Denizens of the Labyrinth

The grandeur of Colin's reputation was on full display as they entered the auction house. The bustling crowd parted as though guided by an invisible force, their murmurs growing hushed in acknowledgment of the merchant's presence. Staff members dressed in fine uniforms approached quickly, bowing deeply as they greeted him, their respect palpable.

"Master Colin," one of the attendants said, her tone deferential, "your presence is always an honour. The VIP lounge is prepared, as per your instructions."

Colin waved a hand dismissively; his grin ever present. "Thank you, Mari. Please see that my guests are treated with the utmost care and respect. This group is as important as I am today."

The staff snapped to attention, their movements brisk as they led Colin and the group through the grand hall. They ascended a wide staircase lined with gilded railings and polished to a gleam, the opulence of the auction house growing more apparent with every step. Crystal chandeliers hung above, refracting soft light in cascading rainbows, while the scent of rare incense lingered faintly in the air.

When they reached the VIP lounge, a pair of imposing doors were opened, revealing a room that exuded luxury. Plush seating in deep reds and golds surrounded a low table made of polished obsidian. The walls were lined with fine tapestries and intricate carvings, but what drew their attention most was the large, two-way glass wall. From their vantage point, they could see the entirety of the auction floor below, a hive of activity with bidders and merchants milling about. Yet, they knew with certainty that no one could see inside.

"Now, this is more like it," Colin said, plopping down onto one of the chairs with an exaggerated sigh. "Privacy, comfort, and the best view in the house. Only the finest for my friends."

Jazmel remained standing, his arms crossed as he surveyed the room. "I haven't had much luck in auction houses, you know. Most of the time, it feels like a losing game."

Charme, who had been silently observing, spoke up, her tone clipped. "I'm watching all the exits. Don't let your guard down. Crowds like these make perfect covers for pickpockets and worse."

Baek, seated calmly at the table, ran his fingers along the smooth surface before nodding. "The defence arrays here are exceptional. Stronger than anything I've seen elsewhere. Even the walls hum with layered protections. You're safer here than you'd ever be outside."

Colin chuckled, leaning back with an easy smile. "Master Baek is right. This auction house spares no expense in security. From wards against thievery to armed guards stationed discreetly, this place is a fortress disguised as a trading hub. Rest easy, Jaz. You'll be fine."

Jazmel's gaze lingered on the glass wall, watching the activity below. "I'll hold you to that, Colin. But still, I'd rather be prepared than caught off guard."

Colin clapped his hands together, his grin widening. "That's the spirit. Now, let's make sure you leave this place with more than just stories of bad luck. Shall we?"

From their vantage point behind the two-way glass, the massive auction hall sprawled before them in stunning detail. The sheer scale of the space was breathtaking a cavernous chamber with soaring ceilings supported by intricately carved stone pillars. Warm golden light cascaded from crystal chandeliers, bathing the hall in a soft, opulent glow. Rows upon rows of seating radiated out from the central stage in a semi-circular layout, their tiers ensuring every guest had an unobstructed view.

Jazmel leaned forward, his Mana-attuned eyes sharpening as he scanned the hall. To the untrained eye, the grandeur might seem purely decorative, but to him, it told a different story. The very foundation of the hall pulsed faintly with energy, a testament to the complex arrays woven into its structure. The stone beneath the floor was inscribed with layers of Mana-rich sigils, each one interlocking with the next to form a network of defences. He could see faint streams of energy flowing like veins through the wood of the stage and the seats, linking them to the main arrays embedded in the floor and walls.

"The arrays aren't just for defence," Jazmel murmured, his gaze following the flow of energy. "They're reactive. If anything goes wrong, the entire hall could seal itself in seconds. And those sigils in the stone…they're filtering Mana constantly, keeping it from destabilizing in a place this crowded."

Baek nodded, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. "That's not all. Look closer at the stage."

Jazmel shifted his focus to the central platform where the auctioneer would stand. The wooden planks shimmered with faint runes etched into their surface, barely visible to normal sight. These runes hummed with a steady rhythm, a clear indication of enchantments designed to amplify sound and command attention. Beneath the stage, deeper layers of energy coiled like a dormant serpent stronger protections meant to shield both the auctioneer and the items on display from theft or sabotage.

"Impressive," Jazmel admitted, his voice low. "The level of detail in these arrays is something else. They've thought of everything. Even the wood in the seats it's reinforced. This place is a fortress."

Charme stood near the back of the room, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. "Fortresses can fall," she said softly. "Don't let the shine fool you."

