As the price soared, reaching the dizzying amount of 80,000 mid-grade elemental source stones, equivalent to 80 high-grade elemental source stones, the room buzzed with anticipation. Many bidders hesitated, weighing the cost that had skyrocketed, but Lassim’s mind was made up.
With the auctioneer calling for final bids, Lassim entered his amount and pressed the bid button with a firm, decisive click. His action sent a ripple through the room.
The auctioneer paused, the large jump in price shocking the few remaining bidders as it was already high for this type of item. Then the hostess announced, "We have a bid of 100 high-grade elemental source stones from the VIP suite!" The statement marking the climax of the bidding war.
"Do we have any other bidders? Going once, twice and SOLD!" When the hostess confirmed the sale, announcing Lassim as the victor, a wave of applause erupted but also several jealous ladies also expressed their displeasure in their husbands for not winning the item set.
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In the VIP suite, Lustria turned to Lassim, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and gratitude.
"You didn’t have to," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Lassim smiled warmly, his eyes meeting hers. "I know, but I wanted to. You deserve this, and much more. I’m sorry for what happened and I hope this helps."
The trio settled back into their seats with the item won.
The auction proceeded, unveiling a myriad of wondrous items until a particular set captured the trio’s attention. The next item displayed was a pair of bracers, their appearance causing a stir among the crowd.
These were no ordinary armguards; crafted from dark leather, they exuded an aura of refined craftsmanship and power. The leather was interwoven with green enchanted threads, which pulsed with a soft glow, hinting at the wind elemental magic infused within. Embedded along the bracers were light green gems, each swirling with what seemed like miniature tornadoes, encapsulating the essence of wind.
The host excitedly began to describe the bracers’ capabilities. "Ladies and gentlemen, we present the Gale Bracers, artifacts of agility and defense. Not only do they enhance the wearer’s arm mobility and speed with a passive wind elemental enchantment, but they also possess a powerful defensive mechanism."
She paused for effect, allowing the audience to absorb the visual spectacle of the bracers active effect being shown to all with a swirling set of wind enveloping her for a brief moment. "When activated with the wearer’s mana, these gems can conjure a wind barrier, a sphere of gale-force winds that can deflect up to ten attacks at the Spirit Transformation stage in power.
A marvel of enchantments available for you to obtain a higher deftness with wonderous protection!"
Sirium, upon hearing the description and seeing the bracers, leaned forward with interest. "Those are nice, but they’ll probably go for a fortune. I only have about 100 high grade stones as my allowance, but they’re surely worth around 470 by my estimations. The defensive effect is just too valuable.
It’d protect you ten times from an enemy an entire stage above Spirit Growth." he said to the others, his eyes not leaving the artifacts.
Lassim nodded, considering the potential benefits for his friend. As the bidding commenced, it became evident that these bracers were highly coveted, with bids escalating rapidly.
Watching the numbers rise, Lassim weighed the decision, mindful of the already significant purchase he had made. However, after what had happened to Lustria recently and seeing the strategic advantage it could provide for Sirium, he wanted to get this for his friend as well. He’d hate to see his friend hurt like Lustria had been.
He stayed alert, ready to enter the bidding war at the right moment to secure the bracers for his friend.
As the price soared to 300 high-grade elemental source stones (ESS), the intensity in the room thickened. Lassim, assessing the situation, finally entered the fray, pressing the bid button with a calculated press. His entry marked a significant leap in the auction’s pace by another 20 ESS, drawing attention and murmurs from the crowd.
The number on the board jumped again, provoked by an unseen bidder among the audience below. The back and forth continued until it was pushing the price up to 450 high-grade ESS. The rapid escalation of the bids reflected the bracers’ value and the determination of the bidders to claim them.
Lassim, feeling the competitive tension, glanced at Sirium. Wishing to give the best gift to his friend, Lassim steeled himself for one final push in the bidding war.
With a deep breath and a resolute click, he upped the ante to 500 high-grade ESS. The room fell silent as the new bid was displayed, casting a moment of suspense over the gathered crowd.
The auctioneer, with an excited tone, called out, "We have 500 high-grade elemental source stones from the VIP suite! Any further bids?" The pause that followed was tense, the attendees waiting to see if the mysterious competitor would challenge Lassim’s bid.
