Chapter 512.4: Auction ( Part 4 )
"Messenger?" Eustace muttered.
Eustace's eyes lit up after he heard Rosella's explanation. It has been a while since he met a Messenger. It was when he tried to summon back Lotus, who had died for him, and got Yvaine instead.
He knew very well that having a brief audience to the Messenger wasn't that simple. After all, the ritual that hadn't been mentioned was the key to it.
The ritual must have your request with the Messenger, or you must possess a connection with the Spirit World.
As expected, as soon as the bidding started, not many were interested. Furthermore, this item was seemingly meant for the rogue practitioners of the Holy Arts or those with ties to the Spirit World.
Nevertheless, there were still some people who could tell the value of this item.
"5,000." One of the bidders in front of the stage started.
It was a price that was a bit too low for Rosella's expectations, so she continued calling for other bidders.
"7,000..." The middle-aged man who was a Combat Arts Practitioner joined the bid.
The bid gradually climbed to 7,300 zen, then 7,800 zen, as the desire to possess the Holy Messenger's Summoning Scroll intensified.
The bidding didn't stop, and in the end, it was the same middle-aged man who had previously cautioned Eustace, who emerged victorious.
He had a winning bid of 15,900 zen!
The price paid for an item with vague usage might have seemed high, but it was apparent that the man possessed knowledge of the scroll's true purpose.
'A Combat Arts Practitioner who wanted to have an audience with the Holy Messenger?' Eustace mused.
He actually briefly considered joining the bidding. However, knowing he could potentially call forth the Messenger through his unique connection to the Spirit World, he ultimately decided against it...
Furthermore, even if he does try to summon one, he would just end up Extracting this Messenger.
As the auction continued, several more rounds of Alchemy Materials were sold, catering to the diverse needs of Arcanists and enthusiasts alike. These materials were highly sought after and quite rare outside.
This ultimately shows the power of the Assembly of Scourge, which is the owner of the Auction House.
After some time, there were finally some changes in the items...
The concept shifted, and the focus had now turned towards the sale of Potions and Pills.
Rosella proceeded to showcase a batch of potions, capturing the attention of the attendees.
The first potion unveiled was called the Blessed Undine's Body Fluid. Encased within a glass vial, the murky liquid inside seemed to glow slightly.
"This potion grants Arcanists, excluding Aura Masters and Knights, a physique that can rival that of Second-Class Evil Creatures. Its effects can last for over two hours, and there is even a high chance of a slight permanent increase in your Power Strand!" Rosella explained enthusiastically. "Additionally, it has a very weak aftereffect that can easily be removed with Blessed Water from the Priests. This potion is one safest strengthening potion that we have."
The batch being sold contained six vials of this enticing potion. The promise of enhanced physical abilities and the potential for lasting benefits proved to be an irresistible temptation for many in attendance.
Without delay, the bidding commenced.
As there were six potions available in this batch, the price quickly soared to a staggering 30,000 zen.
"So expensive?" Eustace couldn't help but marvel at the astronomical sum, realizing how Alchemists could amass great wealth with relative ease.
'It's not even a complicated potion. It was just a body fluid that was blessed by another Arcanist...' Eustace couldn't help but wonder if other blessed body fluids would also have such effects.
'Is this a sign for me to explore my abilities? Perhaps a Half-Celestial's body fluid can also become a potion if blessed?' He couldn't help but entertain this thought.
It was too astonishing to think that just six potions capable of enhancing physical abilities could command such a high price.
However, Eustace's thoughts also drifted to his past experiences with the Idle Mind Potion, Spirit Enhancement Potion, and the Anti-Corruption Force Potion, which he had consumed during his training under Heinz. The intense pain and the sensation of near-death that accompanied those potions flashed through his mind.
Considering the potential value and the seemingly manageable aftereffects of the Blessed Undine's Body Fluid Potion, he could only try to convince himself that the price was indeed justified.
***
As the auction progressed, Rosella presented a range of potions to the eager crowd.
Spirit Amplification Potions, Earth Eclipse Potions, Lust and Joy Potions, and various others were sold, each catering to different desires and needs.
While these potions garnered interest from some attendees, Eustace found himself relatively uninterested in their effects. They were already "low-quality" for him, considering his attributes.
However, he was suddenly stunned when Rosella introduced the next potion in line.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the next potion we have here is none other than the Third Phase of the Darkness Possession Potion!"
Her words resonated throughout the room, and Eustace's eyes widened in astonishment.
He didn't expect to find it here!
This was a potion that he needed! He initially thought that he would no longer have a chance of getting this after being "expelled" from the Academy.
'This... How can it appear here? I thought it's only produced by the first-generation families of the Dark Arts Factions?' Eustace was confused as he looked at Rosella, waiting for more explanation.
Even in the Dark Arts Faction, the Third-Phase of the Darkness Possession Potion was a rare concoction. It was known for its ability to break the limit of your potential in the Dark Arts and also protect you from stronger Possession... In short, it was used to avoid being consumed by the Darkness itself.
The requirement of the Academy to receive this potion was also quite high.
As a matter of fact, even graduate students may not have a chance of getting this potion!
"This is too good to be true..." Eustace muttered as he stared at the potion in Rosella's hands.