Gravity Mage with Level-Up System

From MC's Perspective:

"Legendary Supreme Wizard?" I blurted out, my curiosity getting the better of me.

The words spoken by the woman beside me struck me like a thunderclap. What in the world was she talking about? And those shimmering blue leaves on the Blue Fruit Tree... Was it possible? Could it really be the fabled magic of the Level-10 Wizard, the one with mastery over nature? The very idea sent a chill down my spine.

Gloria must have overheard my muttered thoughts because she turned her head slightly and spoke in a low, reverent tone. "I've heard tales of this senior before. The blue leaves you see there aren't just ordinary. They come from his Blue Magic Tree, and they possess miraculous properties. It's said they can cleanse dark mana, the kind left behind by the evil path wizards."

Her words made my pulse quicken. The evil path wizards... I'd encountered them more than once, but each time, by sheer luck or some divine intervention, I had narrowly escaped their clutches.

"Should I buy this thing?" I thought to myself. My mind raced. On one hand, having something capable of dispelling dark mana would be invaluable. But on the other hand... I'd already made enemies, powerful ones. Was it wise to add another to my growing list?

I shook my head, trying to dispel the temptation. I couldn't afford to draw more attention, especially not here, in front of people like Don Blaire.

"Are you buying?" Daren's voice dripped with sarcasm, cutting through my thoughts. He leaned in, his mocking eyes searching my face for a reaction.

I met his gaze briefly before replying with a curt, "No." There was no point in explaining my reasoning to him, not when we both knew the stakes.

Turning back toward the auction stage, I watched as the bidding intensified. The air in the room felt thick, charged with anticipation. Suddenly, a voice from one of the private boxes on the third floor pierced through the din.

"One million mid-grade mana stones."

The room fell into an immediate hush. All eyes turned to the first box, recognizing the voice instantly. Don Blaire. The notorious Blaire family, feared by many, well, he was their most vengeful person.

No one dared challenge the bid. You could feel the fear rippling through the crowd like an invisible wave. People whispered in hushed tones, exchanging nervous glances, knowing full well that opposing Don was akin to signing your own death warrant.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Daren scanning the room, his brow furrowed in concentration. Was he searching for familiar faces? Rivals from other families, perhaps? Even he didn't seem sure if anyone would dare stand against Blaire's claim, not without risking everything.

By the time Don Blaire successfully secured the Blue Magic Tree's leaves, the atmosphere in the auction hall had grown even more tense. As the auctioneer signaled the completion of the transaction, the beautiful lady on stage wasted no time revealing the next item.

"Our second auction item is a crystal gem from an 8th-order Flying Lightning Eagle," she announced, her voice smooth and professional. "Wizards skilled in lightning magic may find it quite useful for their experiments."

The room collectively gasped, a wave of astonishment rippling through the crowd. An 8th-order monster! The mere mention of such a creature left everyone in awe. Monsters of that rank were legendary on par with Level-8 wizards in raw power.

These behemoths were capable of razing entire cities, and thankfully, they lived far from here, in remote, dangerous lands. There was no way an 8th-order monster would be found anywhere near Topset City.

If by some misfortune one did venture close, the city master would offer a hefty bounty, ensuring the monster was hunted down before it could cause destruction. It was this arrangement that kept Topset City relatively safe, allowing the citizens to breathe easy.

The bidding for the 8th-order Flying Lightning Eagle's core began, but it ended quickly. Only a few dared to compete for such a rare item, and it wasn't long before the gem was pocketed by an unseen bidder from one of the private rooms on the upper floors.

Time slipped by, and as the auction progressed, more and more items were sold. For the most part, the top families on the higher floors secured the rarest and most coveted treasures, leaving the wizards on the ground floor to snatch up the lesser items. They were content with what the elites overlooked.

miscellaneous trinkets, potions, and magical tools that still held value but weren't worth fighting over.

Inside the first room on the third floor, Don Blaire reclined in his chair, his face contorted with boredom. "Hmph, the quality of these items is really starting to drop. There's hardly anything rare left," he grumbled, his tone thick with disdain.

"Young Master," Gerald, his trusted attendant, spoke up cautiously, "if you're dissatisfied, we could always visit the auction houses in the nearby city of the Ancient Redwood Country. They often—"

Don cut him off with a wave of his hand, shaking his head. "No. There are too many rich overlords there. I can barely compete. Here, in Topset City, I am the one in control. Out there, I would be just another buyer." His tone dripped with arrogance, though it was clear the idea of being overshadowed by wealthier, more powerful figures made him uncomfortable.

The thought of being humiliated outside his domain was unbearable to him.

As he pondered the situation, a dark thought flickered in his mind, and his eyes narrowed. "Did you find that wizard? Vincent Carey?" he asked, his voice lowering to a dangerous growl. Find adventures on empire

Gerald and Peter, the two men standing beside him, visibly stiffened at the mention of the name. Gerald shifted nervously before Peter spoke up. "Young Master, we're still searching. Our spies are doing their best, but... there's been no sign of him."

Don's face twisted with frustration. "He must've fled like the coward he is," he spat, his voice brimming with contempt. The memory of being bested humiliated by an unknown wizard still burned like a fresh wound. The thought of Vincent Carey escaping his grasp infuriated him.

He clenched his fists, making a silent vow to himself: the next time their paths crossed, he would make sure Vincent paid dearly.

For now, though, he turned his attention back to the auction. Perhaps, he mused, buying something truly rare would soothe his wounded pride.

As time slipped by, the auction finally drew to a close by early evening. One by one, the attendees began filing out of the grand hall, murmurs of conversation drifting through the air as they discussed the items won or lost. The tension that had held the room in its grip earlier now slowly began to ease as people departed, eager to leave before darkness fully descended.

Just as I prepared to rise from my seat, Gloria's voice cut through the din. "Wait," she said, her tone low but firm. "We should stay a little longer. Let the others leave first." Her eyes flicked towards the other rooms, and I could tell she knew exactly who was still lurking in the 1st room.

"Okay," I replied, trying to mask my growing unease. I had a good idea why she wanted to wait.

Daren, on the other hand, was far less subtle. His face twisted in frustration, the disappointment of the auction still simmering beneath his expression. "This whole thing was a waste of time," he muttered under his breath.

"I didn't see anything worth bidding for. Most of those items could've been bought outside with a few well-placed connections." His irritation was palpable, his jaw clenched in frustration as he turned to face Gloria.

"Sister, what's going on?" he asked, his voice sharp with suspicion. "Are you really afraid of that waste? Don Blaire?" His voice dripped with disdain.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Daren had never cared much for him, and the fact that their family rules prevented him from confronting Don outright only added fuel to his anger. If it weren't for those restrictions, Daren would've gladly taken matters into his own hands long ago.

But I knew better. This wasn't just about family feuds. The real issue was me.

I could feel it in the pit of my stomach. Don Blaire would be looking for me, without a doubt. If he caught sight of me leaving, especially after today's auction, he wouldn't pass up the opportunity to settle scores. My presence here, with Daren and Gloria, was already enough to provoke his wrath, and I could only imagine the lengths he would go to if we crossed paths tonight.

My mind raced as I considered the possibilities. The air felt thick with anticipation, and my instincts told me that danger was close.

But instead of cowering, a small spark of defiance flickered inside me. If Don wanted to start something, I wasn't about to back down. My eyes flashed with determination as I glanced toward the exit, wondering what might await us when we finally stepped outside.

"Let's see what happens," I thought to myself. If Don Blaire was lying in wait, then I would face him head-on. There was no running from this now.