Chapter 640: Auction
If certain materials can fetch a higher price on the West Coast, then they are definitely kept aside, waiting to be sold once back on the West Coast.
Over the next two days, he hardly left his abode, fully immersing himself in the sorting and evaluation of the vast array of materials.
He first submerged his Spiritual Power into the miniature spatial array of the resource box, inspecting each compartment of materials against the checklist with meticulous attention.
Not only confirming their types and quantities, but also assessing their quality, estimating their general market value on the current East Coast wizard market, judging their rarity, and most importantly, contemplating their alignment with his own development path.
Once sorted, Duke began his actions.
He first contacted a reputable and well-established local Commerce Association in Anvil Castle through the hotel’s reliable anonymous mediation service, known as the Forge and Covenant House.
This Commerce Association is renowned for fair trading, strong confidentiality, and excellent relations with major Wizard Organizations, especially adept at handling large-volume, clearly-sourced magic materials.
The meeting was arranged in a highly confidential meeting room provided by the mediator, where the opposite party dispatched an experienced, steady-eyed senior appraiser and a manager.
Duke presented approximately twenty percent of the materials, which the appraiser examined closely one by one, using some small-scale magic and instruments as assistance, occasionally whispering with the manager.
The process lasted for nearly half a day, and eventually, the opposite party quoted a total price: Nine million and eight hundred thousand Level 1 Magic Stones.
This price was within Duke’s estimated range, slightly above ninety-five percent of the market’s public price. Considering the Commerce Association’s need for profit, risk assumption, immediate payment, and confidentiality services, it was a very reasonable offer.
Duke did not dwell excessively on it and agreed without hesitation.
This batch of materials was relatively common, with transparent pricing, so the whole transaction process was smooth.
However, there were still some rare and special materials, whose prices tended to fluctuate unpredictably.
If he wanted to maximize benefits, the best way was to auction them at an auction house.
Since these materials, though rare, were not necessary for everyone, which led to prices often varying depending on the individual.
Yet, at an auction house, those who needed them would likely bid, and some might join to buy for resale, making the final price quite favorable.
Coincidentally, Duke saw much news these two days that the Secret Circle Commerce Association at the Anvil Castle branch would host a quarterly large auction in half a month.
Such auctions often attracted numerous wealthy high-level wizards, family representatives, and researchers, able to auction truly high prices for genuine treasures.
Duke carefully selected thirteen top-quality items: a Sleeping Crystal Orchid preserved in pristine condition, almost emitting faint nightmare vibrations, three perfect samples of Moon Moss, and a small vial of Starlit Silver Sand, reputed to have miraculous effects on spatial attribute research...
To consign these items to the Secret Circle auction required passing stricter appraisal and valuation.
Duke also engaged with the auction house’s appraisal team through mediation.
Both parties signed the standard consignment auction contract, where the auction house would take fifteen percent of the transaction price as commission, guaranteeing absolute anonymity for the consignor, and stored the auction items in the auction house’s specially crafted, more defensively secure storage vault.
As for the remaining materials, Duke kept them carefully, not rushing to clear them out entirely.
The preserving functionality of the box was exceptionally excellent, serving perfectly as a long-term storage warehouse.
For the next half-month, Duke was not idle.
He continued to familiarize and practice Sand Servant Magic, experimenting with constructing Sand Soldiers in different forms and armed with various weapons using Metallic Yellow Sand, testing their coordinated combat abilities.
Meanwhile, through various channels, he gained deeper insights into Anvil Castle, Eastern Coast Wizard Society, power distribution, and recent trends.
Half a month’s time passed quickly, and the day of the Secret Circle’s quarterly auction arrived.
The venue was not the public marketplace but held in a solemn, grand building combining gear aesthetics and classical magic runes in Anvil Castle’s uptown.
Usually, this location was not open to the public; only wizards with invitations or sufficient credentials could enter.
Duke easily obtained participating credentials, whether as the consignor of some auction items or due to his identity as an intentional barrier-breaker, qualifying him to attend this auction.
He donned an inconspicuous gray Wizard Robe, slipping into the hall along with the sparse crowd a quarter-hour before the auction commenced.
The inside of the hall appeared more expansive than outside, clearly utilizing spatial expansion techniques.
Soft magic lights poured down from the dome embedded with innumerable fine crystals, illuminating the hundreds of independent cubicle seats arranged in a circular, tiered pattern, each equipped with a small operational panel and shield Witch Array.
The lower level was a more open seating area, while the upper level featured private boxes with one-way observation windows, designed for true VIPs or individuals requiring extreme confidentiality.
The air was filled with a subtle calming fragrance, accompanied by an almost imperceptible, mood-soothing gentle tune as background.
The attendees conversed in hushed tones, their voices obscured by the seat Witch Arrays, creating a solemn and secretive atmosphere within the hall.
Duke followed the guidance to his cubicle located in the middle rear.
After taking a seat, he activated the basic shielding of the seat, calmly sweeping his gaze over the bidders entering one after another.
Of diverse appearances, some concealing themselves, others revealing their faces freely, with varying intensity of aura; but those present undeniably possessing considerable financial power or background.
In front, the auction platform, under the soft illumination, was highlighted.
A middle-aged warlock in a dark purple ceremonial robe, hair neatly quaffed, wearing a monocle, walked steadily to the stage, his voice amplified by magic, clear and magnetic, resonating in the now subdued hall:
"Esteemed guests, good evening. Welcome to the 127th quarterly auction of the Secret Circle Anvil Castle branch. I am Albert, the auction host. May knowledge and wealth be with you all."
Host Albert’s voice was steady and penetrating: "Ladies and gentlemen, our first item tonight is quite unique. It is neither crafted by a master nor reflects any style from known civilization."
He gestured to the side, where a waiter dressed in formal wear and white gloves approached with a tray covered in dark velvet.
On the tray, a Longsword lay quietly.
The Longsword measured over three feet, with a classic design, somewhat simple in style.
The scabbard was a somber deep gray, neither metallic nor wooden, lacking any gemstone inlays or intricate patterns, featuring just two faint circular depressions near the hilt.
The hilt was wrapped in leather that had long lost its luster, ending in a simple round pommel.