As Nyx summoned his fourth clone, a world of new possibilities unfolded before him.

"Three hundred gold pieces," he muttered, shaking his head. "That's what I've been spending on each visit to the Illusionary Halls." The sum, while a mere drop in the bucket of his growing wealth, would be better invested elsewhere.

Nyx's violet eyes narrowed as he formulated a plan. "Hey," he pointed to his new clone, "Please stay here and focus on potion brewing. We need to keep our production up."

The clone nodded, already moving towards the alchemy station.

"As for me," Nyx continued, a determined glint in his eye, "I'm heading to the Psyche Tower library. It's time we learned how those Illusionary Halls are constructed. Maybe we can build our own, right here on the farm."

As he prepared for his trip to Arcanum City, another concern surfaced. His retainers, those grizzled adventurers turned farm hands, were bound to notice something amiss sooner or later. The thought of multiple Nyx running around was sure to raise eyebrows, even among those accustomed to the oddities of the magical world.

Nyx ran a hand through his raven hair, brow furrowed in concentration. "Voice-changing potions might work," he mused, "but that alone won't be enough to fool them. These old-timers have seen more than their fair share of magical trickery."

He paced the farmhouse, mind racing. The solution, he knew, lay somewhere in the vast knowledge he'd accumulated. Perhaps a combination of potions and illusion magic? Or maybe enchanted items that could alter appearance?

As Nyx set off for the Magical Towers, his mind brimmed with ideas. He had overcome every challenge thrown his way so far, and this would be no different. With determination in his step and the power of his clones at his back, Nyx Shadowbrook was ready to tackle this new puzzle head-on.

The Psyche Tower's library yielded its secrets readily to Nyx. Within days, he found himself poring over detailed schematics for Illusionary Halls, his violet eyes darting across pages filled with intricate diagrams and arcane formula.

As the week progressed, Nyx's understanding deepened, surprising even himself. The knowledge his clone had absorbed under Caelynn Starweaver's tutelage in Aetherspire proved invaluable. Complex magical theories that once seemed impenetrable now unfolded before him with startling clarity.

"It's not as complicated as I thought," Nyx murmured, tracing a finger along a blueprint. "The real challenge is in the assembly."

The schematics called for approximately 800 specialized components and 500 mana crystals. Nyx's mind raced, calculating costs and logistics. While the construction itself seemed straightforward enough, the sheer scale of the project gave him pause.

"The manpower alone..." he mused, scratching his chin. "And where am I going to find 500 mana crystals?"

A thought struck him. "The auction house," Nyx said, snapping his fingers. "If I'm lucky, I might find some of these components there."

As he rolled up the schematics, a determined grin spread across Nyx's face. Building his own Illusionary Hall would be his most ambitious project yet, but the potential benefits were too great to ignore.

"Time to see what fortunes await at the auction," Nyx declared, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. He knew that every gold piece spent on this endeavor was an investment in his future and in the future of his ever-growing magical enterprise.

The Gilded Gavel Auction House stood as a testament to Arcanum City's thriving magical economy. Its grand hall buzzed with anticipation as Nyx Shadowbrook made his way through the crowd of robed mages, merchants, and nobles.

As the auctioneer's enchanted voice rang out, announcing the first lots, Nyx's heart raced. "Next up, ladies and gentlemen, we have batches of low-grade mana stones. Fifty stones per batch, starting at 500 gold pieces!"

Nyx raised his paddle, grateful for the relatively calm bidding. He secured 200 mana stones for 4,500 gold pieces; aware he was overpaying but relieved that the other bidders seemed to respect fair market value.

The atmosphere shifted dramatically as the medium-grade mana stones came up for auction. "Fifty medium-grade mana stones! Who'll start the bidding at 2,000 gold?" the auctioneer called out.

Paddles shot up across the room. Nyx found himself in a heated battle with a stern-faced woman in Flux Tower robes. Back and forth they went, each bid inching the price higher.

"2,800 gold!" Nyx called out, his voice steady despite his racing pulse.

"2,900!" the woman countered, her eyes narrowing.

The auctioneer's gavel hovered, ready to fall. "2,900 gold, going once..."

Nyx took a deep breath. "3,000 gold!" he shouted, pushing to his limit.

A hush fell over the crowd. The woman from Flux Tower glared at Nyx but remained silent.

"3,000 gold going once, twice... Sold to the young man in green!"

Nyx exhaled, relieved but exhilarated. He'd secured the mana stones he needed, even if at a premium.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

As the auction progressed, Nyx's luck improved. He picked up various components for his Illusionary Hall project at reasonable prices. Then, to his amazement, several basic whole modules came up for bid.

"Starting bid for this lot of transistor modules: 4,000 gold!" the auctioneer announced.

Nyx's hand shot up immediately. This time, he found himself competing against a portly merchant who seemed determined to win.

"4,500 gold!" the merchant bellowed.

"4,600!" Nyx countered swiftly.

The bidding war escalated rapidly, the price climbing higher with each exchange. Sweat beaded on Nyx's forehead as he called out, "4,900 gold!"

The merchant hesitated, eyeing Nyx speculatively. "4,950 gold," he said finally, his voice gruff.

Nyx's mind raced, calculating quickly. These modules would save him weeks of work. "5,000 gold," he conceded, nodding to the auctioneer.

As the gavel fell, Nyx let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. He'd spent more than anticipated, but he'd secured crucial components for his project. As he made his way to settle his account, Nyx couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.

