Sovereign of the Ashes

True to her word, Eileen dragged Sein straight to the largest auction at the public starport.

Sein had attended a black market auction on Magus World’s southern coast during his days as a Rank One mage, but that event paled in comparison to the grandeur of this auction.

The auction, named “Kristy’s Auction”, was part of a prestigious chain within the Magus Alliance.

Kristy’s had branches across the Magus World, numerous starports, and important allied planes.

This auction house ranked among the top ten auction houses in the Magus World, boasting immense influence, a rich history, and a vast network of sales channels.

The goods they offered were unrivaled—items considered most ordinary here would be treated as grand finales at most other normal auctions.

When Sein and Eileen arrived in front of the imposing, gilded building, they were shocked—not by its opulent design, but by the sheer cost of entry.

“The entrance ticket alone costs five hundred magicoins?! That’s a thousand for the two of us!” Eileen gasped.

“Maybe we should go somewhere else! I’m sure there are other decent auctions and shops around the starport,” she suggested, tugging Sein’s arm.

For Eileen, a thousand magicoins for an entrance ticket was eye-opening.

During the recently concluded Wild Gorilla World War, she had managed to accumulate only a little over a thousand magicoins along with some magic ingredients.

Much of that had been spent in the years since, and her entire savings barely exceeded two thousand magicoins.

Unlike Eileen, who hesitated at the steep price, Sein’s interest only deepened.

An expensive entry fee like this effectively barred most Rank One mages outright.

In fact, Sein wagered that many Rank Two mages would not dare attend auctions of such caliber unless necessary.

Mage was a resource-intensive profession, and every one of them needed to manage their finances well.

For most, it was far more sensible to spend their savings on completing valuable experiments than on frivolous expenses.

A ticket priced at five hundred magicoins naturally limited attendance to a select clientele—those who were Rank Three grand mages or higher.

Only individuals with substantial financial resources could afford to visit such exclusive venues that offered top-tier merchandise.

If Rank Three grand mages from across the Magus World deemed this auction worth attending, it was evident that it featured an array of highly desirable items.

For someone like Eileen, a Rank One mage with a modest fortune, the steep entry fee was a direct deterrent.

For Sein, who had raked in tens of thousands of magicoin from the Wild Gorilla World War, a mere five hundred magicoins was hardly enough to turn him away.

Over the past two years, Sein’s life had revolved around experimental research and teaching at the divine tower academy. He had scarcely taken a moment to unwind or engage in recreational activities.

Even the trading houses near the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring paled in comparison to the grand auction house now standing before him.

“I’ve come all this way; I might as well broaden my horizons,” he thought.

Supporting Eileen, whose body had gone slightly limp from her shock, Sein confidently stepped into the building.

***

This auction was indeed a stark contrast to the one Sein had attended in the black market back then.

The receptionists at the front desk of this auction house were surprisingly not Magus World creatures but two flower elves that appeared to be at Rank Two.

Flower elves were not to be confused with the elves of Elven World. These were rare, dendro elemental humanoid creatures with delicate, colorful wings resembling butterflies.

In terms of both beauty and rarity, flower elves were considered even more valuable than elven girls.

The fact that two Rank Two flower elves served as receptions at the front desk spoke volumes about the stature of Kristy’s Auction House.

After handing over a hefty thousand magicoins to the two flower elves, one of them fluttered her wings and gracefully led Sein and Eileen deeper into the auction house.

She also handed two exquisitely crafted metal badges to them.

These badges, clearly magical equipment, could suppress their wearers’ aura and conceal their faces.

Many attendees preferred to keep their identities hidden, and the auction house showed its dedication to catering to its clientele.

Curious as ever, Sein asked the flower elf attendant if he could take apart the badge for a closer examination.

The flower elf was taken aback by his question, but ultimately nodded with professional composure.

These badges were standard keepsakes for every guest at Kristy’s Auction House.

Their oak leaf design was the unmistakable logo of the auction house, doubling as a subtle advertisement when worn elsewhere.

Sein deduced that the steep five hundred magicoins entrance fee partly covered the cost of these badges.

Examining the badge in his hand, Sein refrained from dismantling it on the spot.

He would have ample time for that back in his laboratory, and for now, he still required the badge’s concealment function.

Kristy’s Auction House occupied a huge area, and the flower elf attendant led Sein and Eileen on a flight that lasted over ten minutes before they finally reached the auction hall.

Along the way, Sein observed a variety of female attendants and customers making their way to the auction.

It became clear that Kristy’s Auction House employed more than just flower elves as attendants; purebred elves, beastmen, and even medusas were part of their staff.

The auction attendees were also a diverse group, not limited to Magus World creatures like Sein. A considerable number of Magus Alliance creatures were present as well.

Contrary to what one might assume, the Magus Alliance creatures, often seen as the exploited subjects of Magus Civilization, were not necessarily poor.

Wealth in this world was structured like a pyramid, with riches flowing upwards to the elite few.

In every plane, there existed a small group of individuals who formed the privileged class and those who held leadership positions.

Some of these creatures were incredibly powerful in their own right, commanding vast populations of subjects and servants.

Others were the direct descendants of Rank Four or higher beings, basking in the legacies left to them by their fathers and elders.

Take Hephaes for example—while Centaurworld was considered poor by many standards and the Rank Four centaur god even humbled himself before the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, his personal wealth was actually estimated at no less than two million magicoins.

It was entirely plausible for such a being to attend and splurge in an auction within the Magus Civilization.

When people speak of “poverty”, they typically refer to the average or median level of wealth within a plane, not considering the native outliers who existed within it.

Even in the poorest of planes, its strongest being could still enjoy a life of comfort and luxury, sustained by the resources and contributions of a few hundred million subjects.