Pearl Appraisal

Devin and Alex decided to take a break from their responsibilities and explore their city, wanting to familiarize themselves with its streets and relax for a while. As they strolled through the bustling streets, taking in the sights and sounds, they came across a picturesque pond.

Suddenly, Devin felt his origin aura stirring within him, urging him to take action. Sensing an opportunity, he quickly sat in front of the pond, allowing the aura to flow and merge with his body. As the energy assimilated into his being, Devin felt a deep connection with the seed within him.

Suddenly, a tingling pain spread across Devin's back, as if someone were meticulously drawing something on his skin. Aware that surveillance cameras might be present, Devin didn't dare to check the source of the sensation. Without delay, they left the area and headed back home.

Once they arrived, Devin hurriedly stood in front of a mirror and examined his back. To his astonishment, he discovered a tattoo of a plant with strong roots, but in the form of a seedling with just one seed leaf. The sight sent a shock through him—did it mean that the image would continue to evolve, growing into a mighty tree that would cover his entire back?

Compelled by curiosity, Devin activated the circulation of his origin aura. In response, his storage ring materialized in front of him, floating gracefully in the air. He couldn't help but feel relieved that at least something positive had emerged from the mysterious phenomenon.

Devin had successfully obtained his storage ring in reality, a development that brought both excitement and intrigue to his mind.

Devin felt a sense of excitement as he opened the box containing the colorful pearls he had acquired from the auction. Each pearl possessed its own unique beauty, with shades of pretty pastel blue, light aquamarine, and even deep, dark blue. Blue pearls were particularly rare, known for their irregular shapes and imperfect forms. Additionally, there were pink, white, black, and golden pearls, each offering beneficial effects for the body. The sizes of these pearls ranged from small to medium to large.

Eager to categorize and appraise his precious collection, Devin decided to visit the reputable auction house they had come across the previous day, which had received excellent reviews. The auction house was owned by the Wellington family, known for their expertise in appraisals and their ability to facilitate auctions or private transactions for valuable items. They acted as intermediaries between sellers and buyers.

Devin hailed a taxi and ventured to the Wellington auction office alone, while Alex registered at an indoor Archery club to hone his skills. As Devin walked through the glass doors of the auction house, he was greeted by a receptionist who wore a professional smile and politely inquired, "Hello, are you here for an appraisal?"

"Yes, I booked an appraisal online yesterday for this morning," Devin replied, handing over his name and confirming his appointment.

The receptionist checked the relevant information on the computer and promptly called over a staff member, who would serve as his guide. Following the guide, Devin was led to a conference waiting room where other people were also patiently waiting for their turn.

"Please wait here, and when it's your turn, I will come back to invite you. Also, please have your appraisal item prepared. There are refreshments available over there, so please feel free to help yourself," the guide instructed before leaving.

Devin thanked the guide and settled into the waiting room.

Finding a quiet corner in the conference room, Devin settled in, able to observe the other individuals waiting alongside him. The room had three distinct groups of people, each with their own stories and belongings.

The first group comprised two young men in their early twenties. One of them held a small box tightly in his hands, and Devin couldn't help overhearing their conversation. It seemed that the man with the box had brought in a colorful stone for appraisal, hopeful that it held some significant value. He intended to sell it in order to purchase the gaming cabin of Oasis and buy the much-needed nutritional liquid. While Oasis could be played without the nutrients, the gameplay time would be limited. Devin couldn't help but understand the desire to invest in such things, given the advantages they provided. However, his friend seemed skeptical, questioning the worth of investing such a large sum of money into a game.

The second group consisted of a man and a woman, presumably siblings. They sat close together, with a jewelry box placed between them. Both were engrossed in their phones, their attention elsewhere as they waited for their turn.

The final group consisted of an older couple accompanied by their two adult children. Devin couldn't help but admire the familial bond that was evident in their interaction. They appeared calm and patient, seemingly content with the moment they were experiencing together.

