After finalizing his selection of clothing, Robin, accompanied by Oliver and Andrew, left the high-end fashion boutique, the glimmering city of Nexar shines before them. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the towering skyline as they made their way toward the tallest building in the city an imposing structure made of glass and metal, home to one of the most prestigious auction houses in Arora. Robin came here before but only to see and never bought anything.
The building was a beacon of wealth and power, its grand entrance adorned with ornate statues of ancient rulers and cosmic explorers. The crowds moving in and out of the building were dressed in extravagant outfits, a sign of the wealth that frequented such a place. But Robin wasn't here for the public auctions this time. Oliver had arranged a meeting with the manager of the whole auction house.
As they arrived at the entrance, a uniformed doorman immediately recognized the group with a respectful bow, the doorman led them past the lobby where wealthy patrons mingled and holographic displays showcased the latest high-priced items. The trio took a private lift, bypassing the hustle of the auction halls, ascending straight to the top floor where the manager's office was located.
The elevator ride was smooth and swift, and as the doors slid open, they were greeted by the sight of a lavishly decorated corridor, the walls adorned with rare pieces of art,gems from across the universe, each with their unique story . At the end of the corridor stood a grand set of doors, guarded by two security personnel who immediately stood to attention upon seeing Robin’s entourage.
The doors opened, revealing an opulent office that overlooked the city skyline. The room looks like a museum. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the walls were lined with valuable artifacts from around the galaxy: a sword that once belonged to a warrior queen, an ancient book encased in glass, and shimmering gemstones from distant planets.
Behind an expansive desk stood the auction house manager, a sharp-eyed man with graying hair and a meticulously tailored suit. His demeanor was calm yet respectful, recognizing the importance of the guest standing before him. He stepped forward and bowed slightly, his voice smooth and practiced.
"Young master William, it’s a great honor to finally welcome you in person. I've heard you came here before but i couldn't manage enough time to serve you before. Please forgive me for that. I trust your journey was pleasant?" His eyes flicked briefly to Oliver, who nodded slightly, confirming the prearranged meeting.
"Thank you," Robin replied, his voice calm yet carrying the weight of his status. He gestured lightly for the manager to continue.
The auction house manager handed Robin a holographic catalog, its glowing pages filled with detailed descriptions of rare artifacts, exotic alcohols,magical relics, and futuristic treasures from across the galaxy. Each item had a backstory some tied to ancient civilizations, others connected to powerful sorcerers or rulers. But as Robin flipped through the catalog, his expression remained unimpressed. Nothing seemed worthy of his attention.his eye didn't catch anything fancy. He looked at Oliver,by Oliver's look robin understood this isn't everything this place has.
He leaned back in his seat, an amused smirk on his face as he glanced at the manager and jokingly said. "Is this the best you've got? Or are you just showing me the cheap goods?" Robin said, his tone is light but the words sharp.
The manager’s face flushed with embarrassment. He lowered his head slightly, clearly taken aback by Robin's comment. "I apologize, Master William," the manager said. "What you see here is merely the surface. For someone of your status, I should have offered more from the beginning. Please, allow me to correct this." His gaze steeled with determination, and he gestured for Robin, Oliver, and Andrew to follow.
Without further delay, the manager led them through the grand office to a blank wall. He stopped before it and pressed a hidden panel. Suddenly, the wall shimmered and morphed, revealing a door that hadn’t been there moments before. It seemed to bend reality itself.
Robin blinked, surprised. "Impressive," he muttered, but before he could ask, Oliver stepped closer and whispered, "This is what’s called a pocket dimension, Master Robin. Rich people use this type of magic to hide or store their belongings. And most shipping companies also use this magic for logistics."
Robin raised an eyebrow, intrigued. He wondered how much magic there was. But soon the excitement turned into disappointment because he didn't have enough aether storage nor talents for magic. He'll never be able to perform any magic.It's like the whole world is in front of his eyes but he can only stay in one room.
He threw away all his thoughts and focused on his task.
The door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a long, dimly lit corridor beyond. The air felt different here, heavier with an aura of magic. Robin, Oliver, and Andrew followed the manager inside, their footsteps echoing faintly. As they moved deeper into the corridor, Robin began to notice subtle but intense security measures. Small runes were carved into the walls, glowing faintly, while concealed security cameras and sensors were hidden in plain sight. Armed guards stood at intervals, their expressions stoic but watchful.
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The significance of this place wasn’t lost on Robin. He had seen high-security vaults before, but the level of protection here was extraordinary. Even Oliver, who was usually calm and unshaken, was watching the surroundings with a sharp eye.
They continued down the dimly lit passage until they reached the end, where a large door stood. The manager stepped forward, and Robin watched as the man cut the tip of his finger with a hidden blade in his pocket. With practice ease, the manager pressed his bleeding finger against the door. The blood seeped into the door’s surface, which began to glow with a crimson light. Moments later, the door unlocked with a heavy, metallic click.
Robin stared, wide-eyed. "What kind of magic is that?" he asked, his voice betraying a hint of awe.
Oliver, ever the knowledgeable one, stepped forward and explained, "This is blood magic, Master Robin. A rare and ancient form of magic, requiring a person’s life essence to unlock certain spells or objects. This kind of magic is also used for contracts.
