The three days leading up to the auction were filled with relentless sparring as the restless youths didn’t have anything better to do. Silas and Rowan stood in a clearing just outside Amberheart, their swords flashing in the midday sun. Rowan’s strikes were swift but lacked polish, his movements driven by raw energy rather than precision. Silas deflected with practised ease each time he lunged, his footwork a testament to years of training. The sharp clink of their swords echoed through the clearing, blending with the distant rustle of the wind.
“You’re improving,” Silas grinned, parrying another wild strike. “But your form’s too loose. Keep your elbows tight.”
Rowan nodded, adjusting his stance. “Hard to not stay sharp when I’ve got you breathing down my neck.”
“That’s the idea,” Silas quipped, sending Rowan stumbling back with a mighty swing.
Nearby, Layla wielded her chained Morningstar with an almost unnatural fluidity. The heavy, spiked ball arced through the air, wrapping around a tree trunk before Layla yanked it back with practised ease. Each swing was deliberate, her eyes never leaving her target.
Trickster curled around a nearby tree branch and observed the action with his usual cold demeanour. He occasionally unleashed a blast of icy air at nearby rocks to practise his aim. The shards of ice exploded on impact, sending shimmering debris into the air.
On the sidelines, Goldie sat with a disgruntled look, his paws crossed. He growled softly, his usual deep "Wow" filled with exasperation as he watched the action. The cub’s eyes darted between Rowan and Silas, his ears twitching with each clash of their swords as if mentally sparring along with them.
Rowan laughed as he sidestepped Silas’ lunge and called out to his companion, “Not yet, Goldie. People will come running if they hear a roar like yours. Also, we don’t plan on going deaf anytime soon... Just watch for now.”
The bear cub huffed, releasing a half-hearted roar that echoed through the clearing before settling down with a pout. Trickster hissed in amusement, his icy eyes glinting.
“Good boy,” Rowan said, wiping the sweat from his brow. “Next time, maybe.”
As the day ended, the group gathered around a small campfire, discussing everything from battle tactics to upcoming events. Silas, his sword now sheathed, glanced thoughtfully at the darkening sky. The auction was nearing, and he had yet to discuss the matter with his father.
That night, after the others had retired, Silas made his way to Lonestar Manor. Sullivan sat by the hearth, his usual stern expression softening slightly as Silas approached.
“I need to talk to you about the auction, father”, he said, sitting opposite his father.
Sullivan raised an eyebrow. “Are you planning to buy something important?”
Silas shrugged. “I’m not quite sure yet, but Miss Regina invited us, and I don’t want to be unprepared.”
After a brief pause, Sullivan stood, heading to a nearby cabinet. He pulled out a small, ornate box and handed it to Silas. Inside, nestled in velvet, were twenty grand-era gold coins. Each one shimmered with a faint, almost ethereal glow, marking them as a rare currency reserved for high-level transactions.
“T-Twenty Grand Era Gold coins!” Silas exclaimed in shock.
“Twenty should be more than enough for most things,” Sullivan said, returning to his seat. “If you need more, I’ll be there. I’ll be watching from one of the upper viewing platforms. I have business at this auction too.”
Silas glanced up, surprised. “You’re attending as well?”
Sullivan nodded. “The Remingtons have asked me to oversee certain… matters. If you find yourself in need, just send word.”
Silas carefully pocketed the coins. “Understood, father. Thanks.”
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The auction day arrived, and the group gathered outside the grand auction hall, where Regina and Kie awaited them. Three Soulweaver guards flanked them, their blue and silver robes marking them as elite protectors. Though their presence was subtle, it radiated unmistakable power.
Regina greeted the group with a warm smile. “Are you all ready?”
Rowan, standing beside Layla, nodded. At his feet, Goldie sat obediently while Trickster coiled lazily around his arm.
“Goldie and Trickster know the rules,” Rowan said with a smirk. “They won’t cause any trouble. Right?” He looked pointedly at the bear cub and the snake.
Goldie released a soft “Wow” in agreement, and Trickster flicked his tongue, clearly unbothered.
