The streets of Arkion narrowed as I approached the auction house. Its black iron gates were etched with faintly glowing sigils, wards to keep the undeserving out—or, at the very least, to test their resolve. Above the main arch, a plaque read: "Ebon Exalt: Auctions of the Rare and Forbidden."
I adjusted the collar of my coat, slipping into the guise of a disinterested observer. Any ordinary passerby would see a teenager wandering into a building full of aristocrats and prodigies, utterly inconspicuous. Perfect.
The inside was a decadent chaos of elegance and tension. Gold and black banners hung from the ceiling, flickering with the soft glow of levitating lanterns. Each table was a showcase for items I would later catalog for my mental database: ancient relics, magical foci, and devices I could barely recognize yet immediately understand in function. Each item hummed with circuits of power, some barely stabilized, others nearly alive.
This is what the world calls "wealth and influence," I thought. Power incarnate, in tangible form.
Then, my attention caught the first of several prodigies in attendance.
1. Kaoru Himura (Age 18, Fire Circuit Prodigy)
A tall, lean youth with scarlet eyes that flickered faintly when excited. Personality: Cocky, brash, obsessed with showing off. Notes: From the Himura family, famous for producing top-ranked elemental manipulators. Already capable of controlled magma and fire manipulation at a level many seasoned adults could not match.
2. Ayame Shirakawa (Age 17, Psychic Circuit Prodigy)
Petite, raven-haired, with a calm demeanor that belied the chaos she could create. Personality: Observant, teasing, analytical—she smiled faintly as if she knew the entire auction's outcome already. Notes: Master of telepathy and illusion projection. Could easily manipulate crowd perception to favor herself during competitive bidding.
3. Tsubasa Morikawa (Age 19, Beast Circuit Prodigy)
Broad-shouldered, confident, a grin that suggested he found everything amusing. Personality: Arrogant but playful, enjoys seeing others underestimate him. Notes: Capable of partial beast transformations, combining physical prowess with elemental affinity. One of the fastest in his age group.
4. Renjiro Takahashi (Age 18, Shadow Circuit Prodigy)
Dark, quiet, sitting near a corner observing everyone. Personality: Detached, calculating, deadly when provoked. Notes: Controls shadow energy and can extend it for offense and defense. Already won minor duels against older family members.
5. Mio Aoyama (Age 17, Lightning Circuit Prodigy)
Slender, silver-haired, constantly fidgeting with a small metallic orb that crackled with energy. Personality: Energetic, competitive, easily amused by small mischief. Notes: Manipulates lightning circuits with precision; her attacks are almost instantaneous, making her a dangerous duelist.
I observed them quietly from the corner. My lips curved faintly. Interesting. Entertaining, even. They were all here to acquire artifacts or resources to expand their families' influence. Some would use what they obtained to rise in reputation; others simply to test their capabilities.
The auctioneer began to display the first item—a crystalline orb faintly vibrating with antimatter energy. The room grew tense, bids already flying without hesitation. I allowed myself a subtle smile. To them, the fight was about wealth; to me, it was a rehearsal, a perfect observation point for human behavior, power projection, and decision-making under pressure.
As I wandered between the displays, I overheard Kaoru Himura boasting loudly about controlling fire stronger than any adult in Arkion could handle. Tsubasa Morikawa snorted, flexing subtly, clearly amused by Kaoru's posturing. Ayame Shirakawa tilted her head, observing the interactions with a predatory smile, probably calculating the outcomes of every minor movement.
I allowed a quiet chuckle. They all think they are special.
And yet, each had potential, each was a variable I could record and later manipulate. If John Merciless needed contingencies, these were the perfect seeds.
I lingered near Renjiro, noting how his shadow extended along the floor, shifting subtly as though alive. The way he positioned himself, his posture, even his breathing—all of it indicated a mind far beyond his apparent age. And Mio, energetic and unpredictable, carried the chaos potential I could use to destabilize larger conflicts.
Not a bad batch for the eastern continent, I mused. All highly capable, all untested against true genius…yet already dangerous in their own right.
I let my imagination wander. If I projected minor illusions in the room—subtle shifts in reality, microgravity distortions, or tiny kinetic misalignments—they would be completely unaware, reacting instinctively. The Soul Circuit could handle it, Koketsu's slit amplifying perception control subtly enough to influence bids and positioning. All without ever touching them physically.
I glanced at the orb again, feeling the pulse of antimatter energy through my circuits. If I wanted, I could make it resonate across the building, force a minor panic, then dissipate it so no one would suspect manipulation. But why? For practice, for amusement. They didn't know they were teaching me their habits, their reactions.
The young prodigies continued their antics, laughing, sneering, and plotting with each other. It was a delicate dance, but to me, it was chess on multiple levels. Each movement, each bid, each small display of power was another piece I cataloged, ready to be used in the future.
And they think they are in control.
I let my eyes scan the ceiling, observing the magical wards and structural reinforcements. Calculations ran through my mind: structural weaknesses, potential points of energy accumulation, escape routes, and hidden vantage points. Everything was data. Everything was potential.
By the end of the auction, I had mentally mapped the entire building, noted the abilities and tendencies of the five prodigies, and imagined dozens of ways their future decisions could unfold—all while remaining invisible, inconsequential, and perfectly ignored by everyone in the room.
This is fun.
I allowed myself a small smirk and turned toward the exit, the city of Arkion waiting beyond the gates. They see a bored background character. I see a stage. And the play has only just begun.