That is something I have been trying to figure out for a while, so I spend some time studying them. While I don't use mana the same way, I can still learn something from studying the enchants. As I am studying them I sample some of the food from the table, it is quite good.

Just from the quality of the food provided, I am guessing that these boxes cost a fortune. As I am studying the enchantments I realize that they even block sight, meaning no one can see who is bidding. All they will know is the number of the bidder, at least from just observing.

If someone wants to know who a bidder is badly enough, I am sure there are other ways. Either bribing someone who works here or even buying the information from the auction house directly. So I am not going to count on staying anonymous, I will keep my escape plans ready.

The deal I have with Henrietta is purely business, my actions shouldn't affect her too much. The merchant group behind her should have enough power to protect her. About twenty minutes before the auction starts, she arrives with the two merchants.

Henrietta says "Good morning, Ash. Any problems?"

"None. Everything went smoothly."

Henrietta says "That's good. What do you think of the auction house?"

"It is really impressive! It is beyond what I was expecting!"

Henrietta says "Most capital cities have an auction house, but this is the best of them. In fact, none of the others can even come close! The auction is about to start, are you excited?"

"Yes, very! I wasn't able to sleep at all last night!"

Henrietta laughs and says "I completely understand! I have been to this auction dozens of times, but I still feel the same!"

"It's a shame this will probably be the only time I can attend!"

Henrietta says "That is a shame, but who knows if you will get another chance?"

"True. Oh, it's starting!"

An amazingly beautiful woman in an elegant dress walks out onto the stage. After a brief welcoming speech she immediately goes straight into introducing the first item. As she is talking, a pedestal with the item on it rises from the center of the stage.

The item itself is not of interest to me, I am focused on the process of the bidding. The auctioneer is very skilled, she calls out the bids as they come out. When the bids slow down she adds comments or movements to encourage more bids.

She uses her beauty as a weapon to entice more bidding, it is quite masterful. This is just the first item, according to Henrietta this is the least valuable item. The most valuable item will be the last item auctioned today, that's why the common seats aren't even half full.

A lot of people, knowing the process, won't bother showing up until later. Those who have boxes are even likely to skip the first day entirely and only show up on the second or last day. The last day, having the high-tier items, will obviously be the busiest day of the auction.

For today, being the low-tier items, it won't attract too much attention. Still, I plan to watch for the entire day, if nothing else I will just enjoy the atmosphere. Besides, there might be things that are useful to me among the low-tier items.

For example the void stone that no one but me knows how to use to make an item. While more rings wouldn't be of use to me, there are others who would love to have one. Not to mention, if I am ever short on money, I can sell one for a fortune.

Auctioneer says "For our next item we have a female elven child! She is untouched and is young enough to be trained! We will start the bid at ten thousand, with bid increments of one thousand!"

Bidder291 "11,000!"

Bidder318 "12,000!"

Bidder225 "15,000!"

"20,000!"

Bidder225 "25,000!"

Bidder291 "26,000!"

"30,000!"

Bidder225 "35,000!"

"50,000!"

Bidder225 "51,000!"

"60,000!"

Auctioneer says "Current bid is at sixty thousand, are there any other bids? Sixty thousand going once, going twice, sold!"

Henrietta says "Congratulations on winning your first auction, Ash! How does it feel?"

"It feels pretty good! The bidding war specifically was very exciting! However, I feel there is something odd about that bidder two-twenty-five."

Henrietta says "Don't worry about it. Bidding numbers are assigned based on power and influence. You only need to worry about lower numbers than yours. Higher numbers are weaker!"

"Oh, that's helpful to know! But that isn't what I meant. Something about that bidder just felt weird. Is there a way to find out who it is?"

Henrietta says "There isn't supposed to be, but actually there is. However, it is rather expensive."

"How expensive?"

Henrietta says "For numbers above three hundred it is a hundred thousand. For numbers two hundred to three hundred is is two hundred fifty thousand. For numbers one hundred to two hundred is a million. Info about numbers below one hundred are not for sale."

"So if I want to know who he is it's a quarter of a million, but if he wants to know who I am it's a million?"

Henrietta says "Yes, exactly. As I said, it's very expensive."

Just then, the door opens and an attendant comes in with the elven child. The child is obviously terrified after being on the stage in front of so many humans. The attendant turns and leaves without saying anything, so I kneel down to talk to the child.

"It's okay, no one is going to hurt you! Are you Goldenbreeze?"

The little girl looks at me in surprise and gives a tiny little nod in answer. Then I explain to her that I already freed her parents and will take her to them soon. After that her spirit quickly recovers and she even smiles, it is a rewarding sight.

I would prefer to gate her to the ship right away, but I need to leave the city first. Since I am taking Grimgar out tonight, I may as well wait and take her out at the same time. After checking what item is up for auction I take Goldenbreeze over to the table and get her some food.

Henrietta says "Ash, I don't mean to pry, but you seem to have a large interest in elves. I even get the feeling that the arena fight was about the elves rather than the money."

"To be honest, once when I was adventuring an elf saved my life. So now, I try to free elves and return them home anytime I can."

Henrietta says "An elf saved a human? That's very surprising! I thought all elves hated humans!"

"Well, can you blame them?"

Henrietta says "No, not at all. Their hatred is completely justified!"

"So, you should understand why an elf saving me was such a big deal for me?"