ONLINE: Blades of Eternity-Chapter 191: THE MOON ESSENCE PILL

As the auction neared its climax, Osric Grindle stepped forward, his expression radiant with pride. He gestured dramatically toward a small, crystalline case brought onto the stage by two robed assistants. Inside, a pill glimmered faintly, emitting a soft silver light that seemed to resonate with the energy of the moon itself.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, for the grand finale of tonight’s auction—the Moon Essence Pill! A treasure among treasures," Osric declared, his voice thick with excitement. "This pill is said to enhance one’s synchronization with the mana and aura of the moon itself. A boon for any cultivator or mage seeking unparalleled clarity and power under the moonlit skies."

Gasps rippled through the audience. Even the occupants of the VIP section leaned forward, their interest piqued.

Kaelen glanced at Morris. "What’s so special about this one?"

Morris’s eyes gleamed with recognition. "This pill is extremely rare. It’s said that those who consume it can harmonize with the moon’s energy, amplifying their magical capabilities during the night and also heightening your senses to percieve lunar mana. It’s practically priceless."

Kaelen raised an eyebrow. "More priceless than the Phoenix Pills?"

"Way more," Morris confirmed. "But don’t get your hopes up. This is out of our league."

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Osric’s voice rang out. "We will begin the bidding at one hundred thousand gold ingots!"

Several hands shot up immediately, the price quickly climbing.

"Two hundred thousand!"

"Three hundred thousand!"

Kaelen watched, mesmerized, as the numbers skyrocketed.

"Four hundred thousand gold ingots!" a voice called from the VIP section.

Morris let out a low whistle. "Told you. This pill is something else."

Just then, a soft, melodic voice from the far VIP balcony called out, "Five hundred thousand gold ingots."

The room fell silent, and all eyes turned toward the source of the voice. Kaelen’s heart skipped a beat when he recognized the owner of the voice—the mysterious lady he had seen under the moonlight. She sat composed, her aura as serene and captivating as the pill itself.

Even Osric seemed momentarily stunned before regaining his composure. "Five hundred thousand gold ingots! Any higher bids?"

The silence stretched. None dared to challenge such an astronomical price.

With a triumphant strike of his cane, Osric announced, "Sold! To the young lady in the VIP section for five hundred thousand gold ingots!"

Kaelen couldn’t tear his eyes away as the lady’s attendant gracefully retrieved the crystalline case. She remained composed, exuding an elegance that seemed to align perfectly with the pill’s lunar glow.

Ethan nudged Kaelen. "You’re staring again."

Kaelen shook himself out of his trance, an embarrassed smile appearing on his face. "It’s just… she’s so… different."

Morris smirked. "Focus on the convention, curious boy. She’s not someone you can easily get to know, especially if she can casually spend half a million gold."

Kaelen sighed, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer. "Yeah… I know."

As the auction concluded, the buzz of the audience lingered, but Kaelen couldn’t shake the feeling that their paths would cross again.

As the three friends prepared to leave the grand pavilion, Kaelen stretched and said, "We’ve seen enough for today. Let’s head back before trouble finds us."

Morris smirked. "Trouble? In a place like this? Never."

Before they could exit, a commanding voice froze them in their tracks. "Leaving already?"

Kaelen turned and saw Kent Harrow striding toward them, his aura exuding calm menace. Beside him was the mysterious young lady, her disapproving gaze locked onto Kent.

Kent’s voice was smooth yet imposing. "I couldn’t help but notice you acquired the Phoenix Pills earlier. I’d like to discuss them."

Kaelen stepped forward instinctively, his body tense as he stood right in front of Morris defensively. "Discuss what exactly? They’re not for sale."

The lady tugged at Kent’s sleeve, whispering something Kaelen couldn’t hear. Kent ignored her, his gaze focused entirely on Kaelen. "I wasn’t offering to buy them. I simply wanted to make an exchange. Perhaps something more suitable for your… talents?"

Kaelen crossed his arms, standing firm. "They’re not leaving my friend’s hands. End of story."

Kent’s calm expression shifted into something colder. Suddenly, a wave of oppressive energy filled the room, radiating from him. It was suffocating, heavy with dominance. Kaelen could feel the pressure digging into his very soul.

