NOVEL NEXT Chapter 127: The Auction
Killian couldn't really provide names for her since he didn't really know the names of these slaves. After all, they would all be given new names once they were sold.
"I haven't arranged their Product Number just yet, so I can't tell you, Lady Ellaine. However, rest assured that all of them will be satisfactory as I trained them all."
After a long conversation with the lady, Killian was finally able to leave. He wanted to have some fun in the nearby town since his time within the Tower wasn't really that enjoyable.
However, just as he reached the town, another carriage stopped—this one had the insignia of a roaring lion.
It was the House Dramos this time. Lord Celric Dramos stepped out with his walking cane clicking against the stone. Unlike Lady Ellaine, this noble was actually humble enough to step out and talk to Killian face to face.
"Sir Killian… I heard that the batch this time is almost ready. As you know, I'm here for the best. My daughter's ninth birthday approaches, and I won't have her guarded by some half-broken mutt." As Lord Dramos said this, he offered his hand.
Killian smiled, grasped the noble's hand, and took the small item that he handed over. Killian didn't bother to check what was given to him and replied.
"Then, you probably wanted a female warrior for your daughter. I suggest that you pick Subject 18. I heard that your daughter had been training with her Fire Elemental Arts a lot. Hiring a Magician to guard her all the time will be extremely expensive… Subject 18 had a great control with her Aura and even if she got hit by Firebolts, she'd definitely survive." Killian replied.
Indeed, one of the reasons why these noble families wouldn't just hire other First-Circle Mages to guide their sons and daughters was due to their expensive upkeep. After all, they require Mana Crystals, time for Meditations, and many others.
Aside from that, Slave Mages were far too rare so it wasn't really a good option. Furthermore, if they weren't trained properly, they might actually kill the masters they meant to protect.
After all, Magicians could still make mistakes especially if they weren't able to train, meditate, or practice every day. If their 'master' made errors, these Magicians may not be able to respond quickly or appropriately unlike Aura Masters who had trained bodies that could react swiftly.
Lastly, there was a so-called tradition between these noble families. This tradition was for them to have a group of Slave Aura Knights serving their Mage Family.
Possessing Slave Aura Knight wasn't just a means of protection. It was also to show the power or influence of the Mage Family…
After Killian had provided such important information to Lord Celric Dramos, he was finally able to enter the town and start having some fun.
Of course, the money came from the noble just now who had actually handed him a precious High-Grade Mana Crystal.
Apparently, his salary working in the Obsidian Tower was only 100 Low-Grade Mana Crystals a month. It was simply too small and he couldn't save enough Mana Crystals for his own advancement or Spell Research.
Without getting a third-circle Spell, there was no way for him to advance.
Because of this, Killian needed these bribes.
Nonetheless, as he thought of ending his day, another figure approached him. This time, it was a messenger of another noble.
This person handed over a pouch to Killian. The latter didn't ask questions and immediately accepted it.
'This is how you do it… Lady Ellaine was simply too stingy. I wonder which nobleman this person is serving…'
"My lord wants to know about the one who passed all your tests…"
Killian nodded. "He is Subject 1 as you expected. That person will be the main event. He has flawless combat reflexes. Top marks in magical theory. And most importantly, obedient. There will be plenty of people who will bid for this guy just for being Subject Number 1."
He then paused for a moment before he continued.
"If you're looking for a specific trait, you have to tell me, and I can give you another option. Right now, Subject 1 is just too perfect, and the competition will be fierce. If you don't have the budget, I can suggest others that you might need."
The messenger went silent for a moment as he heard this.
"Is it true that he killed two First Circle Mages before?" He asked.
This time, Killian paused to look at the servant before replying.
"I don't know if it's true. However, since Prince Helcurt said it, I couldn't find any reason for him to lie. In any case, if that person had the right weapon and if the First-Circle Mages were looking down on him and didn't summon Mana Barriers, it's not that surprising that they could die from an Aura User. The kid is only ten years old after all. They might've been caught off-guard."
***
Just like that, a month had slipped through the Obsidian Tower...
The day of the auction had finally arrived. This auction would be a spectacle of wealth and perhaps, cruelty masked as tradition.
Today, the Grand Hall of Transactions, within the Tower, has been transformed.
The place had become lively.
To one side stood a row of iron cages, each containing a slave. Their collars had been polished to shine, their uniforms were also replaced with plain gray tunics. No armor. No weapons. Only numbers were stitched across their chests.
This was to ensure that buyers would have a better look at their physique. Names didn't matter here.
By midday, the hall started to get filled with silent conversations between various nobles and representatives…
There were many servants in the crowd, offering wine and pastries.
Aside from that, clinks of goblets could also be heard as they waited for the auction to start. It wasn't simply an auction, it was an event to unite various nobles in the region.
Finally, after a long wait, Magister Jace, the Tower's Auction Master, had arrived. It also signals the start of the event.