Chapter 12: Reunited with Clans Relics 2

"That's a one of a kind, young sir. The enchantment on it enables it to fit on one's face perfectly without falling. A truly rare item," he added clasping his hands. The short stout man was excited as he described the item. 'Probably greedy for money,' I thought.

"Why?"

"Pardon me?"

"Why is it rare?" I asked once more.

"Ah, that. It would be because it was found together with another treasure. The owner deemed this unimportant and decided to sell it to me. Its partner will be put up in the coming auction," he explained.

I looked at the mask. It had the same feeling as the circlet and the stick. They belonged to my clan. "Do you have the name of the one who sold this to you?"

"I am sorry young sir but I cannot disclose that information."

"Name your price."

He was silent for a while and shook his head. "I cannot do that sir. My shop can only exist if I retain a harmonious relation with my benefactors and customers. If you carry on insisting, I will have to ask you to leave," he explained politely.

"I misjudged you," I state holding the mask close. "Any price. No matter how much, I will pay it for this,"

I opened my bag and took out two spatial rings called Eight Stars and Vault. The Vault, as the name implied only gold can be stored inside it. It was the most secure way to carry money. The Vault ring was more expensive than any other type of spatial ring. It was used to store large quantities of fortunes unlike normal spatial rings like the Eight Stars. Its name came from its octagonal shape. The eight stars is used to store any kind of item but its space is limited depending on the type of ring you buy. The vault ring had restrictions that it can only be registered to one user while the eight stars can be used by anyone even if it had a previous owner. They were easier to rob. The only way to take ownership of a vault ring is by killing the owner and dipping the ring in the former owner's blood and then in yours in order to acknowledge a change of ownership that is if you were to rob someone. The necessity being that the previous owner must be dead. It can be handed to someone else if they said a certain phrase that only the owner of the ring would know. That would change the ownership without bloodshed. Unlike the eight stars where ownership can change even if the previous owner is alive.

"How much?" I asked once more wearing both rings. The librarian was kind enough to give me living expenses. It was only right that I used them. "20,000 taks? Would that be enough?" I looked at him, "or would you like more?"

"How can I commit daylight robbery?" he asked in shock. "It is but only a mask young sir. 300 taks would suffice as it is an enchanted item."

I nodded my head, "Add a pair of shoes."

He nodded and went to search of them.

"Follow me," he led me to another room. I wore the shoes feeling that they were better than the ones I had in the forest but not a perfect pair. I wanted shoes that when worn I would be able to feel one with nature. Still, they were better than nothing. I withdrew 30,000 taks from the ring and it clattered around the table falling onto the floor. The man gasped. "Sir, this is too much!"

"A thank you for reuniting me with my clans' relic," I told with a soft smile. "This is still not nearly enough. Should I give him more?" I thought out loud.

"No, no. please don't. I cannot bear the burden." He looked around the room frantically and left for a brief second. He came back holding a black hooded cloak that had a green lining. "It's not much but it's similar to the mask that you just purchased. I'll give you 30% off on anything you want to buy from my shop and a complimentary item with every purchase."

"Your name?"

"Elliot Liene, madam."

"All that is not necessary. But if the man who brought you this mask brings anything else to you, I want to be the first one to know about it. Talk to the old man of the auction house. He will help you get in contact with me."

"Who will I ask for sir?"

I wore the mask as I replied, "Shadow."

~~~~~~~~~

I wore the new coat, liking how fitting it was. I grabbed the mask and turned to Chanthy. "Ready?" I asked. It was the day of the auction. The last three days had passed in a blur. I focused on my mana training, trying to find a more efficient way to use the poison. I started to appreciate the mana cycle more when I realized that no one could tell if I was a mana user or not. Mana pools are used to store mana but can also be detected by other mana users. The larger the mana pool the more mana one could manipulate and the stronger the opponent was. But using crude mana directly without forming a mana pool was different. I could take in as much as I wanted as long as my mana cycle was efficient and my channels were strong enough. If both conditions are satisfied, I could be as strong as the strongest mana user or as weak as an ordinary person who could not use mana. "Yes," she replied wearing her white robes. Her light brown hair fell down her shoulders complimenting her look. I petted her head and wore my mask. She was just the cutest thing ever when she blushed.

The boys joined us outside the inn after a couple of minutes. They had both cleaned up nicely. Jaram looked handsome in his black breeches, with a white undershirt and a long overcoat. His blueish hair made him stand out whether he liked it or not. Dinole, on the other hand, was wearing light armor. He had a black long-sleeved pull neck underneath the black and silver chest and shoulder plates. A pair of brown briefs that had straps around his legs containing a dagger and throwing knives. His nearly knee-length boots and sword around his waist made him appear as a knight guarding his master which he was. His reddish hair and sharp eyes made him look better than usual. It was the first time ever since that first day that we met that he was wearing armor.

Once we reached the auction house, I showed them the black card and they led us to the balcony rooms on the second floor. The auction house was bigger than the one the Captain bought me in. The main floor had been divided into three. The stage at the end where the items would be displayed. Then two sections where people sat according to classes. Commoners sat nearest to the stage and nobility slightly farther away and their area was raised to separate them from commoners. Most of the people in the nobles' section were wearing masks hiding their identities. So were the commoners. It was a way to protect their identities and be safe from robbery. There were additional sixteen VIP rooms. There were eight rooms on each side of the wall, four on the first floor and four more on the second along one wall. The rooms only extended outwards like a balcony leaving the center of the room open. Light magic was used on the ceiling in order to light the entire auction house. It was on a much grander scale, meaning it had a lot of important guests from time to time.

"If you wish to make an offer please raise your paddle and the room will light up showing that you've made an offer. Refreshments will be served shortly. Please enjoy your time," he made a low bow and closed the door behind him.

Jaram sat down as he spoke, "It feels like such grand treatment."

"That coming from a prince?" I asked raising my eyebrow.

"If you come to Hortivia, you'll learn that my prince is treated way too differently," Dinole said with a sad smile. I glanced between the three of them and saw the sad expressions on their faces. Sighing, "Pick whatever you like. I'll get them for you."

"Really?" Dinole asked excitedly, "You'll get whatever we pick? No take backs, right? You're not gonna change your mind?"

"I might if you keep asking me questions," I say with a smile.

"Yes! You better be ready Elysia. I'm gonna get something expensive." Chanthy hit the back of his head, "He'll restrain himself. Won't you Dinole?" she asked glaring at him. He chuckled sheepishly and muttered a low yes. I laughed realizing that she had the two men on a leash. As cute as she was, she still had a fire within her.