"Now, now, please be seated. Let me show you the wonderful masterpiece Eye of the Sky" Richard gracefully pressed some of the buttons on the box.
Click!
Kacha
The guests in auction eagerly looked towards the box, Eye of the Sky had an infamous reputation and not many people have seen it. So even if someone found one, they wouldn't be able to identify it.
As the box unraveled itself runes sparkled and changed, glittering golden symbols flashed, after a few moments the box opened completely inside there was a blue sphere filled with complicated runes and arrays, but cracks like a spider web was spreading from one side of the sphere and almost covered a half of the item, but even so the sparkling beauty had a captivating splendor.
The moment others vision fell upon the Eye of the Sky they frowned, because Eye of the Sky was damaged, observing the cracks they even began to doubt whether this item will serve only as a decoration it they buy it.
Richard understanding the doubts spoke with a laugh, "I know what everyone is worried about, Eye of the Sky is damaged and you are doubting it's capability. Our Sky Imperium Palace have done extensive tests and have concluded that the Eye of the Sky is damaged due to an external force, but most of the damage is on outside and only a small amount of is damage taken inside so it will work but the detection range have minimized to 10 miles."
"We can promise you with the stake of the reputation of Sky Imperium Palace."
Richard looked around the auction hall with a bright smile, "if you have any other doubts please ask, if there aren't any let's proceed with the auction."
Richard immediately started the auction.
Lucas was also looking forward to the auction, Lucas curiously asked Merlin.
"Uncle are you going to buy this?"
Merlin shrugged his shoulders and looked at Lucas, "If it was a undamaged Eye of the Sky even the elders will personally come to buy it."
"This damaged Eye of the Sky is too expensive for this uncle."
"But aren't you rich?" Lucas was mildly startled but still continued.
"I don't have much floating capital. If could have time to prepare, it is possible to buy, but it is not worth it."
Ivan gently explained, "Eye of the Sky is a strategic resource, Sky Imperium Palace will eagerly try to buy it for themselves if they got their hands on it. Even if they wished to sell Eye of the Sky, they will only be sold in the annual auction conducted in the main branch of Sky Imperium Palace. Eye of the Sky's main attraction is it's range, if it is reduced, the true value also thereby decrease."
'Annual Auction?' Lucas quickly noted down it in his thoughts.
"A detection radius of 10 miles may seem big, but for high-tier organizations and families it is negligible, only for some special occasions will it be useful. For some this Eye of the Sky is priceless and for some it is nothing much."
Lucas nodded slightly.
At that time a cam and cold voice resounded in the auction hall.
"How long would it be able to continue to properly functionally work, I meant it's durability?"
The old man Richard had his smile stiffed but was quickly replaced with a natural one.
"Ah, Yes I forgot to mention about it."
Everyone swore inwardly at the sly old man. If that voice hadn't spoken the one who bought would have suffered a huge loss.
Richard without a change in facial expression continued, "It is capable of working without any problems for 5 years but after then some light regular maintenance is needed periodically nothing more."
"There is no special extra materials are needed. Only need corrections in energy flows and array formations."
The people who were thinking about buying Eye of the Sky immediately heaved a sigh of relief. If only some light maintenance is needed, it was still possible.
Quickly the same cold voice interrupted their thoughts and asked again, "Oh, old man could you elaborate the required level of personnel for maintenance of Eye of the Sky."
At that instant many people coldly looked towards Richard.
Richard was full of smiles but inside he was furiously cursing.
Richard swept away the invisible sweat on his head and said with a compassionate and gentlemanly voice.
"Oh, I am getting old, I am forgetting many things." Richard shook his head and put on a grieving look. The sound of him gnashing his teeth could be heard by people with keen hearing.
"Ahh, the curse of old age. I understand, I have been through it my dear friend, but please take care to not forget these information. Haven't you heard the saying. The Devil is in the details."The same calm cold voice reverberate inside with a lament feeling.
Richard could only continue to act, he put on a solemn expression and said, "Thank you for the advice, Your Excellency. I will properly express my heartfelt thanks next time we see."
