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The streets were lit with lanterns while vendors shouted out their wares, and people of all types roamed around.

In this crowd were all kinds of individuals: pickpockets, scam artists, and even murderers. It was a place where the moment someone sensed they could profit from you, they made sure they did.

The deeper they ventured into the capital, the more they passed through small, lively night markets, taverns filled with music and laughter, street performers, and the occasional shady alley where it seemed most men went to die…or at the least get very close.

Aric led the two mages with a quick and purposeful stride through the streets, his eyes sharp and his head low.

Soon, they reached a towering building. Unlike the smaller businesses illuminated by torches, this one was lit by a display of magical lights. Its entrance was designed with symbolic carvings, and it was clear that wealth and power surrounded the establishment.

There was a divide, a clear difference.

Back in the streets with the market vendors was where common folk and peasants went to purchase their needs and wants. Here, in this absurdly grand building, the rich had the chance to either spend far less than something was worth or many times more.

The door was guarded by two imposing men in armor, leaking a dangerous level of ki, perhaps an intentional deterrent to any foolish ambition. They watched as the group of three entered the building.

Upon entering, a formally dressed doorman swiftly approached them, sizing up the trio. He spoke in a polite tone, though it was laced with uncertainty. The cloaked figures in front of him didn’t resemble the elite he usually rushed to serve, but he couldn’t be sure.

"Welcome to the Casmir’s Auction House. Will you be joining us in the basic, elite, or prestige section tonight?"

Aric showed visible confusion. Though he was aware of the auction house, he had never actually attended an auction there and wasn’t aware of the tiers of attendance.

Noticing Aric’s confusion, the doorman was prompted to explain.

"A deposit of 500 gold coins grants basic access to the auction, with seating in the normal area and no added benefits. A deposit of ten thousand coins grants access to a more prestigious seating area. Lastly, a deposit of 200,000 gold coins allows access to a private section with numerous amenities.

Please note that all deposits can be used for purchases during the auction, but any unused gold is non-refundable."

The man explained, expecting the group to opt for the elite section, as they didn’t look like the average businessmen who paid for the basic tier, nor the nobles or ultra-wealthy who paid for the prestige.

"Where do I pay for the prestige?" Aric asked.

"Uh, s-sir, the prestige is 200,000 gold," the doorman clarified.

"I heard you the first time," Aric replied with a blank expression.

"Alright," the doorman turned to one of his colleagues who stood nearby, gesturing for him to come over. "Take them," he said, and the colleague nodded in understanding as he led Serina and Lerai away.

"Please, this way, sir," the doorman gestured for Aric to follow him to make the payment.

Taken to an office, Aric retrieved multiple bags of gold coins and handed them over, an action that caused the auction house managers to take note of him. After making the payment, Aric was led to the private section where Serina and Lerai had already been led to and waited.

As they entered their private section, Aric could immediately see the reason for the name and the high deposit price. They stepped into a room lined with soft velvet couches on either side. In the middle was a table with an assortment of fruit and snacks. To Aric’s left was a large glass pane.

From it, the stage where the auction would take place was clearly visible, along with the numerous rows of seats below, which Aric assumed were for those in the basic section.

"To make a bid," the doorman walked toward the table in the middle, gesturing to a rune stone that lay on it, "just speak through the rune stone. I hope you have a wonderful time."

With a nod, the doorman exited the room, leaving the group of three. Lerai and Serina had already begun stuffing their faces with the food laid out on the table, while Aric walked closer to the glass pane.

The rows of seats were scantily filled, and the other prestige sections on either side seemed empty as well. It was clear they had arrived slightly early.

"Hey," Serina called out almost inaudibly, her mouth full of food. "What if they don’t auction any mana crystals tonight? You would’ve just wasted 200,000 gold. I know you’re a—"

Aric raised his arm, stopping Serina before she could finish her sentence. He knew she was about to call him a prince.

"That stone," he said, gesturing to the rune stone on the table, "if it can be used to hear our bids, it can probably hear everything else we say."

Serina tilted her head, her features flooding with realization as she glanced at the stone.

"But the rune isn’t flashing," she countered.

"He never said it needed to, and they definitely wouldn’t expect us to do the incantation ourselves. That stone is active, and they are listening. So be careful what you say."

"Understood," Serina nodded, wiping crumbs from her mouth.

Meanwhile, in a different room, a man sat leaned all the way back in a chair, his legs propped up on a table in front of him as he sipped from a glass of wine.

"Come on, Valerian. You don’t need to hide that you’re the imperial prince. That’s not the information I want from you."