The auction house foyer was a whirlwind of activity. People moved briskly, some ascending the grand staircase with attendants, heading towards private boxes reserved for the city's most powerful individuals. These VIPs were seated away from the general crowd, their identities shielded behind curtains of luxury and influence. Mr. F, however, chose to enter the grand hall where most guests would sit. He preferred to remain unnoticed amidst the throngs of bidders, his presence blending in with the masses.

Upon entering, Mr. F noticed that the seating arrangement was informal—guests could choose their own seats. He selected a middle seat in the last row, a vantage point that offered a clear view of the entire room while keeping him out of the spotlight. As he settled into his seat, he closed his eyes and let his thoughts drift, focusing on the significance of the evening's event.

His reverie was soon interrupted by the booming voice of the auctioneer, Mr. Bonze, who commanded the room's attention as he announced the start of the auction. "Good evening, esteemed guests. As some of you may already know, I am Mr. Bonze, and I will be overseeing this biannual auction once again."

Mr. F opened his eyes and glanced toward the stage, immediately sensing the auctioneer's magical aura. Being a soul mage, Mr. F could perceive the magical power of a person's soul without the need for casting a spell. What surprised him was the strength emanating from Mr. Bonze—the man was a Tier 6 mage, far from the ordinary auctioneer. Clearly, the auction house employed individuals of considerable power, hinting at the importance and danger associated with the items on sale.

Mr. Bonze's presence added an air of gravity to the proceedings. The crowd fell silent, their attention captured by his commanding voice. "We have an array of rare and valuable items tonight, each more extraordinary than the last. Let the auction begin," he declared, his voice resonating through the grand hall.

The first items auctioned were met with enthusiastic bidding. Ancient artifacts, rare spellbooks, and enchanted weapons quickly found new owners as mages and nobles competed to expand their collections of power. Mr. F observed the transactions with mild interest, knowing that the true prizes of the night were yet to come.

As the auction progressed, Mr. Bonze introduced a series of elixirs, including the coveted Tier 6 potion capable of helping Tier 5 mages ascend to Tier 6. The excitement in the room was palpable, and the bidding war escalated rapidly. In the end, the potion was claimed by someone in the private box seats, leaving many disappointed faces among the crowd. The elixir represented a chance for immense power and advancement, something every mage in the room desired, but only a few could afford.

Mr. F remained patient, biding his time. He knew that the most valuable items were always saved for later in the auction. He focused on conserving his resources, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Finally, Mr. Bonze introduced the Phoenix Feather. The room fell silent as the feather was unveiled, its ethereal glow captivating everyone present. "This legendary artifact," Mr. Bonze announced, "has the power to revive someone from the brink of death. A truly invaluable item."

The bidding started high and escalated quickly. Mr. F joined the fray, raising his hand strategically to place his bids. He could feel the tension in the room rising as other powerful figures, including Baron Stampler, entered the competition. The baron's reputation as a ruthless and ambitious man made him a formidable adversary. Mr. F knew he had to be cautious; the baron was known for his willingness to go to any lengths to get what he wanted.

As the bidding war continued, it became clear to Mr. F that his resources wouldn't suffice. The price for the Phoenix Feather skyrocketed, and he was forced to withdraw from the competition, watching as Baron Stampler secured the artifact. The baron's triumph was evident as he held his head high, a victorious smile spreading across his face. The envy and admiration of the other attendees only sweetened his victory.

The auction continued, but none of the remaining items piqued Mr. F's interest. Those that did were quickly bid up to prices well beyond his reach. He knew that his main opportunity had passed, but he remained in his seat, hoping for one last chance.

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As the auction neared its conclusion, Mr. Bonze spoke loudly, "Dear guests, I thank you for your presence at the first part of our auction. Now, I would like to invite you to participate in the free auction. Anyone in the room who desires something will have the opportunity to make their request to the audience. If someone possesses the desired object, they can speak up and negotiate a trade."

