“Sold! To the Duts Royal family for 5000 Vastro coins,” Milana announced with a wide smile as the somewhat rusty sword was carried away.

“I know it’s supposed to be from the Age of Wonder, but can it really be worth that much?” Relmon questioned, “It didn’t even have any runes. It looked like it could break with just a casual swing.”

“Even if it can’t be used for anything, it is still something from the Age of Wonder. That makes it more than rare enough to be worth the price, even if it’s only used for decoration,” Prago said, “And even if it doesn't have any runes, they might uncover some secret forging techniques from studying it. It might even have been conjured, and they could get a lot from studying the concepts if that’s the case.”

“Can they really tell what concepts are imbued in it after such a long time?” Relmon questioned.

“I have no idea,” Prago said, shaking his head.

Is there such a thing? I’ll ask the Headmaster about it. He should have some old remains that I can take a look at. Even if it’s concepts used for metal, I could use it as inspiration for my concepts in space mana.

After the people from the Fire Phoenix Chruch had left, the auction had continued for a couple of hours. His grandfather hadn’t talked about those people anymore, and Adion had left it aside to focus on what happened on the stage below. He was sure he could get some answers once they were back at his grandfather’s mansion.

Besides the Merillian Soul Peaches, the beast core for Tib, and the alchemy cauldron for Ailera, the Remori family had also spent a considerable amount of money on various weapons. Adion himself had received a runic sword made by the runesmiths of the Duts Kingdom. He wasn’t that much in need of a new sword, but he would have to upgrade it sooner or later. Now that his family had the money, Adion certainly wouldn’t refuse.

He also got a couple of runic daggers for his subordinates. He had only been meaning to buy one for Perk at first, just so he would receive something when Adion gifted his brother the beast core. But he realized Tib would also need a weapon, and he didn’t think Perk would be petty enough to be disappointed by something like his brother receiving an extra gift.

I feel like a dagger is a weapon that will suit them both very well. I should try to get my hands on an instructor to teach them.

“Honored guests, we now only have five items remaining,” Milana announced, “So, as is the custom here at Appos Auction House, we will now present the main item for the night, the mysterious alchemy product that has brought you all here. Remember, even if you don’t manage to take this item home, there are still four more precious items afterward to compete for. ”

It’s finally time!

It was a usual practice for auction houses not to save the best for last. That could work in some circumstances. But tonight, everyone here was waiting for the alchemy item that had been hinted at. As such, no one would want to spend too much of their money before they made sure they had it in their hands.

If the auction house wanted the most money out of the guests' pockets, it was better for them to get the Elixir of Life’ out of the way in a way. This way, everyone besides the winner still had something they could spend their money on. It would be tragic if the four other items they had couldn’t get a decent price just because everyone was waiting for the final item.

“Hard Soul Nefermas, would you please join me on stage?” Milana called out.

Everyone in the auction house seemed to hold their breath in anticipation as a black-haired middle-aged man walked on stage with an amused smile. His Hard Soul aura was obvious to everyone watching. But what caught most people’s attention wasn’t the man himself, but the small wooden box he was carrying.

“Before I reveal this item, I would like to say a few words,” Nefermas said as he put down the wooden box on the small stand where the previously auctioned items had been placed.

Nefermas looked out over the audience and spoke in a calm and clear voice, “First of all, I would like to thank each of you for gracing our humble auction house with your presence tonight. I know very well that our announcement about tonight’s auction might have seemed quite audacious. But I believe all of you will understand once you see what it is.

“As for its origin, I won’t say anything. Let it just be known that it was found in the Outskirts and has been left behind since the Age of Wonder. As for how it could remain its quality for such a long time, don’t ask, for I don’t know.

“As this will very likely be the most precious item our auction house has had the opportunity to present, I once again remind everyone to take caution and not cause unnecessary trouble. Many powerhouses are here tonight, and if someone should cross the line, I’m afraid we will have to take action, no matter your background. Let’s have a civil and exciting auction just like we have had previously during the night.

“Finally, I believe they’re are many alchemists here tonight due to the nature of our announcement. As such, any group with a Soul mage present may send one alchemist down to the stage to examine the product. Just remember to keep it civil.”

Nefermas paused to let his words sink in. No one in the audience made a sound. Adion thought he could almost hear the frantic heartbeats of the curious mages around him.

“The alchemy product we have brought you here tonight for is…” Nefermas said, pausing his words as he opened the small box. He put his hand in the box and pulled up a clear bottle with a bright, but incredibly deep green liquid. “The fabled Elixir of Life!”

For a short moment, no one said a thing. But then, all at once, the audience came to life.

“Impossible!”

“The Elixir of Life? How?”

“Who made it? How can you be sure?”

“You better not be joking!”

Everyone yelled out their thoughts and opinions. Adion found it hard not to smile. But he managed to fake a shocked expression in case anyone happened to have their eyes on him. He had to admit that even if he had seen that bottle, and many more like it, many times before, it made for a spectacular sight on the auction stage. With the anticipation the Appos Auction House had managed to build up, its effects were amplified to the extreme.

“Of course, everything I said is true. Calm down, everyone,” Nefermas said, “As I just said, due to this being such a legendary elixir, we understand you just can’t take our words for it. If you’re in a company with a Soul mage, you can send down someone here to the stage to verify for yourself.”

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

I had the letter for the old sect leader of the Celestial Phoenix Sect, but how can these people be sure of what it is?

“Grandpa,” Adion called his grandfather’s attention, “Should we send someone? You or Ailera?”

“You go, Grandpa,” Ailera said, “I don’t think I’ll get much space down there anyway.”

“Alright, I’ll go take a look,” His grandfather nodded. “Don’t expect me to buy it, however. Not even I have the money to contest for something like this.”

