“A full house I see” a smile began forming on the presenter’s face. “Now let’s not waste our precious guests more time.” he clapped twice.

  The lights of the seats became dim all except the stage which had the spotlight. The cubicles had a small gemstone to light the insides though dimly.

  The presenter started walking around the stage, waving his hands in big open gestures. “I hope you all have seen the brochure. If not, let me remind you. Our first set of items will be weapons, weapons which are both rare and powerful. Some of these blades have tasted blood, these bows have whispered death and some the last of its kind ”

  “Now who here savors exclusivity ?” He takes a dramatic pause.

  A murmur spread through the audience. Edric caught a glimpse of movement from a cubicle ,someone adjusting their masks , leaning in with keen interest.

  “As a surprise for our esteemed guest. We have prepared collectibles , one of which is none other than the painting from saintess Jeana. Along with several other items which are one of a kind”

  The crowd started murmuring even before he finished his sentence.

  “Who’s Jeana?” Edric asked Aeris.

  “Saintes who died long ago. She helped in the war and is known to have had a hobby of painting.” she spouted the facts like an encyclopedia. “Some say here paintings have magic to cure any illness , they have been named as a sacred relic ever since.”

  “Is it true?”

  She shrugged. “Does it matter?”

  "Next, we have artifacts. Ancient, enchanted, or simply exquisite.these pieces are far more than trinkets. Tonight, we feature a most coveted relic: an attribute stone. A mere touch, a few nights of meditation, and one’s mana core could be doubled. A power once reserved for the chosen few, now within reach… for the right price."

  Whispers arose from other cubicles, the greed and the curiosity thickening in the air.

  Edric glanced at Aeris, who remained motionless observing the stage. Her face was unreadable.

  “And for the last but not least.” he continued, leaning in. “Items with hearts.”

  Items with hearts, that sounds cold. Edric was even more unsettled from the quiet laughter

  “I know our guests have been disappointed with our previous auction. But I can assure you. The livestock we’ve prepared today are one of its kind. They can be your companions, your sword or your experiment.”

  He continued. “ The items today are one of their kinds — in terms of strength, looks and magic prowess. For the right price you can have a wolfling as pet or half-elf to satisfy your night.”

  Edric skin crawled from how casual he spoke those words. Even more so from the faint glimpse of smiles on their faces. Were they even human.

  The murmurs of the crowd quieted as the presenter clapped twice. The dim glow of the cubicle flickered while the stage remained under spotlight. The air was thick with greed.

  “Let us begin with the first set of items— weapons.” The presenters spread his arms wide and his grin even wider. “ Blades that have slain beasts, daggers that assasined kings, bows that have defended cities and relics of the forgotten past. Choose wisly dear bidders. As power is decided by the wielder.”

  Two servants wheeled in a long display case. Inside weapons gleamed under the spotlight— A pair of enchanted daggers with magenta ruin engravings, a longbow said to have defended cities, a blacked tipped poison spear and a worn out long sword.

  For some reason the longsword stood out most to Edric despite its lackluster looks.

  The enchanted dagger when first. “These daggers are enchanted with shadow mana. It is said to have been used to slay king Euthia….” The presenter went on-and-on about the assassin in detail. Then as soon as he finished….

  “Oh 10 gold.” The presenter points at a paddle, then another one pops up. “20 gold…30 gold…50 gold.”

  So a paddle is 10 gold. Edric noticed a faint magenta glow of the communication crystal from a cubicle

  “No wait, did I hear that right 100 gold.” the presenter waited for a moment before saying: “Going once…twice…sold for 100 gold.”

  Aeris observed in silence, her gaze looked at the stage in disinterest. She wasn’t here for the weapons anyway. Edric leaned in to get a closer look at the items.

  The first item went for 100 gold, sheesh I hope it isn't all like this. Edric sighed, looks like doing it the hard way is the only option.

  In similar fashion the rest of the items were sold.

  The bow for 50 gold, the spear of 30 gold and then the longsword came.

  “Don’t let looks deceive you,” He held the sword in his hand. “As this sword was from a slain knight, a knight the has slain beasts, people —-” he paused. “A knight from house Veyra.”

  Edric froze, his breath hitched and his hands became tense.

  Aeris snaps her attention on to the stage.

  The murmurs of the audience grew louder. House Veyra? The name has faded into history. Yet , a piece is being sold as a mere trinket.

  [Identifying Item…]

  [Name: Veyra’s Oathblade]

  [Status: Damaged but functional]

  [Enhancements: Frost-bound Edge, Mana Conduit]

  [Last Owner: Sir Aldric of House Veyra]

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  Edric’s eyes widened. It was the first time the screen ever gave this much info. Sir Aldric? A knight of House Veyra… was he family? A loyal vassal? How did this sword end up here? Edric's mind became filled with thoughts and theories.