As Devin observed these individuals, he couldn't help but wonder about their stories and the treasures they held. The anticipation in the air was tangible, each person hoping to uncover something valuable or sentimental. Devin found himself immersed in the atmosphere, eagerly awaiting his own turn for appraisal, ready to discover the worth of his precious pearls.

Suddenly, a sharp, discordant voice shattered the silence within the room causing everyone to turn their attention towards its source. A rough-looking man was berating the appraisers of the auction, accusing them of being blind, lacking genuine abilities, and intentionally deceiving people. However, despite this outburst, the faces of the staff members remained unchanged. It was evident that they were highly trained professionals, accustomed to handling such situations. Within moments, security personnel swiftly intervened and escorted the disgruntled man out of the premises.

As the commotion settled, the staff guide promptly approached the two young men who had been waiting, inviting them to proceed for their appraisal. Another staff member extended an invitation to the siblings, signaling that it was their turn. The rest of the individuals remained patient, waiting for their opportunity to have their belongings appraised.

Devin observed the smooth and efficient handling of the situation by the auction staff, impressed by their professionalism amidst such circumstances.

After waiting for ten minutes, it was finally Devin's turn for the appraisal. The guide who had been assisting him led him into a room where a female appraiser awaited his arrival. She greeted him warmly, explaining that her area of expertise lay in precious stones and gems.

The appraiser proceeded to inform Devin that since he intended to have his appraisal item placed in their auction house, he would be provided with a free appraisal opportunity. However, in order to avoid any potential disputes, it was necessary for him to sign an appraisal and entrustment contract. She elaborated, "This contract states that once we appraise the item and determine its value, it must be auctioned exclusively in our auction house. If you have no concerns or objections, please sign in at the appropriate place with your name and provide a copy of your identification."

Devin received the appraisal and entrustment contract electronically, sent directly to his Link device. Carefully, he read through the document, searching for any traps or loopholes that might be hidden within. Satisfied with his evaluation, he proceeded to sign his name and share his relevant information to complete the process.

Upon receiving the signed contract, the appraiser put on a pair of professional gloves and carefully took the box from Devin. The appraisal process would involve a series of steps, including taking photographs, asking questions, conducting a preliminary assessment by the appraisers, and employing machine judgment. Only after these steps were completed would the final identification result be provided.

Devin watched as the appraiser began the intricate process, keenly anticipating the outcome and the value that would be assigned to his treasured pearls.

As the appraiser continued with the identification process, using machines to delve into more detailed analysis, Devin mentally prepared himself for the anticipated question regarding the origins of the colored pearls. He had already thought of a prepared response, concocting a story about receiving the box from an old man while they were living in slums. According to the fabricated tale, the old man had no family and left a letter bequeathing the contents of the box to Devin and his companions. Without hesitation, Devin sent the forged letter to the appraiser, knowing that forgery was a skill he had acquired during his time on the streets. Furthermore, he had skillfully forged the signature, fully aware that many people in the slums lacked proper identification.

The appraiser, with a knowing smile, acknowledged the common reality that many items brought in for appraisal often have unknown or challenging-to-explain origins. It was not uncommon for individuals to claim that such items had been passed down through generations in order to avoid potential complications.

"Bless his soul," the appraiser remarked, seemingly accepting the story Devin had concocted.

The appraiser's smile then transformed into one of excitement as she delivered the good news. "Congratulations! The identification results for these sea pearls are exceptional. These are indeed authentic natural sea pearls. The pink, gold, and white pearls have a diameter of 18mm, while the blue pearl, reaching a rare 20mm, is an extraordinary find. This places them at a collector's level. What's even more remarkable is that all the colored pearls are perfectly round, showcasing minimal diameter differences and flawless shapes. Such characteristics are incredibly rare among natural sea pearls."

Devin's heart swelled with joy upon hearing the appraiser's assessment. It seemed that the pearls he had acquired were indeed of remarkable value and quality. Excitement coursed through him as he eagerly awaited the final outcome of his appraisal journey.