Ethan and Morris staggered under the intensity, struggling to breathe. But Kaelen planted his feet, refusing to back down. His hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his blade as he summoned his inner mana. A faint yet resolute aura which apparently I’d the sacred light spell from his armor enveloped him, pushing back against Kent’s overwhelming pressure.

Kent raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Oh? Standing firm, are we? Impressive. Most would crumble before this much power."

Kaelen’s voice was steady despite the weight he felt. "Power doesn’t impress me. Character does, and you’re severely lacking in that department."

The glow around Kaelen intensified as he tapped deeper into his mana reserves, forcing Kent’s aura to recede slightly. The clash of energies was palpable, drawing the attention of the other patrons.

The mysterious young lady finally stepped forward, her voice soft but resolute. "That’s enough, Kent. You’ve already embarrassed yourself."

Kent held Kaelen’s gaze for a moment longer before smirking and pulling back his aura completely. "Very well. You’ve earned my respect—for now. But I suggest you tread carefully. The Phoenix Pills might just burn you before you ever get to use them."

He turned on his heel and strode away, the lady following after casting Kaelen one last glance, her expression unreadable.

As the tension in the air dissipated, Morris finally straightened up, muttering, "Kaelen, are you insane? Standing up to him? That guy’s a monster!"

Ethan clutched his chest, still catching his breath. "Yeah, that was… brave. But also terrifying."

Kaelen sheathed his blade and turned to them, a calm resolve in his eyes. "I won’t let anyone push us around. Not even someone like him."

Morris grinned, clapping Kaelen on the back. "Well, remind me not to bet against you, fearless leader. Now let’s get out of here before something else happens."

As they left, Kaelen couldn’t help but feel the weight of Kent’s words. This wasn’t just a confrontation—it was the start of a much larger battle.

....

As Kent Harrow and the young lady walked through the moonlit streets of Valoria toward the grand pavilions reserved for the Dawning of Magic Academy, the tension between them was palpable. Kent’s brows furrowed as he replayed the confrontation with Kaelen in his mind.

"That insolent boy," Kent muttered, his voice laced with frustration. "To stand against me, to push back my aura… how dare he, Rafaela?"

Rafaela, walking beside him with her serene grace, sighed softly. "You’re letting your pride cloud your judgment, Kent. There’s more to him than you think."

Kent stopped and turned to her, his expression sharp. "Oh? And what exactly do you mean by that, Rafaela? You were rather insistent on stopping me back there."

Rafaela met his gaze calmly, the sun rays of the day contrasting greatly to her strikingly luminous eyes. "I stopped you because I sensed something extraordinary," she began, her tone measured. "Something… ancient."

Kent’s annoyance gave way to intrigue. "Go on."

Rafaela folded her arms, her aura naturally harmonizing with the moonlight as if the celestial body itself was present up in the skies empowering her. "Through my Lunar Body, I can sense energies others cannot. When you clashed with that boy, I felt it—a faint yet unmistakable aura of Eternity. It resonated with the moon itself."

Kent’s eyes widened slightly, his dissatisfaction momentarily replaced by curiosity. "The aura of Eternity? Are you certain?"

Rafaela nodded, her expression unwavering. "Without a doubt. It’s faint, but it’s there, like a whisper of something unfathomably ancient. If my guess is correct, he might be tied to something far beyond what we’re prepared for."

Kent’s lips curled into a predatory smile, his frustration transforming into excitement. "So, the little upstart isn’t just some audacious fool. He might actually be… interesting."

Rafaela’s calm demeanor faltered slightly as she glanced at him. "Don’t underestimate him, Kent. If he truly possesses the aura of Eternity, then he’s more than just a rival. He could be a catalyst for something far greater."

Kent chuckled, his excitement building. "Good. It’s been too long since I’ve faced a worthy opponent. This battle convention might not be as dull as I thought."

Rafaela shook her head slightly, her silver hair shimmering in the moonlight. "Just remember, Kent, power alone won’t guarantee victory. Sometimes, the most unassuming adversaries can be the most dangerous."

He glanced at her, his confidence undeterred. "Let him try. I’ll be waiting."

As they approached their pavilion, the atmosphere around them grew heavy with anticipation. Rafaela cast one last thoughtful look at the moon above before following Kent inside.

Unbeknownst to either of them, the encounter with Kaelen had set the stage for a clash that would ripple far beyond the confines of the convention.