CHAPTER 228: AUCTION II

Rhys stared at the orb, waiting for something—anything—to happen.

But it only pulsed softly in his hands, like calm breathing.

Sophia tapped her foot.

"Well? Is it gonna hatch? Shine? Summon a demon? Something?"

Rhys shook his head.

"It’s just... warm. And it’s moving a little."

Caria leaned closer.

"Maybe shake it?"

Lyra grabbed her wrist immediately.

"Do not shake ancient magical objects."

Caria shrugged.

"Fine, fine."

Aria smiled gently.

"It’s reacting to Rhys. That’s what matters."

Puddle hovered beside it, her tiny face serious.

"It is sleeping. But it knows Master now."

Rhys blinked.

"...It knows me?"

Puddle nodded.

"Yes. It remembers your mana. It will open when ready."

Before Rhys could ask more, the auctioneer slammed his staff again.

"Next item! Item #9!"

A large wooden crate was dragged forward.

Everyone watched as the lid was opened—

—and a giant silver gauntlet floated out, glowing with runes.

Sophia whistled.

"Whoa. That looks cool."

Caria grinned.

"Okay, now THIS is something I’d punch someone with."

Lyra examined it carefully.

"It boosts strength. Quite a lot."

Aria tilted her head.

"But it looks heavy."

The auctioneer called out:

"Epic Gauntlet! Grants +200 Strength but reduces Speed by 30%! Starting bid: 20,000!"

Hands shot up instantly.

"Twenty!"

"Twenty-five!"

"Thirty!"

Rhys sighed in relief.

"At least this one I can’t afford even by accident."

Sophia elbowed him.

"Good. Because you don’t need a strength gauntlet. You’d fall over."

Caria laughed loudly.

"Yeah, your speed stat is like... your only good stat."

"Hey!" Rhys protested.

Lyra nodded honestly.

"It’s true."

Puddle patted his cheek.

"Master fast. Master not strong. Master stay fast."

Rhys slumped.

"...Thanks, I guess."

The gauntlet sold for 48,000 gold.

Rhys relaxed a little, holding the blue orb close.

The next several items passed by—potions, weird artifacts, a giant hat that shot fireballs (sold immediately).

Finally...

The auctioneer clapped again, smiling wide.

"Now... for something very rare! Item #10!"

The lights dimmed.

A crystal pedestal floated forward.

And on top of it rested a white book with glowing blue letters.

The room went silent.

Sophia whispered,

"That’s... a skill book."

Lyra narrowed her eyes.

"And not a common one."

Aria leaned forward.

"The mana around it is very pure."

Caria grinned.

"This is gonna get expensive."

Puddle’s eyes widened.

"Master... that book feels like water too."

Rhys’s heart jumped.

"Another water-type item...?"

The auctioneer raised his hand.

"Behold! The Rare Skill Book—

Tidal Step

A movement technique used by ancient water users."

Rhys sucked in a breath.

Movement skill.

Water type.

Rare quality.

It was perfect for him.

Sophia noticed his expression instantly.

"Oh no. Don’t you dare."

Caria raised an eyebrow.

"You literally have like 1,400 gold left."

Aria smiled softly.

"It’s okay to want it, Rhys. Just... don’t cry."

Lyra sighed.

"At least look calm while losing."

Puddle held his sleeve.

"Master... maybe not this time. Money small."

Rhys stared at the book.

The auctioneer continued:

"Starting bid: 30,000 gold!"

Dozens of hands shot up at once.

"Thirty!"

"Thirty-five!"

"Forty!"

Sophia lifted her arms dramatically.

"Yeah, nope. Out of your league."

Rhys slumped back in his seat.

"Yeah... I know."

But even as he watched the bidding rise to insane levels—

Even as players shouted and fought over it—

Even as the price reached 110,000 gold—

Rhys held the blue orb in his hands...

...and couldn’t shake the feeling:

His real treasure wasn’t the book.

It was the orb he’d already won.

Puddle whispered quietly.

"Master... your path is water. That orb will teach you more than any book."

Rhys took a deep breath and nodded.

"Alright... I’ll trust that."

The auctioneer slammed the staff.

"Sold for 122,000!"

The crowd cheered.

Rhys just held the orb close, feeling it pulse gently again—

like it was answering him.

Something inside was waiting.

And soon...

It would wake.

Rhys stood up from his seat as the auction moved on, clutching the orb carefully so he wouldn’t drop it.

Sophia stretched.

"Alright, that’s the last big item. We can go now."

Caria yawned loudly.

"My legs are dead. Can we eat something?"

Aria smiled.

"There’s a food stall outside."

Lyra adjusted her glasses.

"Let’s leave before the crowd becomes chaotic."

Puddle floated above Rhys’s shoulder, staring at the orb.

"It is waking a little. But still sleeping."

Rhys blinked.

"...How do you even know that?"

Puddle tilted her head.

"It feels like water dreams."

Rhys decided not to ask further.

They stepped out of the glowing auction hall into the cool night air.

Students were talking loudly, bragging about what they bought or complaining about how they lost the bid.

Caria stretched again.

"Man, that Tidal Step book... imagine being that rich."

Sophia shrugged.

"Whoever bought it is probably someone strong. Or stupid."

Lyra nodded.

"Rare skills like that usually go to top players."

Rhys stared at the ground.

"Yeah... well. I didn’t get it. That’s fine."

Aria walked beside him gently.

"You already gained something special today."

He looked down at the orb in his hands.

The light inside flickered softly—almost like a heartbeat.

"...I hope it’s worth all the panic I went through," he muttered.

Puddle smiled.

"It will be. Master trust."

They reached the academy courtyard. Quiet, peaceful. Only a few lanterns lit the path.

Sophia looked around.

"So, Rhys. What now? Going back to your room?"

Rhys nodded.

"Yeah. I want to rest. Tomorrow’s training is already giving me a headache."

Caria smirked.

"You should train strength for once."

"No."

"Come on, just once."

"No."

Lyra sighed.

"Leave him alone."

Puddle hugged the orb like a pillow.

"Master no need big muscles. Master need brain."

Rhys squinted.

"...Was that a compliment or an insult?"

"Yes."

He sighed.

They reached Rhys’s dorm entrance.

Sophia gave him a pat on the shoulder.

"Good job today. You didn’t die. I’m proud."

Caria gave him a thumbs-up.

"Next time, buy something that explodes."

Lyra adjusted her glasses.

"Sleep early."

Aria smiled warmly.

"Good night, Rhys."

Puddle flew in a circle.

"Sweet waters, everyone."

They all left.

Rhys entered his quiet room, closed the door, and sat on his bed with the orb in his hands.

It pulsed again—stronger this time.

"...Hey," he whispered.

"Whoever you are... don’t break anything when you wake up, okay?"

The orb didn’t answer.

But the light inside swirled slightly, like it heard him.

Rhys lay back, exhausted, the orb resting beside him.

Tomorrow... he’d deal with whatever came out of it.

For now, he just hoped it wasn’t some kind of water dragon that hated small rooms.

"...Please be friendly," he muttered before drifting off to sleep.