Satisfied, Regina nodded and led them inside. The auction hall was grandiose, towering above the surrounding buildings with intricate marble columns and gilded accents. Inside, the main chamber stretched out like a theatre, with rows of seats divided by social rank. At the heart of the hall stood a raised stage, where the auctioneer would display the prized items for the evening.
As they ascended to the upper viewing platforms reserved for nobles, Silas couldn’t help but admire the opulence around him. Everything gleamed—from the crystal chandeliers to the plush velvet seats. The platforms were divided into three sections: the first for lesser nobility, the second for higher-ranking officials, and the third—where they were headed—for those of significant influence.
Thanks to Regina’s standing with the Remingtons, their group was escorted to the highest section. Silas caught sight of his father seated a few rows behind them, calm but alert. Sullivan acknowledged him with a brief nod before returning his attention to the stage below.
Once seated, Silas leaned back, taking in the view. From this vantage point, they could see everything—the crowd below, the bidders, and the objects waiting to be auctioned.
As he settled in, a soft, melodic voice cut through his thoughts. “Ah, sorry I’m a bit late.”
He turned to find a striking woman standing beside Kie. Her figure was mesmerising—an hourglass shape that effortlessly drew attention. Her short black hair elegantly framed her face, cascading down to her shoulders. She was dressed in a loose kimono, barely hanging on one of her shoulders, and showing off her ample bosom. Silas swallowed hard, momentarily caught off guard.
Her eyes made contact with Silas’s, and she couldn’t help but chuckle, looking at his silly expression.
“I’m Bai Lanhua,” she said with a seductive smile, her gaze lingering on Silas a moment longer than necessary. Her presence seemed to command attention without effort, and for a brief moment, the tension in the room shifted toward her. “I spoke with you on my Lady’s behalf during the day when we were travelling to Amberheart,” she continued.
It took Silas a second to regain his composure. “Oh… yes, I remember,” he stammered, his throat suddenly dry. “That was you?”
She nodded, her gaze steady, the amusement in her eyes evident. “Yeah, It was me. I’m Kie’s adopted daughter.”
Silas blinked in surprise, glancing between Bai Lanhua and Kie, who grinned at him mischievously. “Adoptive daughter?” he echoed, trying not to stare too much at Bai’s captivating figure. He swallowed again, his nerves betraying him.
Kie leaned in with a playful smirk. “Didn’t I mention that before? Must have slipped my mind.”
Regina, watching the entire exchange, chuckled softly from her seat, her eyes twinkling as Silas tried to maintain his composure under Bai’s gaze.
Meanwhile, Rowan, seated beside Silas, was completely entranced. His wide-eyed stare remained fixed on Bai Lanhua, unable to tear his eyes away. Layla, noticing this, narrowed her eyes.
Bai Lanhua noticed his stare and winked at him, “Oh… My eyes are up here, little boy~”
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Rowan smiled and was about to raise his hands to deny the subtle accusation when he heard Layla’s voice next to his ears. “Oh, you’re staring now?” she whispered, her tone sharp. Before Rowan could react, she reached up and grabbed his ear. “What the hell are you looking at?” she hissed, tugging him down forcefully. “Have you lost your mind?”
“Ow, ow! Layla, wait!” Rowan yelped, his face flushing with embarrassment as he tried to wiggle free from her grip.
“You heard me!” Layla snapped, pulling harder. “I can’t leave you alone for one minute without you acting like an idiot.”
Goldie let out a low and gruff purr, clearly enjoying Rowan’s misfortune. While Trickster flicked his tongue lazily as if entirely unconcerned with the chaos unfolding. Silas barely contained his laughter, though Bai Lanhua’s presence kept him too nervous to join in.
Regina, amused by the whole scene, simply chuckled and gestured toward the stage as the auctioneer took his place. “Shall we focus on the matter?” she suggested.
With Layla still holding Rowan’s ear and Silas glancing nervously at Bai Lanhua, the tension in the room shifted as the first items—a collection of rare jewels and exotic weapons—were brought forward. The atmosphere grew heavier with anticipation, but Silas couldn’t help casting one last glance at Bai Lanhua, who sat calmly, her eyes watching him with quiet amusement.
