The Endowment Wine (Part 3)

The Borin Auction House loomed over the bustling streets of the Imperial city, its stone façade a testament to the wealth and power of its patrons. Among the countless auction houses, Borin was one of the first, attracting a diverse clientele drawn by its reputation for rare treasures.

Kai stood in the shadows, pulling the hood of his cloak low over his eyes. "Even enough to reinforce their glasses with magic," he muttered, a flicker of lightning dancing along his fingertips. His heart raced as he prepared to execute his plan. "But there's still an advantage for me."

With a surge of energy, he propelled himself forward, the wind exploding around him. Guards patrolled the area, their watchful eyes oblivious to the blur of motion that was Kai. He had trained for this moment, every muscle primed for speed and stealth. The tall building beckoned him, and he floated upward, navigating the compound with an ease that belied the danger surrounding him.

His target was the top floor, where magical defenses shrouded the windows. 'These aren't so hard to break,' he thought, focusing his Endowment. It hummed in response, electric anticipation thrumming through his body. As he approached the glass, he felt a faint resistance, a barrier that sparked against his power. With a determined thrust of energy from his palm, he shattered the window, the shards glittering like stars in the dim light.

Just as the guards turned their heads, curious at the sound, Kai slipped inside, heart pounding. He had mere moments before they realized something was amiss. Time was of the essence.

The air crackled with energy as he dropped to the floor, lightning spiraling around him. He drew upon his Endowment once more, shattering the ground beneath him with a single thought, creating a hole that led him down to the lower levels of the auction house. "Just a little further," he thought, urgency pushing him onward.

He descended rapidly, crashing into a dimly lit chamber below. Dust clouds floated in the air as his surroundings came into focus. Rows of dusty shelves lined the walls, each filled with the remnants of items once deemed valuable. With a deep breath, he channeled more mana into his aura, illuminating the room with a crackling glow.

"Locker #345," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "It has to be here."

As he moved stealthily through the shadows, he scanned the tags on the lockers, his heart racing with anticipation. He quickly spotted the number. "#340, #342… Ah, #345."

Reaching out, he gripped the handle, but the door wouldn't budge. Frustration flickered within him, but he quelled it, drawing on his Endowment. With a fierce yank, he wrenched the door open, the sound echoing in the silence as it clattered to the ground. Inside lay the coveted bottle, its surface gleaming with an ethereal light.

Kai's fingers traced the smooth curves of the bottle as he carefully stored it in his Inventory. "Just like that, I'm out," he thought, allowing himself a moment of triumph. But as he turned to leave, a chill swept through the air, sending his instincts into overdrive.

He ducked instinctively, narrowly avoiding a diagonal slash from a blade that sliced through the space where his head had just been. The guard had appeared as if conjured from the shadows, his uniform immaculate, movements refined. "A thief," the guard hissed, eyes narrowing.

Kai barely had time to think. With a flicker of his Endowment, he vanished, reappearing behind the guard. The element of surprise was his ally, but the guard was quicker than he anticipated. Spinning around, the guard slashed at Kai, but this time, the young thief was ready.

With a swift motion, he summoned the DragonTooth Dagger, its blade glowing a fierce green in the darkness. Sparks erupted as steel met steel, the impact sending a shockwave through the room. Kai's heart raced; he couldn't afford to falter now.

"Who are you and what do you want?" the guard demanded, his voice edged with caution, though his grip on the sword remained firm.

Kai remained silent, calculating. Every second counted, and he knew that if he spoke, he'd give away too much. Instead, he tightened his grip on the dagger, allowing mana to surge into the blade. It pulsed with energy, crackling with intent as he prepared for the next move.

"You must be quite strong," the guard acknowledged, flames swirling around his own sword, casting an ominous glow. "I hope you can give me a challenge, little thief."

Kai smirked, adrenaline fueling him. "You're about to find out how much of a challenge I can be."

With a sudden burst of speed, he launched forward, lightning spiraling around him as he aimed a thrust at the guard's midsection. The guard parried, their blades clashing violently, the sound reverberating through the room.