As the two made their way to the Liangwei Chamber of Commerce, Jennifer spoke to Cynthia, "Young Miss, while I may not fully understand why or how that became the core of your research, I do hope it bears fruit in the future, even if I find the concept quite unnerving," she said in a steady voice.
"Mhm, Jennifer, what is the time?" Cynthia asked as she turned to look at Jennifer.
In response, Jennifer reached into the breast pocket behind her tunic, took out a pocket watch, and flipped it open. "It's a quarter to two," she said.
"Excellent. I hope today's auction shows some results because last month's Arcane Auction had no items of value," Cynthia said, letting out a deep sigh.
"But you didn't seem all too disappointed at last month's auction, Young Miss," Jennifer remarked.
"Yes, the auction itself was quite entertaining. I witnessed firsthand the rivalry between Viscount Goodman and the Chief Sage of the Fire Division of OLYXINAR, Prya Magnolia," Cynthia said, a look of amusement crossing her face as she recalled the scene between the two parties.
"By the way, Jennifer, do you know why those two dislike each other so much?" Cynthia asked.
"The story goes that when they were younger, the Viscount and Chief Sage Prya attended OLYXINAR in the same year. The Viscount was given a chance to create a mount contract with a Salamander, but Chief Sage Prya took the opportunity from him. He never got over it, even though he eventually obtained a Salamander of his own," Jennifer responded. Cynthia was quiet for a while, then nodded and said, "I understand."
"Well, either way, I don't want to only witness the inevitable drama that often plagues the Arcane Auction each month," Cynthia said, leaning her hand on the carriage window and resting her chin on the back of her hand.
"Drama is a regular occurrence at the Arcane Auction," Jennifer replied matter-of-factly. "It only takes place on the fifteenth of every month. Unlike regular auctions that happen daily, the fifteenth is when masters of craft attend to secure the best resources for their practice."
"Mhm," Cynthia nodded in agreement with Jennifer's statement.
They watched as the carriage went on in silence until they arrived at the destination, after the carriage came to a stop Jennifer opened the door for Cynthia to exit the carriage after they both left the carriage and closed the door Cynthia instructed the coachman to return the estate with the goods and send another coachman to pick her up in the evening and after had received his orders the coachman left.
The Liangwei Chamber of Commerce stands as a grand, imposing structure in the heart of the bustling city. The polished granite facade, adorned with unmistakable carvings of mythical creatures and ancient symbols, glows in the sunlight and moonlight. Towering, ornately carved white marble pillars frame the wide staircase leading to massive mahogany double doors inlaid with shimmering gold and silver patterns. Large, arched stained-glass windows depict various guilds and trades, casting colorful patterns on the interior marble floors. Decorative spires and turrets capped with golden finials rise above, with a central dome covered in deep blue and gold tiles symbolizing the Chamber's prominence. Lush gardens with exotic plants, fountains, and statues of famous merchants surround the building, with meticulously maintained pathways and benches for visitors. Above the main entrance, a grand brass-lettered sign on a dark wood backdrop reads "Liangwei Chamber of Commerce," flanked by lanterns that light up in the evening. This grand exterior showcases the wealth and influence of the Liangwei Chamber of Commerce, serving as a beacon of trade and prosperity for the city.
Cynthia and Jennifer made their way up the stairs and inside to get themselves situated, when they entered, they were met with the interior of the Liangwei Chamber of Commerce which exudes elegance and sophistication, designed to reflect the institution's status and grandeur.
Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a vast, open entrance hall with high, vaulted ceilings supported by ornate columns. The floor is polished marble, inlaid with intricate patterns that lead to the main areas of the building. The main lobby features a large, opulent chandelier made of crystal and gold, casting a warm, inviting light. Richly upholstered seating areas are arranged around the room, with plush armchairs and elegant sofas in deep, regal colors. The walls are adorned with tapestries and framed portraits of historical figures and influential merchants, each piece meticulously crafted to reflect the Chamber's storied past. Gold leaf accents highlight architectural details and decorative moldings. The reception area boasts a grand, polished wooden desk with intricate carvings and inlaid gemstones. Behind the desk, a large, ornate mirror reflects the opulence of the space, and a staff of impeccably dressed attendants is always on hand to assist visitors.
Cynthia approached the receptionist's desk and announced her intention to attend the Arcane Auction. Jennifer handed over a black card adorned with a golden bird. The service member at the desk verified the card by hovering a clear, star-shaped crystal above it, which turned green. After returning the card to Jennifer, another staff member escorted them to another part of the building.
After a short walk, they arrived at a door labeled "Room Eight." The service man asked Jennifer for the card, thanked her, and used a smaller crystal from his pocket to verify it. Once the crystal emitted a green hue, he hovered the card over the door, which unlocked with a distinct click. He then thanked them for their patience, wished them a pleasant evening, and departed. Before they could enter the room Cynthia heard someone inquiring if this would be the auction where she would finally bid for something, Cynthia turned to her left and saw three gentlemen approach her she noticed it was Baron Fairchild and his two sons.
As the three men approached Cynthia, she observed their appearances closely. The eldest, with silver-streaked dark hair and piercing blue eyes, exuded an air of authority and grace. His finely tailored suit, adorned with subtle yet elegant embroidery, reflected his refined taste and status, unmistakably identifying him as Baron Fairchild.
