted them politely.
"Hmm, you are right on time. Now come and sit"
Ivan gently nodded in response and Merlin motioned Lucas to sit.
"Uncle you've been busy, Aunt Jane promised me that you were preparing a gift. Where is it?"
Lucas jokingly asked.
Merlin smiled faintly and spoke, "You will get it before you board the airboat tomorrow. Have you prepared?"
"I have already read about the International Merchant Conference and the participating Business groups. I think I have a preliminary understanding about them."
Merlin didn't expected such a proper response, even Ivan was quite surprised.
"Good, good, very good. You don't need to worry about the conference. My main objective for you is to learn and understand the merchants world and fields our corporation work on. "
"You are walking on the path of mage, you will need a lot of resources and in the future you may need to deal with many businessmen and even need to cooperate with business groups. So participating and experiencing the conference first hand will be quite helpful in the future. Other trivial details will be dealt by my Secretary."
"If you need any help, you can come to me. I will give you further detailed explanation on our way to Skyline City." Ivan quickly interjected and said.
Lucas gave a nod in response. As they waited many more people started arriving at the auction.
"There will be a good play to see. This time your Arsln Family made a small fortune" Ivan said while taking a sip from the tea.
Merlin in response also smiled but it was a sly smile. "Well if they want to play in others territory, they should be prepared to pay the price."
Lucas was confused, "Are you going to raise the price?"
Merlin shook his head, "For people from outside of City of Datura to attend this auction they need to trade some treasure. And there is no need for us to raise the prices, others will do it for us."
Even if someone gained won't it be Sky Imperium Palace, how can Arsln Family gain something. It was likely there is some behind the scenes trade.
"Honored Guests, Welcome. I am Richard and will be the auctioneer of this auction." Richard's voice magically spread to all the guests. It felt like Richard was near and speaking in front of them.
He was inwardly surprised, he expected some beauty but instead of a beauty, on the stage there was an old man. He felt a little cheated in his mind.
Lucas collected his thoughts and started paying attention.
Richard continued, "Due to some wonderful people present with us we were able to gather many treasures, and right now we will be presenting the top treasures at the auction."
Richard moved away from the center of the platform. Soon a young beautiful girl pushed a tray to the center of stage. In the tray there was a light green grass was placed, it had a calming aura and was shining, there was small light spots shining and glittering like stars in the sky, it was breathtakingly beautiful.
"Let's take a look at the 1st item, Shining Star Grass. As all you know Shining Star Grass is one of the top ingredient that many alchemist and rune masters search to stabilize their products. There is also an another use, it is not much of a widely spread method because many think it is a waste f resources. After consuming Shining Star Grass any practitioner at sensing stage cultivating any cultivation path will reach the peak of lower three realm in a week after consuming it without any side effects. Starting price 100 gold coins."
Lucas was secretly astonished from the knowledge he learned so far the lower three realms are a foundation stage and a slow grinding process is happening. Gradual progress is the best progress.
The crowd started getting noisy, as Richard the auctioneer said, the knowledge about Shining Star Grass being helpful to lower realm people wasn't spread much. So many were surprised. But this didn't caused any sudden increase in price.
"I bid 100 gold coins"
"101 gold coins"
….
No one in the VIP floors bid on the first items. Auction continued, on the VIP floor the glasses were one way. From outside no one can see what is happening inside.
Lucas broadened his knowledge, his eyes twinkled, the items auctioning were in a broad range and many weird items were auctioned. Lucas wanted to buy many things but his credit balance was only 130 gold coins.
He wanted to borrow some from his uncle, but both Merlin and Ivan ignored him and were in a world of their own.
As more and more items were introduced, the price also along with it increased.
"Now Esteemed Guests please have your attention, next will be the top two items in the list. I'm sure everyone was waiting" smiling Richard beckoned and a locked box was presented top of the stage.
Merlin and Ivan was surprised, Lucas also noticed this. Ivan turned to Merlin and gave him a questioning look.
Merlin bitterly shook his head, "I don't know anything about this."
Richard laughed and spoke loudly "Let me present you with the infamous Eye of the Sky."
Surprising Lucas both Merlin and Ivan shockingly stood up, even from other VIP rooms agitated sounds spread, on the lower level chaos spread.
Enquiring System Lucas realized the cause of the chaos and looked toward the closed box.
Eye of the Sky : A fabled item from the Era when Great Mages stood tall and conquered the lands and oceans. At that time all proper Magic Towers had an Eye of the Sky. Without Eye of the Sky no Magic Tower could call themselves a genuine proper Magic Tower. Using Eye of the Sky anything within a radius of 100 miles of it can be seen through by it.
Almost many of the powerful organizations have it in their headquarters. It's value can't be estimated in mere gold coins.
Richard was gleeful seeing the noise and chaos.
-----------------------------
In one of the VIP room…
Ray, Lily and a old man was sitting and watching the auction.
A tense atmosphere filled the room.
"Haa, I told you, I already gave you a warning. You are almost offending everyone. After this I don't think the branch in City of Datura will survive. You will be in great trouble"
Even though Lily was saying in a all serious voice. Her eyes clearly showed taking pleasure in other people's misfortune.
Ray indifferently glanced upon them and continued to watch Richard hyping the auction.
The old man was calm and collected, "If it closes down, let it be. If we need the potions from the Arsln Family we have other routes. It is the higher-up that will be troubled."
Lily widened her eyes and asked with shocked cry.
"Did you plan all this, Old Ley?"
Leisurely the old took a glance at the box and said. "Nothing concrete, I just wanted to add in to the chaos."
---------------------
Lucas looked at the left top corner.
Loading 99%….
'Mmm, maybe tomorrow….'
Lucas calmly gazed at the box.
"Do you plan to buy?" Merlin in a low voice asked Ivan.
Ivan slowly pushed his glasses upward, lowering his head Ivan pondered and said.
"I don't think things are going to be that simple."
Merlin was confused but soon formed a understanding look, he gave Ivan a deep look and said, "Sure things will not be this simple.