After a few moments of silence, the auctioneer’s hammer fell, marking the end of the bidding. "Sold to the esteemed guest in the VIP suite for 500 high-grade elemental source stones!"
A mixture of applause and whispers filled the room as the staff prepared to finalize the transaction and move on to the next item. Lassim, feeling a surge of triumph mixed with relief, turned to Sirium with a smile, "Looks like they’re yours now."
Sirium, overwhelmed, could only nod, his eyes conveying a mix of gratitude and excitement. The purchase, though costly, was a clear testament to the bond and camaraderie among the trio, underscoring the lengths Lassim was willing to go to support his friends and hopefully atone for some of his mistake.
The auction hall, abuzz with the excitement of the previous sales, fell into a hushed anticipation as the hostess gracefully stepped forward to the center of the stage again.
With a smile that held the room in thrall, she congratulated the winners of the evening’s lots thus far. Her voice, clear and resonant, then shifted the atmosphere, heralding the climax of the night’s event.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we now approach the zenith of tonight’s offerings," she announced, her words laced with the promise of extraordinary reveals. "Prepare yourselves for the crown jewels of our auction."
The first of these coveted items was unveiled, drawing gasps from the audience. A full set of armor, resplendent and radiant, was brought forth. Its gleaming surface, crafted for a warrior with day affinity elements, emitted a light so pure and intense it cut through the dim ambiance of the hall like a shard of sunlight.
The armor, designed for a wielder at the Spirit Ascension stage or higher, exuded a palpable power, its every angle and facet designed to augment and channel the elemental prowess of its wearer.
As the bidding commenced, the starting price soared, quickly escalating as the room’s elite vied for this rare artifact. The intensity of the auction reached a new height in price unlike all the other items earlier in the evening, each bid punctuating the air.
Then, from another VIP suite, a deep voice, authoritative and imbued with an air of command, entered the fray with his bid instead of using the device alone, transforming the bidding war into one of politics for those that might recognize the owner of the voice. The voice continued, unseen but undeniably powerful, pushing the price upward with each bid, its owner determined to claim the armor.
The numbers climbed astronomically until the deep-voiced man in the VIP suite won with a final resolute bid that silenced the competition. The gavel struck down at an astonishing 25,000 high-grade ESS, the room echoing with the magnitude of the transaction.
Whispers swirled through the hall, speculating on the identity of the buyer as the hostess gracefully acknowledged the sale, her expression a blend of professional composure and genuine awe at the evening’s unprecedented turn of events.
Lassim, Lustria, and Sirium watched, their expressions a mix of excitement and incredulity, as the gorgeous and powerful set of armor found its new owner, the transaction setting the tone for the remaining items.
The auction hall lights dimmed after the bright armor was stored away. drawing everyone’s attention to the stage where the next item was presented under a focused beam of light. Two necklaces were revealed, each distinct yet clearly part of a set, their designs sophisticated and radiating strong mana that signified being imbued with powerful enchantments.
The first necklace featured a pendant with a deep, dark gem, its surface swirling with shadows that seemed to pulse with a life of their own, set within a frame of sleek, polished silver that glinted sharply even under the subdued lighting. The metalwork was intricate, depicting miniature galaxy that wrapped around the gem, complimenting the swirling black mana contained within the gem.
The second necklace bore a lighter gem, almost clear, but with a watery luminescence that gave it a radiant glow, held by a delicate gold setting. The gold was etched with fine, wave-like patterns, giving the impression of a serene sea under a calm night sky, complementing the swirling motif of its counterpart.
The hostess explained that these necklaces were not just exquisite pieces of jewelry but were also powerful artifacts. They were enchanted with *Soul Echo*, a rare ability that allowed the wearers to sense each other’s presence and share thoughts with a mind link that could be turned off or on at will, enhancing their user’s communication in battle.
Additionally, the necklaces boasted a defensive enchantment known as *Sanctuary Bond*, which could generate a protective barrier around the wearers when together and give a shared mana enhancement giving the users around 50% increase in strength if they’re in close proximity to each other.
The protective barrier could protect up to 100 attacks at the Spirit Ascension stage and 1 attack at the Spirit Transformation stage.
Captivated by the potential and beauty of the pair of necklaces, Lassim felt a strong resolve to acquire them. He still lacked a defensive artifact and it would be great if he could give the other to Lustria since she lacked one as well.
The auction proceeded, and he entered the fray with determination.