The Auction Begins

"Alright, lead me to the main room. You've been there, right?" I ask Lysandra, turning towards her. My mind is racing with the final touches that need to be made. Zeke should be ready by now, and everything has to be perfect if I want to reap the profits from tonight.

Lysandra lets out an exasperated sigh, her tone dripping with boredom. "Let's go..." she groans, dragging her feet as she leads the way. She's clearly not thrilled to be here.

"Why am I even here?" she mutters, more to herself than to me.

I ignore her complaint, my focus sharp. I can't afford any distractions. The success of this auction hinges on every detail being exactly right.

We arrive at a large room, stepping onto the stage. The seating area before us is arranged with a couple dozen chairs, each one crafted from the finest materials. I can't help but think that Darius is showing off his wealth with this setup. The color scheme is plain, just as I had instructed. No need for unnecessary flashiness.

As I approach Zeke, who's standing nearby, I greet him with a casual "Yo."

Zeke, ever the showman, is fiddling with his dagger, a sly smirk on his face. "The agreed-upon time is almost up," he says, his eyes glinting with anticipation.

Sighing, I walk over to the table where Umbra rests, disguised as a bracelet. Picking it up, a sense of satisfaction washes over me. The mana within Umbra is immense, thanks to the continuous absorption skill I activated. Zeke and the workers have been unknowingly fueling it.

"Yo, Zeke, check this out," I say, tossing Umbra onto the floor. I watch eagerly as it begins to spread across the room. The floor turns pitch black, coated in Umbra, but it doesn't stop there. The substance continues to spread, covering the seats, the glass, the ceiling, seeping into every nook and cranny.

A laugh escapes me, a mix of disbelief and triumph. "No fucking way," I marvel, gazing around at the transformed room. "I actually covered the entire place." And there's still so much mana left in it. Perfect, absolutely perfect.

With a smirk, I manipulate Umbra, altering its color and texture until the room takes on an entirely new appearance.

Setting everything up on stage, I feel a sense of control wash over me. With Umbra coating every inch of this room, I've got the upper hand in any situation, though I can only launch a major attack once with the mana at my disposal. "Just a precaution," I mutter to myself, stretching my arms. "In case things go sideways."

I glance around the room. Half the attendees tonight can sense spiritual pressure. If push comes to shove, I'll have to rely on Ilka. Turning to Zeke, I say, "Let's start the show. Make sure the workers go over the checklist before anyone comes in."

Zeke, flipping his dagger through his fingers, strides off without a word. His silence tells me he's as excited for this crazy ass show.

I turn to Lysandra, who looks less than thrilled. "Okay, you're here because I need your help," I explain. She lets out a heavy sigh, slouching. "What's in it for me..." she mutters, clearly not enthused.

I raise an eyebrow at her attitude. "You alright?" I ask, flicking my finger on her forehead, trying to snap her out of her funk.

"Yeah, yeah... What do you want me to do?" she asks, sounding a bit more engaged.

I point to a room high above the seating area, designated for VIP attendees. "You're going to be in the highest room. Put on the suit I gave you, and don't forget the new mask with the number 6 on it. Just sit there, don't move around too much. That's all you have to do."

She nods, a bit more lively now. "Alright, but you're feeding me after," she demands, yawning as she walks off to her assigned spot.

Meanwhile, Ilka, who's been lounging atop my head, floats in front of my face. "You damn bastard, leaving me alone for so long. How much money are you planning on making, huh?" she asks, her tone a mix of annoyance and curiosity.

I pick her up gently with my finger. "I'm not just making money, Ilka. I'm creating an entire market in a single hour. In a few days, I'll be in the top 1%," I say, a hint of pride in my voice.

She tilts her head, puzzled. "Market? Top 1%?" It hits me that she's clueless about economics.

"Yeah," I chuckle. "I'm gonna be really, really rich in just a couple of days."

Her eyes widen slightly, a mix of surprise and excitement. "Rich, huh? Sounds like you've got quite the plan."

"Trust me, Ilka," I say with a smirk, placing her back on my head. "This is going to be one hell of a show."

Checking the runes and devices scattered around the room, I nod to myself. "Alright, everything seems to be in order," I mutter under my breath. The arrays I've set up will activate once the guests arrive, manipulating the mana in the vicinity. There are five people in the crowd immune to its effects, but that's not a concern.

I had rummaged through Darius's warehouse of artifacts, selecting the most enigmatic and unseful ones. With the system's help, I managed to decipher them, creating a perfect set of artifacts that mask everything about me, including making me strong enough to wield the Dragon's Eye sniper. "Lilith won't see through this," I reassure myself, confident in my preparation.

Glancing up, I spot a blood-red crystal hanging above – a Devil's Nail. This thing nullifies skills within its range. "How the hell did Darius get his hands on this?" I wonder aloud, slightly impressed.

Turning to Ilka, I raise a concern. "Are you sure they won't be able to detect this technique?"

Ilka, perched on my head, looks down at me, her expression a mix of annoyance and confidence. "Hey, do you think I would lie?" She points a finger at me, her voice firm. "You said they won't be able to use mana or aura to detect you, and they can't use skills – just their eyesight, right?" She settles more comfortably on my head. "As long as that's true, the footwork technique I improvised will leave all the martial artists baffled, unable to gauge your strength."