With those words, Adion’s grandfather left the balcony to go down to the stage. He had to keep up some sort of appearance, after all. A chance to take a look at the legendary Elixir of Life wouldn’t be passed on by any of the parties present.

“I can’t believe it. It’s really the Elixir of Life,” Lastia said with hurried breath. She had been quiet for most of the night, but this sight could probably cause the exclamation of a mute man.

“Can it really be? How?” Relmon asked.

“It has to be real. The Appos family would never do this unless they were absolutely sure,” Felicia said.

“But how do they have it? Did someone make it? Does the Appos family have someone that capable?” Lastia asked.

“Hard Soul Neferams said that it is left behind from the Age of Wonder, so that should be the case,” Felicia said, “I just can’t imagine how it has made it after all this time. This is really mysterious.”

“Oh, why didn’t my family come here,” Lastia lamented, “It could help Grandma. She doesn’t have long left. Felicia, do you think your family can bid for it? I’m sure my family will pay you back. With interest!”

“I’m sorry, Lastia,” Felicia said with an awkward smile, “I have no confidence that my family can outbid the other Noble and Royal families here. And even if we did, I couldn’t convince them to sell it. Which Noble family doesn’t have an old Soul mage at the end of their life who would give up everything to increase their lifespan.”

“I…” Lastia hesitated, “Is there really no way?”

“Maybe someone will be able to figure out how to make it,” Adion said, trying to comfort Lastia, “I’m sure that whoever wins the auction will give it their all in trying to study the Elixir of Life before letting anyone consume it. If so, it might not be long before everyone has a chance to buy a bottle.”

“Let’s hope so,” Lastia nodded.

—

“We have to get it,” Bishop Derman said with a rare serious expression. His eyes were locked onto the almost glowing bottle down below. “If we bring this to His Majesty…Nothing else matters. Even if we have to give up on our mission. There is a chance our alchemists can use this to conduct research. Even if they can’t replicate it perfectly, just being able to produce an elixir with some of its effects will bring endless benefits.”

Amelia was upset at Bishop Derman, but she also realized the gravity of the situation and knew she had to put away her grudge.

At least with this, he should throw away any thoughts about the Remori family.

“High Cleric Revano, how much money can we spend?” Amelia asked.

“This…” High Cleric Revano hesitated, swallowing down his saliva nervously. “We should have enough for our journey. But I never foresaw this kind of situation. At most, we have 10,000 Vastro coins. I could run to the local branch of the Church and see what I can my hands on.”

“It won’t be enough,” Amelia said, shaking her head. “These people have all prepared for this auction. There is no chance that we can compete with them no matter how much we can scramble together.”

Everyone was silent for a while, thinking.

I’m sure Father would accept almost any price for this.

“We need to get into contact with the Appos family,” Amelia said firmly, “No matter what, these families can’t compete with the combined wealth of the Church and the Empire. If we can get some time to pay, we can win this bidding war.”

“I doubt these people will agree to that,” Bishop Derman said with a frown, “How could they? If we do it, I’m sure everyone else is thinking of doing the same. If there is a ruler among these families who is close to the end of his life, I’m sure they would be willing to sell everything in their kingdom as long as they have the Elixir of Life in their hands.

“The reason the Appos family made their announcement was to make sure everyone brought the money here. If not, they could simply announce that they had the Elixir of Life and that they were willing to sell it. That would just bring endless trouble to their doors, of course. Now, they want to give this problem for someone else to handle, with the most amount of coin in their hands as possible.”

“These people don’t even have the alchemy talents to make use of it!” Amelia spouted angrily, “These savages will surely waste this precious material. Either their incompetent alchemist will fumble it away, or some greedy ruler will immediately drink it. The Elixir of Life will once again be gone from humanity’s hands for who knows how long.”

“So what do we do?” August asked.

Not now, brat. Amelia thought, clenching her fists. She could feel the rage building and tried to take a few deep breaths to calm down.

“We can’t count on winning the bid,” Bishop Derman said in a resolute voice, “But we still can’t give up on getting our hands on it. The Appos family was very clever to get the Council to agree to act as a deterrent tonight. With that Sage here, not even I can act too recklessly. But as long as we see who wins the auction, we have a good chance.”

“You want to rob them?” High Cleric Revano asked, shocked.

“I will approach them with an offer,” Bishop Derman said, “And I won’t be greedy, of course. I will explain our background and would even be willing to offer double what they spent on the elixir in the auction. That would be a vast amount of wealth that comes to them through no effort at all. Only a fool would decline it.”

“That’s a good idea,” Amelia said, calming down slightly, “But what if they refuse? Even if you offer all the money in the world, it won’t have any use to a man at the end of his life.”

“If they refuse, we’ll have to do things the hard way,” Bishop Derman said, “As long as we get some distance from Sage Vermon, I don’t fear anyone on this continent.”

“Very well,” Amelia nodded.

“What if Sage Vermon is the one to win the bid?” High Cleric asked.

Everyone turned silent.

“That…would complicate matters,” Bishop Derman said slowly. He turned to look at High Cleric Revano and ordered, “Go take a look at the Elixir of Life and confirm that it’s the real deal. I doubt they would take a chance with something like this, but we should still make sure. I will go visit Sage Vermon and prod him. I might ask him to cooperate with us. He should have a considerable amount of wealth. If he can lend us the money, I can offer some rewards from the Empire in return. Hopefully, he’s not too stubborn.”

With those words, Bishop Dermon left with determined steps to see Sage Vermon. High Cleric Revano ran off to testify to the quality of the elixir.

Amelia was slightly at a loss of what to do as she was left behind. But she knew that she could count on Bishop Derman in a situation like this.

I have to admit that even if I can’t stand the old man, he's a priceless ally when we share a common goal.