As Mr. F rose from his seat and made his way toward the exit of the auction house, he could feel the weight of numerous eyes upon him. He was well aware that his actions had caused a stir, but this was something he had anticipated long before the auction began. The murmurs and whispers followed him like a shadow as he stepped outside into the cool night air.

Upon exiting, a servant immediately stepped forward. "Good day, esteemed sir. My mistress has requested the honor of your company for dinner. If you wish, you can use our carriage to meet her now." As the servant spoke, a carriage pulled up beside them, and the driver opened the door with a practiced bow.

"How clever," Mr. F thought, a subtle smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Refusing the invitation would undoubtedly draw even more attention from the gathered crowd and could potentially anger the host, leading to unnecessary complications. Accepting the invitation, however, would imply a willingness to engage with the host, sparking curiosity and perhaps even speculation about possible alliances.

This posed no real problem for Mr. F. In this city, he was an enigma—a blank slate on which others would project their assumptions. With that thought, he decided to step into the carriage.

As the carriage set off, Mr. F leaned back, contemplating his next moves. He knew that whoever this hostess was, she had noticed his presence and intended to learn more about him. The fact that she acted so quickly indicated her influence and resources. It would be wise to approach this dinner with caution and an open mind.

The ride through the city was smooth, the sounds of the bustling streets filtering in through the carriage windows. Mr. F observed the mix of nobility and commoners, each going about their evening. The city held a vibrancy that was both intriguing and chaotic, much like the people within it.

Soon, the carriage arrived at a grand mansion, its imposing façade illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns. The driver stepped down and opened the door for Mr. F. "Please, follow me," the servant said, leading him through the beautifully landscaped gardens to the entrance of the mansion.

As he entered, Mr. F couldn't help but admire the opulence. The interior was decorated with lavish tapestries, expensive paintings, and elegant furniture, each piece a testament to the wealth and taste of its owner. He was led to a dining room where a long table was set with fine china and silverware, and a feast fit for royalty awaited. At the head of the table sat a striking middle-aged woman, her presence commanding attention. To her left and right sat a young man and a young girl, both of whom exuded a quiet but palpable sense of power.

The woman at the head of the table rose to greet him. "Welcome, Mr. F," she said with a warm yet calculating smile. "I am Lady Emma. Please, have a seat. We have much to discuss."

Mr. F inclined his head politely and took a seat. "Thank you for the invitation, Lady Emma. I must admit, I am curious about what you wish to discuss."

Lady Emma's eyes sparkled with interest. "I have heard intriguing things about you, Mr. F. Your actions at the auction were... noteworthy. I believe we may have mutual interests that we could explore together."

Mr. F smiled inwardly. This dinner promised to be quite enlightening. As they began their meal, the real game was about to unfold.

"But first, let us feast," Emma said. Almost as if they had been waiting for her cue, an array of servants flooded the room, carrying platters brimming with various meats, an assortment of side dishes, grilled vegetables, both cold and hot delicacies, and a wide selection of wines, beers, and non-alcoholic beverages. The table was soon a cornucopia of delights. The sommelier approached Mr. F, pouring a small portion of wine into his glass and then standing by, awaiting his reaction.

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"This is a test," Mr. F thought. They likely wanted to gauge his social standing.

He took the glass, gave it a brief swirl, and then sniffed the wine before taking a sip. A burst of fruity aroma danced across his palate, tickling his taste buds. "A fine wine," said Mr. F. "But I would have thought that such an impressive host would at least offer a Spirit Wine."

The girl sitting next to Emma scowled and burst out, "How dare you—"

But Emma silenced her with a wave of her hand. "Watch your tone, young lady, especially when addressing someone stronger than you," she warned, giving her a stern look. The girl flushed and looked down, chastened.

"Of course, we have Spirit Wine. Servants, bring something more to our guest's liking."

Almost immediately, a servant entered the room, as if anticipating the request. He carried a bottle with a glowing hue and carefully poured a measure into Mr. F's glass.

Mr. F took the glass, appreciating the luminescent quality of the Spirit Wine. He swirled it gently, inhaling the rich, complex aromas before taking a sip. The taste was extraordinary, a blend of flavors that seemed to transcend the ordinary, leaving a lingering sense of warmth and vitality.

"Much better," Mr. F said, nodding appreciatively. "This is indeed a wine worthy of such a distinguished host."

Emma smiled, pleased with his response. "I'm glad it meets your standards, Mr. F. Now, let us enjoy this feast and discuss what brings you to our humble city."

As they dined, the conversation flowed easily. Emma was curious about Mr. F's interests and travels, while Mr. F was careful to reveal just enough to keep her intrigued without giving away too much. It was a delicate dance of words and intentions, each sizing up the other while maintaining an air of cordiality.

Throughout the meal, Mr. F noticed the subtle glances and whispered conversations among the servants and other guests. His display of knowledge and preference for Spirit Wine had certainly elevated their perception of him. But he remained cautious, fully aware that this was just the beginning of a deeper, more intricate game.

As the feast came to a close, Emma leaned forward, her eyes fixed on Mr. F. "Now, Mr. F, shall we get to the heart of the matter? What is it that you seek in our city, and how can we be of assistance to you?"

Mr. F considered how to respond to her question. He needed to choose his words carefully. However, it was clear that stating the obvious would not be revealing anything she hadn't already guessed. But first...

"Would it be possible to discuss this in a more private setting?"

Emma clapped her hands, and all the attendants left the room. Mr. F continued to look at Emma expectantly, as if she knew what he wanted.

Emma glanced briefly at her niece and nephew and nodded to them. The girl opened her mouth to say something but eventually left the room without a word.

Only then did Mr. F cast a spell, creating a dome around them. Emma was astonished. This was a Tier 6 spell that isolated the room from the outside world. As she was still studying the powerful spell, Mr. F began to speak.

"I think it should be no secret after today's auction why I have come to this city. As you can surely sense, I am nearing the end of my lifespan. In search of life-extending measures, I have abandoned my hermit's life and come to the nearest city."

Emma studied Mr. F intently, her interest piqued by his openness and the revelation of his dire situation. She had already suspected as much.

With a flick of her finger, the ring on her hand glowed, and a violet elixir appeared. The elixir radiated magical power, and Mr. F could feel his body yearning for the liquid. Yet in the next moment, the ring on her finger glowed again, and the potion vanished.

With a smile on her face, Lady Emma asked, "If I had what you seek, what would you be willing to pay for it?" She poured herself a glass of Spirit Wine, took a sip, and continued smiling.

Mr. F's mind raced. He needed that elixir, but he also knew that such a treasure would not come cheaply. He looked at Lady Emma, gauging her intentions. Before he could respond, Lady Emma leaned forward and continued, "I have a proposition for you, Mr. F."

"You see," she began, "this elixir is not the only one I possess. I have more of what you seek, but they are not easily given. I am willing to offer you this elixir and others in exchange for your services. Work for our family, and I can assure you that as long as the elixirs retain their potency, your body does not build immunity against them, and you do not betray our family, your life will be secured."

Mr. F's eyes widened slightly. The offer was tempting, but the conditions were clear. He would have to stay loyal to the family and depend on them for his continued survival. He pondered the proposition, weighing his options.

But in the end, he shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, but I must decline the offer."

The outrage some might have expected did not occur. In fact, Mr. F could have sworn that Lady Emma's smile became more genuine at that moment. Her eyes gleamed with a mix of respect and understanding.