Mika 025 (Patreon)

“For the last item, we have a High Grade Cultivation potion! This potion has an increased effect, as it will last a total of fifty hours for cultivating instead of the typical forty eight. It will be able to assist anyone, regardless of their cultivation level, though has diminishing effects for those at Forged Steel and above.” Luckily, there were very few who were such a rank, so it was fine. “The price will begin at ten thousand and the minimum bid increases will be in increments of a thousand.”

“I will not bid on such an item to show my respect for the good Elder Yan,” Patriarch Tegro said.

“Bid or don’t. You needn’t worry about me, I have no use for such items.” Yan shrugged his shoulders and looked aside, not even keeping the Tegros in his sight.

“That’s right,” Expert Baex said. “Your cultivation has been crippled ever since your bout with that powerful beast. What a shame, Elder Yan.”

Mika frowned. He was getting sick of both of these fools trying to rile up the Elder. It seemed they needed to be taught their lesson still. 

Elder Yan did not respond, and the mood swung against him as both the Tegros and the city Alchemists relaxed. It appeared that he wouldn’t dare to fight against the Tegros now that the Patriarch was here assisted by Baex.

“Twenty thousand,” Patriarch Chen said.

“Twenty five,” the City Lord joined in.

“Thirty,” Patriarch Jones said.

“Thirty five,” Patriarch Chen called out.

“Forty,” the City Lord called. 

The three Patriarchs glanced at the City Lord. They surrendered to him, and the City Lord bowed his head respectfully in return to the Patriarchs. The four were powerhouses that none would dare to offend. Well, all but one, but he didn’t need to enter in for such a trivial potion.

“The fourth phase will begin soon, in roughly an incest stick worth of time. Only those who have been invited to partake, or those with a special relationship with the Auction Hall, may be allowed to bid. Any family may remain, but we ask that you remain silent.”

Patriarch Tegro noted that he had no purple paddle, though he assumed one would be brought to him later. The families began to arrive, each of them taking the entirety of the top row. It was quite obvious that they all had purple paddles, all but one family. 

Patriarch Tegro motioned a hand to a worker. “It seems there’s been a mistake. Would you please call for the Young Mistress?” 

The worker brought the Young Mistress, who smiled at the Patriarch. “How may I assist you?” Tara asked.

“There seems to be a mistake. Our family does not have a purple paddle.”

“This is no mistake,” Tara replied, smiling still. “The client specifically invited all those they wished to.”

“And our venerable family was not invited?” He said it with doubt, eyeing Tara up. “I wish to know who this client is that would dare to disgrace my family.”

“As you know, we have our reasons as to why we do not give out such information.”

“It was merely a passing thought.” 

Tara left as the entire Auction House was filled. Even the minor families had the purple paddles. 

“Huh? Is it only the Tegro family without a purple paddle?”

“Did they displease someone?”

“The Tegro family is having such bad luck today.”

Chen, Jones, and the Chity Lord each threw a glance towards the Tegro family and then Elder Yan, who was smiling innocently. The other families continued to gossip between one another, though the other families who had seen the earlier confrontation could take an educated guess.

“Looks like you’re out of luck,” a Patriarch opposite called out. “I wonder what you did to earn the ire of someone?” 

“There must be a simple misunderstanding,” Patriarch Tegro said. “I will deal with the matter later.”

Mika made note of all the Patriarchs. They were all roughly the same age and the same rank. The highest ranking person was still the older man above the auction. 

The bell rung to let everyone know the auction was going to begin soon. Tara took her position on stage and smiled at everyone, with a smile they had never seen before. It was a genuine smile, one filled with a giddiness. 

“Today we have a truly wonderful find,” she said. “Four potions, all of which are amazing! As always, during the fourth phase each bid will only be confirmed once all those bidding have formally declared their intent to surrender. Each item will only become progressively more impressive, and I assure you that our final item is a delight.”

She then motioned a hand to the small box ahead of her and then she slowly opened it to reveal a bottle. It was clear, except there was a swirling black tiger inside it.

“Is that?”

“Amazing!”

“Is it real?”

Tara smirked. “That’s right. This is a High Grade Solar potion. This is said to have ten percent more strength than other High Grade potions.” She handed the potion up to a guard, one who was Tempered Steel, who leapt up to reveal the potion to Expert Baex. 

Everyone noted that the Young Mistress of the Auction Hall had depended on the Expert rather than the Elder, who was two ranks above the woman. They could only imagine the rage of the Elder at being snubbed. 

Expert Baex smiled, but then went right to work. She leaned in to examine it, her eyes glued to the potion. She opened it up, dipped a finger, licked it, and then her eyes went wide. “This potion! It’s magnificent! It was definitely made by someone with a similar kill to that of our Elder, Elder Binto. If you told me a Grand Alchemist had made this, I wouldn’t be surprised.”