Jazmel smirked but kept his thoughts to himself, his eyes returning to the crowd below. The hum of conversation, the shifting of bodies, and the occasional flash of jewels added to the atmosphere of anticipation. But beneath it all, the hall itself felt alive, the Mana woven into its bones a silent observer to the spectacle about to unfold.

As Jazmel and his companions settled into the plush seating of the VIP room, the ambient hum of the auction house beyond the two-way glass became a distant murmur. The room itself was a sanctuary of quiet luxury, designed for comfort and privacy. The rich, dark wood of the furniture gleamed under soft lamplight, and the air carried a faint scent of polished leather and floral incense.

Moments later, a soft knock at the door announced the arrival of three attendants. They entered in a coordinated fashion, each bowing respectfully before stepping forward to perform their respective roles.

The first, a composed woman in a tailored grey uniform, stepped forward with a warm but professional smile. Her voice was clear and steady as she began, "Esteemed guests, welcome to the Grand Lyceum Auction. Before we proceed, I must briefly explain the rules. All bids are binding, and payments are to be settled immediately after each lot concludes. Private bidders such as yourselves may communicate your bids through this device." She placed a sleek, Mana-imbued tablet on the table. "The catalogue identifies each item by its lot number, and should you wish to inspect an item more closely, please inform me. Discretion is, of course, guaranteed."

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The second attendant, a younger man with neatly combed hair and an air of precision, followed closely behind. He carried a silver tray laden with refreshments: delicate crystal glasses filled with sparkling amber elixirs, plates of intricately arranged hors d'oeuvres, and a steaming pot of rare tea that filled the room with its rich, calming aroma. With practiced ease, he set the tray down on the low table between them and gave a polite bow.

Lastly, the third attendant a short, bespectacled man clutching several finely bound catalogues approached. He handed one to each of them, his hands steady despite the clear weight of the books. "These are the item catalogues for today's auction," he explained, his voice soft but efficient. "Each entry includes detailed descriptions, origin histories, and starting bids. If there's anything specific you'd like prioritized, we'll ensure its brought to your attention."

Jazmel accepted his catalogue and leafed through the pages, his eyes narrowing as his Mana sight picked up faint traces of protective enchantments embedded in the thin, crisp paper. "Even the catalogues are reinforced," he murmured to himself, impressed by the meticulous attention to security.

Baek gave the attendants a subtle nod of approval, his imposing presence enough to make even seasoned professionals tread carefully. Charme remained silent, her gaze scanning each attendant as if committing their movements to memory, her posture still and watchful.

As the attendants bowed once more and exited the room, leaving them to their privacy, Colin leaned back in his seat, smirking. "The Grand Lyceum doesn't do things halfway, do they?"

"They don't," Jazmel agreed, flipping to a page that caught his eye. "Let's just hope their items live up to all this grandeur."

As the attendants prepared to leave, Jazmel leaned forward, his sharp eyes fixing on the first attendant. "I want to sell all my tier items below Tier V. Can this be done?"

The first attendant paused; her professional demeanour unwavering as she met Jazmel's gaze. "Of course, Lord Jazmel," she replied smoothly. "The Grand Lyceum Auction accommodates sales of this nature. We can have your items appraised and added to today's lots if the timing allows. Alternatively, they can be prepared for future auctions or private sale, depending on your preference."

As she finished speaking, the second attendant, the younger man with the neatly combed hair, stepped forward. In his hands was a fine leather pouch, embossed with glowing runes that shimmered faintly in the dim light. He held it out respectfully.

"Please deposit your items into this," he said, his tone deferential. "This bag is enchanted to secure and stabilize magical items, ensuring their properties remain intact during appraisal and transfer. Once your items are catalogued, we'll provide a full report for your review."

Jazmel nodded and began to summon his inventory. With a casual flick of his wrist, glowing orbs of Mana shimmered into existence, each representing a Tier item below Tier V. Weapons, trinkets, and artifacts materialized briefly before disappearing into the bag's enchanted depths. The attendant stood steady, holding the pouch with both hands as it expanded slightly to accommodate the influx of items.

As the last item vanished into the bag, the attendant bowed deeply. "Thank you, Lord Jazmel. We will ensure these items are handled with the utmost care and efficiency. Should you wish, we can provide an estimated value by the end of the auction."

"Do it," Jazmel said simply, leaning back in his seat. "And let me know if there's any interest from the crowd for immediate bids."