As the auction progressed, the room buzzed with murmurs and the occasional sound of coins being exchanged. Weapons from renowned craftsmen and rare medicines fetched high prices, their value recognized by nobles and seasoned adventurers alike. Silas, who had been fidgeting nervously, now leaned back in his seat, more comfortable watching the flow of bids. Rowan and Layla had also settled down, though the tension from earlier still lingered faintly.
Then the lights dimmed slightly, and the auctioneer’s voice rang out, drawing everyone’s attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, our next item is quite rare—a species seldom seen even on the distant shores of the Theron continent.”
Several workers appeared behind the stage, dragging forward an enormous glass case. Inside lay the dead body of a giant serpent, its sleek, violet scales gleaming under the chandelier’s light.
A single horn jutted from its forehead, adding to the creature's terrifying majesty. Though lifeless, its coiled form still exuded an eerie sense of power. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd, the serpent's presence drawing an undeniable tension, like the whisper of danger that lingered even after death.
The auctioneer stepped forward. “Behold, a ‘Cloudform Serpent!’ This deadly creature is native to the faraway Theron continent. It uses its venomous cloud to suffocate prey before striking with venomous fangs hidden in the mist. While its venom is potent, its venom sack and teeth lose efficiency with time after death. However, its scales remain intact, and while difficult to process, they can be used in specialised armors or accessories.”
He paused to let the information sink in before continuing. “The bidding will start at one gold coin, with each increment to be no less than ten silver coins.”
Silas watched with mild curiosity, leaning toward Rowan. “Not the most useful thing, is it? It Looks dangerous, but unless you’ve got a poison expert, it’s more trouble than it’s worth.”
Rowan nodded in agreement until he felt a sudden shift on his arm. Trickster, who had been resting lazily, now seemed completely awake. His small, forked tongue flicked out repeatedly, his eyes wide and fixed on the dead serpent. He slithered up Rowan’s shoulder and let out an excited hiss.
Rowan glanced down, slightly confused at Trickster’s reaction. “What’s gotten into you?” he whispered. Trickster flicked his tongue again and bumped his head against Rowan’s cheek, urging him forward, his intent clear. The Cloudform Serpent had caught his full attention.
Rowan’s brow furrowed. He wasn’t sure what Trickster saw in the dead serpent, but his companion rarely reacted so strongly to anything. Was it instinct? Curiosity gnawed at Rowan. Perhaps there was more to the creature than what the auctioneer had let on.
His mind raced. He thought of the money his father had given him—five gold coins and sixty-nine silver pieces. It would be a gamble, but something told him to trust Trickster’s strange excitement.
Rowan hesitated, glancing down at Trickster, who nudged him insistently. “You really want this, huh?” he muttered, still unsure. With a resigned sigh, he raised his hand. “One gold coin.”
The auctioneer acknowledged the bid. A few nobles murmured but showed little interest.
Then, from another section, a voice cut through the silence. “One gold and ten silver coins,” a noble in a finely embroidered coat called out. He leaned back, appearing only mildly interested but still invested enough to push the bid higher.
Rowan’s pulse quickened. He glanced at Trickster, whose excitement hadn’t waned. “Alright, fine,” he muttered, then raised his hand again. “One gold and twenty silver coins.”
The noble smirked slightly but was still undeterred. “One gold and thirty silver coins.”
Rowan gritted his teeth. His heart sank a little, knowing the risk he was taking. Layla glanced over, eyebrows raised, silently questioning his sudden determination. “You better know what you’re doing,” she muttered.
Another noble joined the fray, raising the stakes. “One gold and fifty silver.”
Rowan’s jaw clenched. He had already committed too much to back down now. Trickster’s restlessness only spurred him on. “One gold and seventy silver coins,” he called out.
The air grew tense as the second noble hesitated, glancing over the dead serpent again. He sighed, seemingly disinterested in going higher for something of such limited use. The first noble leaned back, having reached his limit as well.
The auctioneer scanned the room, waiting for any further bids. When none came, he slammed the gavel down with a satisfying thud. “Sold! To the young gentleman in the upper section for one gold and seventy silver pieces!”
Rowan slumped back in his seat, relief mixed with regret. His pouch felt lighter already, and the weight of the expense settled in his chest. He couldn’t help but sigh deeply, a little sad at the money he had just spent.
