Bidding Wars

The Liangwei Auction Hall buzzed with anticipation. The large draped curtains behind the presenter, Zi Fang, slowly rose, revealing a spacious area. On the ground was a circle marked with the four cardinal points and an infinity symbol intertwined. A miniature Grand Airship slowly materialized as the circle began to glow a bright sky-blue hue.

Zi Fang, a poised and elegant figure, stepped forward with a confident smile. Her voice, amplified by a subtle spell, resonated through the hall.

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, welcome to the Liangwei Auction Hall. This evening, we present to you a marvel of both engineering and magic: the Grand Airship. Crafted by the renowned Skyforge Aeronautics, this airship is not just a mode of transport but a symbol of prestige and power."

She gestured towards the airship, which floated majestically, its dragon-hide balloon shimmering with iridescent hues. The hull, crafted from enchanted wood, gleamed under the lights, showcasing intricate carvings of mythical creatures and ancient runes.

"Skyforge Aeronautics does not create their airships for just anyone. These magnificent vessels are reserved for those who have risen to the esteemed ranks of Supreme Aura Sovereign, Psy Lord, or Archmagus. Owning an airship means you no longer need to rely on costly portals. You have the freedom to travel anywhere, anytime, with unparalleled convenience and style."

Projections appeared on both sides of Zi Fang, highlighting the airship's features for all to see.

"We will start the bidding at 200,000 Brittanor Arcanium coins (B.A.C)."

A hush fell over the crowd as the first bid was placed. Hands shot up, and the numbers quickly climbed.

"250,000… 300,000… 500,000… 1 million B.A.C!"

The excitement in the room was palpable. Bidders from all corners of the hall, and even those in private rooms, vied for the prized airship. Zi Fang's voice grew more animated with each new bid.

"2 million… 2.5 million… 3 million B.A.C"

The atmosphere grows even more intense as the price climbs higher and higher.

"We have 5 million… 10 million B.A.C!"

Finally, after a fierce battle of bids, the presenter raises her hand.

"Sold! For an astounding 13.7 million B.A.C to the distinguished bidder in Private Room 5!"

As the crowd calmed down, Zi Fang turned her attention to the next item. The airship artifact slowly faded away, and in its place, a pedestal appeared on the stage, holding a shimmering vial.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our next item is the Elixir of Aether, created by the world-renowned alchemist Alric Thorne. This elixir is capable of mana restoration, enhanced recovery, clarity of mind, Mystic energy surge, and Mystic energy stabilizing effects."

The vial glowed with a mystical light, capturing the attention of everyone in the hall.

"Alric Thorne's elixirs are coveted by many and are known for their unparalleled potency. We will start the bidding at 100,000 B.A.C."

The bidding began, and the numbers quickly escalated.

"200,000… 500,000… 1 million B.A.C!"

The excitement ever presents as more bids continue to rise.

"1.5 million… 1.7 million… 1.9 million B.A.C!"

Finally, the bidding war reached its peak. Zi Fang's voice rang out clearly.

"1.9 million B.A.C from Private Room 2! … Sold!"

The Liangwei Auction Hall buzzed with excitement as the next item was prepared. The Elixir of Aether slowly faded, and in its place, another pedestal appeared on the stage, holding an ancient, leather-bound book.

Zi Fang, with a gleam in her eye, addressed the audience. "Ladies and gentlemen, our next item is the legendary Arcane Codex. Its creator is unknown, but it is believed to have been crafted during the War of the Ancients. This remarkable book can store any level of spell and release them upon command. It was discovered by the Liangwei's explorers on the Eldorian continent."

The book seemed to pulse with a faint, mystical light, capturing the attention of everyone in the hall.

"We will start the bidding at 800,000 B.A.C."

The bidding began, and the sum total got larger with each bid.

"1 million… 2 million… 3 million B.A.C!"

When the bidding reached 5.2 million, the competition intensified. Private Rooms 1 and 6 began to outbid each other fervently.

