As morning arrives, we make our way back to the Enchantment Guild, eager for the day's auction event. The moment we step through the grand doors of the auction house, Mathew is already there waiting for us.
"Master Asteria!" He greets us with a deep bow, his right hand placed over his chest. "Please, this way."
Lined up beside him are several other staff members, standing in perfect formation, ready to serve us. Mathew and his team escort us not to the bustling main floor but to a private, secluded room, far removed from the public eye.
Inside, the atmosphere is refined and elegant. The room is cozy, yet opulent, with a plush couch that practically invites us to sink into its comfort. A soft glow from enchanted lamps casts warm lighting over polished wooden furnishings. The faint aroma of exotic tea lingers in the air. Staff members move gracefully, setting down trays of steaming tea and delicate pastries before retreating.
Once we're settled, I turn to Mathew. "So, you've appraised the items, then?"
Mathew's eyes light up, barely able to contain his enthusiasm. "Yes, and they are excellent! As expected of Master Asteria!"
His voice carries an unfiltered excitement, and I can tell from his expression that the results must have really impressed them.
"The Master Enchanter who inspected them was so shocked that we had to re-appraise them three times," Mathew continues, shaking his head in disbelief. "The enchantments are all perfect and synergize really well with the materials. The Arcanum symbols are impeccably written and uniformly arranged. And on top of that, all of them have zero enchantment points left! To think that you could plan everything ahead and execute the enchantments this flawlessly…. This is amazing. Truly amazing! It's been such an eye-opening experience for me and all the other Guild members!"
Sophia and I exchange glances. Her expression is calm, but the way her lips curve slightly upward tells me she's just as pleased as I am.
"So, in terms of combat potential, do they meet your expectations?" I ask.
Mathew laughs, nodding eagerly. "Meet them? They exceed them! Even though you used only B-tier blanks, these weapons turned out stronger than those made from A-tier materials—or even S-tier! To be completely honest, none of us thought it was possible to create such powerful weapons from mid-tier blanks!"
"Glad to hear it."
"It's our honor to witness such craftsmanship firsthand, Master Asteria. However, if I may ask… why did you choose to work with only B-tier blanks? If you had used better materials, wouldn't the results have been even more astonishing?"
Mathew's curiosity is justified. Normally, enchanters seek the highest-quality materials they can afford to maximize the potential of their creations.
I shrug. "Oh, I just wanted to practice a little bit, so I didn't want to waste precious materials. And on top of that, we are new here. It's the first time we've been to Vera, so we haven't established our connections with your craftsmen yet."
"Ah, I see… That makes sense," Mathew nods. "Then, if you wish, we can arrange introductions to some of our finest blacksmiths, tailors, and jewelers. These are individuals who work exclusively for high-ranking nobles and elite warriors."
That's exactly what I needed. "That would be great. I'll look forward to it."
"It would be our pleasure, Master Asteria."
With that out of the way, I turn to the topic at hand. "Now, about the auction—when is it scheduled to start? Shouldn't we be heading to the auction hall soon?"
Mathew hesitates for a moment before his expression shifts. "Ah, well… about that…" He clears his throat. "Someone has already bought all of your weapons."
Sophia takes a sip of her tea—only to choke violently the moment she hears his words.
"Wha—" she sputters, her eyes wide in sheer disbelief.
I barely manage to suppress a laugh at her reaction.
"And how much did they go for?" I ask, intrigued.
Mathew's lips curl into a satisfied smile. "Twenty thousand gold coins."
Sophia nearly drops her teacup.
Twenty thousand!?
I had expected a decent sum—perhaps one or two thousand gold coins—but this? This is ten times that!
Doing some quick calculations in my head:
One gold coin equals one thousand crowns.
Twenty thousand gold coins equals twenty million crowns.
And given that one crown is roughly equivalent to a dollar back on Earth…
We just made twenty million dollars in a single day.
Jackpot!
"Of course, if you're not satisfied with the price, we can still proceed with the auction tomorrow. There might be a chance for an even higher bid," Mathew quickly adds.
I shake my head. "No need. Twenty thousand is already beyond what I expected."
Besides…
"The buyer made additional requests, didn't they?" I press. "Is that why you called us into a private room?"
Mathew's expression shifts ever so slightly—just enough to confirm my suspicions. He exhales a breath and nods. "You're quite perceptive, Master Asteria."