"Understood," the first attendant replied, gesturing for her colleague to step back. The group of attendants exited the room, leaving Jazmel and his companions once again in their private space.

Colin chuckled softly from his seat. "Bold move, clearing out your stock. You must have your eyes set on something big."

Jazmel smirked. "I don't hold onto what I've outgrown. Let's see what this auction has to offer."

Jazmel released most of his inventory into the enchanted bag, the items vanishing in a cascade of shimmering light as the attendant worked efficiently. Still, a few items remained, their significance too great to let go.

One was the Key to the Garden of the Aesir, an ancient artifact engraved with intricate runes that pulsed faintly with golden light. It had accompanied Jazmel on countless journeys, its purpose still unknown. He hadn't yet found the door it was meant to open, but something about it whispered of untold potential, a riddle waiting to be solved.

He kept the Tunic of Tumerin, a simple yet invaluable piece of enchanted clothing. Its pristine, lightweight fabric repelled dirt and grime, ensuring he always appeared clean and prepared, no matter how gruelling the circumstances.

The Armour Set of the Night Wing stayed with him as well a masterpiece forged by the master blacksmith of Moxores. Sleek and durable, its design mirrored the aesthetic of Yoru No Tsubasa, with dark, feather-like engravings that seemed to shimmer with hidden power. It wasn't just armour; it was a reflection of his legacy.

Then there was the Double Core Schema, a rare and ingenious blueprint. It described a mechanism for a revolutionary magical core system, capable of housing two synchronized cores. The potential applications for such a design were staggering, but Jazmel had yet to decide how to bring its power to life.

Among his collection was the Heaven's Tribulation, a jagged crystal shard that thrummed faintly with power. When activated, it unleashed a bolt of concentrated lightning, devastating anything in its path. Jazmel regarded it as a weapon of last resort, a divine force reserved for his most desperate moments.

He also kept the Refuge of Respite Statuette, a small, intricately carved figurine imbued with protective magic. It was a lifeline in hostile wilderness, capable of creating a temporary sanctuary that repelled monsters and wild creatures for twelve hours.

Nestled among the higher-tier items was the Ebon Ember of Eternity, a flickering black ember encased in a crystal. It pulsed faintly, resonating deeply with Jazmel's Tyrant body. Though he didn't fully understand its purpose, he felt its connection to him was undeniable, tied to his personal journey in ways he had yet to uncover.

Another item, the Sword Schema, remained untouched. This blueprint held the potential for a blade greater than any in his current arsenal, but Jazmel wasn't ready to part with it or bring it to fruition. The time for that would come, but not yet.

The Dagger of the Ravager also stayed a curved and deadly blade won in a gruelling duel. Its edge shimmered with a crimson hue, a sign of its ferocity. More than just a weapon, it was a trophy, a testament to his skill and the hard-fought respect he had earned.

Lastly, he held onto the Magellanic Memory Mould, a delicate artifact glowing softly with an ethereal light. It preserved a singular, cherished memory of his mother, a bond to his past that he could never relinquish.

As the attendant bowed respectfully, Jazmel watched the remaining items vanish into the bag, each chosen with care. Colin chuckled, his voice light and knowing. "Even a collector has treasures they won't part with," he said, his tone teasing but respectful. Jazmel smirked but didn't respond, his fingers briefly brushing the hilt of Yoru No Tsubasa, a reminder of what he had and what he still carried forward.

The first attendant inclined his head respectfully. "Lord Jazmel, the items you've chosen to sell will either be included in the auction or acquired by the house directly, should the bids not meet your expectations. A line of credit will be opened in your name, and anything you purchase during the event will be charged to this account. At the end of the auction, we will settle the difference you will pay any remaining balance or receive a refund for any unspent amount."

Jazmel gave a simple nod in acknowledgment, appreciating the clear terms laid out before him. The attendant's efficient demeanour reassured him; this wasn't the first time he'd dealt with such arrangements in an auction house.

As the attendant turned to finalize the procedure, Sadé and Charme stepped forward. They had their own items to sell, items that were clearly important to them, just as Jazmel's were to him. Sadé, a quiet but meticulous figure, moved with a practiced grace, her gaze sharp and unwavering as she prepared her offerings. Charme, always more exuberant, exuded a mix of elegance and confidence as she approached the attendant.

Both of them knew the importance of what they carried, and the decision to part with certain treasures was not one they made lightly. The attendant turned toward them, awaiting their instructions as they each prepared to release their own inventory into the auction house's care.