Chapter 24: Alchemy

"Next item Adlitam Tiger's tooth."

"Next... celebrity ******'s fresh cut hair!"

"Next... 3 Tier 1 Aura restoration pills!"

Atlas was still shook by the fact that people would actually spend tens of thousands for a bag of hair, until the thunderous gasps in the auction house snapped him out of that thought.

Three delicate pills slept peacefully in a small glass bottle, unaware of the explicit ogles of hundreds of Warriors.

[Tier 1 medium grade pills? What's so special about that?] He noticed that many Warriors had a lustful look on their faces, resisting the temptation to snatch the pills and thrash the auction.

"Ooh, tasty right? The lowest bid starts at 1million RMB, highest bidder takes them all!"

" 1.1 on the left!"

"1.9 might hold it!"

"3.3 taken it back!"

...

"5.2 mil going once. Going twice. Sold to man in white cap."

Most Warriors sighed in disappointment while several eyes targeted the man in white cap, a Tier 7 Expert. The man quickly left his seat, so did some other Warriors. Looks like there might be a slaughter tonight.

"Crow, what's up with those guys?" Atlas motioned Crow to come forward, who also had cupidity in his eyes.

Fortunately Crow is a Warrior with enough willpower, allowing cupidity to be exchanged with fidelity.

"That's a Aura restoration pill, sir Atlas."

"Don't point out the obvious. I know that. But it's only a Tier 1 pill, it's so ordinary."

"Ordinary?" Crow looked at Atlas doubtfully. "Restoration pills are very rare amongst us Aura users, sir. Alchemists are endangered species."

Atlas nodded, scratching his jaw. He reached into the pocket of his suit, taking out a potion bottle filled with tiny pills. [If Tier 1 pills can stir up such a commotion, then...] He rolled one out and placed it on Crow's palm.

"Thanks for the information. Go protect Vanellope's, I mean Kristine's father better." Atlas deserted his seat and went down the elevator, racing for the registration area.

Crow remained dumbfounded, staring at the pill in his palm. He quickly rammed it in his pocket, hiding the elation that kicked started his heart.

"Excuse me miss, is it still valid if I put up an item for auction?"

"Sorry sir, I'm afraid that according to the regulations..."

"We can choose to ignore the regulations if your item is valuable enough." An alluring female voice appeared from behind. It was the lady in red dress. "Good evening Sir, I am the manager of the Kolt auction. You can address me as Laura. Maybe we could discuss the details in my office."

"Thank you for your understanding, Madam Laura." Atlas bowed slightly. "I believe that adding in an item in such a hurry will be quite troublesome. Usually auctions do not make rush changes."

"Yes, that's true. But we can always make exceptions for a better investment. Follow me please."

She led him into a cozy room on the left hand side, passing by multiple deluxe chandeliers.

"Coffee, tea or water?"

"Ice cold water with extra ice."

She giggled, the two mountains wobbling. "Sir, what item do you wish to put up for auction?"

"This." Atlas plopped the potion bottle on the table before him.

"Pills!?" Laura had an urge to scrutinize Atlas. [Is he an alchemist? At such a young age?] But out of respect, she decided not to ask.

"Yeah. Tier 2 Aura restoration pills." Atlas lounged backwards, crossing his leg. [Can't believe that those Warriors are crazy about these grass flavored candies.]

Laura staggered, stunned at Atlas's response.

Alchemy, a rare Warrior profession. An alchemist is like a pharmacist/doctor for Warriors. It is one of the most well respected and affluent careers in the Warriors world.

Alchemy pills is divided into very straightforward categories: Tier 1 to Tier 10, with Low, Medium, High and Vertex grade pills.

"Don't be too surprised. I'm not a Alchemist. I found this in a cave near the mountains. It breaks my heart just thinking about selling them..."

Laura glanced at him suspiciously. "Ok then... For the sake of the 10% commission fee, I'll reveal a little secret that may interest you. One of the main highlights of tonight, the Giftir Amaryllis, is contributed by the house." Seeing Atlas lean forward for closer detail, she continued. "The starting bid will be 1 low grade Aura stone. Do you know what I mean? From the looks of it, you definitely did not bring any."

Atlas nodded attentively. He had to sell his Tier 2 Aura restoration pills for low grade Aura stones, or else he would not have the capital to compete with the other Warriors for the Giftir Amaryllis.

