The entrance of the auction house was packed full. There were reporters with cameras and news stations trying to talk with guests. Mae, to avoid trouble, brought Cross brothers and Quinn from a side entrance in the parking lot. After entering the giant building, with her wristwatch capable of opening every door, Mae showed them their seats and left to help her father to take care of things.
Mercer, Malcolm, Evelyn, Marcela, and Adam were already seated. Merlin and Miles's seats were adjacent to theirs. The Anemone Family was also seated on the other side of Mercer, so Quinn went to sit with her family.
Miles spotted many other influential families he knew. The other two generals were seated with their families, President of the Unity, Mikhael Orril was also there in person. There were also Holmes, Lamaze, Mus, Azari, Suchiru, and many other families. Even the Northern lands’ most prominent family Jonsson was there. For such an unprecedented event, every family head came in person with their families.
Of course, the Shin family arranged everything seamlessly. Security was top-notch, and the presentation was of the best quality. As they were waiting for the auction to start, a dozen people walked in from the main door while there were shouts and curses behind them.
‘Criminal parties arrived.’
Ever since Unity was created, criminal parties and righteous parties were in conflict and would attack without asking at first sight. There were only two exceptions to that in time of peace, one in Portal World, parties were prohibited to attack each other in strongholds.
Second, both parties were allowed to attend auctions whether for buying or selling. Many people from righteous parties would attend auctions in the black market, and criminal parties wouldn’t discriminate against them, in exchange righteous parties had to let them attend theirs.
Of course, the dozen who arrived weren’t leaders, but just representatives. No one in their right minds would enter the jaw of a lion.
After they were seated in the back row, the auction started. The leader of the Shin family, Ryu Shin took the stage and talked to the guests and cameras.
“Welcome to the Shin Warehouse, esteemed guests, and uninvited ones.” He finished his welcome by giving a stinky eye to representatives of criminal parties. “I, leader of the Shin Family and Leader of the Shin Enterprises, Ryu Shin will be your host for this auction.”
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As soon as he finished a giant screen behind him lit up. On the screen, there was only an orb. The color of the dagger was purplish green. There was a dagger floating in the cloudy orb. At the right bottom of the screen, a clock was ticking parallel to real-time. Indicating the video stream was live. On the top left corner was an authentication code that could only be produced if the video was real and approved by Mother AI. It could not be faked.
A pair of dainty hands appeared on the screen and grabbed the orb. Lightning swimming on the pinkish-gold wristwatch on the arm the dainty hand attached to, and the orb melted in that hand. After it took the shape of a dagger, the color was still the same.
A testing device appeared in the second hand. The device would allow them to see elements of the weapon. Everyone watching held their breath and focused on the screen. Cameras were recording, while reporters were furiously typing.
When it was inside of the testing device, the device beeped twice and the virtual screen showed the result. Two results, one under the other, showed two elements.
“This orb has, lightning element!”
“This orb has, poison element!”
Everyone in the room was expecting that, but seeing it with their eyes, still shocked them and rocked their beliefs. They rubbed their eyes and looked over and over again.
Dainty hand placed the dagger on the table and took the device before vanishing. ‘Good job, Mae!’ Miles said in his heart. Miles was as excited as the Shin family. It was an important event for them, but it was hundreds of times more important for Miles.
“I can’t believe it! It is real.” Someone started, and many followed.
“If it wasn’t real, would we be here?”
“Still, we were working for decades to no avail. But now it is in front of us.”
As people started to talk among themselves, turmoil took over the giant room. Ryu Shin coughed lightly, and it silenced the room.
“I know everyone is excited to see it for themselves. It was as shocking for me when I first saw the orb, believe me.” He started to talk, but someone asked.
“Is it artificial, or natural?”
“Unfortunately, Mr. Marooner hasn’t shared that information with us. For the time being, we have no way to find out such a thing. But as you all have seen, it is real. The first-ever double elemental orb. Its tier is low, but its scientific importance cannot be explained by words. So, all esteemed guests must be aware of it. I will not speak of it anymore.” Ryu Shin said. Miles nodded his head and wanted to give him one big thumb up. Ryu Shin’s speech explained the importance of the orb and would raise its worth.
After that, the screen split-opened and Mae, carrying a glass display with the dagger inside of it, entered the stage. She placed the dagger on the table for people to see for themselves. Merlin noticed his grandpa looking at Malcolm. Malcolm closed his eyes, and a second later opened them and nodded to the old man.
‘As expected, father can feel elements of orbs too.’ Miles sighed in stress because he was expecting this so he never showed the Maroon armor orb. Inside his bag, with many other orbs, it wouldn’t be a problem. But if he were to hold it separately, it would cause him many problems. After all, who could guarantee that Malcolm’s powers were unique?