Elder Yan brushed his beard, hiding the smile on his face. He looked to Mika with a knowing look, but Mika waved his hand dismissively. 

The crowd began to murmur after hearing such a statement. A potion like this would be coveted by all the Patriarchs here. This certainly was a sight to see.

“The price will begin at twenty thousand, and we will only accept increments of two thousand.” The bottle was brought back to the box. “Let’s begin!”

“Thirty,” the City Lord said.

“Thirty five,” Patriarch Chen called out.

“Hold on now!” a man who looked wild, like a lion, roared out. He had wavy blonde hair and a savage grin on his face. “Let us new bloods have a go! Forty thousand!” He crossed his arms as he made his declaration.

“Patriarch Leone is indeed wise,” a woman said. “Forty two thousand. I am ever so close to breaking through my barrier, so I hope all the handsome men around will allow me this favour. I surely won’t forget.” She held a honey sweet smile on her face.

“How shameless,” called a another woman. “Forty six thousand. If the Matriarch wants it, then she should be willing to bid amongst the lions and vipers!” The woman was a cold beauty, with dark hair and dark eyes. Mika couldn’t help but be reminded of an old friend. 

“Fifty,” Patriarch Chen called out, keeping his tone even and neutral as he always had.

“I will surrender to Patriarch Chen,” the City Lord said. Everyone else followed as Patriarch Chen bowed his head respectfully to the City Lord.

“Then allow us to begin the next round.” Tara clapped her hands and the box was taken away, only to be replaced by another. “This potion is another High Grade Solar potion, but this time the time has increased even further. It is no longer forty eight hours, but sixty!” The declaration resounded in the Auction Hall and Tara could already taste the gold.

“Sixty!” Baex was flabbergasted. Was that even something which was possible? The potion was brought up to her so she could examine the swirling black eagle. She repeated the various examinations. “It’s… true.” She nodded her head. 

“As much as we believe you,” Patriarch Leone called out, “shouldn’t we get the opinion of a second Alchemist? We have an Elder Alchemist right here, so can’t we get a chance at seeing his skill?”

Elder Yan smirked slightly. “I assure you, the potion’s magnificence is obvious to me.” He puffed out his chest.

Mika tried not to snicker. 

“Let’s begin the bidding at thirty thousand gold?” Tara asked politely. “Let’s begin!”

“Forty,” Patriarch Chen called out.

“Sixty,” the City Lord joined in.

“Eighty!” Patriarch Jones had finally entered the fray. He didn’t want his rivals to hog everything.

“You punks are too much!” The lionish man chuckled. “At least go up in smaller increments so we can join in and have fun!”

“I won’t allow this potion to slip from my grasp! If you want it, come and bid for it!” Patriarch Jones shouted towards Patriarch Leone.

“Fine then! Let’s make it eighty one!” Patriarch Leone laughed. 

“Eighty five!” Patriarch Jones called out.

“I will surrender,” Patriarch Chen said.

“I, too, will surrender.” The City Lord bowed his head. 

“Eighty seven!”

“Ninety!” Patriarch Jones was at his limit, leaning in in anticipation.

“I’ll thank Patriarch for humouring me! This Patriarch Leone will surrender!” He pointed to his chest using his thumb, as though he was the main character of some kind of story. He laughed, causing his mane like hair to bounce.

Patriarch Jones sighed, smiling as he finally won something of note. The box was taken away, and then replaced by another box.

“This potion is another High Grade Solar potion, though it’s slightly different than all the others. This potion is only effective for ten minutes.”

“Ten minutes?” whispered someone, before quickly grabbing their mouth.

“That’s right! Ten minutes!” Tara grinned wide. “The efficacy of this potion is very different. It’s effects are no different than a Perfect Grade potion.”

“Impossible!” Baex exclaimed, in utter surprise. “A Perfect Grade potion? Ten minutes?” 

Tara revealed the potion, which held a rainbow swirling all around. The potion was brought to the Expert, who stared at it in utter shock. “This…” She didn’t dare to say it, but she nodded her head. 

“You don’t need to ask me,” Elder Yan said. “I may be old, but I’m not a blind fool.”

Mika’s jaw clenched, trying to hold in his laughter. 

“Shall we begin at fifty thousand?”

“Sixty thousand,” Patriarch Chen said, too eager to allow Tara to officially start the bidding.

“Seventy,” the City Lord said.

“Eighty!” Patriarch Leone called out, no longer moving up in small increments.

“One hundred thousand!” Baex exclaimed. “We may be able to gain an Insight into its production, and it will surely assist in our work for the city!”

“What sophistry,” Elder Yan said, frowning. “We should make a move to the City Lord and Patriarch Chen.” He waved a hand to Mika, who accepted all the items into his ring, and then he leapt out. 

He rushed out from the bubble, heading towards the City Lord. As he did, he felt a sudden pressure overwhelm him, his breath caught in his lungs. His entire body froze as he was forcibly stopped.