The academy did not need time to get ready for the auction. It started the moment the announcement spread.
"A new item from the artisan has appeared."
This time the reaction was immediate and overwhelming. The first auction had created curiosity. The second created expectation. Students who had missed the event rushed toward the exchange hall while those who had witnessed it returned with sharper eyes and greater anticipation. Even instructors began to appear their presence subtle but undeniable.
The central exchange hall filled faster than before. Conversations layered over one another speculation rising with every moment.
"This has to be connected to the one."
"No one can produce that level twice by accident."
"What if its a hidden master testing the academy?"
"Or someone preparing to rise."
The rumors had evolved. The unknown artisan was no longer a curiosity. The unknown artisan had become a force people were trying to understand.
Kael walked into the hall with the others, his expression calm as always his presence blending seamlessly into the crowd. Riven on the hand was far less composed.
"I refuse to believe we're here again " Riven muttered, scanning the hall. "If this thing sells for more than the one I'm changing professions immediately."
Miras eyes sparkled as she looked around. "This is even bigger than before!"
Tarin nodded slightly. " Course it is. The first event proved value. The second confirms consistency."
Lyra remained quiet. Her gaze moved carefully through the crowd. There were more than students this time. She noticed figures standing at the edges their presence restrained but observant.
"…They're watching closely now " she said softly.
Kael didn't respond,. He had already noticed.
The system was reacting.
The auctioneer stepped forward again his expression carrying a trace of something new—anticipation.
"Welcome " he began, his voice steady despite the charged atmosphere. "It seems our anonymous contributor has chosen to grace us."
A ripple of excitement spread through the hall.
"This time " he continued, "the item is not a pill."
That alone was enough to silence the room.
"A formation scroll."
Now the silence deepened into something
A formation scroll was not the same as a pill. Pills were consumed. Formation scrolls shaped environments, controlled battles. Influenced outcomes far beyond individual strength.
They were harder to create.
More complex.
More valuable.
Riven leaned forward slowly. "…You're kidding."
Mira grabbed his arm. "He can do formations too?!"
Tarins gaze sharpened. "…If its the creator then this changes everything."
Lyra said nothing. Her attention had already shifted to the stage.
Kael remained still.
The item was revealed.
A simple scroll.
Unassuming in appearance.
The moment it was placed at the center the air itself seemed to tighten.
"Evaluator " the auctioneer said.
Selene Arctis stepped forward.
Her presence was calm, controlled and precise. Unlike Arion she did not carry authority but there was a quiet confidence in her movements that drew attention.
She approached the scroll.
Picked it up.
Unrolled it slightly.
Then—
She froze.
Just for a moment.
Her eyes narrowed.
Not in confusion.
In realization.
"This…" she said slowly.
The hall held its breath.
"…is extremely refined."
Murmurs exploded instantly.
Selene continued, her voice steady but sharper now. "The structure is perfectly aligned. Energy loss is nearly nonexistent. The layering is efficient beyond teaching methods."
She paused.
Then added quietly "…This is not something a student should be able to create."
That sentence hit harder than anything
Riven leaned back stunned. "Okay. I'm done. This person isn't real."
Mira nodded rapidly. "This is unfair. Completely unfair."
Tarin didn't speak,. His expression had grown serious.
Lyras gaze flickered toward Kael.
Again.
Before the murmurs could settle another figure stepped forward.
Arion Vale.
His presence alone shifted the atmosphere. This time he did not wait for permission. He approached the platform his eyes fixed on the scroll.
Selene stepped aside allowing him to examine it.
Arion studied the formation.
Carefully.
Silently.
Then his expression changed.
Not dramatically.
Enough.
"…The same signature " he said.
The hall went silent again.
Selene looked at him. "You're certain?"
Arion nodded once. "The control, the refinement, the precision. This is not coincidence."
A ripple of shock passed through the crowd.
Riven blinked. "Same person? You're telling me this guy can do both?"
Mira grabbed her head again. "This is impossible!"
Kael sat quietly.
"…So they noticed " he thought.
The auctioneer raised his hand restoring order.
"Then we begin."
"Starting bid fifty Aether Stones."
"Two hundred!"
"Three hundred!"
"Five hundred!"
The escalation was immediate and violent.
There was no hesitation this time.
No testing phase.
Everyone understood the value.
"Six hundred!"
"Seven hundred!"
"Eight hundred!"
The hall vibrated with intensity.
A new voice entered the bidding.
Cold.
Confident.
"One thousand."
The room froze.
A student stood near the tiers his robes more refined than most his posture carrying the quiet authority of someone used to wealth and influence.
"Who is that?" Mira whispered.
Tarins eyes narrowed. "…Darius Vell. Minor family from the West Continent. Known for resources."
Riven exhaled slowly. " Course he is."
Arion raised his hand.
"One thousand two hundred."
The tension snapped tight.
Darius smiled faintly.
"One thousand five hundred."
Gasps filled the hall.
Mira clutched Rivens arm. "This is insane!"
Riven nodded slowly. "I don't think I can afford breathing here anymore."
The bidding slowed.
Only slightly.
"One thousand six hundred."
Then, Silence.
No one dared push
The auctioneer raised his hand.
"One thousand six hundred "
"Twice…"
"Sold."
The hammer fell.
The hall erupted louder than before.
"A thousand six hundred?!"
"For a formation scroll?!"
"This is madness!"
Riven leaned back staring at the ceiling. "I've made my decision. I'm changing careers."
Mira nodded seriously. "Me too."
Tarin exhaled slowly. "…This changes the balance within the academy."
Lyra didn't respond.
Her gaze was fixed on Kael.
"…You're still not surprised " she said quietly.
Kael glanced at her.
"…Should I be?"
Lyra studied him.
Longer this time.
"…You're hiding something."
Kael didn't respond.
He didn't deny it either.
On the platform Arion watched the scroll being taken away.
His expression had shifted from confidence to something sharper.
Focused.
"…Interesting " he murmured.
"…Very interesting."
Selene stood beside him her gaze intense.
"…This person understands formations better than students."
Arion nodded slightly.
"…. Alchemy."
A brief silence passed between them.
Then, "We find him " Arion said.
Selene didn't disagree.
Above the hall hidden behind layers of formation barriers the same two figures observed again.
"The second item confirms it."
"…Yes."
"This is not coincidence."
A pause followed.
Then, "Track the origin."
That night Kael stood alone more.
The academy was no longer just watching.
It was searching.
"…This is becoming inefficient " he thought.
The more he created the more attention he drew.
The results were undeniable.
Resources.
Influence.
Opportunity.
"…Then I control it " he decided.
Not by stopping.
By adapting.
By becoming more careful.
More precise.
More hidden.
Away within the exchange system a message was prepared.
Anonymous.
Directed.
Waiting.
Soon it would reach him.
Because the academy was no longer content, with watching.
It wanted to meet the artisan.
It would not stop until it did.