n

n

nHours into the auction, and I have just one word to say about it... Unimpressive.

nMost of the items up for bid are relics and rare objects. Of course the crowd ate it up, but as for me, they were not in the least attractive. Unfortunately, my grand prize will be the last item for auction since its the main object for today's events. This means I'll have to wait through this entire boring session.

n

"I have to say though, it's a bit awkward not buying anything

" I thought aloud.

nI looked toward Talia, who was watching the auction in earnest. I suppose the anticipation for obtaining her wings is her motivation. Unlike her, I don't really have a personal interest in this auction. But, who knows... Something interesting could happen. The night is still young.

n

"And now, we move on to the next bidding session

" The auctioneer announced.

nSuddenly and slowly, one after the other, I saw people proceeding from the backstage. They were in chains, and from their appearances I could tell.

n

"Slaves

" I said.

nTalia looked uncomfortable at the sight. Who can blame her? Had it not been for my intervention she would have been one of them.

n

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the slaves and a major attraction for today's auction.

" The man announced.

nIn total there were 7 slaves. Five male and two female. However, as I would expect from Imperius, they chose quality over quantity. Of the seven, four are beastfolk, two are Elves and finally the last person... Is that...?

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"We have seven of the best and highest quality slaves for bid here. We'll start with Slave A

" The auctioneer announced, beginning the bid.

nOf course the bidders competed amongst themselves for the slave commodities and bid as much as they could.

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"Do I hear 50 million?

" The auctioneer asked, on the matter of the Elf girl who is next.

nEveryone would love to have an Elf as a slave, and so they all jumped into the bid. Both of the Elves are female, so the appeal is through the roof. Elves are natural beauties and are usually considered pure. The perfect prey for rich men with sadistic tendencies or very strong libido.

n

"Buzzzzz

" A sound echoed through the room.

n

"100 million coins

" Someone declared.

n100 million? Who would spend so much on a single Elf girl?

nI looked at the origin of the sound, it was someone in his own exclusive bidding room, just like man. He must also be a Royal Member at Imperius.

n

"100 million, any one bidding higher?

" The auctioneer said.

n

"Going once, twice...

"

n

"Sold!

" The auctioneer said, confirming the sale of the first Elf slave to the Royal Member.

nWell, that's no surprise. I doubt anyone in their right mind would waste that much money on a single slave... Well, unless he is a Royal, like that guy.

n

"Now, for the other Elven beauty

" The auctioneer said with a smile.

n

"100 million

" The same bidder said.

nThere were grumblings and murmurings made by the other bidders, but there was nothing anyone could do about it. In the end, money and power are the things that matter in this world, the auction house is no exception.

n

"Going once... Twice... Sold!

" The auctioneer declared.

nAfter that, it was clear that the audience was displeased.

n

"Now, now... There's still one more slave to be sold

" The auctioneer said, reasoning with the audience.

nOf course this didn't make the crowd any happier. The last slave isn't a female, and isn't an Elf. Just some random dude... Or so they think.

n

"Please everyone calm down

" The auctioneer said.

nSuddenly, the crowd stopped their murmurings and anger and started to let out chuckles and some even bursted out laughing.

nThe auctioneer was initially happy about this and took credit for the sudden change of heart among the audience. But for those of us who are watching the auctioneer and the auction, we know what's really happening.

n

"Look behind you

" One of the bidders said, laughing even more.

nThe auctioneer turned back only to find the last slave, which was supposed to resemble a teenage boy with tattered clothing and unkept hair, but what he saw was something else entirely. He was looking at... Himself.

nNot only was the slave now identical to the auctioneer, but he was making weird poses and dancing in a funny manner. It was funny to everyone because it seemed like it was the auctioneer who was doing it. His fat and short figure dancing all around cracked everyone up.

nIt turns out the final slave is a shapeshifter, a breed capable of changing their appearances to whatever suits them. One of the most notorious and haughtiest races in this world.

nThe auctioneer gushed with so much embarrassment. He was now mad.

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"Y-You! How dare you? Who ordered you to turn? Change back! Change back now!!!

" The auctioneer shouted at the slave.

nThe slave, still with the appearance of the auctioneer finally stopped his silly tricks. He then cracked a mischievous smile and then changed his head back to his original form, but left the physique of the auctioneer and laughed, continuing his silly antics.

nThe audience laughed even more at the silly sight. The auctioneer was red with anger and reached within his pocket to bring out some sort of scroll. The scroll glowed and suddenly the slave started screaming, kneeling down and holding his head.

n

"I said... Change back!

" He commanded.

nThe slave immediately complied, still screaming and groaning. I looked closely and saw the reason why.

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"Slave Crest

" I said.

nIt is only natural that slaves have one. It prevents a slave from going against their master and also allows the master to command the slave to do anything or simply punish them. Normally, as the original owner of a slave, no scroll is needed to enforce the Slave crest. However, since the auctioneer is not the original owner, he needs a scroll to act as a medium for enforcement.

nNeedless to say, the slave won't be disobeying the auctioneer or pulling any other funny tricks anytime soon.

nThe audience booed the judgement of the auctioneer and some still let out some chuckles.

n

"Now then...

" The auctioneer cleared his throat to regain his composure and command decorum.

n

"Let us proceed.

" He smiled.

n

"We'll begin the price from 500,000 coins. Any takers?

" The auctioneer asked.

nNo one responded.

n

"Any takers?

" He repeated.

nNo one wanted the slave.

nThe auctioneer had a conflicted look. The slave he was supposed to sell... No one was interested in buying him. At least, that's what everyone thinks.

nA buzz was sounded, and a voice came forth.

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"I'll take him

"

nEveryone turned toward the direction of who said that... It was none other than me.

nI have to say, I am interested in this shapeshifter. Not just because of his little stunt earlier, though that relieved my boredom for a bit, but there's something else. Besides, he seems like an interesting character.

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"Any higher bid?

" The auctioneer asked.

nNo one responded. Of course, who would be interested in a troublesome sneaky little shapeshifter. It will most likely cost them more to maintain such a slave than to actually use him. Besides, it is a general rule that shapeshifters can not be trusted. They're one of the most scorned races. And, after the stunt the slave just pulled, no one would like to have it as their slave.

n

"Going once... Twice.... Gone! The last slave has been sold.

" The auctioneer announced, a sense of relief was in his voice.

nI can't say I blame him. That particular slave must've been a handful.

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"Now then, ladies and gentlemen. The moment you've all been waiting for.

" The auctioneer declared.

nEveryone's voices could be heard at this point. It is finally time to bring out the main sensation of today's auction...

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"I hereby present to you... The Fairy Wings

" The auctioneer declared.

nEveryone cheered and marveled at the wings which were brought to the stage. Even I have to admit, they are indeed beautiful, a perfect fit for Talia. The wings are a combination of many colors, brimming with purple and red hue, with blue glows around the edges and it emanated a bright low glow.

nI looked beside me to see Talia's reaction to this sight. She was crying. I saw the longing in her eyes, the craving she has for what was once hers. I smiled. Within a matter of time, those wings will be mine. I guess its time for me to now actively participate in the auctions, because from now on... Things will start to get very engaging.

n

"This should be fun

" I said with a smile.

n