Mika 021 (Patreon)

“Forgive me, Elder. I didn’t realise they were going to behave so poorly.” Mika hadn’t expected that the family would have had the gall to start an issue with an Alchemist, especially one with Elder Yan’s pedigree. He had also let his mask slip slightly in front of Tara. 

She would be difficult to kill.

“It’s fine,” Elder Yan said, waving his hand. “What has happened, has happened.” He paused for a moment and then slowly glanced towards Mika, who was in thought about how he’d be able to kill Tara. “About those High Grade Potions…”

Mika didn’t miss a beat, still on the thoughts of how to deal with Tara. “Reduce the ingredients by half, add in the same amount of Blackroot, which should be ground into dust.”

“Blackroot?” Elder Yan asked, surprised. He hadn’t expected that it could have been used in such a way. “If you’re certain.” He summoned out the items from his ring and began to prepare the ingredients. 

Eventually, Mika assisted him in the matter, taking over the primary role in the refining. They managed to make all three potions within the hour, and Elder Yan couldn’t help but think that Mika had been holding back. “That was… too quick.”

“You’ll get used to it, Elder.” Mika yawned and stretched. “I’m going to head to sleep. I’m too tired to do much else.” He even stopped plotting the several ways he’d ruin Tara’s life.

“Good night, Young Master.” Elder Yan allowed Mika to leave, wondering what he had gotten himself into. 

When they awoke in the morning, the entire city was abuzz with life. Rumours had spread that the auction was going to have a fourth phase for certain clans. Most clans with big pockets were invited, all save for one.

“What is the meaning of this?” Alte snarled at the Auction Hall worker. “Why were we not given an invite to the fourth phase?” Standing beside the Young Master was a younger teen who looked near identical to him.

“I apologise,” the worker said, bowing his head. “The client had asked to send invites only to specific families. You are more than welcome to watch, but we will not accept any bids from your prestigious family.” The worker’s brow sweat.

“This is ridiculous! Let me meet the fool who would-“

“Why are there so many dogs barking so loudly in the morning?” Yan said as he and Mika approached. “Ah, it was no dog, but a kitten.”

“You!” Alte turned to face the Elder, narrowing his eyes. “Watch your tongue, Elder! Even if you are an Elder Alchemist, our family won’t stand for such words.”

“Stand or sit, it does not bother this Elder what you do.” Elder Yan turned his head away from Alte, noting that the Young Mistress was approaching. “Dearest niece, it’s good to see you.”

“And you, dear uncle.” Her eyes were flashing with gold coins the moment they met. “Why don’t I escort you to your section and we can discuss the matter from last night?” Her eyes sparkled even more than gold.

Elder Yan nodded, allowing her to lead him away as Alte watched the scene. How was it that this Elder had the Young Mistress escorting him personally? He clenched his fist, gritting his teeth.

“Elder brother, what’s the matter?” The teen looked up at the Young Master.

“It’s nothing…”

Mika smirked as he followed the pair, with a guard following behind as they were escorted. 

“I managed to make the potions in time. Forgive this Elder’s rudeness for breaking the rules for the deadline.”

“Please, Elder, speak no more of the topic. We are more than happy to assist Star Alchemy in whatever manner they require. A deadline is too silly of a problem to work ourselves over.” Tara tried not to drool at the thought of the auctioned items. “Do you by any chance have any other items for the other days of the auction? We have a phase four planned for the last day as well.”

“I am uncertain for now. I will let dear niece know once I’ve given the matter some thought. I have spent much time and effort refining those four potions already.” In truth, Elder Yan would need to ask Mika about it.

Tara bowed her head. “Of course, Elder.” She led them to their seats in the upper region, where they had their own little room. The room’s walls held an array around the edges. There were also four Tempered Bronze warriors, one in each corner.

Mika could also feel the presence of a powerful force, one more powerful than a Steel. He had sensed the figure last night, but now it was more pronounced. ‘What wonderful treasures you have…’ His plans for killing Tara were quickly disbanded, and he would need to rethink them. 

The other families filed in. Mika spied a great many of them. Some of them were led by their Patriarch. There were a few who caught Mika’s eyes. One who had red robes and pale skin, another with blonde hair and blue eyes. He couldn’t help but think they were like a typical hero and villain. How funny it would be if they disliked one another.

Thirty minutes before the auction, the doors shut. Now it was the time for people to familiarise themselves with the items for sale, though almost everyone knew what they wanted. This was the time to make trades and deals with others so they could bid for certain items in peace. Though ten people might want an object, there may be only two or three who would bid for it. 

Of course, if a large family wanted something, usually only rival families would go against them. They also did not partake in this pre auction ritual, since this would allow them to flaunt their wealth and strength against one another.

Some tea was brought to all the major and minor families, as well as the two sets of Alchemists. It seemed some were equipped with an extra paddle to bet with, which no doubt was for the fourth phase. Even the Alchemists were equipped with the paddles. 

“The city Alchemists’ Guilds usually have special privileges with the Auction Hall.” Elder Yan said, leaning in to whisper to Mika. “We will need to form a stronger tie first.” The guard was around to hear, but the Elder didn’t seem to mind.

Even though the doors had shut, someone else arrived. It was a man in his early forties, and he walked with a stern expression on his face. ‘Tempered Steel?’ Mika thought. There was only one person who would be allowed to come to an auction late, and no one seemed to mind it. He sat down beside the city Alchemists.

“The City Lord,” Elder Yan said. “He’s somehow much sterner than I remember.”

Then a bell was rung, suggesting there was only three minutes left until the start of the auction. The various bodies returned to their seats, drinking the rest of their tea. 

Tara arrived with a Base Steel guard in tow. She smiled as she looked to all the people. “Welcome all to our humble auction. I assume you are familiar with our rules, so I will not waste your time.” Those who had no idea about the auction were briefed by a worker, or they could call for one to assist them. “Thank you to all the great families who have come to our Auction House, and we welcome you all. I also thank the Alchemists’ Guilds which have come to partake, and the City Lord.” She bowed towards each group.

“Did she say guilds?”

“Is there more than one Alchemists’ Guild which has come?”

“I wonder…”

“Is it for that thing?”

“Maybe they’re trying to buy it so they can study it?”

The runes around the room began to glow and bubbles formed around each of the upper rooms so they could hear the auction but none others could hear them. 

The various families each went into a light discussion with one another, though the City Lord, who was alone, remained silent and stern. 

“What’s the City Lord like?” Mika asked. Last he recalled, he had met the City Lord’s daughter, though he wasn’t sure if it was the same City Lord. They did appear to look similar, though he could easily chalk it up to coincidence.

“He’s… tough, but fair.” Elder Yan brushed his beard.

Mika smiled. “That’s good. Tough, but fair.” The words flowed from his lips and he closed his eyes. Flashes of his previous life came to him. The three words had been said so often to him in his last lives, and he recalled the men and women which were described with the phrase. Each of them were trustworthy, and a few of them had become his best friends. None of them had ever betrayed him. 

He opened his eyes and looked to the City Lord, who caught the gaze. Mika clasped his hands together and bowed his head. The City Lord nodded and then returned his gaze back to the Auction Mistress.

‘That boy,’ the City Lord thought, ‘is barely a teen, and he seems to be crippled. Yet, he’s an Alchemist?’ The thoughts remained in his mind. ‘Is he that boy?’