The special item was brought on the stage by the auctioneer. It was a one foot cubic box covered by red silk cloth embroidered in gold, silver and many precious stones.
The visible part of the mysterious wooden box was covered with many complex ancient runes, which gave a golden and silver glow that never intersected.
The crowd which was silent due to the anticipation and excitement for the Special item began their hussed discussion. The hall was filled with wishpers of many people.
This item was widely praised by the auction. It was said that this type of item was appearing for the first time from the opening of the auction and its prestige can match those of capital's products.
There were many people whoes eyes lit up as they used some spell that can see through the box but they only got disappointed as their gazes couldn't penetrate through the fog of mysteries surrounding it.
The ones who were powerful enough to see inside, a fog clouded their vision and they couldn't see the item inside it.
These penetrating gaze caught the attention of the auctioneer who smiled at them as if he was mocking them.
The auctioneer announced the box's details with a voice brimming with reverence and excitement: "This item was found in the ancient ruins of Pristine. It contains one of the six Pristine's scrolls; specifically, it is the fifth scroll of the series."
A collective gasp filled the hall.
"It is said that if one can gather all six scrolls, they will gain insights into becoming a rank 10 mage. Furthermore, unlike ordinary scrolls, these can be used multiple times. This is the fourth scroll discovered so far; the first and third scrolls are still missing.
Aside from its legendary potential, this scroll alone holds immeasurable power. However, it remains ownerless, as we have yet to discover the method to open it."
The auctioneer paused dramatically before continuing, "The bidding for this priceless artifact starts at 100,000 gold, with each increment to be no less than 5,000 gold."
The room buzzed with excitement and tension as everyone absorbed the significance of the treasure before them. After the auctioneer disclosed the information, the murmuring stopped and everybody became excited. Ninety present people here didn't have the starting price of the item.
The silence was broken by a unknowen person.
A person sitting in the corner made the first bid at 110,000 gold. The room buzzed with excitement, and soon many others followed suit. The bidding escalated rapidly, and within five minutes, the price had soared to an astonishing 1 million gold. The intensity in the room was palpable as the elite and wealthy competed fiercely for the coveted scroll.
The trio were stunned as they watched the price skyrocket at an astonishing pace. Though they had money, they knew that revealing their wealth without a powerful background or strength could be fatal, as the weak are always preyed upon. They speculated about the immense power of the scrolls while listening to the bidding prices rise.
For a while, the people on the upper floor remained silent, seemingly waiting for the lower bidders to exhaust themselves. The price continued to climb until it reached a staggering 2 million gold, the limit for those on the lower floor.
Suddenly, a hoarse voice from the third room called out, "Four million gold."
This announcement triggered a wave of bids from the other upper rooms, and the price continued to soar. It finally reached an incredible 20 million gold, offered by a person in the first room. The room fell silent as everyone absorbed the magnitude of the bid.
A person emerged from the first room, his face uncovered and unmasked, exuding an air of confidence as if he feared nothing from the starving wolves eager to snatch any fat piece of meat they could see. His presence commanded attention and respect.
"It's him," someone whispered in awe.
He was the disciple of the revered Red Magic Tower's 18th and current master, a figure renowned throughout the realm. This man was also a tier 7 mage, celebrated for his formidable destructive magic capabilities. His fearless display of wealth and status silenced any potential challengers, solidifying his dominance in the auction. The crowd watched in a mix of reverence and trepidation, knowing they were in the presence of a truly powerful individual.
His unmasked appearance seemed like a deliberate bid for attention. The middle-aged man had a striking presence, with white hair interwoven with his black locks and a matching beard that framed his face. His confident demeanor and conspicuous display of wealth drew all eyes to him, reinforcing his status and power in the room. The crowd watched in a mix of awe and caution, knowing they were witnessing someone both influential and formidable.
Ray Tyler, the Red Magic Tower master's disciple, wasn't the only notable figure from the capital present at the auction. The Green Magic Tower, slightly less powerful but still a formidable institution, had also sent a representative. Their vice tower master, a prominent figure in his own right, was there for the bidding as well. The presence of such influential individuals only heightened the tension and significance of the event, as everyone braced themselves for the fierce competition that was sure to ensue.
In addition to Ray Tyler and the vice tower master of the Green Magic Tower, there were numerous other influential and clandestine figures present, individuals whose actions could sway the fate of the entire country. The mystery of who was auctioning such a precious item in a small city puzzled everyone. If this box had been sold in the capital, it would have undoubtedly attracted the attention of many giants.
Speculation ran rampant. The general consensus was that the seller had likely acquired the box through unorthodox methods and was choosing to remain hidden to avoid exposing themselves. This added an extra layer of intrigue to the auction, as everyone wondered about the true origins and history of the coveted item.