Apparently, the buyer is someone of extremely high status—high enough to warrant a personal meeting. Even with perfect enchantments, the value of my gear alone doesn't justify that absurd twenty-thousand-gold price tag. No, their interest isn't in the items themselves.
It's in me.
In the entire Valeria Kingdom, there are only two known Grandmaster Enchanters, both revered as living legends. The mere possibility that another Grandmaster-level enchanter has emerged is enough to shake the foundation of the kingdom's magical hierarchy. The exorbitant bid isn't just a purchase—it's an invitation, a calculated move to lure me into their circle.
A generous gesture for a first meeting.
Well, not that I actually am a Grandmaster Enchanter. My rank is still undetermined—but given my impeccable enchantments, it's only natural for them to assume I am one.
"Then, when can we meet the buyer?" I ask, intrigued.
"They are here right now," Mathew replies, straightening his posture. "If you wish, I can take you to their room immediately."
I set my teacup down. "Alright, lead the way."
We rise from our seats and follow Mathew through the Enchantment Guild, heading towards its upper levels. Each step reveals the gradual transformation of the guild's character.
The Enchantment Guild has four floors. The first floor is the market, bustling with eager enchanters and noisy traders. The second floor houses the main auction hall. The third floor is more subdued, dedicated to private consultations and intricate enchantment services, frequented by more experienced enchanters.
But the moment we step onto the fourth floor, the ambiance transforms completely.
The air is cool, perfumed with luxury. The clamor of business fades into an elegant stillness, as if sound itself dares not intrude on this realm of nobility. Few people walk these halls, and those who do wear exquisite attire, their movements deliberate, their gazes sharp.
Everything here screams opulence.
Velvet drapes cascade down the walls, and the floor is adorned with intricately woven carpets, soft underfoot. Display cases line the halls, showcasing enchanted artifacts like priceless works of art. These aren't just tools—they're masterpieces.
Curious, I activate UV Sight—and for a brief moment, the entire room bursts into an overwhelming glow.
Legendary-tier Arcanum inscriptions cover the surfaces, their power woven so densely that even I struggle to decipher them. There are symbols I've never seen before, their meanings obscured by complexity beyond my current understanding.
Beside me, Sophia instinctively tries to activate her Enchanter's Sight. But before she can activate it, I grab her wrist, stopping her cold.
"Don't," I whisper, my voice low and firm. "You'll go insane instantly."
Sophia gasps, eyes widening.
She knows the rule.
The Rule of Reading Arcanum: Never attempt to decipher enchantments beyond your current level.
Or else—
Suffer the consequences.
Soon after, we arrive at a grand mahogany door, its polished surface carved with elaborate sigils.
Mathew steps forward and delivers a polite knock.
"Milady, Master Asteria has arrived."
A moment of silence. Then—
"Enter."
A smooth, velvety voice beckons from inside.
Mathew opens the door, and as I step through the threshold—
A hand suddenly grips my sleeve.
I stop.
It's Sophia.
Her fingers clutch at my coat, trembling.
"What's wrong?" I whisper.
She doesn't answer.
But her hand won't let go, her body rigid, her breathing shallow. Confused, I turn to look at her fully—
And that's when I see it.
Her eyes are wide with horror. Her skin has lost all color.
Before I can react, a young woman's voice fills the room.
"Master Asteria," she greets, stepping forward with an elegant stride.
She is dressed in a dramatic crimson gothic gown, the fabric cascading around her like flowing blood. Pearlescent white hair tumbles down her back, its soft waves framing a face of ethereal beauty—the kind of beauty that draws you in, only to ensnare you.
Her crimson lips curve into a perfectly smile.
"It is a profound pleasure to finally meet you."
With a flourish, she lifts the edges of her gown and dips into an impeccable curtsy, every motion exuding a noble's grace.
"I am Ariella. Ariella Harrow, daughter of Archduke Eldric Harrow."
Her name rings through the room like a curse.
For a brief moment, the world stills.
Even I freeze.
The blood in my veins chills, the name echoing in my mind.
Ariella Harrow.
Daughter of Archduke Eldric Harrow.
The man who murdered Sophia's family.
Suddenly, everything makes sense.
The tremor in Sophia's grip.
The way her breath quivers with suppressed fear.
The way her entire body has gone cold—not from surprise, but from something far, far deeper.
And now, standing before us, is the daughter of the very man who destroyed her life.
A shiver crawls down my spine.
No wonder Sophia is reacting like this.