"5.5 million from Private Room 1!"

"6 million from Private Room 6!"

The crowd chuckled as the bids flew back and forth.

"7 million from Private Room 1!"

"7.5 million from Private Room 6!"

Zi Fang couldn't help but smile at the spirited exchange. "8 million from Private Room 1!"

"8.5 million from Private Room 6!"

The tension was palpable, but the humor in the situation was not lost on the audience.

"9 million from Private Room 1!"

"9.5 million from Private Room 6!"

Finally, the bids reached a fever pitch.

"12 million from Private Room 1!"

"12.5 million from Private Room 6!"

The room held its breath as the final bid came in.

"12.9 million from Private Room 1!"

Zi Fang raised her gavel, ready to close the auction. "Going once, going twice…"

Suddenly, a voice from Private Room 6 called out, "Wait! Can I throw in my storage ring as well?"

Zi Fang shook her head with a grin. "I'm afraid we only accept Brittanor Arcanium coins. 12.9 million from Private Room 1! Sold!"

"You wait, Tobias! I will have the last laugh in the end." shouted the voice from Room 6. Snickering came from Room 1, followed by a confident retort, "I'd like to see how you'll ever best me, Marcus when I've always outclassed you in everything."

The hall began to feel the spike in energy from Room 6, and Room 1 responded with its own surge. Zi Fang quickly intervened, her voice firm yet composed. "Gentlemen, might I remind you of where you are? If you do not wish to create problems for yourselves, control your energy bursts and refrain from causing discomfort to our Liangwei Chambers of Commerce guests. Otherwise, we will see this as an insult to our reputation and take action."

With that, the two rooms calmed down, and the tension in the hall eased.

While all of this was happening, Cynthia was in her private room, shaking with laughter. Jennifer, noticing her young miss enjoying the commotion, asked, "Young miss, are you sure you wouldn't have wanted that airship or the Arcane Codex? I do see their value to you."

Cynthia, calming herself after hearing Jennifer's question, replied, "I don't see a need for an airship just yet, and the Arcane Codex would just invite problems if I acquired it. Did you notice who just won it?"

"Yes, the Head of the Moonstone Family, Tobias, who runs the Moonstone Reserve," Jennifer answered.

"Exactly. Troublesome people, the whole lot of them. I don't particularly see the need for that artifact, much less the need to have that many targets on my back," Cynthia responded.

"I understand, young miss," Jennifer said.

As they finished their conversation, Zi Fang could be heard presenting the next item.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our next item is not for the faint of heart. We present to you a sword from the infamous Cursed Series. This particular weapon is known as Harbinger, a long katana."

The sword slowly rotated as it floated on a pedestal, its dark sheath adorned with blood-red lines and a golden lotus trinket attached to the hilt. The atmosphere in the hall grew tense as Zi Fang continued.

"The Cursed Series is known for its powerful enchantments and deadly nature. Harbinger is a weapon capable of killing its wielder if they are not deemed worthy. This sword magnifies the wielder's power and drains the lifeforce of those it kills, becoming even sharper with each life it takes."

The crowd murmured in awe and apprehension as they took in the sight of the fearsome weapon.

"We will start the bidding at 300,000 B.A.C."

The bidding started, and the prices rapidly soared.

"400,000… 500,000… 1 million B.A.C!"

Bidders from all corners of the hall vied for the coveted sword.

"1.5 million… 1.7 million… 2 million B.A.C!"

Zi Fang pointed her hand to a participant in the crowd as she announced the latest bid.

"2 million B.A.C from participant number 39! … Sold!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, our next item is a rare and majestic spirit animal known as Frostwhisper. This inhabitant of the Desolate Highlands is not only a formidable companion for an ice magus but also an excellent mount."

The spirit animal was brought forward, its snow-white fur shimmering under the lights. Chains floated around its legs, and wisps circled the animal slowly. Its ten tails swayed gracefully, adding to its ethereal presence along with its icy blue eyes.

