Auren, Neffi, and Goreinu are hard at work, buying as many items as they can. Slowly but surely, they make sure every single piece is priced somewhat fairly and that it actually contains residual Aura. From time to time, Leira steps in and quietly corrects the sellers, trying to cheat them by demanding outrageous prices, consistently pointing out when they're being overcharged—judgments the collectors always accept, even if a few vocalize their dissatisfaction.
They also spot multiple items with no residual Aura, which they quickly and firmly return to the collectors. However, they never outright accuse anyone, as most collectors are obviously non-Nen users. Since Auren simply checks if they contain Aura, it would be unwise to accuse them of deception when it can easily be discovered. A few simply don't understand the concept of Aura, and want to sell their historic and seemingly rare products. Auren, however, immediately dismisses them, making it clear that the only items he is interested in contain Aura.
At the same time as the group buys items, they also sell their own various pieces, Auren letting things go for exactly the value Leira has written down, deciding to trust her.
Time passes, and after almost three hours, Auren, Neffi, and Goreinu close their last deals, leaving a small mountain of boxes and wrapped items gathered behind them.
The items Auren brought are also completely sold out; his prices are apparently completely fair.
"I wonder if we let go of these things too cheaply," Neffi asks, looking a little confused.
"I have to agree," Auren says, agreeing with her.
Leira just comments, "These prices were accurate and fair. A skillful merchant can charge more for rare goods—much more than the item's actual worth—as long as they have the right contacts. Rich people are usually not stingy, especially if it involves their hobbies. So if you sell items according to the market rate, especially in a place like this, many people will still gladly buy them. To be precise, I increased the acceptable price by about 5 to 10%, since price is often debatable. I think you earned as much as you reasonably could. Demanding more requires you to know people interested in these kinds of goods and would have taken a lot of time and effort. Surely you agree?"
"That's fine... I agree," Auren says. "I'm more than fine if whoever bought my items is earning a little profit as well. Everyone has been selling me their items for just a few million, with a few exceptions here and there. This was a surprisingly fair and civilized event. I'm rather impressed."
In total, Auren acquired 72 different items, most notably nine Ben's Knives—ten, if the one knife Neffi handed him earlier is included as well. Aside from the knives, Auren bought various weapons, pieces of clothing, and armour pieces, made out of leather, chainmail, and plate, and even some made out of chitin-like materials and bones, appearing to be ceremonial pieces rather than something purely practical.
The plan is slowly coming together... what started off as a pipedream is becoming more and more possible, right in front of me. I need more, way more! As long as there's Aura in the item... I can use it! For now, it's merely a collection, but one day... one day soon, it will become so much more. I can't wait. I need to keep it up.
In addition to handing over all of his items, he pays out another 1.2 billion Jenny, without even batting an eye.
After storing their items under the protection of the security detail, Auren takes a final round, walking through the trade fair, but finds no more items.
"It seems they all brought their items to me and sold them directly to me," Auren says, looking satisfied. "Quite a service."
"Service? You handed over all your collectibles! And you leave the place with 1.2 billion Jenny less—how is that a service?" Goreinu asks, not comprehending Auren's intentions.
"I just paid 1.2 Goreinu's; that's actually a bargain," Auren responds casually, unable to smile.
Goreinu sighs loudly, "Maybe I should have chosen a different employer..." only for Neffi to kick him.
"Don't whine!" she says. "You should be lucky! I've seen how you live with your maids! You lecherous..."
"Stop it, Neffi," Auren says, "it's his right... anyway."
He looks at Leira. "Thank you for your help... your ability seems incredibly useful. May I ask why you are working these petty jobs? Just for money? Obviously, you are not really interested."
"Yes... I need a lot of money," she replies. "And I am not interested in business deals or forging connections with these collectors... to tell you the truth, I am only an appraiser by necessity. My interest lies in archaeology."
Auren's eyes light up for a second. "I see... your ability is quite useful for appraising items, but I guess... from what I've seen, it's even more useful for your main occupation. That explains a lot."
