Lassim, exhausted yet fulfilled from the day’s intensive training, finally reached his cultivation cave after the blindfolder journey. His ability to sense his surroundings making slow by steady progress. However, before he could step inside and collapse into meditation or rest, he noticed a figure waiting patiently by the entrance. Lassim quickly removed the blindfold before approaching the man.
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A messenger, clad in a distinctive uniform with the emblem of the Golden River Auction House, stood with an air of formal urgency. In his hands, he held an ornate envelope sealed with the same emblem embroidered across his attire, it was from the auction house.
"Master Lassim of the Vanthar and Rohese families," the messenger bowed respectfully as he presented the envelope, "a special invitation for you from the masters of the Darnel family. The upcoming auction has been rescheduled due to the acquisition of a rare and valuable item by an anonymous seller. As a holder of a VIP Black Card, your presence is eagerly anticipated.
All holders of the Black VIP cards are due to be notified of all auctions and changes."
Lassim took the invitation, a sense of curiosity mingling with anticipation. The auction, initially set for a later date, originally still two months or so away now, had been moved up.
Unfamiliar with auction houses as there is none in Swallowtail Mountain City, he wasn’t sure if this was a rarity that hinted at the significance of the item or something common place when more valuable items were to be presented.
Unsealing the envelope, he read the contents, noting the revised date and time. ’Tomorrow evening,’ he mused, the sudden change in plans igniting a spark of an idea within him.
Reflecting on the recent harrowing mission and it’s impact on his friend’s physical and mental states, especially on Lustria, he saw the auction as an opportunity to find something unique that might aid in her recovery or at least ease the trauma of their ordeal.
Perhaps the auction would have beautifying potions or advanced healing pills that could get rid of scars, items that were often beyond the reach of regular markets but could appear in such a prestigious gathering. She would naturally have the scars fade away, according to his grandparents, when she advanced to the Spirit Growth stage.
However, that was still several years away of walking around and carrying his mistake on her body everyday for that time. He felt horrible about it and wanted to make it up to her, but also Sirium for being a good friend and helping resolve the situation.
With the idea filling him with a sense of potential joy in what rare items he could come across and bid on with his Gold Vault Card, Lassim felt a wave of anticipation for the event. It would be more than just an auction in his eyes; it would be an opportunity to make amends.
Thanking the messenger for the urgency of the delivery, Lassim bowed towards him and then stepped into his cave. His thoughts already on tomorrow and the possibilities it held he quickly penned a message on his communication conduit in the jade bracelet, inviting Lustria and Sirium to join him at the auction house the following evening.
"I hope you’re both not too busy," he wrote, "It’ll be a chance to take a break from our training and give the chance to experience the grandeur of the Golden River Auction together. I’ve never been to one yet."
Sending the message, Lassim felt a slight bit of relief knowing that he might be able to get rid of some of the stress if he came across anything that could help his friends.
As he settled into his meditation, the shadows of the cave seemed less oppressive, the air less heavy.
The next day, after concluding another rigorous training session with Valeria, Lassim made his way back to his cave, eager for the evening’s event at the Golden River Auction House. Refreshed from a quick bath and dressed in a fresh set of his pristine academy attire, a set that was slightly more extravagant in enchantments and design embellishments.
He’d received it from the headmaster to signify his elite status as a disciple of the headmaster but had yet to bother swapping out the first set he’d had so far until now as it had a self cleaning function and was bound to get dirty or torn from the intense training he’d be going through.
He exuded a sense of manly handsomeness that belied his young age. His master’s elemental forging technique had done a lot to advance his body’s maturity and growth over the last month and a half. Also adapting to the higher cultivation level of SI5, nearly pushing the boundary of SI6, had given him a bit of a growth spurt. He was now pushing 165cm in height now as an 8 year old.
Making his way through the academy, he reunited with Lustria and Sirium at the gates.
