The other two books are sold quickly, though the intensity of the bidding has slightly diminished.
"One hundred and five thousand!"
"One hundred and ten!"
"One hundred and twelve thousand going once… going twice… sold!"
The final bid barely crosses a hundred thousand, as some nobles have exhausted their resources. Despite this, their expressions remain a mix of excitement and frustration. Skill books are invaluable, and even Tier 1 holds immense worth.
The auctioneer, still riding the energy of the last bids, grins as he gestures toward his assistants once more. "And now, for something even greater. A treasure of higher caliber—Tier 2 skills!"
The room buzzes again, anticipation crackling in the air.
Two more books are brought onto the stage, their covers glowing with a stronger enchantment than the previous ones.
"Behold! A Tier 2 combat skill—'Phantom Edge'—a technique that allows the wielder to unleash afterimage strikes, overwhelming opponents with sheer speed!"
"And if that wasn't enough… a Tier 2 spell! 'Infernal Surge'—a devastating fire spell capable of engulfing an entire battlefield in flames!"
The nobles practically vibrate with excitement.
"This is beyond rare!"
"A Tier 2 spell… if we had this, our mages could rival entire armies!"
But before the auction can begin, a sudden commotion at the entrance halts everything. The crowd turns as the doors swing open.
A man clad in elegant yet subtly reinforced attire strides in, flanked by two armored guards. His presence alone is enough to send whispers rippling through the hall.
"The royal family sent a representative?"
"What is the meaning of this?"
Alix watches with mild amusement as the auctioneer hurriedly bows, his voice respectful but eager. "Ah, Lord Viran! What an honor to have you join us."
Viran, a middle-aged noble with sharp eyes and a calculating expression, nods once. "I was told that skill books are being auctioned here. The royal family wishes to partake."
A hush falls over the room. Some nobles exchange nervous glances. Competing against other nobles is one thing—but against the royal family's wealth? That's an entirely different game.
The auctioneer quickly composes himself. "Of course, my lord! You arrived at the perfect time. A Tier 2 combat skill and spell are now available for bidding."
Viran steps forward, his gaze briefly scanning the books before settling onto the auctioneer. "Then let us begin. The royal treasury is ready to claim what belongs at the top."
The auctioneer, his smile unwavering, quickly gestures to a nearby attendant. "Please, escort Lord Viran to a vacant VIP room."
A well-dressed servant bows and swiftly leads Viran and his guards toward an elevated seating area, draped in fine silk and positioned for an optimal view of the stage. The murmurs in the crowd persist, but no one dares openly question the royal family's presence.
Once Viran is settled, the auctioneer clears his throat. "Now then! Without further delay, let us resume the auction!" He turns back to the crowd, his enthusiasm never faltering. "We shall begin with the Tier 2 combat skill—Phantom Edge! The starting bid is set at one hundred thousand gold!"
A noble from the front row immediately raises his fan. "One hundred and ten thousand!"
The competition heats up quickly. Unlike the previous Tier 1 books, there is no hesitation this time. A combat skill of this level could change the fate of a duelist, a knight, even an entire family's standing.
Alix watches with a hint of amusement. The nobles are desperate. Some grip their chairs tightly, their knuckles white as they consider their bids.
"Two hundred thousand!"
Gasps ripple through the crowd. The bidder, an older noble with silver hair, straightens his posture as if daring anyone to challenge him.
But Viran merely chuckles from his VIP seat. He raises a single hand. "Two hundred and fifty thousand."
Silence follows. The weight of the royal treasury is undeniable. Even the boldest nobles hesitate.
A younger lord, sweat forming at his brow, grits his teeth. "Two hundred and seventy!"
Viran barely reacts. He raises his hand again, his voice calm and measured. "Three hundred thousand."
The hall goes dead silent. No one speaks. No one moves.
The auctioneer, sensing no further bids, smiles broadly. "Three hundred thousand going once… going twice… sold! The Tier 2 skill book, Phantom Edge, now belongs to the royal family!"
A round of polite applause follows, though the tension in the room remains thick.
Viran reclines slightly, pleased but unsurprised. He had expected no real opposition.
The auctioneer claps his hands. "And now, the next item—perhaps even more sought after than the last. The Tier 2 spell… Infernal Surge!"
Unlike before, there is no pause. The moment the bidding opens, the nobles erupt.
"One hundred and fifty thousand!"
"Two hundred thousand!"
"Two hundred and fifty thousand!"
It is a battlefield of voices, each noble more desperate than the last. A powerful spell like Infernal Surge could change the tide of wars, dominate battlefields, and cement a family's influence for generations.
Alix swirls his wine, his golden eyes watching the chaos unfold.
A group of nobles in one of the VIP room turn toward each other.
"Work together," one whispers.
"If we combine our resources, we can outbid him!"
Several of them nod in agreement. Moments later, one of them—an older noble with a deep purple cloak—raises his hand.
"Three hundred and fifty thousand!"
The hall gasps. Even Viran raises an eyebrow at the unexpected resistance.
The nobles who joined forces watch him carefully, their expressions tense. If they win, they will split the spell among their houses, a temporary alliance for an unmatched power.
For a brief moment, it seems possible. But then, Viran said.
"Four hundred thousand."
A heavy silence follows Viran's bid.
The nobles who had allied together glance at each other, their confidence wavering. Some grip their chairs tightly, others shift uncomfortably in place.
Then, an older noble in a regal navy-blue coat lets out a weary sigh. He slowly rises from his seat, his stern gaze sweeping over the room before settling on the younger lords who had dared to challenge Viran.
"All of you should stop now," his voice is calm yet carries the weight of experience. "Even if you pool all your resources together, you won't be able to secure it. This isn't the time for us to anger the royal family."