"The current expeditions are simply boring and, frankly, too timid," she says. "I am saving up to set out on my own, to truly survey undiscovered land."
Auren smiles, liking where the conversation is headed. "I might have the opportunity of your life for you. Not only do you not need to pay—and I'll pay you—but I'll take you to places you could never reach. Frankly, these places are unreachable for almost anyone…"
He pauses for a moment before continuing, "For now, I'm building up a small kingdom, in a completely remote and frankly wild place. After that, I'll visit the outer edge of our known world… and finally—though it may take me many, many more years—I'm planning to travel outside."
When Leira hears those words, her eyes widen, almost as if she forgets to breathe. "Can you… prove your dedication? If this is true… I'm willing to work for you. No payment needed!"
Auren nods at her, "Stay with me, then. I'll prove it to you, and if you ever feel like I'm deceiving you, you can leave. Anyway, we'll have a lot to talk about." He shifts his stance, tone turning slightly more serious. "However, before we go, there's one more thing I need to do. You know… I'm a rather greedy person."
He heads back to the table where the two remaining appraisers are packing up their things.
"Zepile, may I have a minute of your time?" Auren asks, calm and polite.
"This again, Hunter Auren, if you require an experie—" the elderly appraiser from before starts, but Auren briefly flares his Aura, unleashing his strongest Ren for less than a second.
The air immediately changes, the relaxed, light atmosphere turning into one of pure dread, before changing back as if nothing happened.
Everyone in a huge radius trembles and stares at him, not comprehending what just happened.
"Zepile," Auren says again, still smiling, "Just a minute of your time."
"S-sure!" the young appraiser blurts out, his eyebrows twitching as he swallows hard.
A few seconds later, Auren pulls Zepile to the side. "Your reputation as an appraiser caught my interest. I may have chosen Leira earlier, but that has nothing to do with her skill as an appraiser—more because of her general abilities." He keeps his voice calm, watching Zepile closely. "But if we're talking about appraisal, I believe you're the most qualified and talented person in the room. I'd like to make you an offer."
"What offer?" Zepile asks, looking confused, trying to figure out Auren's intentions.
"How about this…" Auren says, not dragging it out. "A hundred million Jenny yearly base salary, plus a huge commission for your work. And you don't have to work for me on a fixed schedule. You can work for a week and then take a month off. Even if you only work a few months each year, you still get that hundred million."
"This… I mean…" Zepile's eyes shift to the side. "Is it about illega—" he starts, sweat already pouring down his cheeks.
"Nothing illegal," Auren says immediately. "Perfectly respectable work." He doesn't smile this time, keeping it straightforward. "I also throw in a short one-month crash course, where you'll learn things you couldn't even dream of. I'll call it an investment."
Zepile swallows hard, his thoughts racing.
"There's only one price you need to pay," Auren continues. "Silence about a lot of things. Aside from that, nothing will change for you—you simply can't talk about the things I'll introduce you to. There will be a contract." He lifts a finger slightly, as if underlining the point. "Aside from that, everything I've said still stands, and there is no catch."
Auren's gaze sharpens a little. "Not only that, I swear to protect you with my life and guarantee your safety. And I can tell you this—you'll have resources you couldn't even dream about." He pauses for half a beat. "If there are personal things you want to handle first, join me, and my people will take care of it… discreetly."
"I… I accept!" Zepile says, his body shaking as he forces the words out.
"You have made the correct decision… follow me!" Auren says with a satisfied smile, placing a hand on Zepile's shoulder, dragging him along.
Ignoring Ganu and a few other collectors staring in his direction, Auren and Zepile quickly meet up with the others.
"We are done here!" Auren declares. "This is Zepile, a truly talented appraiser. You probably know him already, Leira. Zepile, this is Neffi, and this is Goreinu." He gestures toward Goreinu. "Goreinu in particular will be taking care of you. It might be a little weird, but for at least a month, I expect you to treat him like his master. I'll tell you more details when we're travelling."
This turned out to be a rewarding visit, after all!
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A/N: Always thankful for Power Stones, Comments, and Reviews. Thank you for reading!
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