Prince Malphas stared at the orb with an expression that cycled through surprise, calculation, and growing respect for Lola’s boldness.
The auctioneer stood frozen, clearly uncertain how to evaluate the artefact versus monetary bidding. His training hadn’t covered such powerful item appraisals during active auctions.
How do you price something that’s technically priceless?
"The Eye of Apollo," the auctioner repeated slowly. "A bold gambit, Lady Lola. Would you mind telling us how much it’s worth?"
Lola nodded with a smirk that suggested she’d been waiting for exactly this question. "One thousand one hundred golden coins... if you can find it for sale. Since you can’t, its actual price is considerably higher."
Eleven hundred coins minimum. She just raised the stakes beyond anything we’ve seen tonight.
The crowd murmured with appreciation for both the artefact’s value and Lola’s boldness.
Prince Malphas studied the Eye of Apollo with the calculating gaze of someone who understood exactly what kind of power was being offered. His expression suggested serious consideration rather than automatic escalation.
He’s weighing his options.
"Since Lady Lola has decided to introduce Tier 5 items," the prince announced.
"I shall naturally respond in kind."
The prince reached into his own storage space, withdrawing an orb that seemed to contain miniature storms within its silver surface. Wind currents swirled through its depths.
Another powerful artefact. Of course, he has one sitting in his storage ring.
"The Wind Orb," Prince Malphas declared, holding the sphere aloft for the crowd’s inspection. "Containing concentrated essence of the sky realm’s most powerful atmospheric forces."
Noah’s inspection ability triggered automatically as the orb’s power washed over the plaza.
[Description: A legendary artefact containing pure wind essence harvested from celestial storms. Provides a deep understanding of atmospheric manipulation and serves as a catalyst for wind-based magical development. Contains enough elemental energy to awaken dormant affinities.]
[Estimated Price: 1,300 Golden Coins]
Thirteen hundred coins are equivalent. He just outbid her legendary artifact with an even more valuable one.
But instead of disappointment, Lola’s expression carried satisfaction that seemed completely at odds with being outbid. Her ruby eyes found Noah’s position in the crowd, delivering a tiny smile that only he could see from his angle.
She’s done. This is what she wanted all along.
The realisation struck Noah like lightning. Lola hadn’t been trying to win the auction—she’d been manipulating Prince Malphas into offering exactly the kind of payment that would benefit Noah most.
This succubus... she’s incredible. She played everyone, including this prince.
"Going once for the Wind Orb!" the auctioneer called, his voice concluding one of the kingdom’s most expensive auctions.
Thirteen hundred coins worth of elemental artifact. Some sales redefine entire economies.
"Sold to His Royal Highness Prince Malphas!"
The gavel’s impact echoed across the plaza like thunder, finalising a transaction that would be discussed in demon society for decades.
[You have sold your first Protein Bar!]
[Daily Income Stream Activated!]
[Protein Bar Idle Income: Wind Orb or equivalent in gold]
[Reward: Auto-ProteinBar Level 1]
Daily income stream of legendary artefacts. The system just transformed my entire business.
Noah could barely contain his excitement as implications flooded his consciousness.
The transaction was completed almost immediately. Prince Malphas claimed his enhancement with satisfaction that suggested money well spent, while Noah accepted the Wind Orb with reverence befitting legendary treasure.
If I sold these orbs to the academy in the human realm, I could make a decent profit. Or maybe I could trade one for a different elemental affinity... That might be more valuable in the long run. Then again, I could give one to Kipp—he is a mage, and this would definitely boost his power.
Noah’s mind went through all the different possibilities that the wind orb offered him, and there were plenty.
Prince Malphas departed with his retinue, the protein bar secured within royal storage for immediate consumption. His expression carried contentment that suggested successful acquisition of the desired enhancement.
Lola melted back into the crowd subtly, avoiding any appearance of close connection to Noah’s shop. Her performance had been flawless—manipulation disguised as competition that achieved everyone’s objectives.
She couldn’t be seen entering my shop right after that performance. It would’ve been too obvious. She would return later on, and even if anyone questioned it, they had no evidence.
And if they chose to push harder?
Well, they could try.
She was a master-tier mage, after all.
The plaza gradually emptied as spectators discussed the evening’s unprecedented events. Record-breaking prices, legendary artefacts, royal participation—enough material for months of speculation.
Noah returned to his shop with the Wind Orb clutched carefully in both hands. He had already paid the auctioner his due, for now he needed to check his reward.
The artefact pulsed with contained wind power that made his senses tingle with anticipation.
Time to see if this unlocks my elemental affinity.
Inside his transformed shop, surrounded by glowing Demonica plants, Noah settled into a meditation position with the silver orb resting in his palms. Lola had discreetly provided instructions before the auction’s conclusion.
Insert mana into the orb and feel the wind.
Noah focused his Level 5 mana control, channelling energy into the small orb. The response was immediate—power flowed from his consciousness into swirling atmospheric essence contained within.
Connection established. Now what?
At first, nothing happened beyond the orb’s gentle warming against his skin. The wind essence remained foreign, unresponsive to his magical probing.
Still nothing. Maybe this won’t work after all.
But gradually, something shifted. Noah’s mana sensitivity began detecting patterns within the orb’s chaotic energy. Atmospheric currents that had seemed random revealed underlying structure.
There it is, I can feel it! Something’s changing.
Minutes passed as understanding slowly developed. The wind essence stopped feeling alien, becoming something he could almost touch with conscious intent.
Getting closer. The barrier’s weakening.
His mana merged deeper with the orb’s contained storms, consciousness expanding to encompass atmospheric forces that defied normal comprehension.
Almost there. Just a little more...
Suddenly, connection blazed through his awareness like lightning. Wind essence flooded his magical channels, transforming theoretical understanding into visceral knowledge of atmospheric manipulation.
[You have learned the skill Wind Manipulation Level 1]