The velvet cloth was removed with practiced precision, revealing five crystal vials. Each contained a glowing blue liquid that swirled and sparkled like the stars in a clear night sky.
Suddenly, an holographic image appeared, displaying the system attributes of the potions:
[Name: Mana Restoration Elixir] [Grade: Rare]
[Type]: Consumable
[Effects]: ▸
Instant Mana Restoration – Recovers 30 mana points immediately ▸ Mana Flow Enhancement – Increases mana regeneration by 15% for 10 minutes
▸ Mental Clarity – Reduces spell casting cooldown by 5% for 5 minutes
[Special Note]: ➤ Alchemical Purity Rating: 98.7% (Verified by the Royal Alchemist Guild) ➤ Side Effects: Minimal – Temporary blue tinge to fingertips, faint taste of winterberries
"As you can see," Fendrel continued, lifting one vial so it caught the light perfectly, "these are no ordinary restoration potions. Alchemists Bernard unique brewing process is unique, giving such special effects."
"I won't say no more, the starting bid is 500 relic coins for the complete set."
Hands shot up immediately, auction paddles rising throughout the hall like sudden flowers blooming in spring.
Numbers flew from Fendrel's lips, each bid higher than the last, until finally, at 780 relic coins, a plump merchant in the third row secured the prize.
From his position in the second row, Lucian observed with interest. This was his first time in an auction and it was certainly an eye opener.
His face remained hidden from the hoodie and with the passive Heaven's cloak activated, no one paired him the littliest bit of attention.
The next items proceeded.
A Bronze-grade shield was produced, its surface etched with runes and what seem to be trees.
[Name: Ancient Trent Shiel] (Grade: IRON+)
[Type]: Shield
[Durability]: 840/840
[Effects]: ▸ Steadfast Defense – Reduces physical damage by 12% ▸ Nature's Resilience – Provides 20% resistance to poison and acid attacks ▸ Vitality Aura – Increases bearer's health regeneration by 0.5% per minute
"300!"
"350!"
"Bugger off kid! This is mine! 500!"
The audience continued to yell out prices.
The shield eventually sold for 620 relic coins to a young man with scars on his face.
Next on the list was a small chest of herbs that released an aromatic cloud when opened—rare specimens from the various floors in the tower highly sought by alchemists and healers alike.
[Name: Herbalist's Treasure] (Grade: Rare)
[Type]: Alchemical Materials [Contents]: ▸ Moonshade Fungi (3 specimens) – Primary ingredient for invisibility potions ▸ Serpent's Tongue Lilies (7 blooms) – Essential for advanced healing salves ▸ Whisperroot (2 preserved roots) – Used in truth serums and mind-enhancing elixirs ▸ Emberleaf (1 complete branch) – Rare catalyst that amplifies fire-based alchemical reactions.
[Freshness Rating]: 94% (Preserved using Temporal Stasis techniques)
After a heated bidding war that reached 1,450 relic coins, the herbs went to a mysterious woman with green eyes. She also seem to be an alchemist.
The bidding went on for about thirty minutes before they brought out something interesting.
It was a relic, a peculiar device resembling a silver sphere with intricate clockwork mechanisms visible through transparent panels.
[Name: Purification Sphere of Archmage Dorian] (Grade: Silver)[Durability]: 500/500
[Effects]: ▸ Water Purification – Removes toxins, diseases, and impurities from up to 50 gallons of water per use
▸ Elemental Detection – Glows different colors to indicate specific contaminants present
▸ Emergency Barrier – Can create a 5-foot radius dome of purified air for 10 minutes once per day.
The sphere sold quickly for 5000 relic coins to the head of Zarius family. Also one of the top families in this town.
Then came the moment that caused Lucian's attention to sharpen.
The female servant approached carrying an ebony scroll case adorned with silver dragons.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Fendrel's voice took on a reverential tone that silenced even the whispering nobles in their private booths, "we now present an item that many of you have been anticipating.
A combat technique scroll containing 'The Azure Dragon's Breath' a high-ranked combat technique. It was said that it was acquired from the 6th floor of the galactic tower!"
The hologram glowed and revealed the scroll's attributes:
[Name: Azure Dragon's Breath Technique]
[Grade: Rank 3]
[Requirement]: 500 mana points
[Compatibility]: Highest with Wind and Water affinities (80%), Compatible with Neutral affinities (60%)
[Effects ]: ▸ Azure Wind Enhancement – Infuses attacks with cutting wind forces, extending effective range by 30% ▸ Penetrating Strikes – Attacks gain 25% armor penetration
▸ Dragon's Velocity – Increases movement speed by 15% for 8 seconds after technique activation
▸ Mana Efficiency – 40% reduction in mana cost compared to similar techniques
"This remarkable technique," Fendrel continued, his fingers tracing the air as though illustrating the power contained within, "allows practitioners to manifest the essence of the Azure Dragon's legendary breath, creating cutting forces that extend the reach and devastating power of one's attacks. When fully mastered, it is said that a practitioner can slice through steel armor as though it were paper."
He paused dramatically, allowing the murmurs of excitement to swell before continuing. "We begin the bidding at 10,000 relic coins."
Paddles rose immediately, and Fendrel's practiced eye caught each bid with lightning precision. The price climbed rapidly: 25,000 , 30,000, 30,300. Soon, only three bidders remained: a stern-faced woman in a second-level private booth, a thin man with calculating eyes, and a broad-shouldered warrior whose bare arms displayed the swirling tattoos.
"35,000 from Lady Esvera," Fendrel acknowledged with a respectful nod toward the private booth.
The Storm guild representative hesitated, then raised his paddle. "36,000."
The tattooed warrior grimaced and lowered his paddle.
"37,000," came the cool response from Lady Esvera.
The guild representative conferred briefly with his companion, then shook his head.
"37,000 relic coins going once, twice... sold to Lady Esvera!"
A polite round of applause followed as the scroll was carefully transported to the private booth.
The anticipation in the room heightened as Fendrel gestured to his assistant, who approached carrying a crystal pedestal.
Atop it rested a scroll case made of white jade, bands of gold wrapping around it like celestial meridians.
The case emanated a subtle radiance that seemed to brighten the air around it.
"Next," Fendrel announced,
"We have a truly exceptional meditation technique: Primal Wildblood Resonance.'"