Chapter 123: Chapter 123: Auction
There was an art to the order of auctions. To maximize the enthusiasm of the atmosphere the host would want the first item to be excellent enough to raise the anticipation of the guests. However, the real showstoppers must be left until the end.
Therefore, the first item of an auction is usually appealing enough to rank just within the top 10 of the items being shown, while also being widely desired and usable by majority of the beast-tamers in the room. That way as many individuals are drawn into the auction early as possible.
And once they place their first bid, even if they don't win, their resistance to casting a second, then a third, then a fourth, gradually declines.
The red covering was removed from the covering to reveal I shining gold piece of armor, with 7 intricate designs all around the armour.
"Created by the Grandmaster Blacksmith Ragnar Aegis, I present to you the 6-star amour, the Aegis of Valor. Despite being a 6-star enchanted armor, it has 7 sigils. In order to preserve the cards of its future owner, I will not reveal all of their effects, but I can reveal that this armor has exceptional defensive and offensive abilities.
And based on Grandmaster Aegis' resounding reputation I'm sure you can imagine how outstanding the effects of the sigils and their combination of effects must be."
Immediately a buzz of anticipation was felt within the room. With each increase in level it becomes harder to create an enchanted piece of equipment, much less one with an additional sigil beyond its level. Many of the individuals within the room were 6-star beast tamers, and they probably did not have a piece of equipment with 7 sigils, despite their many connections.
Additionally, those in the room below 6-stars probably have a relative at the suitable level whether that is an older relative or a junior.
With one eye on his target, Kain could also tell that Aric was tempted by the armor, after all his grandfather was a 6-star beast tamer. As an ordinary individual, everything he currently has and all of his current status despite his lack of strength is completely due to his grandfather's favour of him.
Otherwise, he would have been long cast aside in favour of one of his father's illegitimate children that have managed to awaken an affinity.
This armour would make an excellent gift for currying favour with the old man.
"We will be starting the bids at 50 million Celestial Dollars!"
The initial bids started to roll in quickly, while Kain was internally still in shock at the startling starting bid. However, the price of the armour quickly went far beyond that.
The host, now auctioneer, was skilled in his handling of the bids and the mounting excitement in the room set off a flurry of raised hands. Each individual making sure to increase the bid by at least 5 million CD. Kain wasn't sure if these high-end auctions had some kind of minimal raise rule.
Eventually there were no more hands in the air.
"115 million CD, going once…"
He paused to give time for a new competitor to interject.
"Going twice…"
Bang Bang Bang
"Sold! To Sir Whistlemore for 115 million CD" The auctioneer said before banging a gavil that suddenly appeared three times on the table.
This early auction item, while not the most extravagant, perfectly succeeded in drawing in a broad array of participants, creating a competitive atmosphere that ensured the evening's subsequent lots would benefit from the heightened anticipation and engaged crowd.
For nearly two hours Kain enthusiastically paid attention to the auction items while also making sure to bring in the subsequent food courses and topping up the drinks of all the guests of the table he was in charge of.
Kain's horizon's were definitely broadened. He witnessed the sale of ancient artifacts with mysterious effects, powerful weapons, extremely rare spiritual plants and spiritual creatures, spiritual creatures and specialty items from foreign nations, manuals for rare spiritual skills, and more.
"Now we are entering the highlight of tonight's auction. I am sure you have all been waiting in anticipation of tonight's final 3 items."
Dessert had just been served and the night was coming to an end, but Kain still hadn't found an opportunity to infect Aric. Based on this being the last course, Kain had a feeling that this will be the last time Aric will be consuming any beverages. It was now or never.
Moreover, now the more shocking items of the auctions should be appearing. Hopefully, they were surprising enough to distract the guards from watching Aric.
Thankfully, for the dessert the paired beverage had been changed to cut through the sweet richness of the final course. Therefore, he would need to clear away their current glasses and replace it with new ones. One that he can already have spiked with a little something…special.
Kain steadily approached the table with a tray full of red spiritual cocktails, these ones with an even stronger hum of spiritual power—even the kitchen staff were unintentionally helping him!
Kain began to slowly place the glasses down. Taking his time as he made his way to Aric
"I present to you the first item of the grand finale—an Elysian Bloom. Brought back at the sacrifice of numerous lives from the far Verdant Empire. I'm sure many of you already know, but I will still go over its extraordinary effects. The Elysian Bloom can guarantee the success of forming up to the seventh star space. Regardless of any latent injuries, or deficiencies in talent that the user may have.
With this spiritual plant, our great Empire will welcome a new high-level beast tamer."
This was the moment Kain was waiting for. When even the guards were staring at the stage in envy and longing, Kain placed the last glass on the tray down—Aric's.
Kain could understand the appeal of this object. Every 3 levels of beast tamers represented a great divide. The gap in lifespan, strength and abilities between the 3rd (low-level beast-tamer) and 4th (threshold for a mid-level beast-tamer) star is greater than the sum of the strength of the first 3 levels all together.
The difference in strength between the 6th (mid-level) and 7th (high-level) star is even greater. Similarly, the difficulty of breaking through to the 4th and 7th stars is also the hardest.
Therefore, while 6-star beast tamers are the backbone of the country's elite warriors. The number once you get to 7-star beast tamers is drastically reduced. For every 20 6-stars, there may not even be one 7-star.
A family having a 7-star beast-tamer will result in a huge increase in status and strength compared to one headed by a 6-star beast-tamer.
Many individuals in the room practically had fire spitting out of their eyes in greed…including Aric.