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Chapter 148 - Elixir of Life II
🕑 Added 2024-04-27 02:46:37 +0000 UTCUnbelievable. It’s real.
Dorea could hardly believe it. But the proof was right in front of her.
“This aura, if it’s not the Elixir of Life, it’s something equally valuable,” An alchemist from the Velorian Kingdom said, shaking his head in awe.
“I’ve read countless descriptions of the Elixir of Life during my time at the Academy,” Dorea said, “Even if they aren’t conclusive in what it takes to make it. This aura shouldn’t be anything else from what I’ve read.”
“By just smelling it, it feels like I’ve gained a new lease on life,” An old woman from a local Noble family said.
“Hard Soul Nefermas,” Dorea said, looking to the man holding the elixir, “I don’t doubt the validity of your claim. But I’m very curious how you were able to determine that this is the Elixir of Life.”
Dorea had to admit that even she would doubt herself if you had this elixir in her possession. She wouldn’t dare make the announcement the Appos Auction House did without verifying it over and over. But from the reaction of everyone present, the Appos family seemed to have kept the information about the Elixir of Life very well-hidden. Not even the Headmaster had known about it.
“We obviously had our alchemists take a look at it,” Nefermas answered with a smile, “And with the assurance from the one who gave it to us to auction, we were very confident.”
“Who was the one who found it?” An old alchemist asked. Dorea could vaguely remember that he was from some Noble family in Rellen.
At his words, all the gathered alchemists turned to look at Nefermas curiously.
“I’m afraid the seller would like to remain anonymous,” Nefermas said with a calm smile.
That makes sense. No one would want to be caught up in the middle of this. Perhaps the Headmaster can find out who the seller is. I’m sure he would be curious about where this was found as well.
“Then I will naturally respect that,” The same old alchemist responded, “But how come his words assured you that this was the Elixir of Life?”
Nefermas seemed to hesitate for a while before revealing, “I’m not sure about the exact circumstances, but it was somehow apparent when the seller found it. The seller agreed to open their aura for us to see that their were no lies.”
So that’s it.
Well, I can think about all of this later. I need to hurry so I can implement the Headmaster’s plan.
Dorea stepped away from the stage and made her way to the fourth floor. She didn’t return to the booth that the Headmaster and she occupied, but stopped by the door leading to the Alago Imperial family.
I saw Hondes was here. Hopefully, he won’t let our history get in the way of a good deal.
Dorea’s full name was Dorea Alamani. She was part of the Alago Imperial family in the past. She didn’t have a very high status in the family, though. She was far removed from the current Emperor. The Emperor’s great-uncle was Dorea’s great-great-grandfather. There were quite a few princesses like her.
When she went to study in the Academy in her youth, she had fallen in love with the place. After graduation, she saw no reason to return to the Imperial family just to be used in some marriage alliance. As such, she broke off from the family and joined the Academy and eventually worked her way to becoming a respected professor.
This wasn’t looked upon with kind eyes however. In many ways, what she did was a betrayal. For some people, it was fine to join the prestigious Cyalis Academy, there were many advantages of having some members of the family join the ranks there. But Dorea did not receive permission to do so, and when she had been ordered to return home, she had ignored it.
Now, it was over 50 years since she had last met the people behind those doors.
“Can I help you miss?” A Diamond mage standing guard outside asked.
“Could you please let them know that Dorea Alamani is here to offer a deal on the behest of Headmaster Vermon,” Dorea said.
“Certainly,” The guard nodded and headed inside.
It didn’t take long for the doors to open again, and the guard gestured for her to step inside.
“Dorea,” An old voice rang out, “It’s been a long time.”
“A very long time, Hard Soul Hondes,” Dorea said with a small smile as she looked at the old man she remembered from her youth. “Is it convenient to have a small chat?”
“If you can make it quick,” Hondes said with a nod.
Dorea noticed that besides a few people from the Alamani family, there were several other Noble families from the Alago Empire present in the room.
“I believe you are interested in the Elixir of Life?” Dorea asked.
“Of course we are. Get to it,” Hondes said impatiently.
Dorea didn’t care about his tone. Everyone in the auction house was currently on edge.
“The Alamani family should have quite good chances at winning the bidding war,” Dorea said, “But it’s far from certain. Even if you work together with some other Noble families. The Magnim family is extremely wealthy, and the Hesfym family carries a lot of weight. They can probably gather a vast amount of money. There is also always a risk that the Delovan, Regor, or Femor family manage to gather enough people to contest you.
