The moment Roy and Kit stepped through the towering crystal doors of the Astrion Royal Auction Hall, a wave of nobles, merchants, and cultivators swept past them like a tide. The building was massive—walls plated in enchanted gold, pillars engraved with runic constellations, chandeliers suspended by threads of pure Aether Force. Everything screamed wealth, power, and arrogance.
Roy whistled under his breath.
"Fancy place."
Kit didn't respond. Her posture was straight, controlled, almost regal—yet her shoulders held a hint of tension.
They had barely taken five steps inside when a cold voice cut through the noise.
"So the rumors are true."
Roy turned.
A young man stood in their path—tall, perfectly groomed, dressed in royal silks. His hair, unlike Kit's soft blonde, was a striking platinum, and his eyes glowed with aristocratic pride. His expression held nothing but disdain.
Kit's face stiffened instantly.
"Marcus."
Marcus Valenor—First Prince of Valenor.
And Kit's older brother.
His gaze drifted over Kit like she was an insect.
"Little sister… I thought you'd be hiding in the castle like usual. But I see you've brought a stray with you." His eyes flicked to Roy. "How charitable of you."
Roy didn't like the tone.
Not one bit.
Kit clenched her jaw. "I didn't come here to fight."
"Of course you didn't." Marcus smirked. "You never do."
Roy took a step forward before she could stop him.
"Hey. You got a problem with her, take it somewhere else."
Marcus blinked—slowly, as though surprised that anyone would dare speak to him like that.
Then he laughed.
Soft at first… then sharper.
"A problem? You think an insect could cause me a problem?" He leaned closer to Roy, eyes narrowing. "You don't even have a noble crest. Or cultivation worth mentioning. You're less than nothing."
Roy smiled a thin, dangerous smile.
"Funny. I thought nobles were supposed to act like humans, not spoiled brats."
Kit inhaled sharply.
The surrounding nobles froze.
Marcus's face darkened instantly. A vein pulsed at his temple.
"You… want to die?"
Kit stepped between them. "Stop it. Both of you."
Marcus ignored her, keeping his glare locked on Roy.
"I don't know who you think you are," he said slowly, "but keep running your mouth and you won't leave this hall alive."
Roy didn't flinch.
He didn't even blink.
And that made Marcus angrier.
Kit finally snapped. "Marcus, enough! We're going to the private booth."
Marcus leaned back with a scoff. "Fine. Run along, little sister. And take your pet with you."
He flicked his cloak dramatically and walked away, nobles scrambling out of his path.
Kit exhaled shakily, then turned to Roy.
"…I'm sorry."
Her voice was quiet. Sincere. "He shouldn't have spoken to you like that."
Roy shrugged.
"It's fine."
"No. It isn't." She looked genuinely upset. "Marcus… he despises me. Always has. I didn't want you dragged into that."
Roy gave her a small smile.
"Kit, relax. I've dealt with worse."
That seemed to surprise her—and calm her a little.
They made their way upstairs, where a servant guided them to a luxurious private booth overlooking the entire auction stage. Velvet chairs, crystal barriers, and trays of refreshments lined the room.
They took their seats. Only a few minutes remained before the auction began.
Roy leaned back. "So… what's the best item tonight?"
Kit didn't hesitate.
"The Abyssal Stone."
Roy raised a brow. "And that is…?"
"A rare catalyst. If a cultivator absorbs it, they can break through a minor realm instantly—even skipping a couple of realms if they're talented enough."
Roy whistled. " That's insane. So what's the 'Abyss' part mean? "
Kit's eyes darkened slightly.
"The Abyss refers to the cracks that opened across the continent ten thousand years ago. Spatial and temporal fractures. And monsters… creatures that don't belong to this world… began pouring out."
Roy's breath caught.
"Ten thousand years?"
Kit nodded. "Yes. They appeared suddenly. And the monsters that came through had no Life Essence. Only… Dark Essence. Corrupted and unnatural."
A chill crawled down Roy's spine.
Ten thousand years ago…
Same time my clan was destroyed.
He whispered mentally:
System… is this connected to my clan?
The response came instantly:
[ I am not prepared to give that information yet. ]
Roy's jaw clenched.
That meant yes—or at least very likely.
He didn't push further. He just stared at the stage below.
The lights dimmed.
The host stepped forward.
The auction began.
---
The Early Auctions
Items came and went in a blur.
Ancient scrolls. Beast cores. Spirit herbs.
Each one sold within seconds.
Roy watched with mild interest, but his mind was elsewhere—focused on the Soul Weapon piece he needed.
Kit occasionally explained some items, her voice calm and precise, but Roy noticed her glancing at the doors every so often—probably expecting Marcus to appear again.
After nearly an hour, the entire hall went silent.
The host raised a black velvet box.
"Ladies and gentlemen… the Abyssal Stone!"
Gasps filled the room.
Kit stood immediately. "I want it."
The bidding began at a high price—but the hall went silent.
No one dared bid against a princess.
Roy leaned toward her. "Guess nobody has a death wish."
Kit allowed herself a small smirk. "That would be—"
"200,000 gold!"
A voice boomed from the first-floor VIP booth.
Roy and Kit both whipped around.
Marcus.
Kit's expression darkened instantly. "Of course…"
Nobody else bid. Not a single person.
Marcus bid again. Higher.
Then again.
And again—mockingly, slowly, watching Kit simmer.
He didn't want the stone.
He just wanted to ruin her night.
Finally—
"Sold! To Prince Marcus Valenor!"
Kit's hands curled into fists.
"Tch… unbelievable."
Roy didn't say anything.
But he was already imagining punching that guy in the face.
The auction continued.
Kit tried to regain her calm, sitting back in her chair. "It's fine. The Abyssal Stone isn't essential. There are other—"
The lights shifted.
The host raised a crystalline case…
inside it floated a glowing silver fragment.
Roy's heart stopped.
The second piece of the Eternal Clock.
Kit noticed instantly. "Roy… do you need that?"
He nodded.
"Yeah. I do."
"I'll get it for you."
She placed her bid instantly.
No one challenged her.
Not until—
"500,000."
Marcus's voice echoed again.
Kit shot up. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"
Marcus leaned back in his booth, a sickening grin on his face.
"It's not about the item. If it matters to you—then it's worth buying."
Roy could practically feel Kit's fury shaking the booth.
Bid after bid followed.
Marcus crushed every single one.
And finally—
"Sold! Prince Marcus Valenor!"
Kit sat down, defeated. Her voice cracked slightly.
"…Roy. I'm… I'm sorry. I couldn't get it."
Roy turned toward her.
She expected disappointment.
Anger.
Sadness.
Instead—
He smiled.
A calm, sharp, terrifying smile.
"It's fine, Kit. Really."
"…Really?"
"Yeah." Roy stretched his arms, standing up slowly, while he thinking. ' Now… I don't have to feel guilty about stealing it '
Kit blinked.
" You're not planning anything bad, right? "
Roy was already walking toward the door.
" Thanks for everything. But I have something important to take care of "
He left the booth, stepped out of the auction hall, and slipped into the shadowed alley beside the building.
The night was cold. Quiet.
He leaned against the wall, eyes glowing faintly with a blue, ancient light.
Marcus would come out eventually.
And when he did…
Roy whispered, voice low and final:
"Time to get the second piece of the Eternal Clock."
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I hope u enjoy, add to collections, bye 👋