Over the following months, The Gilded Gavel Auction House Nyx became a fixture at the weekly auctions. His violet eyes, once wide with wonder, now scanned the lots with the practiced gaze of a seasoned bidder. Week after week, he secured the mana stones needed for his Illusionary Hall project, steadily ticking items off his list.

One fateful evening, as Nyx settled into his usual seat, the auctioneer's magically amplified voice rang out: "Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on this extraordinary item - a magical chameleon pelt, nearly three meters in length!"

Nyx's breath caught in his throat as the shimmering pelt was unveiled. Its iridescent scales seemed to dance in the light, mesmerizing the crowd. As the initial bids flew, a memory stirred in the back of Nyx's mind.

"Wait," he muttered to himself, brow furrowed in concentration. "Isn't this... yes, it must be! A key ingredient for a mask of disguise!"

The bidding escalated rapidly, reaching 20,000 gold in a matter of minutes. Nyx's heart raced as he weighed his options. Was he certain about the pelt's use? Could he afford such a gamble?

"25,000 gold!" Nyx shouted, his voice cutting through the clamor.

The room fell silent for a moment before erupting into a frenzy of competing bids. Nyx found himself locked in a fierce battle with a silver-haired elf and a stern-faced dwarf, each unwilling to concede.

As the price climbed higher, doubt crept into Nyx's mind. What if he was wrong? What if this was just an extravagant wall hanging? But the potential... if he was right, this could solve his disguise problems in one fell swoop.

"65,000 gold!" the elf called out, a smug smile playing on his lips.

Nyx took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. "70,000 gold!" he declared, his voice ringing with a confidence he didn't entirely feel.

The silence that followed was deafening. Nyx's pulse pounded in his ears as the auctioneer's gavel hovered in the air.

"70,000 gold going once... twice... Sold to the young man in green!"

A mix of exhilaration and terror washed over Nyx as the realization of his win, and the enormous sum he'd just committed started to sink in. The thrill of victory was quickly tempered by the weight of his impulsive decision.

The quill shook in Nyx's hand as he signed the transfer of funds, each stroke feeling like a nail in the coffin of his financial stability. The parchment before him, once just a simple document, now seemed to mock him with its finality. Seventy thousand gold pieces - gone in an instant.

As the auctioneer handed over the shimmering chameleon pelt, Nyx cradled it in his arms, its cool scales doing nothing to soothe the burning regret in his chest. The iridescent colors that had so captivated him moments ago now seemed to shift and change like his tumultuous emotions.

"What have I done?" The thought echoed in his mind, growing louder with each passing second.

Nyx's legs felt weak as he made his way out of the Gilded Gavel Auction House, the pelt weighing heavily in his arms. The crisp night air that greeted him outside did little to clear his head. Instead, it seemed to sharpen the edges of his anxiety, making his predicament all the more real.

He thought of the 10,000 gold pieces he faithfully sent home each month, a promise to his family he had never failed to keep. Now, in one reckless moment, he had spent seven times that amount on nothing more than a vague memory and a wild hunch.

As the full impact of his actions settled in, Nyx felt a wave of nausea wash over him. His stomach churned, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He leaned against a nearby wall, struggling to catch his breath.

"I'm supposed to be the responsible one now," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "What would Mother and Father say if they knew?"

The pelt in his arms, once a symbol of potential and possibility, now felt like a manifestation of his foolishness. Nyx couldn't shake the feeling that he had not just spent gold, but squandered trust the trust his family had placed in him, and the trust he had been building in himself.

As he slowly made his way back to his farm, each step felt heavier than the last. The excitement of the auction house faded, replaced by a gnawing dread. Nyx realized he now faced a new challenge one that wouldn't be solved by clever spells or magical ingenuity, but by facing the consequences of his impulsive decision.

"I have to make this right," Nyx vowed to himself, clutching the pelt tighter. "Somehow, I have to make this worth it."

With determination battling his regret, Nyx trudged on, the weight of his purchase a constant reminder of the thin line between ambition and recklessness. The road ahead seemed longer and more uncertain than ever before.

Nyx Shadowbrook trudged into his farmhouse, the magical chameleon pelt draped over his arm. With a sigh, he gently laid it across his favorite chair, the iridescent scales catching the lamplight. For a moment, he stood there, staring at his expensive acquisition, before shaking his head and moving to his desk.

Spreading out the schematics and blueprints for the Illusionary Hall, Nyx's violet eyes scanned the complex designs. The enormity of the project suddenly felt overwhelming. "This is too much for one person," he muttered, running a hand through his raven hair.

Determined not to let his efforts go to waste, Nyx began to revise his plans. His quill scratched against parchment as he sketched out new designs, simpler but still effective. Hours ticked by as he worked, fueled by determination and cups of strong tea.

Finally, as the first light of dawn crept through the window, Nyx sat back with a satisfied smile. Before him lay the plans for a more modest, yet functional design: two hexagonal platforms, each measuring roughly two meters across, connected by a central console that would serve as a control board.

"It's not as versatile as a full Illusionary Hall," Nyx mused aloud, "but it'll allow for combat training between two opponents. That's what I really need right now."

As he rolled up the new plans, a thought struck him. This project would require all hands-on deck. It was time to bring his clones back to the farm.

Nyx stood, stretching his stiff muscles, and moved to the window. Looking out over his thriving farm, he felt a surge of anticipation. With all his clones working together, there was no telling what they could accomplish.

"Time to call in the cavalry," Nyx said with a grin, already imagining the bustling activity that would soon fill the farm.