“But the Headmaster believes you have the greatest chance at winning. As such, he would like to offer you a deal. He is willing to lend you money if you let the Academy study the Elixir of Life for ten years.”
“He wants to keep it for ten years?” Hondes asked, “Impossible! Perhaps I could agree to one year if we receive some sort of assurance. But I would have to communicate with the Emperor.”
Dorea had expected something like this, and she had her instructions from the Headmaster.
“Please do,” Dorea said, “We can offer a loan of 10,000 Vastro coins for every year you let us keep it. But you have to agree to a minimum of one year, no matter the result of the auction. If you decline, we will naturally have to approach another family.”
Hondes frowned slightly, “Are you threatening us now, Dorea?”
“I was the one who asked for the Headmaster to approach you first,” Dorea said, shaking her head, “But no matter what, we have to study that elixir. I’m sure you understand that, right?”
“Very well,” Hondes scoffed. He turned to look at a young girl in the corner of the room and said, “Shimu, make contact with the palace and relay the offer.”
“At once,” Shimu nodded. She went to take a seat in an armchair and closed her eyes.
Shimu…I’ve heard about her. A very convenient Gift to keep around in situations like these. A touban could never make contact at such a long distance. It’s incredible.
Dorea couldn’t help but look deeply at the girl, trying to see if she could see something. But there was nothing, as expected. A Gift like Shimu’s was one of the most mysterious she had heard of.
A full minute passed and Shimu was starting to sweat.
I hope they accept. If I can study this elixir and figure out how to replicate it…
Dorea had hoped that the Headmaster would bid for the Elixir of Life himself. Something this serious should be handled by them. No one else came close to their expertise. But for some reason the Headmaster had chosen to take this route instead.
If they disagree, I’ll have to try the Magnim family. For some reason the Headmaster didn’t want us cooperating with the Hesfym family. I didn’t know he was on bad terms with that family. Is it because Termeth Hesfym is a Pure Soul mage? I’ve heard that he might be able to actually reach the stage above. Perhaps the Headmaster fears someone becoming stronger than him.
That makes sense. Cyalis needs strength to protect its valuable heritage.
But why wouldn’t he just buy it himself? Could it be that he thinks it will be too expensive? I suppose we don’t know what the price will be. And these families can probably gather a considerable amount of wealth.
“His Majesty has agreed to Headmaster Vernom’s terms,” Shimu finally spoke, breathing heavily.
“Alright,” Hondes nodded, “Dorea, you can report to the Headmaster that we agree to cooperate.”
“I’m glad,” Dorea said with a smile, “I wish you all the best.”
With those words, Dorea turned to walk away.
This was a wise decision. Not even the Alamani family might have been able to withstand the pressure of keeping something like the Elixir of Life. With the Academy behind them, they can be a lot more fearless in their actions.
—
“It’s starting,” Lastia said, fidgeting.
Adion turned to look at the stage down below. Milana had given way for Nefermas, and he was now looking out over the audience that was beginning to quiet down.
Let’s see how rich we’ll get.
“Everyone,” Nefermas called out, “I believe you all have been given ample time to confirm the quality of the Elixir of Life for yourselves. As such, I will now begin taking bids for this historic treasure. I’ll remind everyone one final time of our rules. You must have the money you bid in hand, we do not accept credit here. If you cannot pay the price you have stated, you’ll be asked to leave and won’t be welcomed here again, and the auction will resume. Please, do not try anything so foolish.
“Well, then. Without further ado, For the Elixir of Life, the starting bid is 10,000 Vastro coins. Do have have any offers?”
10,000 just as the starting offer.
“The Deller family bids 12,000!” A man yelled out.
“The Hemdia family bids 13,000!” Someone else called out.
“The Amyss family bids 20,000!” A middle-aged elf called out.
“The Alamani family bids 50,000 Vastro coins,” A calm but forceful voice called out.
The four bids had come in rapid succession, but after the Alamani family, there was a brief silence.
50,000!
Adion found it hard not to show any expression to reveal his excitement. He knew he would get a lot of money for the Elixir of Life. It was almost priceless, after all. But he just didn’t know how much wealth these families had to spend. His family just recently became a Noble family, after all. He didn’t have a clue what a Royal family with thousands of years of history could pull out.
“The Hesfym family bids 60,000 Vastro coins,” An old elf called out.
The Hesfym family?
Adion didn’t know how he felt about that. He shared a brief look with Sell and could see her discomfort.
As much as it would be nice to dry up the coffers of the Hesfym family…I don’t want the Elixir of Life to go to that man.
“The Femor family bids 85,000 Vastro coins,” A middle-aged woman said through gritted teeth. It appeared as if they were almost at their limit already.