Two overwhelming auras invisibly clashed. Others silently lowered their heads and waited for them to calm down.
The staff and the guests of the auction house, everyone could understand the underlying meaning behind Richard's words.
"Hoho, I will be anticipating your visit, don't keep me waiting, haha…..hahah…" With a gleeful tone the voice faded away. Ever person in the hall had their back soaked with cold sweat when they felt the two energy fluctuations.
Lucas couldn't feel any oppression from their energy field due to the guard of Merlin and Ivan or due to the artifact given by his grandpa. Lucas gave Merlin a questioning look and asked.
"It's my first time in an auction, Is every auction like this?"
"It's not" Merlin calmed himself and replied.
"Then why isn't no one saying anything." Lucas further inquired.
This time the answer came from Ivan, it was a surprising answer but the most logical one.
"it's not that they don't want to, it's that they don't dare to. He is strong, truly strong. And sometimes things happen. As long they doesn't cheat or lie, their reputation will not be harmed. In the whole process both of them only used the loop holes."
"Alright, now all the flies are gone. Let's resume the auction, the basic price will be 5000 mana crystals, Let's start."
"Hold up, you haven't told the required level need to maintenance Eye of the Sky"
From one of the VIP room a middle-aged lady's voice came out. Everyone's heart jumped when they saw the old man's face darken.
Merlin put on a solemn look and said in a low voice. "That's second elder."
Richard quickly cast away the irritated look and warmly smiled. "Yes, Yes…it's nothing much. You either need a peak Silver Level Artificer or a Rune Specialist, well a Gold Grade is recommended."
The whole auction hall went to uproar. In Sea-Mist Plane Life-Professions like Alchemist, Artificer, Rune Master etc.. have a grading system.
Alchemist Apprentice, Rune Apprentice, Blacksmith Apprentice etc.. are apprentices and they have passed the written test conducted by their relative association like Alchemist Association and Craftsman Association etc.. Lucas already has an apprentice token for both Alchemy and Runes.
In Sea-Mist Plane the grades are in general divided into 6.
Bronze Grade : Indicating they are apprentice and are still studying, buying items made from them, at your own risk.
Black Grade : Know how to make something. Is capable of helping out true masters in the field, they know what to do and what shouldn't do.
Silver Grade : The experts in their respective field and have a wide range of knowledge. Capable of conducting small research and qualified to enroll in universities and take a position of professor.
Gold Grade : A master in their field. Capable of extensive research and extreme wide knowledge and having their own insights in their field.
Limit Grade : A Grandmaster, capable of creating their on supreme faction.
Holy Grade : Not much is known. Capable of creating a new field of study, a new school of thought.
There is another grade known as God Grade or Divine Grade but not much is known about it and only rumors float around.
Gold Grade is the limit of most factions. When someone reach Limit Grade they mostly create their own organization and doesn't like to be under others.
For sometime the auction hall was filled with quiet whispers.
Richard gave the guests some time to digest the information.
After some moments, the auction continued.
"Let's start, I believe a lot of people is waiting, So let's not hold up."
"6000 Mana crystals"
"I bid 6200 Mana crystals"
"Friends I am from Mineland Corporation, please give me some face. We Mineland Corporation do not forget friends nor their enemies. 6500 Mana crystals"
"Fu*k off, 7000 Mana Crystals."
Many people asked to give them face, some directly threatened. No many from the VIP rooms bid on it. Some bid for fun but quickly backed off.
Soon the auction concluded. With a beaming smile Richard announced. " The Eye of the Sky goes to No.136 for 13200 Man crystals,"
Ivan narrowed his eyes and said.
"Interesting, Creed Family bought it. Doesn't the Creed Family already have an Eye of the Sky. If I remember correctly it was one of the old monsters of Creed Family that brought it from Catacombs of Life and Death."
Merlin merely nodded in response to Ivan.
"Now let's welcome the star the main auction item for today's auction."
Richard clapped his hands and automatically a jade crystal box flowed towards him.
Even though old man Richard was smiling outside he was crying inside. 'Ah, I could have sold that for more than 100,000 mana crystals, ahh, I am going to get you for this, you old fart. Just you wait.'