Pondering, Atlas suggested an idea with a sinister grin.

"You're a genius boy! That'll benefit both of us. Don't worry, we'll handle all the objections.

"Great working with you." They shook hands.

"2.1 million going once. Going twice. Sold to the woman in black." A painting of a sword was brought down the stage, waiting for the woman to retrieve it after the auction.

Atlas finally returned to his seat.

"Where were you?" Kristine asked.

"Toilet. Big pile of poop."

Kristien pinched his leg once again.

"Next up, the three final highlights of today's auction. Let's welcome Mrs Laura back on stage!"

Under the whistles and enthusiastic applauds, Laura in red dress entered the stage. "Important news for everyone! We have two more secret items comparable to the three highlights of today. Sorry for the late notice. With no further ado, I'll be the auctioneer for the rest of tonight."

"I shall first be presenting the first secret item." She took out the item underneath a white cloth, revealing Atlas's potion bottle. "4 Tier 2 Aura restoration pills! Lowest bid starts at 1 Aura stone. Let the bidding begin.!"

"2 Aura stone! I hear 5! Do I hear a 7? Oh, 8! 10 holds for... 12 Aura stones!" Laura started her auction chant, encouraging the buyers to go nuts with the price.

If Nova was here to hear this, he would have been spending the night hunting these rich Warriors down, enjoying the rains of Aura stones.

By the way, Aura stones are naturally formed on earth like common minerals, and they accumulate Aura for long periods of time. They can be difficult to find unless you've stumbled into a right location. Aura stones are categorized in simply low, medium, high or vertex grade like alchemy pills. All you have to do is drain the Aura within by holding it in your hands. Of course, many of the Aura cannot be absorbed by Warriors and are wasted into the air, for as their talents limit the potential. But only few Warriors know the technique of testing one's talent. So for Warriors who are one step away from reaching the class of an Axonn or are already Axonns, mere low grade Aura stones will not be enough to satisfy them.

"15 Aura stones!" Atlas glanced towards the source of the sound with a stern look. It was one of the Axonns.

"You sound really confident, Charles Rent." The other Axonn said in a volume that only people up in the gallery could hear.

Charles Rent? Rent? He must have something to do with Hugh's enemies. Maybe I'll play a game with him.

"17 Aura stones!" Laura heard a familiar voice. [Atlas?] She saw the mischievous look on his face.

"Oh! A teenage boy is gonna beat you to the Tier 2 pills!" The other Axonn, a middle aged man, started to agitate Charles.

"Shut up. 18 Aura stones." Charles, an old man, fixed his gaze onto Atlas. He expected fifteen to be the limit. But this little boy seems to want to play with fire.

"19 Aura stones." Atlas made a clown face at him.

"20 Aura stones."

"22." Atlas shouted again.

"Damn... That kids got guts! You aren't gonna lose face to a little boy right." The middle aged man wailed again. He likes that kid a lot.

Charles pointes at the other Axonn. "Shut up. Shut up. Shut up," He increased his bid. "23 Aura stones."

Atlas faked a laugh, copying the middle aged man's tone. "Gosh you're so stingy. Can't even beat a little kid huh?"

Atlas was about to raised his arm to signal a raise in the bid.

"24 Aura stones." Charles calmed down, staring proudly at the Atlas. [There is no way he can surpass our family's wealth.]

"24 Aura stones going once. Going twice..."

Atlas shook his head with misprize, opening his mouth again.

"F*ck you kid! Twenty five Aura stones!" Charles howled at Atlas. He wanted to smash the kid's head. The whole auction house was glowering at the weird old man up in the gallery screaming vulgarities.

"Ok. I was gonna say you can take it, but you just kept on cutting me off. Good for you I guess." Atlas shrugged.

"Going once. Twice. Sold for 25 Aura stones. Congratulations for obtaining 4 Tier 2 low grade Aura restoration pills." Laura cheered for Charles, while whispering in her heart. [Smart kid. That lit up my day.]

Laura spoke into the microphone again. "You know what's funny about today's auction? Just few moments after the 4 Tier 2 pills arrived, a masked man contributed 5 more of them to the auction! Isn't that fascinating?" She flipped open a fancy box right beside the potion bottle, revealing 5 Tier 2 Aura restoration pills. "Let us continue with the auction!"