  He barely heard the starting bid being called.

  “100 gold,” a cubicle called out.

  “200 gold, looks like thats the denominator.”

  A bidding war erupted. The sword's history, combined with being a rare breed made it a hot item.

  Edric's hands unconsciously went to the paddle. He didn’t want to but his body was telling him to bid. Perhaps by obtaining it he could find out more answers.

  Aeris side eyed his strange behavior. “Edric–”

  “Sorry– I got too immersed.” He laughed it off, it wasn’t time for this. Perhaps in the future he can get it back but not now.

  In the end the sword went for 600 gold by a mysterious man in a green coat.

  Some other weapons were brought on display and sold, but Edric found it hard to focus.

  The next set of items were— Artifacts.

  “Now onto the next agenda,” he clapped twice. Two servants brought in the relics in the display case. In the largest case was an hourglass with some strange glowing sand. The rest were pendants, necklaces and rings.

  Edric leaned back, getting too worked up wasn’t good for the mission.

  “Our first Artifact is the Soul HourGlass.” Some murmurs erupted. “I see some have heard it. But if you haven’t let me explain. When you turn this hourglass and cultivate it. The sand infused with mana slows down, the stronger your core the more it slows down.”

  “If you cultivate it regularly, there is a permanent increase in your mana core at least two fold.” he placed the item back on the table. “Now who among you claims this power?”

  A bidding war erupted again.

  Edric noticed the same cubicle won this item. He just won the sword– now he wants this to. He scoffed, annoyed for no apparent reason. It wasn’t like he could actually win a bid himself anyway.

  The rest of the artifacts were sold in similar fashion. Edric had noticed at least every cubicle except theres has participated in the bid once. He got worried in case they notice them, but Aeris didn’t seem worried at all. She seemed so placid and calm. That cooled him off for the time being.

  The hall took a brief break before the next set— historical relics.

  The infamous Saintess Jeana painting was brought in covered in velvet curtains. The presenters while giving the meandering speech unveiled the painting.

  Audible gasps were heard and this time Edric was one of them.

  The painting was a portrait of one of the gods. From an objective standpoint it didn’t look special, but for some reason you can’t take your eyes off. Even Aeris leaned in to take a closer look, perhaps it truly does have divine magic.

  Once the presenter finished— the bid skyrocketed instantly, to a record of 1000 gold.

  The next item was a journal from an unknown mage. The presenter made a show of flipping the page claiming it to be “Forbidden Knowledge.”

  It quickly sold in the hands for another unknown bidder.

  Some other items were sold but they didn’t interest Edric much nor the crowd except a few.

  Then it arrived, the main agenda for today.

  —--

  The stage lights dimmed, the mood shifted as the servants brought a three large box of some sort undercover to the stage.

  Edric leaned in, his hands trembled and his forehead were sweating.

  “As they save the best for the last.” The presenter started his speech this time his voice was more intimate. “For the beasts with hearts who may become your pets or companion.”

  He strolls to the first box, removes the cover revealing it to be a mercenary. Edric was initially confused on what made him special.

  “You might be thinking what's so special about a beat up mercenary. Well let me show you.” He takes out a rod and shocks the man. Instantly fur started forming on the mans skin revealing him to be a beat man.

  The beast man shook the cage with a thunderous roar that echoed through the hall, which made many cubicles gasp in fear. “Don’t fear as you can see on his neck. That color is enchanted with slave magic, our mages will imprint your blood to it and if he dares attack.” He shocks the beast again which makes him scream in agony.

  The fur began to be absorbed back into his skin ,his body shrank twisted , back to human.

  Edric was shocked on how they treated him, even more on what they would have done to Xantha. If she was here that is.

  The air of auction became heavy.

  Excitement had given way to something darker , a mix of morbid curiosity and unease. Even the wealthiest of bidder who had bought items began to hesitate.

  The beastman layed slump on the floor, his breathing ragged. The aftereffects of the mana shock still resided in his body, making his fingers twitch.

  And yet, the presenter went about his way, like it’s just a display.

  He went to the second cage, uncovered to reveal— a woman, a very fine woman with an attractive figure, was shackled on the floor. Her skin had an unnatural gray-dark color, her nails were pointy and her eyes reminded Edric of a snake.

  “The beastman was just the first of our offerings. This dashing woman right here is the last remaining survivor of her species. Some may know her kind as dark-elf high breeds.”

  Dark elfs , I read they were extinct . To think they were sold as slaves. The thought made Edric’s stomach curdle.

