CelestialShadow
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Chapter 143 - Before the auction
🕑 Added 2024-04-20 00:18:02 +0000 UTCHm? This apple is delicious.
“Hey, Perk,” Adion turned to look at the recently turned 14-year-old boy. “Where did you get this?”
“Do you like it, boss?” Perk asked with a pleased smile.
“It’s very good,” Adion nodded.
“It’s a Terras Sunlight Apple,” Perk explained in a scholarly voice, “It’s supposed to help you fire mana into your core. I’m not sure how well it works, though. I just bought it because it tastes good.”
“Right,” Adion slowly nodded. He turned to look at Tib, but the boy looked away with a rare embarrassed expression. “Where did you get it?”
“I got it from the Vermillion Abode. They have all incredible kinds of precious items there. Not that we can afford anything truly special, but even this apple costs 40 silvers.” Perk said.
“That much for a single apple? It tastes good, but isn’t that a little too wasteful?” Adion questioned.
“We didn’t know how to spend the money you gave us,” Perk said with a sigh, “So we just headed to the most expensive place in Cyalis and bought a few of their cheaper items. If we spent it all in one go, we might get robbed after all.”
“Oh, yeah,” Adion said, remembering how he had urged the boys to spend some of his money when he went on a date with Sell. “That’s fine then. After the auction tonight, money won’t be an issue for a long time.”
“Are you going to buy a place for us to start our operations from? A secret headquarters?” Perk asked excitedly.
Tib also turned to look at Adion with curiosity in his eyes.
“Well, not immediately,” Adion said hesitantly, “But I’ll start looking into it. It would be good if you got at least a little stronger before we think about anything big. But I’ll definitely buy a decent place for you to stay. You’ve stayed at this inn far too long.”
“Should we look for a convenient location for you, boss?” Tib asked.
“That would be nice,” Adion nodded, “You two will be spending most of the time there, after all.”
Perk and Tib looked at each other and smiled.
“Anyway,” Adion said, getting up to his feet, “I have to get going, but I’m pleased with your progress. Are there any more questions?”
Adion hadn’t visited his subordinates for over a week before coming here this morning, so he had spent most of the day answering any questions that might have sprung up since then. But it was the day of the auction of his Elixir of Life, so he had to leave. It wouldn’t do to be late to something like that.
“Not for me. Thank you for your guidance, boss,” Perk said with a bow.
“And thank you for the books,” Tib added, also bowing.
“No problem, it will certainly be useful for you to study runes. You can’t train the entire day, after all. Now you have another way to increase your strength when you have exhausted your Will.” Adion said.
During his last visit, Adion had told them a little about his studies. Both Perk and Tib had been curious about runes, and Adion thought it would be good for them to at least have a basic understanding of the topic, so he had brought them a few books on it.
“Well, then,” Adion said, turning to leave, “I’ll try not to take too long for my next visit. Keep up the good work.”
“Yes, boss,” Perk and Tib said in unison.
Adion left the inn and started walking toward his grandfather’s mansion. He couldn’t bring the brothers with him to the auction. It wouldn’t be good if people saw them together with him. He couldn’t exactly explain their existence to his friends and family either. They were supposed to be the backbone of his secret organization, after all. The only one he had told about his plans was Sell. He wanted to keep his family out of it.
It’s unfortunate that they will be far too weak for a long time. But I guess I’m not in a hurry.
After the auction, I’ll spend some money on resources for them. I’ll also look into hiring a guard or two to make sure that no one comes to cause trouble at their new place. Even if Cyalis is pretty safe, it’s always good to take precautions.
Adion arrived at his grandfather’s mansion and greeted the guard with a nod before heading inside.
He felt the aura of his family in the dining hall as he walked over, but he also felt another familiar presence.
He’s here already?
“Yes, exactly,” Prago’s voice reached Adion as he approached the door to the dining hall. “Can you believe it? He can’t even memorize a simple cooling rune, and he thinks he has time to play around. I’ve tried instilling some work ethic in him but-”
Adion gnashed his teeth and opened the doors, “Is that so, Prago?”
“Adion, you’re finally here,” Prago said as he turned to look at Adion, seemingly completely at ease in front of his Soul mage grandfather. “Where have you been? Everyone has been waiting for you.”
“There’s plenty of time left until we have to leave,” Adion said, staring intently at Prago.
“Haha,” Prago laughed, “I suppose we look at time a little differently.”
What’s with his attitude?
“Well, you don’t have to come to the auction if you are so afraid of wasting your precious time,” Adion said as he took a seat next to his brother and sister. They were both looking at him with amused smiles.
“Adion, you shouldn’t be so harsh on your friend,” His grandfather said scoldingly. “I’ve heard just how much Prago has done for you. You should show some appreciation.”
Adion stared at his grandfather with an open mouth.
Just what has this guy been saying about me?
Prago looked at Adion with a pleased grin and said, “Appreciation is all I’ve ever asked for. That and an apology.”
“Apologize for what?” Adion asked, flabbergasted.
“Adion, apologize to your friend,” His grandfather said.
“What? Grandpa, you know his just been telling lies. You’re a Soul mage, don’t expect me to believe he can fool you,” Adion said.
“Adion,” His grandfather warned him in a stern voice.
Adion sighed. As much as he knew his grandfather was screwing with him, he didn’t have it in him to disrespect him. “I’m sorry Prago. I appreciate all your help.”
