Early morning, Saturday.
I woke up feeling well-rested and energized.
I ate breakfast, showered and even went out for a light workout.
It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping and the air was crisp.
The Academy was also quieter than usual, with most students choosing to sleep in on the weekend.
Although the war with Demons was almost imminent, most were at the age where they didn’t have a care in the world. They were too young to fully comprehend the whole situation. Such is the bliss of ignorance.
If I hadn’t been forcefully transported to this world against my will, I might have been one of them - carefree and oblivious to the impending dangers.
Unfortunately or not, I was.
I sighed, pushing those thoughts aside. There were more pressing matters at hand.
Today, I had to attend an auction, one that could potentially give a much-needed advantage in this world. Of course, nothing ca for free. Even getting into the auction itself required a ticket and those weren’t cheap.
Pulling out my mobile device, I accessed the auction’s website. The interface was sleek and efficient, listing various tiers of entrance passes. The lowest tier only granted access to general bidding, while the highest tier provided access to exclusive, highest-value items. I didn’t have the funds for the latter, but a mid-tier ticket would suffice.
After a few taps, I secured my entry, the cost taking a noticeable bite out of my funds. The ticket was digital and all I had to do was show my device upon arrival. That part was easy, getting there, however, required another step.
The auction house was located in the heart of the city, a fair distance from the Academy. Public transport was an option, but I wasn’t in the mood to waste ti dealing with crowded stations and long waits. A cab would be more efficient.
I quickly made a reservation through a local transport app, selecting a private ride. The last thing I wanted was unnecessary attention, especially given the kind of people who would be attending this auction. My request was confird within seconds and the estimated ti of arrival was displayed on my screen - ten minutes.
That gave just enough ti to prepare.
I got dressed in my newly acquired Shadoweave suit. The fabric clung to my form comfortably, and the subtle enchantnts made it feel weightless. With a final glance in the mirror, I adjusted my silver tie and secured my Odachi in a sheath.
Then I grabbed a long coat from my wardrobe, one that was both practical and inconspicuous. Standing out wasn’t ideal, especially in a place where wealth and power dictated the rules.
Just as I finished preparing, my device chid with a notification that the cab had arrived. Taking one last deep breath, I stepped out of my dorm and into the crisp morning air.
The Academy’s pathways were nearly empty, save for a few early risers who paid no mind. My boots made little noise against the paved stone as I walked toward the campus gate, where my ride waited. The sleek, black vehicle blended in well with the refined architecture of the Academy, making it seem like it belonged there despite being a re hired transport.
Sliding into the back seat, I gave a brief nod to the driver. He rely glanced at through the rearview mirror before pulling into the main road. The drive was smooth, the hum of the engine blending with the distant sounds of the city waking up.
I turned my gaze to the window, watching the Academy grounds fade into the distance. The streets were lined with glowing neon signs, bustling markets already filled with rchants and towering airships floating above, carrying cargo and passengers across the city.
Despite the vibrant scenery, my mind remained focused. The auction was not just an opportunity to obtain rare items, it was also a place where the underbelly of society converged. rcenaries, nobles, black-market dealers and rogue magicians would all be present, each vying for their own piece of power.
A few minutes later, my driver slowed to a stop in front of the grand auction house. It was an imposing structure, its exterior built from polished black stone, with golden inscriptions lining its entrance. A crowd had already begun to form, a mix of well-dressed individuals and heavily ard bodyguards standing watch.
I stepped out, adjusting my coat as I approached the entrance. A pair of guards in ceremonial armor stood at either side, scanning the arrivals with cold, calculating gazes. When my turn ca, I simply held up my device, displaying my digital ticket.
The nearest guard scrutinized it before giving a slight nod.
"Welco, sir. Please proceed inside."
Unlike the general attendees being ushered toward the main hall, I was led through a separate corridor, one reserved for those with higher-tier passes. The polished floors glead under the warm glow of enchanted lanterns and the atmosphere carried an air of exclusivity.
A butler in a crisp black suit guided toward a private loge, a luxurious space with plush seating and an impeccable view of the auction stage.
However, just as I was about to step inside, I suddenly froze in my tracks.
Through the corner of my eye, I caught sight of sothing or rather, soone who shouldn’t be here.
Aveline.
The Princess.
Though it was only for a fleeting mont, there was no doubt in my mind.
Dressed in elegant yet discreet attire, she was being led toward the higher loges, accompanied by two silent, watchful figures.
’What the hell is she doing here!?’
The sight of Aveline sent a surge of unease through .
The Princess was not soone who could move freely without attracting attention, yet here she was, dressed to blend in with the crowd, slipping into one of the highest-tier private loges. The presence of her two silent escorts only cented my suspicion, this was not a casual visit.
I hesitated for a mont, debating whether to follow her movents closely or proceed as planned. My gut told that this was no re coincidence. If Aveline was here, then sothing significant was about to go down.
Steeling myself, I stepped into my assigned lodge. The interior was just as lavish as expected, velvet seating, a polished wooden table set with refreshnts and a perfect vantage point of the stage below. Other lodges were similarly occupied by well-dressed individuals, so engaged in quiet conversations while others sipped on expensive spirits, observing the ongoing bids with sharp eyes.
A discreet chi echoed through the hall as the auctioneer, an older gentleman with an air of refined charisma, took his place at the podium. He adjusted his monocle before addressing the crowd with a smooth, practiced tone.
"Ladies and gentlen, welco to tonight’s exclusive auction. You are gathered here today not just as bidders but as seekers of the rare and extraordinary. Tonight, we present to you items of imnse value, artifacts, relics and secrets that could shift the tides of power. Let us begin."
The first few items were of little interest to , precious gemstones, rare paintings and ceremonial weapons ant more for display than actual combat. The bids rose rapidly, with nobles and wealthy rchants vying for possession. I observed in silence, keeping an ear out for any murmurs of intrigue in the loges nearby.
Then, the auctioneer’s tone shifted.
"Next, we have an item of particular rarity. A piece of history, thought to be lost to ti."
A veiled attendant stepped forward, carrying an ornate box. With careful precision, she unlocked it, revealing a crimson-hued crystal pulsing with an inner light. The mont I saw it, my breath hitched montarily.
Aethercore.
A raw, condensed source of mana, capable of enhancing magic far beyond its normal limits. It was the kind of power that could tip the balance in any battle, a treasure sought after by scholars, warlords, and mages alike. And from the sudden tension in the air, I wasn’t the only one who recognized its worth.
The bidding started aggressively, prices skyrocketing within monts. Aveline’s loge remained silent, but I noticed a subtle movent. One of her escorts was whispering sothing into her ear.
Was she interested in the Aethercore too?
Yet, to my surprise, she didn’t bid.
Her attention lingered on the crystal for only a mont before she leaned back into her seat, showing no signs of participation.
Strange. If she wasn’t here for the Aethercore, then what was she after?
As the Aethercore found its owner, one of the wealthier noble lords, the auction moved on to the equipnt section. First ca the weapons. Spears, swords and enchanted armor pieces were paraded onto the stage, each boasting impressive craftsmanship and powerful enchantnts.
That was when Aveline finally made her move.
The mont the Princess placed a bid, the entire hall fell into an uneasy silence. No one dared to compete. No matter the item, no matter the price, her offers stood unchallenged.
It was an unspoken rule, no one contested the will of royalty.
She acquired several pieces, among them a beautifully forged armor imbued with wind magic and a pair of boots that shimred with protective enchantnts.
Then, at last, ca the section I had been waiting for: miscellaneous items.
However, I was stressed.
’What if she bets on the item I want...’
That’d be really... complicated.
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