  Aeris looked at Edric’s face for a moment. “We don’t have any power to stop them nor save them…”

  Her words rang through Edric’s mind, it true they were already spreading themself thin on rescuing one person. Reducing anymore is suicidal.

  The dark-elf started coming to her senses, for a moment Edric thought she would plead or cry.

  But the second laughter thinned, she bared a snarl , lunging forward despite the restraints.

  The chains taut, then the presenter did the same treatment as the beastman. Edric subverted his eyes to make him feel less guilty, as the scream echoed.

  “She will make an excellent companion for hunts, enjoyments and experiments.” The presenter nonchalant walks to the third box. “Now as you may know, healing magic is rare. What’s even more rare is having a priest's divine healing. But,” He gives a brief pause.

  “What if I tell you , we have found a way to artificially bring out abilities. Now I present to you”

  He removes the curtains to reveal the third box, “The world's first artificially made healer.”

  In the box a girl lays sitting on the floor, although unlike the others she isn’t chained. But something feels off , her eyes lack focus almost like they've been drugged. The presenter open the cage and drags her up.

  He then walks her to the beastman who still lays on the floor. Edric leaned in to take a closer look on her face.

  “Now you will see a demonstration.” The presenter whispers few words and like a robot following commands, the girl rests her hand on the beast mans back. A moment later a faint glow appears engulfing her hand, the beastman arms start to heal. The wounds close, his fingers straitened and seemed to be in less agony.

  The audience clapped silently at the demonstration, almost like it was a circus performance.

  The girl turned her head to the source, her brown-blonde hair glowed in the spotlight.

  Edric took a closer look, then he gasped.

  It’s undeniably Xantha but her hairs a different color and skin it more pale. He looked at Aeris who leaned in, she gave him a quick nod with her pity eyes.

  For confirmation he opened his system.

  [Name: Xantha Xavier]

  Edric clenched the chair handle, causing a crack. It nearly broke until Aeris laid her hands on him.

  “Calm down, we found her.”

  Yes, she’s right. They were one step closer to save her. The mere fact that they not only kidnapped a poor woman, but experimented on her and drugged her, made his blood boil.

  The only positive thing he noted was that there wasn’t any visible injury, at least no physical injuries.

  The presenter carefully walked her to her cage and made her sit.

  “Now, that's enough of wasting time in chit chat. Let the bids begin, first the beastman.” Once he pointed at the beastman, multiple nobles raised their paddle.

  “50…100…” He started counting the bid, one by one many raised their hands.

  “The bids now 800 gold, anymore—”

  *BOOM*

  An audible explosion was heard in the distance outside the hall, then a faint vibration spread across the floor. Everyone felt it, even Edric. Which meant only one thing.

  If my guess is right, it’s Keal. Or at least I hope.

  The audience grew weary at the sudden disturbance.

  “Ha ha,” he chuckled. “Don’t worry folks, out top of the line security team will find the cause.” He cleared his throat “Anyway , as I was saying . The beastman had been sold for 800 gold.”

  He walked to the elfs cage. “Let’s start the bid for the elf.”

  The bid war started but it was soon inturpted.

  The explosion noise was becoming louder and louder. It sounded like walls were being broken in concession. The presenter stopped, turned his head to the source which was slightly above the left wall.

  He signaled his guards to go immediately, finally his theatrical smile faded into a grimm frown. Then—

  *BOOM*

  The wall broke, smoke encapsulated the hall. Edric and Aeris got up from their seats, placed their hands next to their weapons.

  What the hell is happening? Edric was confused on whether this is part of the plan or something else. Aeris didn’t know either, both them remained still with there weapons ready. Then—

  A figure burst out of the broken wall, it’s trajectory was heading towards the stage. It looked like it would be a collision from it’s speed but at the last moment. The figure twirled mid air and landed on stage gracefully. The figure spun its staff, causing the smoke to dissipate.

  They knew from the way he landed it’s Kael, but something was off about his body language.

  They took a closer look at him as the dust settled. He didn’t have his usual smile, in fact his attention wasn’t even in the hall. He looked quite beat up and frustrated as stared at the hole, like he was anticipating something to come out.

  Edric and Aeris took out their hood and weapons, prepared themself the instant they confirmed it’s Kael. They were ready to jump out, but another man launching himself from the hole caught their attention.

  *CLANK*

  Edric heard the sounds for metal colliding with wood at high speed, as he made his way. He looked closer and found the reason for Kael’s battered shape.

  He was combat locked with another man, his face was obscured from the dust but as Edric made his way down, something about the attacker felt familiar. He took a closer look at him— leather jacket, the sword and metal boots and his broad shoulders. No way—

  Wait hold up, why is he here—- Cain!