Aston paid for the meal and glanced at the time - 12:30 PM. He stepped outside of the hotel and crossed the square with Gray nestled comfortably on his shoulders. The crowd that had once filled the corner had mostly filtered inside, leaving only a few stragglers hurrying toward the entrance. A pair of uniformed ushers stood on both sides of the tall, arching doors, scanning QR codes with sleek devices.

  As Aston approached, one of the ushers gave a curt nod.

  “Ticket, please.”

  He raised his phone and let the usher scan the glowing QR code. A soft chime confirmed his entry.

  “Welcome to the Azure Veil Auction House. General admission seating is to the left. Please refrain from entering the VIP or SVIP galleries,” the usher said, motioning him inside.

  Aston stepped through the doors and found himself in a wide atrium of polished stone and gilded edges. The floors gleamed like obsidian glass, reflecting the grand chandelier hanging above. A quiet hush permeated the space despite the number of people present. The atmosphere was respectful.

  Azure-clad attendants moved with trained efficiency, guiding guests to their designated areas. Lining the interior walls were intricate murals of past auctions - paintings of soaring spirit beasts, glowing artifacts, and silhouettes of bidders holding numbered fans mid-bid.

  Tio the sides, stairways curved upward to the more luxurious seating areas. Guards clad in azure armor stood at regular intervals, along with their imposing spirit beasts. One had a crimson-plated hound with molten eyes that tracked every movement with surgical precision. Another stood behind a silver-feathered raptor perched on an armored pauldron, its talons gleaming like sharpened daggers. A third flanked the entryway to the VIP lounge, a lithe panther-like beasts with faintly glowing stripes pulsing across its hide in rhythmic waves.

  Aston instinctively sent an analysis request to Nova upon seeing these beasts.

  —

  [Spirit Beast: Dark Flame Hound]

  [Type: Bestial]

  [Attribute: Fire]

  [Genus: Canis]

  [Rank: 8-star]

  [Potential: 9-star]

  [Description: A canine beast that can cloak itself in black fire. It exudes intense heat and leaves scorched ground with each step. Known for its loyalty and exceedingly sharp senses, it can unleash bursts of flame from its maw and ignite its surroundings when provoked.]

  —

  [Spirit Beast: Silver Claw Eagle]

  [Type: Avian]

  [Attribute: Wind]

  [Genus: Aquila]

  [Rank: 7-star]

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  [Potential: 9-star]

  [Description: A swift and regal avian known for its bladed silver talons and razor-sharp feathers. It commands the wind to slice through foes mid-flight and can generate cutting gales with a single flap of its wings.]

  —

  [Spirit Beast: Shadow Panther]

  [Type: Bestial]

  [Attribute: Darkness]

  [Genus: Panthera]

  [Rank: 8-star]

  [Potential: Obsidian Core]

  [Description: A stealthy predator that melds into the darkness, becoming nearly invisible in low light. It strikes from the shadows with silent precision and leaves behind no scent or sound.]

  —

  None of the beasts made a sound, but their presence was unmistakable. Like a drawn bow waiting for release.

  Aston kept his posture relaxed, though a part of him tensed instinctively. He could feel the sheer spiritual pressure lingering in the air. This wasn’t just a show of wealth. It was a statement of order, security, and power.

  An usher in azure-trimmed vest approached and gave him a curt bow.

  “General admission?”

  Aston nodded and held up his phone, letting the attendant scan the glowing QR code.

  “Proceed down the left corridor. You’ll be guided to the general seating gallery. Enjoy the auction, sir.”

  He nodded with a quiet “thank you” and walked forward. The hallway curved gently and opened into a mid-sized amphitheater bathed in warm, ambient glow. Tiered seating ringed a central auction platform made from spirit glass and silver-etched stone. Above it, hovered a display crystal projecting a silent countdown.

  00:21:31

  He found a seat near the middle, placing Gray gently on his lap as the kitten stretched once and curled into a warm ball. Around him, murmurs and soft conversation filled the room. Bidders flipped through previous catalogs, whispering guesses and strategies.

  Above the auction floor, separate galleries for VIP and SVIP attendees shimmered behind enchanted partitions - partially veiled but still visible. One can only make out the silhouettes of the participants in these galleries.

  Aston leaned back slightly, the pulse of anticipation beginning to build in the air.

  As the minutes ticked down, the ambient noise in the room gradually dulled to a hum. People were settling into their seats. Some of them bent down to grab a bidding paddle below their seats. Seeing this, Aston followed suit and found a paddle below his seat.

  Attendants moved quietly between the aisles, offering refreshments or adjusting lighting crystals embedded in the walls.

  Even Gray, who was usually lazy, had settled down completely. Its breathing softly and ears twitching occasionally at the subtle shifts in sound around them.

  As the countdown reached zero, the clock ticked to 1 o’clock. The overhead lights dimmed slightly, drawing a hush over the room.

  Then, a spotlight flared to life on the central stage. A circular platform rose from beneath the floor, elevating smoothly and silently. Standing atop it was a tall woman clad in deep blue robes embroidered with silver thread that shimmered like stardust. Her hair was pinned up with a crystal veil pin, the signature emblem of the Azure Veil Auction House.

  She lifted a hand, and her voice rang out, magically amplified yet rich and calm.

  “Welcome, honored guests, to the Azure Veil’s monthly public auction. I am your host and auctioneer for today, Mistress Candy.”

  A soft wave of polite applause echoed throughout the hall.

  “Today’s auction features an array of rare items collected from across the Red Moon Empire and beyond. As always, we ask for decorum during bidding and request that spirit beasts remain seated beside their partners unless summoned for verification.”

  Mistress Candy gestured once, and a shimmering display appeared above the stage. An ethereal screen made from condensed light displayed the silhouette of the first item. Another female attendant walked from the back of the stage toward the platform, holding a tray veiled in azure cloth.

  “Let the auction commence.”