The young Adventurers standing in the great hall drew in a collective breath, tension thick in the air. Only the older, more seasoned adventurers managed to keep their composure amid the current situation. Even if most of them did not know the true identity of the elderly man who had just arrived, they all understood one thing: he came from the Royal Clan.
And what did the Royal Clan represent? They are the ruler of this entire kingdom. Everyone knew that.
Morris forced a polite smile as he turned to Helbram, his voice calm but slightly strained.
"Lord Helbram, it was nothing more than a small duel between young Alchemists. My student did not intend to cause any trouble. He merely wished to test himself against the adventurer who possesses the so-called legendary Blue-Green Alchemy Flame."
Helbram sighed, shaking his head slowly before speaking in a low, measured tone.
"Since it was your student who caused the commotion, I will let this matter pass. But I cannot promise he will receive a second chance if he dares to repeat what he has done. You understand perfectly well how important this occasion is. I will not allow it to be marred before it even properly begins."
Morris was the most renowned Alchemist in the entire kingdom. Naturally, Helbram was willing to give him this one concession.
"Thank you very much, Lord Helbram," Morris said, this time smiling openly. He turned his attention to Brien and gestured firmly.
"Brien, come here and offer Lord Helbram a proper apology."
Brien stepped forward to stand before the two most influential adventurers in the Sacred Dragon Kingdom. His steps were steady, his face free of any sign of anxiety or fear.
When he reached Helbram, he inclined his head only slightly and spoke in a dull, disinterested tone.
"Lord Helbram, please forgive me if I have done anything that displeased you."
No one sensed the faintest trace of sincerity in Brien's words. What they saw instead was the same arrogant demeanor that had always defined him.
Morris again tried to smile, though inwardly he felt a headache brewing. Even as Brien's teacher, he could never truly understand this young man's behavior. He respected no one. He rarely offered even the simplest courtesy to those above him. It was enough to drive any teacher to despair.
Helbram did not bother to respond to the half-hearted apology. Instead, he turned his attention away, directing his gaze toward where the Cloud Soaring Sect stood.
His eyes eventually settled on Noah. He studied him intently, and after a moment, Helbram sighed and slowly shook his head in disappointment. Only a handful in the hall knew Noah's true identity—and Helbram was one of them.
He finally spoke, his voice carrying across the silent chamber.
"May I ask… which among you is Finn Doria?"
Finn froze for a fraction of a second, then quickly regained his composure. He stepped forward, immediately drawing Helbram's attention. He bowed respectfully and spoke in a clear, earnest voice.
"It is an honor to meet you, Lord Helbram. May I ask how I might be of service to you?"
His tone was so sincere and polite that Helbram couldn't help but smile.
Before approaching Finn, Helbram inclined his head slightly in Morris's direction. Then, with measured steps, he walked over to stand before the young Adventurer.
He regarded Finn with a gentle expression, his voice calm and warm.
"I am likewise honored to meet the boy who possesses the legendary Blue-Green Alchemy Flame. In the past months, your name has spread throughout the entire kingdom. Even His Majesty himself knows who you are."
A faint smile curved Finn's lips at those words. He lowered his head once more and replied with quiet humility.
"It is an honor to be known by His Majesty."
All around them, the young adventurers felt a surge of envy. To be recognized by the King himself—what did that signify? The King of the Sacred Dragon Kingdom was a figure whose every word was law. He ruled over all, and every citizen held him in the highest respect.
Brien and Tiffanya could not hide the darkening of their expressions. They already despised Finn, and now he was drawing even more attention—attention from Helbram, and perhaps from the King himself.
As the moment dragged on, Tiffanya felt a growing sense of dread. The threat Finn posed to her—and to her Nine Ice Family—was steadily becoming undeniable. If the King took a liking to Finn, it could very well mean the end of her clan. Even if the Nine Ice Family and the Black Tiger Family were not completely destroyed, those responsible would surely face judgment. Not even the Ice Feather Sect would be able to save them.
"…Miss Tiffanya," came a low voice beside her.
It was Singh Marren, a youth of the Black Tiger Family—the eldest son of Family Head Frederick. He shifted uncomfortably, unable to hide the unease in his eyes as he watched Finn's rising influence.
As the son of an aristocrat, he knew more than most about the old grudges between the Nine Ice Family and the Azure Wood Family. And unlike the noble clans, he could not help but feel an overwhelming fear for his people.
Tiffanya shot him an irritated look, her voice cold and tense.
"Be silent. I know perfectly well what needs to be done. I will not allow Finn Doria to rise any further."
"But Miss Tiffanya… Finn Doria possesses the Blue-Green Alchemy Flame. You know as well as I do that neither the Alchemist Association nor the Royal Clan will allow any harm to come to him. When that time comes… all we will be able to do is wait for our bitter fate," Singh replied gravely.
Indeed, Finn's possession of such a rare alchemy flame had made him invaluable to the kingdom overnight. This was the first time anyone had seen it firsthand. If he agreed to become an Alchemist in service to the Sacred Dragon Kingdom, the benefits would be immeasurable.
