The space ring

The guard then gestured for Ellie to enter and to follow him to her section. As she walked inside, Ellie's eyes widened in awe at the sheer grandeur of the interior. The room was vast, filled with rows upon rows of plush chairs, each adorned with a small name tag indicating its owner.

Meanwhile, as Azrael attempted to follow Ellie into the Auction Tower, the guard positioned at the door reached out to stop him. Azrael grabbed the man's hand quickly to stop him from blocking his path. The guard hesitated for a moment before Ellie intervened, informing the guard that Azrael was with her.

Azrael walked in just behind Ellie, both of them guided by the guard. "The VIP auction is on the top floor," the guard said, gesturing toward the elevator at the side of the expansive interior.

As the guard approached the elevator, he pulled a lever, and the doors creaked open. Azrael and Ellie stepped in, followed by the guard.

"We'll be taking the elevator," the man said, pulling another lever. The elevator doors closed behind them. "Oh, so this is an elevator," Ellie remarked, recalling the reason Azrael had given her for his tardiness. As the elevator began to ascend, she suddenly gripped onto something. Though her face remained calm, it was evident that she was uncomfortable, having never ridden an elevator before.

After a relatively seamless ascent, the elevator halted with a resounding alarm. A flick of the lever prompted the doors to part, revealing a sight that rendered Ellie momentarily breathless. Much like the lower floor, seating arrangements were dispersed throughout the space, but the true marvel lay in the floor-to-ceiling glass windows that stretched toward the lofty ceiling.

Drawn to the transparent panes, Ellie marveled at the captivating vista before her: the morning sun cast an ethereal glow upon AML City.

"This way," the guard instructed, gesturing toward a staircase. Reluctantly tearing her gaze from the view, Ellie followed the guard, with Azrael shadowing her steps as they ascended the staircase.

At the summit, a door led to a room where, on one side, a vast glass pane offered the same awe-inspiring perspective Ellie had just witnessed. On the opposite side, an open balcony overlooked the entire floor, providing a clear vantage point of the lower rows of seats and the auction stage. Similar rooms were visible, suggesting the presence of additional VIP accommodations.

The room was tastefully furnished, complete with a plush chair, a table adorned with sumptuous food and wine, and other accouterments. The chair was strategically positioned to offer an unobstructed view of the auction stage.

"It appears you've arrived early," the guard remarked. "More guests will be arriving shortly, and we'll commence the auction. Please make yourselves comfortable. If you wish to place a bid during the auction, simply press and hold this button," he said, indicating a button on the side of the chair. "We have measures in place to ensure that the auctioneer hears you."

"Thank you," Ellie replied as the guard departed, leaving Azrael and her alone in the room. Ellie immediately gravitated toward the window, gazing out at the breathtaking view of the city.

After nearly an hour of waiting, the auction finally commenced. Ellie had settled comfortably into the plush chair, occasionally indulging in the delectable snacks on the table, while Azrael remained standing in the same spot.

"You can sit if you'd like," Ellie offered, but Azrael declined with a curt "I'm fine," opting to continue watching the auction while standing.

"Suit yourself," Ellie replied, biting into a succulent strawberry from the fruit platter.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Assassin's and Mercenary League Annual Auction will now begin," the announcer declared. Though he was situated on the stage, his voice carried throughout the room, reaching Azrael and Ellie with crystal clarity.

"Ki transmission?" Ellie pondered aloud.

"No," Azrael replied, catering to her obvious curiosity. "It's a voice transmitter powered by magic."

"Interesting," Ellie remarked, her curiosity sated.

"We'll commence the auction with our first item of the day: Ragon's Space Ring. This ring is unlike any other, with almost infinite storage space. There are few rings like this in the world," the announcer proclaimed, prompting a flurry of bids.

"500,000 silver."

"700,000 silver."

"900,000 silver."

The bids echoed from each side of the VIP floor, with one final bid ending the round as it went unchallenged. "1,100,000. Are there any higher bids?"

Just as the auctioneer was about to conclude the bidding, a voice rang out. "4,000,000," Ellie declared, her voice resounding throughout the room.

"Four million from Miss Blueborne. Are there any higher bidders?" the announcer inquired. The room fell silent for a few moments before he declared, "Sold to Miss Blueborne," as workers approached the stage to retrieve the case containing the ring and deliver it to Ellie.

As the workers bowed and exited the room, Ellie donned the ring and placed her hand over the table. "Look," she beckoned, drawing Azrael's attention. She then placed her hand, now clenched into a fist, over the food on the table, and with a subtle flash of light, half of it vanished.

"That's what a space ring is for: storing things," Ellie explained.

"I see," Azrael replied, his interest piqued. Though his nonchalant response and usual demeanor belied his intrigue, it seemed to irk Ellie slightly.

"Hmph," she pouted, turning away from Azrael.

"Anyway, have it," Ellie said, removing the ring and offering it to Azrael. "It's better than carrying a bag around."