NOVEL NEXT Chapter 145: Ashenveil's Auction
Creak~
The grand doors of the Ashenveil Auction Hall screeched open, revealing a huge chamber filled with the soft glow of floating mana-lanterns.
Soon, a thousand guests packed into tiered seating. They were all having fun conversations as they were excited to talk about the items they were looking for…
Of course, it wasn't to befriend the other guests but to know the targets or spending limits of their competitors.
At this time, Van observed the nobles who were draped in silks, merchants with guards, and representatives of some organizations as they filled the space of the hall.
Their group, on the other hand, was to their assigned seats—Number 85, a modest row in the middle tiers, far from the VIP boxes where the highest-ranking bidders observed in private luxury.
"Tch. Grandfather would've gotten a private room," Julia muttered, crossing her arms.
Butler Judge adjusted his cuffs. "The Archmage's name opens doors, my lady. But his absence means we are… ordinary guests today."
Van's Ocularis Lens swept the hall. This was a good place to gather data as he started cataloging threats and curiosities…
Soon, his Lens noted a few individuals.
A silver-masked woman surrounded by two armored slaves, each bearing a branded sigil on their collars.
A chubby merchant wearing silk robes like those of the nobles. Nonetheless, his magic artifacts and other jewels seemed to be too excessive. All his fingers had enchanted rings, and his neck was carrying three necklaces!
It was no wonder the Ocularis Lens took notice of this man.
Then, there was also a tall figure in a hooded cloak—not human, judging by the way the shadows clung too tightly to its form.
This person was most likely a representative of another Mage Organization…
***
Soon, the time to start the auction.
Everyone went silent as they saw a gorgeous woman walk onto the central stage.
She was attractive—tall, with red hair and eyes that could draw their attention...
Her gown, slit to the thigh, seemed to glow faintly and it added to her charm.
'They know how to choose an auctioneer.' Van mused to himself as he confirmed that even those stern-looking nobles showed interest in the woman.
"Lords, ladies, and honored guests," She spoke softly, but her voice was carried throughout the whole Auction Hall.
"Welcome to the Ashenveil Auction."
She lifted a hand, and a floating slate of enchanted board appeared beside her, listing the rules:
No spellcasting within the hall. (Mana Sense permitted for item appraisal.)Bidding is final. Failure to pay results in repercussions.Violence is prohibited. (Unless provoked by a fellow guest—then Ashenveil permits self-defense.)
A few nobles chuckled at the last line.
"Tonight," the auctioneer continued, "we offer eighty rare lots: twenty-one prime slaves, fifty-nine artifacts, and… a few surprises." Her lips curled. "Let us begin."
A gong sounded.
She knew that everyone wanted the bidding to start already.
Of course, they wanted to start the auction with a good slave.
Ten of them were immediately brought forward for the guests to look at. Their bodies were all honed for combat, and they had collars stamped with silver numbers.
Then, the auctioneer took the finest-looking slave first.
This young man then marched onto the stage.
"Subject 20!" The auctioneer announced. "A 15-year-old young man... Peak Aura Trainee. Specializes in dual-wielding and has incredible ten-poison resistance!"
A slave with Ten-Poison Resistance wasn't easy to come by. It was no wonder he was selected as the first subject to be sold.
A murmur rippled through the crowd. The Ashenveil Tower's slaves were always high quality.
Soon, the bidding started at 10 Mid-Grade Crystals.
Julia fidgeted, her eyes darting between the slaves and Van.
"They're all so… stiff."
Van said nothing. He recognized the hollow look in their eyes—the same emptiness he'd seen from the others in Obsidian Tower.
In any case, this first slave was sold for 85 Mid-Grades to a noblewoman.
It was equal to 4,250 Low Grade Mana Crystals, and it showed how valuable the Slave was.
Then came Subject 20—a young female slave with a scarred face and a missing left eye.
Despite that, she still gathered a lot of interest.
"Former Top Student of the fallen Duskholm Sword Academy. She had adjusted well to enslavement. Priceless for those who enjoy… rehabilitation projects."
The way she said it made Julia's stomach twist.
Nonetheless, she easily recovered and soon, ten slaves had already been sold.
Because of that, the auction shifted to magical artifacts…
There was a dagger that drained the blood of its victims to fuel its next strike.
A mirror that showed the viewer their greatest fear or desire, depending on the phase of the moon…
A set of manacles that suppressed the wearer's mana—popular for unruly mage-slaves.
They were all quite unique Magic Artifacts. They were unlike the Obsidian Tower's bulk sale of low-grade Magic Artifacts.
'I guess the Obsidian Tower had a better Crafting Formation Array for Low-Grade Magic Artifacts.' Van noted in his mind.
As the bidding continued, Julia finally perked up at the next item. It was a delicate silver bracelet.
"The Moonveil Locket," the auctioneer announced. "It stores a single spell for instant casting. Perfect for young magicians… or those who prefer insurance."
Julia's eyes lit up. "Judge, I want—"
"No." The butler didn't even look at her. "Your grandfather would skin me alive if I let you bid on untested enchantments."
It was then sold for 5 High-Grade Crystals and 30 Mid-Grade Crystals.
Julia slumped in her seat, arms crossed, as the Moonveil Locket was carried off by a smirking noblewoman. "Stupid, overpriced trinket," she muttered.
Van observed silently. The locket was useful, but not worth defying the butler over. At least, not yet.
Then, as the auctioneer prepared to transition back to the slave lots, she unveiled one last artifact.
"Next…" She announced, lifting a velvet box. "This next piece was a late addition—courtesy of our Tower's own enchanters."
She opened the box. Inside rested a twin-looped silver locket.
It was beautiful.
"The Twinspell Choker," she said. "It stores two spells instead of one! Perfect for emergencies… or ambitious young magicians."