Unless a woman was thoroughly investigated, her background crystal clear, Val had no intention of crossing the line and having sex with them.
As far as these service girls of the auction house were concerned, they were just strangers in a strange world that he had reincarnated into with the memories of his past life, and nothing more could be expected from him.
Seeing that he was unresponsive to their seductive, the faces of the two service girl paled. It looked like they wouldn’t be getting out of this proverty stricken life anytime soon.
Lillian could be seen striding confidently onto the stage. The spotlight illuminated her enchanting figure, drawing the crowd’s attention to her. The crowd’s eyes followed her as she walked to the center of the stage.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to today’s auction at the Starlight Auction House,” she said, her voice carrying across the room. “We have an exciting lineup of items for you today, each unique in its own way. Please look forward to it!”
The auction kicked off, with numerous items going under the hammer. However, most of them failed to catch Val’s interest.
It wasn’t until Lillian announced the ninth item that his interest was piqued.
“The next item up for bid is an Intermediate-Level Purification Potion, created by the renowned wizard, Master Elric. This potion has the power to cleanse the body of toxins and even force out corruption!”
In this world, potions were divided into four categories based on their power and rarity. Low-level potions, which ranged from levels 1-3; intermediate-level potions, ranging from levels 4-6; advanced-level potions, ranging from levels 7-9, and the rarest peak-level potions, ranging from levels 10-12.
Wizards were special humans born with an extra organ known as the ‘Arcane Heart.’ This organ produced a unique energy known as ‘Soul Power,’ which allowed them to perform alchemy. It was through alchemy that potions and cursed weapons are created!
“This is the potion I am talking about. Please have a look,” Lillian said as she held up a delicate vial, the liquid within shimmering with a soft, golden light.
This was the ‘Seraphim’s Purity,’ a coveted level-4 Intermediate Potion.
“Master Elric’s potion? I’ve heard tales of their potent effects!”
“The opportunity to purchase such a rare potion doesn’t come often. This will undoubtedly spark a fierce bidding war.” 𝞸𝔳𝓛xt.𝑪𝗈𝐌
“I’ve always wanted to try one of these potions. They say it can purify even the most deeply rooted corruption!”
Val was silent.
He hoped that Joshua would fulfill his promise and secure the potion for himself.
“The starting price is 3000 gold coins. Let the bidding commence for the Seraphim’s Purity!” Lillian’s voice echoed across the room, instantly prompting a surge of bids.
“3500!” one bidder hollered from the back.
“3800!” another voice interjected.
“4200!” a bid echoed from a corner.
Bids flew in from all corners of the room, each bidder eager to claim the potion.
Suddenly, the bidding stopped.
It was a loud, commanding voice that caused the room to fall into silence.
“In the name of the Whitemore Family, I bid 5500!”
The voice belonged to Joshua V. Whitemore. The declaration of interest from a ranked-7 warrior caused the rest of the bidders to immediately withdraw, none wishing to offend a figure of such stature.
The room grew eerily silent, the previous excitement replaced by an apprehensive stillness.
Joshua’s bid went uncontested, and thus, the potion was his.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the Intermediate-Level Purification Potion ‘Seraphim’s Purity’ has been sold to Master Joshua Whitemore for 5,500 gold coins!” Lillian announced.
The price of a level 4 potion was typically 3000 to 6000 gold coins. So Joshua wasn’t offending the auction house by being overbearing. He had paid more than the standard amount to get it. The auction house shouldn’t have a reason to find faults with him. As for the others, he couldn’t care less about what they thought. They were too weak for him to spare them any thought.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, our manager, Terence, has an important announcement,” Lillian said, a mysterious smile playing on her lips.
Terence replaced Lillian on the stage, his steady gaze sweeping over the crowd. “We have a surprise for our esteemed guests. The next item is a dungeon reward, a Body Strengthening Manual.”
At his words, a wave of excitement washed over the crowd. Dungeons were perilous places, and their rewards were coveted treasures, and this was no exception.
Terence further fueled their excitement by detailing the effects of the manual, “This Body Strengthening Manual can strengthen the bodies of anyone, even mages. As we all know, a mage’s biggest weakness is their fragile body. This manual could change that.”
Terence’s announcement left the crowd in a state of fervor.
“The Body Strengthening Manual, it’s on auction?”
“A real dungeon reward? This is unprecedented!”
Amidst the chatter, the first bid rang out. A wealthy merchant confidently declared, “One thousand gold coins!”
The bid was quickly overshadowed by another, this one from an influential mage. “Two thousand gold coins!”
However, the room’s temperature seemed to drop a few degrees as Joshua’s voice echoed throughout. “Four thousand five hundred gold coins,” he declared, his voice carrying an air of finality.
But the wealthy noble from the inner region wouldn’t be outdone. Without a moment’s hesitation, he added another nine hundred to the bid. “Five thousand and three hundred gold coins!”
Joshua’s brow furrowed as he recognized the voice. He knew better than to cross paths with this particular nobleman. Choosing his battles wisely, Joshua decided to step out of the bidding.
The others, taking Joshua’s withdrawal as a signal, also stepped back, leaving the field clear for the nobleman.
“The Body Strengthening Manual goes to Lord Lucious!”
Thus, the noblemen’s bid was the final bid, and the Body Strengthening Manual was sold for a staggering 5300 gold coins!
And with that, the auction came to a close.
“5300? It’s four times more than I expected.”
Usually, the reward for completing a level 1 dungeon would sell for a measly 100-1000 gold coins, but his sold for 5300!
Val couldn’t help but smile at the results.
This auction had been more successful than he could have ever hoped for!