While the trio speculated and anticipated who would win the item, they remained vigilant of their surroundings. Despite most predators being focused on the mysterious item, they knew there would still be some hyenas eyeing them.
Harry whispered a reminder to Alec and Sasha, "There are several see-through magic users watching us, along with some marking magic. We can't let our guard down."
Alec nodded, his eyes scanning the room cautiously. "Stay alert. We need to be ready for anything."
Sasha added, "Let's not draw any unnecessary attention to ourselves. Keep a low profile and stick together."
The trio tightened their formation, prepared to defend themselves against any potential threats lurking in the shadows.
Harry subtly indicated to Alec the perpetrators who were seated in the corner. Among them, some were disguised as guards and staff from the auction.
Alec's eyes narrowed as he observed the individuals Harry pointed out. "I see them," Alec murmured. "We need to be careful. They might be planning something."
Sasha glanced in the same direction, her expression tense. "We can't trust anyone here," she whispered. "Let's make sure we stay one step ahead."
The trio quietly adjusted their positions, ensuring they could watch the suspects without drawing attention to themselves. They remained on high alert, ready to respond to any move the disguised individuals might make.
The last item was ultimately bought by Jane Vyl, a loyal subject of the second princess. As she completed the payment, Jane felt many vicious gazes upon her, causing her to tremble internally. Recognizing the imminent danger, she swiftly activated a teleportation magic scroll, disappearing from the auction house in an instant.
The room buzzed with murmurs as everyone processed her sudden departure, knowing she had wisely escaped potential threats. Alec, Sasha, and Harry exchanged wary glances, understanding the volatile nature of the crowd and the importance of staying vigilant.
After collecting Jane Vyl's payment, the waiter headed to the manager. As expected, the payment disappeared en route, but he remained calm, knowing the seller would retrieve it this way.
Once Alec and his party completed their payments, they quickly left the black market grounds and headed back to their lodgings. Fighting within the city limits was strictly prohibited, so they felt reassured that there was no immediate threat of an ambush.
Reaching their safe haven, they could finally breathe a sigh of relief, reflecting on the night's events and the valuable items they had acquired.
To increase their strength rapidly, the trio knew they had to use the body strengthening potion. However, they faced a dilemma: the potion, although powerful, was only a single vial—enough for one person but not for all three of them. Potions only worked if one drank the entire vial; otherwise, the effects would be nullified.
Fortunately, there was a solution. They could dilute the potion with white dew liquid, the most common base material used in potion-making. By doing so, they could divide the potion into two or three parts, which was its limit for effectiveness.
Fortunately, they had already acquired the white dew liquid in the black market. Without wasting any time, they used it to quickly dilute the body strengthening potion, creating three portions. Although the effect was slightly reduced, peaking at one rank lower than the original, it was still a significant boost.
As they consumed their portions, the trio felt an overwhelming surge of pain. Their heartbeats doubled in speed, thudding violently in their chests. Harry could only endure for ten minutes before he fainted, though the potion continued its work on him. Sasha and Alec held on for twenty minutes before succumbing to unconsciousness.
Despite the excruciating pain, the potion was rapidly enhancing their strength and molding their bodies, making them more adept at using both physical strength and magic. Their constitutions underwent a positive transformation, laying the foundation for their future growth and prowess.
When they woke up, they felt extremely fatigued but could clearly sense the changes in their physiques. Their bodies were covered in a foul-smelling, black gooey liquid—the waste expelled during the molding process. After cleaning up, they headed out for lunch, having woken up around noon due to the potion's intense effects.
As they ate, they remained acutely aware of the prying eyes that seemed to follow them. They knew they needed to leave for Lymhurst soon and couldn't afford to let their guard down. Every glance, every shadow felt like a potential threat.
"We need to move carefully," Alec whispered, scanning the area.
Sasha nodded, her eyes alert. "Let's stick together and avoid drawing attention."
Harry, still feeling a bit weak but determined, added, "Once we reach Lymhurst, we can find a safe place."
With a sense of urgency, they finished their meal and prepared to depart, constantly on edge as they navigated through the city.
Harry reminded them that the tracking marks on their bodies would only last for four days, with a range of 3 kilometers. After four days, their journey could be smoother, but they didn't have that kind of time. They needed to head for the academy as soon as possible.
"I can use magic to wipe out the tracking marks," Harry said, focusing his energy.
As Harry worked on dispelling the tracking magic, Alec voiced his concerns. "Even if we remove the marks, a skilled group might still be following us. We need to stay vigilant."
Sasha nodded in agreement. "We'll have to move carefully and stay one step ahead of them."
By evening, they were ready to leave. With their supplies packed and their senses heightened, they set out towards Lymhurst, prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead. They knew the journey would be perilous, but their determination to reach the academy and continue their growth drove them forward.