Chapter 27: A Father's Curiosity

After Maxim had left, Lila's father sat back in his chair, stroking his chin thoughtfully. He had taken quite a liking to the young man. There was something about Maxim that intrigued him—his quiet intelligence, his modesty, and, of course, the fact that he was involved in what appeared to be some interesting research.

"I must say, Lila, your friend is quite impressive," her father mused, glancing at her across the dinner table. "What exactly does he study?"

Lila hesitated, not wanting to go into too much detail. "It's... complicated. He's working on something related to energy. Experimental stuff."

Her father raised an eyebrow. "Energy, you say? You know, one of our divisions specializes in modern energy storage—particularly in liquid crystals. We've been working on new ways to harness and store energy in increasingly smaller and more efficient forms. If your friend ever needs assistance with his research, I'd be more than happy to help."

Lila smiled, her father's generosity surprising her but also filling her with a quiet hope. "I'll let him know. I think he could use some help."

Her father nodded, clearly impressed with what little he knew about Maxim. "Make sure you do. He seems like a sharp young man—worth keeping an eye on."

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A few days later, the time had come for the auction. Lila and Maxim stood together in front of the grand auction house. The city was alive with excitement, and people milled around, eager to see the star of the show—the rare crystal that had once belonged to a wealthy, influential family.

The building itself was imposing, with grand stone arches and large windows that glittered in the sunlight. Inside, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. Maxim glanced at Lila, who looked stunning in a simple but elegant dress. He, on the other hand, felt slightly out of place in his casual clothes. The people around them were clearly of a different class—wealthy collectors and historians, all dressed in their finest.

"I can't believe we're really here," Maxim murmured. "This place feels... surreal."

Lila smiled at him, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I told you it would be an experience. Besides, you never know—this crystal might be just what you need."

Maxim nodded, though his mind was still filled with doubts. What if the crystal didn't hold the properties he was hoping for? What if they were wasting their time and energy? The stakes felt high, even though he knew he wouldn't be able to afford to bid on the crystal. He was here to learn, not to buy.

As they entered the auction hall, the opulence of the place became even more apparent. The room was filled with rows of plush seats, and at the front was a raised platform where the items would be displayed. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a soft, golden glow over everything.

The auction began, and Maxim found himself growing restless as various items were sold—antique furniture, rare paintings, and other luxury goods. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the crystal was brought out.

It was larger than Maxim had imagined, about the size of a man's fist, and its surface gleamed with an almost ethereal light. The markings etched into it were faint but intricate, suggesting it had been crafted with care and precision. The auctioneer described its history, detailing how it had been passed down through generations of the Beaumont family, one of the wealthiest families in the region.

Maxim focused intently on the crystal, trying to sense whether it had the properties he was searching for. He tried to reach out with his mana, to test if it would respond. For a brief moment, he thought he felt something—an energy, faint and fleeting. But as he pushed further, it vanished. The crystal remained inert, showing no signs that it could hold or channel mana.

The bidding started, and the numbers quickly skyrocketed. Lila watched the auction with interest, but Maxim's focus had shifted. He already knew—this crystal wasn't the answer.

As the bidding war escalated, Maxim leaned toward Lila and whispered, "It's not going to work. This isn't what I need."

Lila gave him a concerned look. "Are you sure?"

He nodded. "Yeah. I could feel something, but... it's too weak. It won't hold enough energy for what I'm trying to do."

Lila sighed, but she wasn't entirely surprised. "Well, at least we gave it a shot."

After the crystal was sold for an astronomical price, they made their way out of the auction house. The sun was starting to set, casting a warm glow over the city streets. Maxim felt a mix of disappointment and relief. He hadn't wasted a fortune on a useless crystal, but the question of what material could hold mana still weighed heavily on his mind.

As they walked, Lila broke the silence. "You know, there's still my dad's offer. He might have exactly what you need."

Maxim glanced at her, his curiosity piqued. "You really think his company's technology could work?"

Lila shrugged. "It's worth a try. They've been working on liquid crystals for energy storage. It's not exactly what you're looking for, but it's closer than anything we've seen so far."

Maxim nodded, thinking over the possibilities. The idea of using modern technology hadn't crossed his mind until recently. He'd been so focused on the fantasy of ancient crystals and magical objects that he hadn't considered that the answer might lie in cutting-edge science.

"Well," he said with a smile, "it sounds like it's time to meet your dad again. Maybe this will be the breakthrough I've been looking for."

Lila grinned. "I have a feeling it just might be."

As they strolled through the city, Maxim couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. The disappointment of the auction was already fading, replaced by the hope that, with Lila's father's help, he might finally be on the path to unlocking the full potential of his powers.