I can't help but smirk at her reassurance. "That's right, Ilka is the best at what she does. No point in questioning her expertise."

Ilka taps my forehead from her vantage point. "By the way, how do you plan on using mana or aura then?" she asks, her tone curious yet skeptical.

I point around the room, where Umbra has enveloped everything. "Umbra is literally everywhere. As long as my feet are in contact with the ground, I can channel mana from Umbra into me."

She clicks her tongue, a hint of admiration in her voice. "What a fucking cheat," she mumbles, almost impressed.

As the lighting in the room shifts, creating an even more dramatic ambiance, I look around, a sense of excitement building. "This is going to be crazy fun, Ilka. I'm sure you're going to be surprised once the show starts."

Slipping on my mask, the black and white pattern with the number 7 etched into it feels familiar yet exciting. Adjusting the top hat, I clear my throat, feeling the mask altering my voice. "Okay, here goes nothing~" I mutter, prepping myself for the persona shift.

This requires a complete change in personality. Flashy, clean, but serious. My movements need to be precise and flashy, each gesture calculated for maximum impact. I grasp my cane, spinning it skillfully through my fingers before slamming it down with a definitive thud. I practice moving my hands back and forth, getting a feel for this new, more flamboyant version of myself. Yeah, this should do the trick.

Ilka, watching my rehearsal, bursts into laughter. "Phhahahahaha!" She can barely contain herself, floating around while holding her stomach. "Oh, for heaven's sake, you're stupid as fuck," she manages to say between her fits of laughter.

Annoyed but amused, I flick her with my finger, sending a clear message. "Alright, Ilka, you better not interrupt me, got it?" I say, trying to maintain a stern facade despite her teasing.

Her laughter subsides into a series of chuckles. "Fine, fine," she concedes, still giggling. "But this is too good. You're a natural clown, you know that?"

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Queen Celeste sat regally on her throne, her presence commanding the room. With her two attendants, Alaric and Elise, kneeling nearby, there was a palpable tension in the air. Alaric, always vigilant, broke the silence. "Your Majesty, it's time."

Lifting her head, Queen Celeste's gaze fell upon the invitation letter she had been idly sliding between her fingers. Rising gracefully from her throne, she conveyed a sense of unyielding resolve. "Keep a close eye on the nearby countries," she instructed. "There's a chance those old fools will attempt something reckless."

Elise, ever concerned for her queen's safety, voiced her apprehension. "Your majesty, this is a dangerous trip. Please, allow at least one of us to accompany you."

Queen Celeste, walking down from her throne, tore the letter in her hand, activating the magic circle inscribed on it. Her tone was firm, brooking no argument. "I am your queen. Do not make me repeat my order."

Alaric approached her, his movements respectful and deliberate. Kneeling, he offered her sword, a symbol of her strength and authority. Queen Celeste accepted it, her grip firm and assured.

As she steps through the rift created by the magic circle, the room behind her vanishes, and she finds herself in an entirely different setting. She takes a moment to orient herself, noting, 'The energy is displaced, I won't be able to use mana for a while.'

The room she enters is lavishly decorated, equipped with a couch, bed, table – all the amenities of a luxurious suite. As she surveys her surroundings, the door opens, and a young lady dressed in a red suit enters, bowing respectfully.

"It's an honor to meet you, Queen Celeste. My name is Mindy, and I am your assigned servant," the young woman says with a professional air. "I will help you prepare for the auction and state the rules you must follow if you wish to stay."

Celeste observes Mindy closely, her gaze sharp and calculating. Despite the unfamiliar environment and the restriction on her magical abilities, she maintains her composure. 'So, this is the setting for the auction,' she thinks, a subtle mix of curiosity and caution evident in her expression.

Queen Celeste, exuding an air of cold confidence, settles onto a couch, her posture impeccable. Mindy, with a professional smile, sits across from her and delves into her bag, retrieving two distinct bracelets. "Your Majesty, do you happen to know what these are?" she inquires.

The queen, placing her sword beside her, replies without hesitation, "Magic seals."

Mindy nods in affirmation, holding up the blue bracelet. "Indeed. This is a magic binding seal," she explains, then shifts to the green one. "And this one is a weakening seal, designed to decrease your natural strength." She places them both on the coffee table, her manner calm yet firm. "I understand this may be unpleasant, but if you wish to participate in the auction, you must wear them. We guarantee your safety during your stay."

She taps her finger on a magic contract lying next to the bracelets. "You may refuse to wear them, but you will then be asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement and leave."

Queen Celeste, without a moment's hesitation, picks up the bracelets and secures them around her wrists. The soft click of the seals locking into place echoes in the quiet room. 'I would never have agreed if it weren't for that man,' she thinks, adjusting the bracelets. 'After meeting him, I resolved to do everything in my power to acquire the national-grade weapon.'

Mindy's eyes widen slightly, a hint of genuine surprise flickering in them, but she quickly composes herself and smiles. "You are free to carry your weapon. However, please be mindful that unsheathing it is against the rules."

She then presents a large black cloak. "It's not mandatory, but we recommend wearing a cloak to protect your identity from other guests." Mindy stands, her professionalism unwavering.

Approaching the door, she turns to the queen. "Would you like to visit our dining hall? The auction won't start for some time. Our top-notch chef has prepared an array of exquisite dishes, the likes of which I assure you have never experienced."