"Do not underestimate Frostwhisper, for it possesses formidable strength. This magnificent fox is a symbol of power and grace."

The crowd was in awe as they took in the sight of the enchanting creature.

"We will start the bidding at 1,000,000 B.A.C."

The offers rapidly increased.

"1.5 million… 2 million… 5 million B.A.C!"

When the bidding reached 10 million, the competition intensified. However, it was Room 10 that made the decisive bid.

"17 million B.A.C from Room 10!"

The room fell silent, and no one dared to outbid. Zi Fang's voice rang out clearly.

"17 million Brittanor Arcanium coins from Room 10! Going once, going twice… Sold!

"It seems she desires a Frostwhisper," Cynthia remarked, gazing at the majestic creature. "Indeed, no surprise there she is the Chief Sage of the Ice Division at OLYXINAR, after all," Jennifer replied. "Mhm, you have a point," Cynthia agreed.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our next item is a set of artifacts once owned by the prominent magus William Serpentine, the famous poison magus of Olyxinar. These items have been authenticated by experts, and their provenance is beyond question."

Three pedestals appeared on stage showcasing the items to be auctioned.

"First, we have the Vegamos Ring, a golden ring with cobra engravings and a green gem. This ring is known for its potency in enhancing the power of a poison magus, refined with the miasma of a poison leviathan."

Next, Zi Fang gestured to a robe with a deep dark hue and hints of silver at the ends. "This is the Robe of Torment, which aids the wearer in becoming intangible, a valuable asset for any magus."

Finally, she pointed to a half facemask, black on one side and white on the other. "And here we have the Mask of Vegras, which allows the holder to change their appearance at will, all while enhancing their poison abilities."

"The combined starting price for these three artifacts is 1.8 million B.A.C."

The bidding continued, and the amounts swiftly rose.

"2 million… 5 million… 8 million B.A.C!"

Bidders from every corner of the hall, as well as those in private suites, competed fiercely for the sought-after set.

"10 million… 12 million B.A.C!"

"At last, the bidding war hit its peak. Zi Fang's eyes gleamed as she declared the newest offer."

"13 million B.A.C from Private Room 2! Going once, going twice… Sold!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, our next item is the Brovaria Power Bracelet. This exquisite piece of jewelry is crafted from a rare, shimmering alloy that combines the resilience of steel with the elegance of silver."

The bracelet was brought forward, its surface gleaming under the lights, capturing the attention of everyone in the hall.

"This bracelet grants its wearer a significant boost in strength, mental fortitude, greater stamina, and enhanced agility. It is a truly remarkable artifact."

"We will start the bidding at 600,000 B.A.C."

Without delay, the bids poured in.

"1 million… 2 million… 3 million B.A.C!"

"3.5 million B.A.C!"

Cynthia then announced her bid for 4 million affirming her interest in the item.

"4 million B.A.C from Private Room 8! Going once, going twice… Sold!"

After winning the item, Jennifer asked what it would be used for. Cynthia turned to her and said, "I purchased it to bolster your overall fighting power." Hearing this, Jennifer thanked her young miss for her generosity. Cynthia nodded and continued looking towards the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our next items are of extreme rarity and contrast: the Solas Rose and the Lunar Rose."

Two pedestals appeared on the stage, each with a glass showcase. Inside, the roses were displayed in all their glory.

"The petals of the Solas Rose are a radiant, golden yellow at the base, gradually transitioning to a fiery orange and then to a deep, glowing red at the tips, mirroring the colors of a sunrise or sunset. It has a deep green stem."

Zi Fang then gestured to the other pedestal. "The petals of the Lunar Rose are a silvery-white, with a soft, velvety texture that shimmers under any light, much like moonlight reflecting on a still lake. The edges of the petals are delicately fringed with a faint, pale blue or lavender hue, reminiscent of the moon's gentle glow at twilight. These petals are slightly translucent, giving the rose an otherworldly, almost ghostly appearance as if it were crafted from moonlight itself."