Next, she noticed his elder son, Jake, who shared his father's strong features but with a youthful vigor. Jake had a robust build, dark hair, and a confident demeanor. Finally, her gaze fell upon the youngest, Kenneth, who had lighter, often tousled hair, expressive green eyes, and a slender build.
When the three men stood before her, the older gentleman spoke, "Well, Lady Rochester, what do you think? Will this be the auction where you finally find something that catches your eye?"
"I'm not entirely sure, Baron Fairchild. Only time will tell," Cynthia replied while noticing that the Baron's youngest son, Kenneth, was eyeing her with a gaze that betrayed his lecherous thoughts.
"Ah, I also noticed Miss Jennifer Cloudheart. It's nice to see the eighty-ninth ranker on the Brittanor Martial Mystics ranking list," said the Baron, giving a slight nod to Jennifer, who responded with a curtsey. However, Cynthia, not wanting to entertain them any longer, told the Baron that she needed to go inside and prepare for the upcoming auction and that they could speak another time. She then entered the room, followed immediately by Jennifer, who shut the door behind them.
Outside the room, the Baron and his sons made their way to the adjacent door labeled "Room Seven." The Baron took out a silver card with a golden bird on the front and hovered it over the door. After hearing a click, they opened the door and entered the room.
Once inside, the Baron immediately slapped his youngest son on the back of the head. "You just don't know how to control your perverted thoughts, do you? Do you think I didn't notice the looks you were giving young Lady Rochester? What if she had been offended by your lecherous stares and decided to cause problems for our family? Don't you have any limits, you damn imbecile? This is exactly why no one wanted to accept you as their son-in-law. I had to use my position as Brittanor's chief alchemist to get you a partner, and even then, you're still not satisfied?" the Baron shouted at his youngest son.
"Father, calm down. Thankfully, young Lady Rochester didn't take offense, and Kenneth will learn his lesson," Jake said, trying to calm his father down while shoving Kenneth's head to the floor to make it seem as if he was apologizing.
Seeing this and Jake's plea, the Baron sighed deeply. "I don't want to hear another rumor about you fathering any more bastard children or about any other young girl you've fooled around with. Is that clear, Kenneth?"
"Yes, Father," Kenneth replied, still not looking at the Baron.
After hearing this, the Baron turned and went to a large sofa at the front of the room, which had a large transparent glass so they could see what was happening in the room below.
In the other room, Cynthia sat and observed the auction hall through the glass. The grand space featured tiered seating arrangements facing a central stage, with large individual rooms at the top reserved for more important customers. The stage was equipped with a large podium and elaborate backdrops for showcasing items. Designed to accommodate large crowds, the hall boasted plush seating and excellent acoustics.
Cynthia then instructed Jennifer to gather some refreshments while they waited for the auction to start. After receiving her orders, Jennifer went to the back of the room where a small self-service area was set up with wine, cheese platters, and sandwiches. She plated the necessary portions and returned to Cynthia, handing her the plate and placing the wine on the side table next to the sofa. Jennifer then sat on a high stool directly behind the sofa, ready to attend to any further requests.
After some time spent eating and gazing out the window, Cynthia noticed people pouring into the auction room and the other reserved rooms becoming occupied. The glass of these rooms turned opaque from the outside once occupied, ensuring security while allowing those inside to see out. After a while, Cynthia asked Jennifer for the time and was told it was two twenty. Realizing the auction was about to begin, Cynthia readied herself, knowing it was time to give her undivided attention.
As the lights dimmed and a hush fell over the auction hall, the spotlight focused on the central stage. Zi Fang, the esteemed presenter, gracefully stepped onto the stage, her presence commanding the attention of all attendees.
Zi Fang was a vision of elegance and poise. She wore a flowing gown of deep emerald, green silk, adorned with intricate gold embroidery that shimmered under the lights. The gown's high collar and long sleeves added a touch of sophistication, while the fitted bodice and flowing skirt accentuated her graceful figure. Her dark hair was styled in an elaborate updo, adorned with delicate golden hairpins that sparkled with every movement.
Her eyes, a striking shade of amber, scanned the room with a confident yet welcoming gaze. She wore minimal makeup, allowing her natural beauty to shine through, with just a hint of gold eyeshadow to complement her attire. A pair of elegant, dangling earrings completed her ensemble, catching the light as she moved.
With a warm smile, Zi Fang addressed the audience, her voice clear and melodious, setting the stage for the evening's prestigious event.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the prestigious Arcane Auction, hosted by the esteemed Liangwei Chamber of Commerce. I am your presenter, Zi Fang, and it is my honor to guide you through this evening's extraordinary event. Today is May 15th, year 1765 of the Mystics Calendar, a date that promises to be memorable for all attendees.
We will be accepting payments exclusively in Brittanor Arcanum Coins. Should you wish to use any other currency, it will be exchanged for Brittanor Arcanum Coins or B.A.C at a rate set by the Liangwei Chamber of Commerce.
Please be reminded that bidding at a price you cannot pay will result in a strike. Accumulating three strikes will lead to a ban from participating in the auction for the remainder of the year. Additionally, using your status to bully other participants from bidding will be considered an obstruction of the Liangwei Chamber of Commerce's business and will result in your member card being struck.
All items won during the auction will be delivered directly to your residences once the bidding process is full payment has been received.
Now, without further ado, let us begin!