Singh felt a tightening in his chest. His clan's very survival was at stake—and he knew he would have to act before it was too late.
After some more brief conversation between Finn and Helbram, the two finally exchanged farewells. Finn felt genuine joy—he could sense the sincerity in Helbram's words. He had never imagined the King's right-hand man—and the second most powerful adventurer in the kingdom—would treat him with such respect.
In a small way, he even felt grateful to Brien. After all, if Brien hadn't exposed his secrets as an Alchemist, none of this recognition would have been possible.
Helbram moved to the front of the hall, his eyes sweeping over everyone assembled. His voice, though calm, carried an unyielding authority.
"Seven Great Factions. Allow me to remind you all—any form of disorder is strictly forbidden on the lands of the Sacred Dragon Family. If you wish to prove your worth, do so at the upcoming Seven Great Faction Games. Otherwise… wait until this gathering has concluded."
He paused, then continued in a slightly softer tone.
"Since no serious harm was done today, I will forget the incident. But to all the faction masters—I expect you to keep your members in check. Many of you come from noble bloodlines or have powerful patrons, but that does not excuse reckless behavior."
His gaze drifted over the hall once more. He sighed and nodded thoughtfully.
"Mm. There are still two weeks until the Seven Great Faction Games begin. But first, we have another important event—the auction of many rare items. There will be artifacts and armaments up for bid that may aid you in the competition. I have no doubt you will find something of interest."
"Before that, however, we must move to the Auction Chamber. Come—follow me."
Excitement rippled through the hall. Many dreamed of obtaining a wondrous artifact from the Royal Clan's collection. They prayed they would be fortunate enough to secure something that suited them. Still, most of the young adventurers knew they could only watch—the prices would be far beyond their reach. But even just witnessing the treasures was enough to thrill them.
Seeing the eager faces all around, Helbram nodded with a faint smile, then began walking slowly toward a large door at the end of the hall.
The Immortal Sword Pavilion followed first, then the other factions in turn.
Meanwhile…
"Soaring Seven, listen carefully," Noah said, his voice solemn. "The Cloud Soaring Sect has promised to help you acquire whatever armaments you need. If you see anything that calls to you, simply speak up. As long as it's reasonable, I will do everything I can to secure it for you."
"Thank you so much, Sect Master Noah," several of them said, bowing deeply in gratitude.
It was no small kindness. Who would offer high-quality armaments so freely? Adventurers with generous hearts were few and far between, and the Soaring Seven felt immense gratitude toward Noah and the entire Cloud Soaring Sect.
"You don't have to thank me," Noah said gently. "You are the most gifted members of our faction. This is simply a small reward for your diligence and dedication. I have only one request—never betray or abandon the Cloud Soaring Sect or the Sacred Dragon Kingdom."
The Soaring Seven's eyes shone with pride and loyalty. One by one, they replied in unison.
"We understand, Sect Master Noah!"
None of them had any intention of betraying the place they now called home. They had learned so much within these walls—lessons etched forever into their hearts.
As for the Sacred Dragon Kingdom—it was the land of their birth, the land where their families had lived for generations. The kingdom was ruled fairly, and no one among them wished to see it harmed.
"Good. Follow me."
Noah and Elder Marcus walked side by side into the Auction Chamber, the Soaring Seven trailing behind them in quiet anticipation.
When they stepped inside, they were greeted by an expansive hall filled with seats of every color—silver, black, brown, red, green, blue, and orange.
Each color marked where the factions were to sit.
Silver for the Immortal Sword Pavilion.
Black for the Ancient Darkness Palace.
Brown for the Soul Puppet Sect.
Orange for the Burning Heaven Sect.
Green for the Alchemist Association.
Blue for the Ice Feather Sect.
And the red seats—reserved for the Cloud Soaring Sect.
The Cloud Soaring Sect took their places at once.
When everyone had settled, Helbram stood on a small platform at the front of the room. A tall, narrow table stood before him, ready to display the items soon to be unveiled.
"Now that you are all here and prepared, listen closely," Helbram announced. His gaze swept across the chamber as he continued,
"All of the items up for auction are the property of the Royal Clan. I can assure you of their quality. Nearly all of them are armaments recovered from remote and abandoned sites throughout the kingdom. It is said that these were left behind by powerful experts—so that others might one day inherit them."
Indeed, most of the rare armaments used by adventurers were not forged by the Royal Clan's blacksmiths. Their craftsmen simply lacked the knowledge and skill to produce Rare, Excellent, or Epic Aramament. Only Common Armaments were within their abilities.
And yet, every decade, new armaments would mysteriously appear in the Royal Clan's hidden caves. No one knew how it happened. Some whispered they were gifts from the gods themselves, who dwelled in richer, stranger worlds.
"Most of you already know the rules of the auction," Helbram went on. "The highest bidder wins the item—simple as that. And with nothing more to explain… I officially declare the beginning of this auction!"