“The Dormia family bids 100,000 Vastro coins,” A calm voice rang out from a young man in one of the balconies straight above Adion.
100,000…
Adion glanced at his siblings and saw that they also had trouble keeping the smiles off their faces. Only his grandfather remained calm without expression.
“The Magnim family bids 110,000 Vastro coins,” A blonde man called out in a stern voice.
The price kept increasing without end. From 120,000 to 130,000 to 140,000. As soon as someone made a bid, someone else would raise the price again.
“The Alamani family bids 200,000 Vastro coins,” The same old man called out, his voice still calm. From just looking at him, it seemed as if 200,000 Vastro coins were of no consequence to him.
“The Hesfym family bids 210,000 Vastro coins. Hard Soul Hondes, our family can go all the way. Why don’t you give us some face and end it here?”
“Haha!” The man called Hondes laughed, “Do you think we fear a little competition? But let me give you a word of advice, our Alamani family will take this Elixir of Life. There is no doubt about it. Do you think your family can compete with the combined resources of the families of the Alago Empire and Cyalis Academy?”
Cyalis Academy?
Those words caused not only the Hesfym man but several others who had made previous bids to frown. Everyone turned their heads to look up at the balcony where the Headmaster was sitting.
Adion imagined the Headmaster would say a few words in response, but he only gave a light smile and ignored the questioning looks.
Is he cooperating with the Alamani family?
“The Magnim family bids 250,000 Vastro coins!” The blonde man yelled out in obvious irritation.
“How pointless,” Hondes laughed, “The Alamani family bids 260,000 Vastro coins.”
“I won’t let you win this,” The man from the Hesfym family said with a calm voice, “The Hesfym family bids 300,000 Vastro coins!”
“310,000!” Hondes called out a fraction of a second later.
“Damn, Hondes! Do you really want to do it like this?” The man from the Hesfym family immediately lost his temper.
“So what if I do? Stop with the useless struggle. It’s clear you don’t have the money it takes. Such a thing as the Elixir of Life can obviously only end up in the Imperial family’s hands. It was clear from the start.” Hondes said with a confident grin.
The man from the Hesfym family didn’t say anything for a while. Neither did the Magnim family. And those for the only influences still in the running.
“The Alamani family has made an offer of 310,000 Vastro coins. Do we have any higher offers? Otherwise, the Elixir of Life will go to the Alamani family,” Nefermas called out.
Adion saw that the man from the Hesfym family was whispering furiously among his people.
“The Magnim family bids 350,000! I hope the Alamani family can give us some face here,” The blonde man yelled out through gritted teeth.
“Haha,” Hondes once again just laughed, “The Alamani family bids 360,000 Vastro coins.”
From beginning to end, the old man from the Alamani family had never seemed bothered in the least as the price increased.
The audience once again turned quiet. The man from the Magnim family was just staring daggers at Hondes but didn’t speak. Adion also turned his head to see that the Hesfym family balcony had become empty.
“We have 360,000 Vastro coins going once, going twice…” Nefarmas said and took a moment to look around to see if there were any other bidders, “Sold! Congratulations to the Alamani family!”
360,000 Vastro coins.
Adion was in a daze. He stared out with an unfocused gaze, and the sound of the rowdy auction house sounded distant.
I knew it would be sold for a lot of money, but this…What concept of wealth even is this?
He turned to look at his family and noticed that they were having the same expressions.
“Wow! I can’t believe I got to witness something like this,” Relmon said with an excited voice.
“The Alamani family is too fierce,” Felicia said with a sigh. “I can’t believe they brought so much money to spend. And that’s not even talking about the Magnim and Hesfym family! Just how did they manage to get their hands on that amount of money?”
Adion was also a little confused about who the top bidders turned out to be. But he was very happy with the result.
I’m glad the Alamani won. Such a good family that caused the Hesfym family to suffer deserves the Elixir of Life.
Comments
Wes Brown
Yeah right? If its a priceless potion they should have a minum of 500k.
Kbzzy
I expected more considering a merridian soul fruit went for 2k
James Faulkner
Tftc! Holy shit that’s a lot of money lol
Jeremy
I guess my prediction ended up being a little high lol.
Jeremy
I believe 1 Vastro is 1000 gold, which is 10,000 silver which is 100,000 copper. But I’m not certain if I’m right or not.
ThoMiCroN
« His Majesty has agreed to Headmaster Vernom’s -> Vernon’s terms »
Wes Brown
Does anyone rember what the breakdown fr the currency? I cant remember for reference how much anything actually is