The crowd murmured in awe as they took in the sight of the enchanting flowers.

"These roses rarely appear, and when they do, they devastate the area in which they blossom, causing weather and environmental consequences. However, they are beneficial to ice and fire magus. As they are a pair, they will be auctioned together."

"We will start the bidding at 1 million B.A.C."

With great excitement, the figures rapidly escalated.

"5 million… 10 million… 15 million coins!"

The excitement in the room was palpable. Bidders from all corners of the hall vied for the coveted roses.

"20 million B.A.C!"

With much fever, the crowd kept placing bets 25 million.... 30 million.... 40 million coins!

Until a voice was heard from room 4 placing a bid of 43 million and everyone stopped bidding after.

"43 million B.A.C from Private Room 4! Going once, going twice… Sold!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, our next item is the Mantle of the Aegisfang. This powerful cloak grants the wearer enhanced physical abilities, including strength, speed, and reflexes. It generates a protective barrier that absorbs damage and retaliates with a shockwave against attackers."

The cloak appeared floating in mid-air, its fabric shimmering with a mystical aura.

"The Mantle also provides near-invisibility in shadows and heightened senses, allowing the wearer to detect threats early. Additionally, it connects the wearer to the spirit of the Aegisfang Wolf, bestowing the wolf's instincts, tracking skills, and heightened awareness, making the wearer a formidable hunter and protector."

As Zi Fang introduced the item, Cynthia's interest was piqued. She leaned forward, her eyes fixed on the cloak.

"We will start the bidding at 700,000 B.A.C," Zi Fang announced.

However, before anyone could place a bid, Cynthia's voice rang out clearly, "5 million B.A.C!"

The room fell silent, and no one dared to outbid her. Realizing Cynthia's interest in the item, the other bidders refrained from competing.

Zi Fang smiled and brought down her gavel. "5 million B.A.C from Private Room 8! … Sold!"

After winning the bid Zi Fang then announced that the final item would be an interesting one.

"And now, for our final item," she announced, "we have a special acquisition that has cost the Lingwei Chamber of Commerce a great deal to procure."

As she spoke, a large, rectangular block of ice materialized on the stage. The moment it appeared, an oppressive aura emanated from the frozen artifact, causing the entire crowd to fall silent, their breaths visible in the suddenly chilled air.

Zi Fang continued, her voice steady despite the palpable tension. "Ladies and gentlemen, as some of you might have guessed, this is indeed the Ice of Yalzeruth. The story goes that about 904 years ago, Yalzeruth and the first King of Brittanor, Arthur the Hero of the Tides, had a confrontation with the Yoman Empire. This battle resulted in four Yoman cities being frozen in time. It is well known that being near these cities can be fatal to those who are not ice maguses. Even ice maguses risk frost poison if they stay for too long."

She paused, allowing the weight of her words to sink in. "We at the Lingwei Chamber of Commerce were fortunate enough to obtain a few pieces of this legendary ice. What you see before you is one such piece. Unfortunately, it is the only piece we could acquire."

With a deep breath, she declared, "The bidding begins at 2 million coins."

Almost immediately, a voice from Room 5 called out, "50 million!"

The crowd gasped, and Zi Fang's eyes widened in surprise. "Room 5 bids 50 million coins," she confirmed. "Going once, going twice… sold!"

After confirming the sale of the Ice of Yalzeruth, Zi Fang smiled warmly at the audience. "Thank you all for your participation this evening. We look forward to seeing you at our next arcane auction on the 15th of next month. Have a good evening."

With that, she gracefully exited the stage, leaving the crowd to disperse. Cynthia sighed, turning to Jennifer. "It's time to go home," she said, her voice tinged with a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction.

Jennifer nodded, her eyes still wide with the excitement of the evening's events as they made their way out of the grand hall.