Mr. F was intrigued; this was an auction format he had never encountered before. The free auction was an opportunity for those who had been outbid or were seeking something specific to make their desires known. It was a chance to acquire rare and unusual items that might not have been included in the official catalog.

As people began making their requests, the room buzzed with anticipation. Various items were requested, from rare magical artifacts to unique spell scrolls. Some trades were quickly agreed upon, while others sparked lengthy negotiations.

Mr. F listened carefully, considering what he might request. He knew this was a rare opportunity to acquire something that could extend his lifespan. After several requests had been made, he decided it was time to speak up.

Rising from his seat, he addressed the room. "I am seeking elixirs that can extend life or restore vitality. If no one possesses such an elixir, I am also willing to purchase a complete alchemy recipe for crafting such potions."

The room fell silent. Even those in the private boxes, who typically refrained from participating in the free auction due to the usually low-tier items requested, were astonished. Seeking elixirs to restore vitality or extend life was one thing, but asking for the recipe to create such an elixir had an entirely different significance.

Whispers spread through the crowd as people speculated about Mr. F's intentions. Was he an alchemist seeking to expand his knowledge? Or was he simply desperate, clutching at any chance to extend his life? The latter seemed more likely, given his advanced age. Some attendees chuckled, dismissing him as a foolish old man grasping at straws.

From the front row, a voice rang out, dripping with scorn, "Accept that you will die soon, old man."

Laughter rippled through the audience, but in one of the private boxes, Lady Emma did not share in the amusement. She leaned closer to her nephew and niece, her eyes narrowing as she recognized the man who had made the request. His appearance was unrecognizable since Emma had not been able to see his face the last time. However, his voice was unmistakable. "That man down there... he's the one I told you about. The power he holds... it's unlike anything I've felt before."

Her nephew, a young and ambitious mage, glanced towards Mr. F with a mix of curiosity and caution. "Do you think he is an alchemist?" he asked.

Emma shook her head slowly. "I don't know. But if he's as powerful as I suspect, there's more to this request than meets the eye. We need to be careful."

As the crowd continued to murmur, a voice from the back of the hall interrupted. "I have a recipe for a potion that restores vitality. It's a Tier 5 elixir called 'Day Boost.' But the drawback is that the potion's effect depends on the main ingredient used. The main ingredient is the Frosted Soul Flower. The higher the tier of the flower, the stronger the effect. But be warned, old man. The effect of a normal flower offers at most a day's boost in vitality."

The room fell silent again, this time with a mix of shock and derision. Was this a joke? A day's vitality in exchange for a Tier 5 plant? Such plants were incredibly rare and valuable, not something one would waste on a temporary solution.

Mr. F's response, however, stunned the crowd.

"1000 gold coins," he said without hesitation.

The man who had offered the recipe blinked in surprise before nodding eagerly. "Deal," he agreed, handing over the recipe in exchange for the sack of gold coins.

The people in the room, including Lady Emma, were left speechless. The idea of paying such a steep price for a single day's vitality seemed ludicrous to them. But Mr. F knew something they didn't—every day was precious when you were fighting against time itself.

As Mr. F examined the recipe briefly before tucking it away, he was aware of the judgmental stares directed his way. But their opinions meant nothing to him. For him, even a single day's boost in vitality could mean the difference between life and death, success and failure, in his quest to survive.

The auction resumed, but the atmosphere had changed. Whispers about the mysterious old man and his exorbitant purchase filled the hall. As the next items were presented, Lady Emma couldn't shake the feeling that Mr. F's presence was more significant than anyone realized.

Mr. F, meanwhile, sat back down, seemingly unfazed by the attention. His mind was already working through the steps he needed to take next. The Day Boost potion was just a temporary solution. He needed something more permanent, and he had a feeling that his journey in this city was far from over.

As the auction wound down, Lady Emma made a decision. She needed to learn more about Mr. F. His presence was too significant to ignore—whether he was a potential threat or an unexpected ally remained to be seen. With a nod to her nephews and niece, she signaled them to follow her lead. It was time to uncover the truth about this enigmatic figure and understand what his arrival meant for the future of their family and the city.