It’s not commonly used, as it’s both dangerous and powerful. Only a handful of people can perform this type of magic. The guy who set up the spell at least at saint level."
Robin nodded, still processing what he had just seen. In the span of mere minutes, he had witnessed not one but two of the rarest forms of magic in this world: a pocket dimension and blood magic.
As the door swung open, Robin’s breath caught in his throat. The room was unlike anything he had ever seen. There were a variety of items like swords,gems, potions, and even some items that didn't look like anything.
Manager led Robin through the room pointing out several extraordinary items. "Here, Master William," he began, "is the Sword of Crystallized Fire, forged in a dying star. It can cut through both flesh and magic with ease." He gestured toward a floating orb, its surface cracked yet whole. "This is the Orb of Shattered Time, capable of manipulating the time, though it comes with great risks." Next, he pointed to seven gems orbiting one another. "These are the Prismatic Hearts, relics of an ancient race, granting mastery over the elements to those who can control them." He then showed a vial with liquid flowing upwards. "This potion defies gravity brewed from a dragons tears, it grants immortality, though at the cost of your connection to time." On a table, a shifting object caught Robin’s eye. "That’s a Traveler’s Box, a relic that changes form with thought, said to unlock dimensional travel. But all the braves that tried to use this object never returned." The manager’s hand swept to a shimmering cloak. "A Cloak of Starlight, it grants invisibility and allows its wearer to move through the universe like the stars." He pointed to an amulet with a living eye. "This is the Eye of Athra, a sentient artifact that foresees danger but only serves the worthy." Robin was captivated, each item more magical and mysterious than the last.
As Robin surveyed the room, his curiosity ignited by the manager’s descriptions, he noticed a few more remarkable items that seemed to call out to him.
First, his gaze was drawn to an intricately designed tome, its pages made of a shimmering, metallic material. The cover was embossed with ancient symbols, and it emanated a soft glow. "What is this?" Robin asked, stepping closer. The manager smiled knowingly. "Ah, that is the Codex of Forgotten Spells. It contains lost magic from a time when the world was still young. Those who can decipher its language may gain access to powerful spells long thought to be extinct." Robin felt a shiver of excitement; the thought of wielding forgotten magic was intoxicating.
Next, he spotted a golden chalice resting on a pedestal, encrusted with various gemstones that sparkled in the dim light. "This chalice," the manager continued, "is the Goblet of Eternal Life. It is said to grant the drinker a moment of clarity, revealing their true purpose in life. But beware the truth it reveals can be difficult to bear." Robin contemplated the chalice, wondering what revelations it might hold and if he was ready for such knowledge.
Further along, Robin saw a set of delicate, silver daggers, each one finely crafted and adorned with intricate designs. They glinted under the ambient light, making them look almost alive. "Those are the Blades of the Whispering Winds," the manager explained. "They allow the wielder to move with unparalleled speed and stealth, perfect for those who prefer the shadows." Robin's fingers tingled at the thought of wielding such weapons, their elegance and lethal potential captivating him.
In another corner, he spotted an ancient map unfurled on a table, its surface covered in shifting ink that changed with every glance. "This is the Map of Infinite Paths," the manager said, excitement creeping into his voice. "It reveals hidden routes and secret locations throughout the universe. However, its accuracy depends on users luck." Robin stepped closer, mesmerized by the way the map seemed to pulse with life, eager to share its secrets.
The manager pointed at a small monocle and said " this is called eye of wisdom. The wearers of this item will get information from unknown beings. The information might change your fortune, but sometimes it'll be something useless but some information may make one mad , because unknowns are not something we can handle.
Finally, a crystal orb size of a football on a nearby pedestal caught his attention. It was perfectly clear, yet within it swirled a galaxy of colors. "That is the core of a newborn plant ," the manager revealed. " Some pirates plundered it , by hand to hand it came to our possession. You can make your own planet with this core or even revive a dead planet just by planting this core in the dead world. It's one of the most sought-after items in the whole universe." Robin hesitated, each item held a story.
There are some items that benefit only a single person, somes are extremely dangerous. He looked at Oliver and Andrew and both of them suggested to take the core of the planet. It's a rare item ,even the family has only a handful of them.and it will help the family in their conquest. Although to revive a plant it might take few hundred years but still it will be an eye catching gift in the family gathering.
Robin selected the core and let Oliver handle all paperwork stuff .
They left the building with the core . Andrew was carrying it.
"How much was it" robin asked.
"Even though the price was way more then our budget but we got it for free." Oliver said with a smile.
Surprised robin asked for the reason.
" The owner of the auction house owns several more auction houses around the whole universe. So money wasn't his problem. He told the manager to give you anything you want. He wants to build a good connection i think. Your grandfather was a famous hero of this part of the universe . And your a member of the William family. Having a connection with you'll help him in the long run. So he decided to take a loss for a connection ."
Robin was surprised about peoples views about him.
But he was happy with his gift and thought and he wasn't the one taking the loss so he didn't think much of it.
As the night came the group returned to the mansion fully prepared for the family gathering.