“Thank you, Adion,” Prago said, closing his eyes and seemingly etching the words into his heart.
Just you wait.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Grandpa scolding you, Adion,” Ailera said with a laugh.
“Yes, we should celebrate,” Aiden said with a nod. He smiled and looked up to where Marli was standing by the door, “Would you prepare some drinks for us, Marli?”
“Certainly, young master,” Marili said with a small smile and scurried off.
“This is ridiculous,” Adion sighed.
I’ll have to write a letter to Prago’s grandfather and tell him what Prago has been up to.
Sorry, Prago. You’ve forced my hand.
Adion’s family continued with the charade as the drinks arrived. Prago had no issue spinning tales of Adion’s lackings, to his family’s great joy.
Almost an hour later, Marli stepped into the dining hall and spoke to Adion’s grandfather, “Master, Sellitha Amyss has arrived with her two friends.”
“Oh? Good, let them in,” His grandfather said with a smile, “Bring in some snacks as well.”
Marli stepped away for a short while before arriving with Sell, Felicia, and Lastia.
“Greetings, Soft Soul Remori,” Felicia and Lastia greeted Adion’s grandfather with a bow. Sell seemed to be slightly at a loss as she didn’t know how to appropriately greet him.
They had only met once, and at that time, his grandfather had told her to call him ‘grandpa.’ But Adion could tell that she was not entirely comfortable doing so in this situation.
“Haha,” His grandfather laughed, “No need to be so polite. Since you’re friends of Adion, make yourself at home. Little Sell, come sit over here. Let me know if Adion has been bullying you. I’ll make sure to punish him for you.”
Sell blushed slightly but went to sit next to him. Felicia and Lastia smiled at the scene and also took their seats at his invitation.
“What’s going on here?” Felicia asked Adion in a low voice as his grandfather grilled Sell.
Adion sighed and answered, “My family is jealous of my achievements, and now they are in some sort of frenzy, making up stories for some reason.”
“Oh, it’s just a little teasing, Adion,” His sister said, “Since when did you become such a baby?”
“Alright, then,” Adion said with a smirk, “I already have my plans on how to deal with Prago. Just wait until I have thought out something for you too. Let’s see how you handle it.”
Ailera squinted her eyes at him, “Alright. Truce.”
“Good,” Adion smiled. He then looked over to Prago, “You’re still not off the hook, though.”
“Oh, please. Do you think I fear you?” Prago asked.
“I already have the first 10 lines figured out for the letter I’m sending to your grandfather,” Adion said with a smile.
Prago paused with his drink halfway to his lips. He gave Adion an awkward smile and said, “Adion, why don’t we just forget about this? It’s just a bit of fun.”
“I agree,” Adion nodded, “So why stop now?”
Seeing Prago’s crestfallen face, Adion felt a lot better.
The conversations around the table carried on for a while. Eventually, Adion’s grandfather excused himself and went to prepare. Relmon arrived soon after and joined everyone around the dining table.
He was the only one who didn’t know about Adion and Sell, so everyone restrained themselves slightly. Adion hadn’t thought about it when he invited him, but it was too late to do anything about it.
He wasn’t going to tell Relmon something like that. Even if he was sure Relmon suspected something, he wouldn’t confirm it for him. He needed to be a lot more careful than he had been previously.
Even if he started seeing Relmon as somewhat of a friend, he didn’t trust him nearly as much as Prago. Prago was someone he had met for the first time when he was 15, and he had seen enough of him and his grandfather to understand what kind of person he was. The same couldn’t be said for Relmon.
Not Felicia or Lastia either, for that matter. But since Sell trusted them, Adion accepted them knowing about it.
Everyone should be aware enough not to reveal anything in front of him. There will be a lot of eyes everywhere tonight anyway, so it is probably for the best that we have a constant reminder among us.
It will make me more careful with what I say about the auction too. I definitely can’t have anyone besides my family and Sell know about the Elixir of Life. That will result in even more terrifying consequences than revealing my relationship with Sell.
“What do you think the mysterious alchemy product is?” Felicia asked.
“It’s definitely something we have no hope of obtaining,” Ailera said, “If I had to guess, it’s something found in some ruin somewhere, left behind from the Age of Wonder.”
“I can’t imagine anything else capable of making the Appos Auction House make that sort of announcement,” Felicia nodded in agreement.
“Does anyone know of anything besides that alchemy product being auctioned?” Adion asked.
“I tried asking around, but it seems like the Appos Auction House has kept things really quiet this time around,” Sell said, “Usually, an auction can gain something by spreading a few words about what’s going to be auctioned off. As much as mystery is important in order to spark the interest of mages from all walks of life, there is also much to gain from revealing some information. If they are going to sell a runic sword, for example, it would be stupid not to have people interested in that showing up.”
“That makes sense,” Ailera nodded, “I guess they have more than enough people willing to show up this time around. Even if they revealed some of the items, they would probably not be able to increase the public interest more than they already have.”
“Yeah, even my family has sent someone to participate,” Felicia said, “Even if they aren’t interested enough to send anyone with high status, it is really unusual for them to send someone just to go to an auction in Cyalis.”
There will probably be people arriving from all over Shiora. I just hope they brought enough coin to fill my pockets with.
Comments
Jeremy
New chapie?
Jeremy
Time to make some money
Bosparan
Thanks for the chapter
