Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Dawn of Tomorrow – The Auction
Arrival of the Guests:
The day of the auction dawned with a vibrant atmosphere. Powerful men and women from all corners of Eldoria arrived at the auction house, accompanied by personal guards and advisors. Among them were legendary warriors, renowned mages, influential nobles, and even representatives of secret guilds.
Event Setting (Third Person):
The entrance to the auction house was adorned with banners displaying the emblem of the Visionaries of Eldoria. Guards created by Rafa discreetly patrolled the external areas, while Kael's clones monitored every movement inside the building. Guests were greeted by Victor, who distributed identification numbers and ensured everyone followed the strict event rules.
"Welcome to the Dawn of Tomorrow," Victor said with his impeccable posture. "Please, follow me to the main hall."
Inside, the guests took their places on floating chairs made of magical energy. At the center, a circular stage projected holograms of the items to be auctioned. In the back, Rafa waited calmly, observing the crowd with a subtle smile.
Rafa Takes the Stage:
When everyone was seated, Rafa took the stage, wearing his modern outfit with the clan's emblem embroidered on his chest. He walked with relaxed steps, as if he was just playing with the situation.
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen," he began, with a light and almost sarcastic tone. "Welcome to the Dawn of Tomorrow, where the impossible becomes possible. Today, you will have the chance to acquire items and knowledge that could change your lives... or maybe just make you richer."
Some guests laughed, while others frowned, uncomfortable with Rafa's laid-back attitude.
"Shall we begin?" he asked, with a mischievous smile.
First Item: Magic Methods Books:
The first item up for auction was the book "Fundamentals of Chakra and Magical Energy." Rafa explained its features in detail, but with a touch of humor.
"This book is perfect for beginners who want to learn to control their internal energy," he said, holding the volume. "But it can also help experienced masters refine their skills. Think of it as a manual to avoid accidentally blowing yourselves up."
The bids started quickly, with several mages and warriors competing for the book. A noble offered a small fortune but was outbid by a secret guild.
"Looks like we have some serious competitors here," Rafa commented, still playful.
Conflicts During Bidding:
As more items were announced, tensions began to rise. During the auction of the book "Practical Elementalism," two powerful men—Thalor, the Glacial, and Sylra, the Fire Master—got into a verbal confrontation.
"That book is mine," Thalor growled, rising from his chair. "You don't know what to do with it."
Sylra responded with a cold smile. "And who are you to decide that? I've mastered fire for decades."
The tension in the air was palpable. Rafa watched calmly but decided to intervene before things got out of control.
"Calm down, my friends," he said, still smiling. "We don't want to turn this beautiful hall into a battlefield, do we?"
However, when the two continued arguing, Rafa momentarily released his powerful aura. An invisible wave of energy swept through the room, sending a chill through everyone.
"As I said," he spoke, now with a more serious tone. "Behave. Or I will have to take... unpleasant measures."
Silence filled the room. All eyes were on Rafa, who resumed smiling as if nothing had happened.
Kaelen's Inventions:
After the incident, Rafa continued the auction, presenting some of Kaelen's inventions.
Force Pulsar: A bracelet that temporarily increased the user's physical strength. Enchanted Swords: Weapons imbued with specific enchantments, like cutting through magical barriers or emitting light in dark environments.
"These little wonders may seem simple," he explained, holding one of the swords. "But they have the potential to revolutionize magical combat. Who knows? Maybe you can defeat your enemies without getting your hands dirty."
The bids for the items were intense, with many guests willing to pay astronomical prices to acquire them.
Beasts Disguised as Humans:
While observing the crowd, Rafa noticed several suspicious figures—beasts disguised as humans, infiltrating among the guests. He recognized their presence thanks to Kael's surveillance abilities and his clones, but decided to ignore them for now.
"They are here for something specific," he thought, while announcing the next item. "But it doesn't matter. No one leaves here without my permission."
The Last Item: Chiyu Chiyu no Mi:
Finally, it was time for the last item: a strange and bright fruit, encased in a glass dome of magical energy. Rafa placed it at the center of the stage, observing the curiosity on the guests' faces.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, we have something truly unique," he said, with an enigmatic smile. "This is the Chiyu Chiyu no Mi, a magical fruit that grants extraordinary abilities to whoever consumes it. But beware: its use is not recommended for the faint of heart."
The guests were intrigued but also hesitant.
"What exactly does it do?" asked a mercenary, standing up from his chair.
Rafa smiled, finally revealing the fruit's secrets.
"The Chiyu Chiyu no Mi is a Paramecia-type Akuma no Mi," he explained. "Paramecia fruits grant unique abilities, often related to manipulating the body or the environment. In this case, the Chiyu Chiyu no Mi allows the user to heal any wound through a special liquid produced by their own body, like tears or blood."
He paused, letting the information sink in.
"Imagine," he continued, with a more serious tone. "A warrior gravely wounded in battle, on the brink of death. With this fruit, he can heal not only himself but also his allies. It is a power that transcends combat—it's a gift to save lives."
Rafa then briefly explained the other types of Akuma no Mi:
Zoan: Fruits that allow the user to adopt characteristics of animals or mythical creatures. Logia: Fruits that transform the user into a natural element, like fire, ice, or lightning.
"Additionally," he added, with a gleam in his eyes. "There is the concept of 'awakening' an Akuma no Mi. When awakened, the fruit amplifies its powers to the maximum, allowing the user to transcend their natural limits. Imagine what someone could do with amplified healing power..."
The guests were astonished but also excited.
"Who wants to experience the power of healing?" Rafa asked, with a provocative smile.
The bids for the Chiyu Chiyu no Mi were the most intense of all, with several people offering absurd fortunes. In the end, a mysterious man, covered by a dark cloak, won the fruit for a price that left everyone speechless.
Closing of the Auction:
With the auction concluded, Rafa stepped off the stage and walked among the guests, greeting them casually.
"I hope you enjoyed it," he said, with a confident smile. "See you next time."
As the guests departed, Rafa returned to his tower, reflecting on the event's success.
"This was just the beginning," he murmured, looking at the horizon. "Soon, everyone will know that I am the visionary who will shape the future."