Sirium appeared in a tailored suit that was both elegant and practical, reflecting his merchant family’s style. The suit, a rich shade of navy blue, was accented with subtle silver thread along the cuffs and collar, hinting at his familiy’s affinity with the wind element through its swirling patterns.
His hair was neatly combed back, and his confident smile added to his charismatic presence, exuding a charm befitting a young noble.
Lustria, on the other hand, donned an exquisite gown that flowed gracefully with her movements. The gown, in a deep emerald green, almost jet black, complemented her eyes. Intricate embroidery of silver and purple gems traced patterns reminiscent of bows and arrows and her connection to the night/void element.
Despite the beauty of her attire, there was a noticeable effort to conceal the scars she bore from the recent mission. A light application of makeup attempted to cover the more visible marks on her face and shoulders, but the severity of the wounds made them difficult to hide completely.
Thus, she chose to wear a delicate veil that softly draped around her face, not enough to obscure her completely but sufficient to help distract from the more prominent scars.
Lassim, upon seeing Lustria’s attempt to mask her scars, felt a pang of sadness and guilt. The sight of the veil, made him cringe inwardly. While he admired her strength and resilience, the visible evidence of the pain she endured because of the mission he had initiated weighed heavily on his heart.
After observing and complimenting his friends’ appearances, they proceeded to the auction house. The streets were filled with many other travels and folks flaunting opulence and mystique.
Arriving, he presented his black VIP card, where they were then promptly ushered inside by a courteous attendant who seemed well-versed in the protocols of high-status patrons.
"Welcome, Young Master Lassim, Lady Lustria, and Sir Sirium. It’s an honor to host you this evening," the attendant said, leading them through the opulent foyer. His knowledge of Lassim’s guests without any prior introductions showed the remarkableness and intelligence of the auction house’s staff. This level of professionalism and knowledge awed the trio as they leaned in the hear more.
"Before the main auction commences, might I suggest a tour of our exclusive gallery on the first floor? It features a collection of rare and enchanted items, each of them for sale and not included in the main auction you’ll be sitting in tonight."
Intrigued, the trio agreed, and their guide embarked on a descriptive journey through the open hall’s gallery that was organized by separating the items by their elements or functions.
They entered a section where most of the items had a water affinity. The first item to catch their attention was a set of ethereal robes displayed elegantly on a mannequin. "These are the Celestial Silk Robes, woven from the threads of the Azure Silkmoth, found only in the Frozen Forest.
They are not only exquisite but also capable of enhancing the wearer’s affinity with water elemental spirits, making the user’s spell casting smoother and more potent."
Moving on, they came across a display of intricate jewelry, where a necklace set with a luminous, pulsating gemstone took center stage. "This is the Heart of the Ocean’s Embrace, a necklace that contains the condensed essence of a thousand waves.
It was created by a Spirit Ascension jeweler and is said to be able to boost the wearer’s water element control." The guide’s attempt to sell items that fit the ripe and fresh wallet of Lassim was becoming clear to the group’s eyes.
As they continued, a small, unassuming box caught Lassim’s eye, prompting the guide to explain, "Ah, that’s the Elixir of Radiant Vitality.
Crafted by the renowned alchemist Grand Master Pyron, it’s a potion that rejuvenates and accelerates the body’s natural healing processes, potentially useful for those recovering from injuries." Lassim made a mental note to consider coming back this item if the auction didn’t have anything better, but the promise of rare items in the main event held more attraction to him for the time being.
Sirium, particularly interested in strategy to improve himself after what he experienced, inquired about a set of enchanted scrolls displayed in a glass case. "These scrolls contain ancient strategies and battle formations, capable of being absorbed directly into the consciousness of the reader, enhancing their tactical acumen."
Lustria, meanwhile, was drawn to a delicate bracelet adorned with small, shimmering stones. "This is the Bracelet of the Gale, infused with the essence of wind spirits. It grants the wearer increased agility and speed, making it an invaluable asset in combat and escape scenarios."
The tour was a sensory feast, with each item exuding an aura of power and usefulness or significant history.