The auction was in full swing, with more and more artifacts being brought up for bidding.
Bidding wars were rare, occurring only a handful of times.
"You're not bidding on anything?" David asked as he won the bid on a gauntlet-type artifact.
"Not really, we don't need them in the Abyss Guild," Arthur replied.
Even if one were not aware of the resources the Greville family had, it would be easy to imagine the wealth they must have amassed over hundreds of years as an Elite Family.
This was why Arthur was in no rush to purchase anything that didn't catch his eye.
Most bids were from people procuring artifacts for their guilds. Like the Abyss Guild, many Elite Families had formed guilds to expand their power. While economic constraints varied among Elite Families, they all could extend their influence through the formation of guilds.
Yet, everyone present understood that such economic limitations had no bearing on families like the Greville.
Sylvie had successfully turned the Abyss Corporation, mainly dealing with Mana Crystals, into a corporation worth trillions of AUR.
This was possible because the Raven and Greville families decided to collaborate, with the Raven Family owning a significant share in the Abyss Corporation, which was unmistakably under Sylvie's control.
Moreover, the Seymour family was closely tied to the Greville family. As a result, the Greville family managed the Abyss Corporation while adhering to any imposed restrictions.
But as simple as this arrangement seemed, Sylvie faced considerable opposition when managing the Abyss Corporation.
In Somaria, however, none dared to openly challenge the Greville family due to the feared presence of Nathaniel Greville. Unlike other Elite Families, the Greville were known for their ruthless behavior and actions.
Their image only shifted after Ivar's death.
Upper Society, however, remained unaffected.
"Well, the real action will start on the third day," David said as Arthur smirked.
"Of course, I know," Arthur replied.
Certain items like Mana Gems above S Rank, and SSS Rank Artifacts were not bought with money alone.
The number of SSS Rank Dungeons appearing was generally one or two at most within a five-year span.
But to clear them, at least four SSS Rank Hunters would enter the Dungeon, accompanied by multiple SS Rank Hunters.
That's why no single person could claim the artifact, leading the World Association to submit the artifact to the Kalvas Gala.
But there was something even more valuable than an SSS Rank Artifact, a reason why all these SSS Rank Hunters attended the Gala. It was the SSS Rank Mana Gem, the only thing capable of enhancing their power that had hit a plateau.
This time, a SSS Rank Mana Gem was set to be auctioned off at the Kalvas Gala.
"Osbert, are you sure you want to submit all these SS Rank Artifacts to the Gala?" One of the Vice Chairmen asked Osbert Tarvian, after they had left the White Castle and were sitting in one of the mansions arranged for them.
"You underestimate the funds of these Elite Families," Osbert replied.
"Well, if you say so," The Vice Chairman stood up and left the mansion.
"Where is Leon?" Osbert said as he disrupted the sound barrier around him.
The servant immediately entered and bowed before Osbert.
"Young Master Leonard is in his room," the servant replied.
"Tell him to come meet me," Osbert replied as he stared at the sky above them.
In an instant, he cast another sound barrier around him.
"Does he think he can get the Mana Gem?" Osbert smiled, understanding the Vice Chairman's concerns.
After all, among the three SSS Rank Hunters, as the Chairman, Osbert held priority.
It had been 15 years since a SSS Rank Mana Gem appeared, and Osbert had no intention of surrendering it without a fight.
"I have failed once, but luck won't favor you twice," Osbert mused, reviewing the information he had gathered thus far.
The only concern was Erwin, the professor he planted in the World Academy to assist Leonard with his plans.
Osbert didn't want to leave any loose ends that could create problems later on. He needed to confirm that Erwin was already dead.
He was confident that nobody could make Erwin betray him.
Erwin wouldn't dare move against Osbert, as doing so would cost him his life.
"But she should be enough to keep them busy for a while," Osbert smiled, contemplating his next move.
Osbert lifted the sound barrier for a moment to allow Leonard to enter his room.
Meanwhile, at the mansion where the Rothschild family was staying,
"I didn't see your sister?" Ria asked Kevin, who was sitting on the couch with Elena and Eva present in the room.
"You don't know?" Kevin asked Ria, who seemed puzzled.
"Oh, I forgot to mention it to her," Elena said,
"Eva's brother Reece is coming back, so she'll arrive with him after the Auction," Elena informed Ria.
"So, they are on a date?" Ria asked, glancing at Eva.
"Wait, does that mean he'll be returning to the Academy?" Ria asked Eva, who nodded in response.
Kevin was sitting there because Kamden didn't allow him to accompany him to the Auction.
"By the way, did you guys coordinate your outfits?" Ria asked Elena and Kevin.
"Ah, not yet," Kevin admitted, scratching the back of his head.
"What!?" Ria was taken aback.
"How could you let him be so lax? You guys will be dancing in the main hall," Ria admonished Elena.
"He was busy training," Elena defended Kevin, but Ria's glare didn't lighten.
"We still have time, and I'm sure Aunt Filia would have coordinated your dress," Eva said to Ria, laughing at the awkward situation Kevin was in.
The Formal Dance, the main event of the Night Party on the first day of the Gala, was solely for the younger generation, who would dance with their partners.
Ria and Eva were also asked out by multiple guys, but both of them turned them down.
Elena was delighted that she would dance with Kevin, and seeing that, Kevin was slightly relieved as after the mid-terms, Elena spent all her time training.
He still felt guilty for not being able to keep his promise and defeat Asher.
Meanwhile, at the mansion where the Allister family was staying,
Sam looked down, a hand on his shoulder. He gritted his teeth to endure the pain.
"Don't embarrass our family at the Gala, okay?" The Duchess of the Allister family said, looking down at Sam.
Sam tolerated it, knowing that antagonizing her would only exacerbate his problems.
They wanted him to look good, as the Formal Dance of the Night Party was broadcast to the world.
They didn't want Sam to look bad as he was still considered the son of the Duchess of the Allister family.
"Go back to your room, and make yourself more presentable," She told him, turning to Jack who was sitting on the couch, watching Sam.
"I heard that the heir of the Greville family defeated Blake Cranston," She said, lifting her dress to sit on the sofa.
"That did happen, but it was just a spar. Blake wasn't serious," Jack replied, a bit nervous under his mother's gaze.
She had been strict with Jack and his training, ensuring that he outshone Sam and all the other children from the Halcyon, Elite Families.
"Your father told you to support Leonard Tarvian, not become his subordinate. Remember that," She advised Jack.
Sam, on his way back to his room, looked back; his eyes momentarily cold.
This woman was the reason he had suffered so much humiliation over the years.
'I will kill you with my own hands one day,' Sam swore, retreating to his room.
"Why isn't he here yet?" Sam muttered, learning from a servant that the heir of the Greville family had yet to arrive.
"Well, at least my father will be preoccupied with the Auction," Sam thought, finding a small comfort.
It was better to endure a few harsh words than face his father.
But there was another person who wasn't as lucky as Sam.
"Stand up," Cade Cranston commanded, staring at Blake who lay on the floor, blood trickling from his mouth.
"Should we stop them?" one of the servants asked the head butler, who was himself worried.
He knew that Cade wouldn't let Blake off easy, but the Gala was happening and they couldn't afford to have Blake appear injured in front of everyone.