Trickster flicked his tongue eagerly, clearly thrilled by their new acquisition. Rowan gave a small, resigned smile, reaching up to pat the snake’s head. “Alright, little guy,” he muttered, “this better be worth it.”
Layla shot him a teasing glance, smirking. “You just spent a fortune on a dead snake. I hope you don’t regret it.”
Rowan chuckled softly, though part of him still wondered what Trickster saw in the Cloudform Serpent. “I guess we’ll find out soon.”
The auction continued at a steady pace. Salves infused with rare medicinal herbs, shimmering ores extracted from deep within ancient mountains, and exotic plants with alchemical properties were all paraded before the bidders. However, Silas, Rowan, Layla, and the others remained silent, observing with varying levels of interest but refraining from participating.
Rowan still felt the sting of spending most of his money on the Cloudform serpent, glancing now and then at Trickster, who had coiled around his arm, satisfied with his new acquisition. On the other hand, Silas leaned back in his seat, scanning the items casually, his mind half-engaged. He wasn’t particularly interested in medicinal goods or rare metals, nor were the rest of the group.
A hush fell over the room as the auctioneer stepped forward with a small object in his hand. “And now, esteemed guests,” his clear and confident voice said, “we come to the next item. This one is particularly... mysterious.”
Silas straightened up at the shift in the atmosphere. He exchanged a glance with Layla, who raised an eyebrow, curious.
The auctioneer held up a small, translucent crystal that shimmered faintly under the light. “What we have here,” he continued, “is a rare artefact. A crystal said to be imbued with Wind elemental magic, linked to Sprites.”
A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd. Sprites were elusive, magical creatures, and items connected to them were extremely rare. Most people only knew of them from stories, and their exact powers remained shrouded in mystery. The auctioneer’s following words deepened the intrigue.
“Now, while we do not know the specific uses of this crystal, we are certain of its origins. For collectors or those who have a deep interest in elemental magic, this could be a valuable acquisition. The bidding will start at ten gold coins.”
Silas’s breath caught in his throat. Elemental magic? His eyes were drawn to the crystal, its faint shimmer almost calling to him, stirring something deep within. Then, he felt it from the shadows of his sleeve—an unmistakable pull and a faint, familiar whisper.
“Silas…” a tiny voice murmured.
Spark, Breeze, and Dust manifested, hidden under his sleeves, their forms barely noticeable as they hovered near his skin.
Breeze was the first to speak in her soft, broken speech. “You… need… crystal.”
Silas’s brow furrowed slightly, though he kept his face neutral, pretending to scratch his head to cover their conversation. “Why?” he whispered under his breath, careful not to move his lips too much. This auction platform was open, and with other nobles seated on adjacent platforms, it wouldn’t be hard for someone to overhear if he wasn’t cautious. He couldn’t afford to expose himself—especially not his elemental spirits.
“No ask… too loud,” Spark hissed. “Dangerous… others hear.”
“You… get,” Breeze insisted, her voice filled with an odd sense of urgency. “Important. We… need.”
Silas glanced around, ensuring no one was paying attention. His heart raced. He couldn’t ask for details without risking exposure, but if his elemental spirits were this adamant, it meant something about that crystal was crucial. Still, the bidding started at ten gold coins—a hefty sum, especially for something whose purpose was unknown.
As the murmur of bids began around the hall, Silas feigned nonchalance though his mind was spinning. He had to make a decision, and fast.
Across the platform, Regina, seated with Kie, noticed Silas’s subtle movements. Her eyes sharpened slightly, a smile playing on her lips as she observed him. Silently, she thought to herself, ‘Elemental magic, huh?’
She leaned back in her chair, intrigued by what Silas might do next.
The auctioneer’s voice rang out again, “The price is ten gold coins, with every increment being fifty silver coins. Do I hear any bids?”
Silas’s mind raced, each tap of his fingers on his knee a sign of his mounting anxiety. He didn’t know what the crystal held, but Breeze’s urgency clawed at his thoughts. Every instinct screamed caution, but the voices of his elemental spirits seemed too loud to ignore.
The room fell into a quiet tension as the bidding on the strange artefact began.