This Beast-Tamer is a Little Strange

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, and honoured patrons,

"We have arrived at the pinnacle of tonight's event. As we near the conclusion of this extraordinary evening, it is my pleasure to present to you the crowning jewel of our auction—the pièce de résistance that I am sure you have all heard rumours of prior to the auction and are waiting to behold.

Tonight's final item is not merely an artifact; it is a legend in its own right—a symbol of access to unparalleled power and the wisdom of the ancients. Allow me to introduce to you the God's Eye."

The auctioneer gestured to a velvet-draped pedestal where a small round shining crystal was bathed in a halo of light.

Kain was confused. He couldn't sense any particularly strong spiritual power coming from the object. Why was it the last auction item to be presented?

"The only key that allows the bearer access to the most coveted relic on our continent, maybe even in the world—God's realm. It is a rare treasure, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have access to a space that if your encounters are fortuitous enough may grant you power far beyond what can even be imagined.

"As you prepare to place your bids, consider not only the sheer rarity of this key to the relic but also the profound significance it holds. This is likely the sole opportunity to have a hope of stepping beyond the level of 9-stars to a mythical level that has only existed in legends.

"With that, I invite you to raise your bids and claim this unparalleled ticket for yourselves. Let us celebrate this final chapter of our auction with the grandeur and reverence it truly deserves.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the God's Eye is now open for bidding. May the most visionary and daring among you seize this opportunity to etch your name into the annals of legend. We will be starting the bids at 50 billion CD."

Just by the long speech provided for this item compared to the previous items, Kain could tell that it was extraordinary. However, to be quite honest he really still didn't understand its significance. It would provide access to a relic? And seemingly this relic also allows its entrants the slim possibility of gaining the knowledge of a level beyond 9-stars?

However, 9-stars, much less the level beyond it, was way too far away from Kain. The item didn't actually hold as much appeal to him as some of the others shown.

But the same could not be said for the few 9-star beast-tamers in the audience. There were only eight 9-star beast-tamers in the entire empire, and four of them were here. All of whom were competing fiercely to obtain the God's Eye.

The weaker individuals, even if they had the financial resources, did not compete with them. After all, even if they spent their entire fortune to obtain the object, they did not have the strength to keep it under the covetous eyes of those at the peak.

There were few items that would cause 9-star beast-tamers to transform into shameless thieves, and this was one of them.

The atmosphere in the auction hall crackled with palpable tension as none of four 9-star beast-tamers gave in.

The auctioneer's words had set the stage for an intense showdown among the most powerful beast-tamers in the empire. The room, previously buzzing with the murmur of guests and the clinking of glasses, now focused solely on the four titans engaged in a battle for this elusive key to legendary power.

"115 billion CD! I hope my respected colleagues can show this old man a little face as an elder and step down in recognition oof my many years of service to the Celestial Empire," said a small old man who looked like he'd die any day but whose voice boomed with power.

Kain recognized him as Lord Viad Ignis. There were only eight supreme 9-star individuals, so most college students, and even the average citizen, knew most of them. They were the greatest source of power that the country relied on and had been defending the country for decades, even centuries. Everyone in the nation respected and worshipped them.

Lord Ignis also comes from an old beast-tamer family that dates back to the empire's founding, although he was the first of his family to reach 9-stars. He, like majority of his ancestors has an affinity related to the fire-attribute. However, he is even more known for elevating his family's ancient fire spiritual skills passed on to each generation.

Therefore, his own combat power isn't much inferior to his contracts' despite his feeble appearance. He also happened to be the Chancellor of Supernova College.

"Ha! Don't try to intimidate me with age old-man," said a woman with dark skin and silver hair that looked to be in her fifties. Although her true age was likely at least 5 times that. Lady Seraphina Mindshade. A 9-star beast tamer known for her mental-attribute spiritual creatures.

Although her head on combat power may not be among the top of the 9-star beast tamers, she is the individual everyone is the most wary of making an enemy of. After all, it is easier to defend against a head on attack compared to one against the mind. "I believe that the key should find its way to someone who truly can make use of the opportunity it presents. My bid stands at 130 billion CD.

This is an opportunity for our entire nation to increase its top power. Naturally, it is more suitable for a younger and more talented individual to go."

At her words Ignis' face immediately turned ugly.

"The God's Eye is a treasure that promises a chance at unimaginable power and knowledge," said Lord Xavi Oakland, who appeared to only be in his late thirties and had dark green hair and eyes. He hails from a long line of beast-tamers with affinities related to plants. However, unlike his family members he has an affinity limited to binding spiritual creatures with giants' blood.

He also has a resounding reputation for his unyielding courage and resolve. "It would be remiss of me not to secure it, as the best candidate from the Empire. I offer 145 billion CD. This key should belong to the one who will ensure its responsible and beneficial use."

Finally, Lady Elara Windrider, an elderly woman who had not yet spoken and the Chancellor of First Celestial Academy, placed her first bid with an imperceptible smile. "I offer 155 billion CD." Unlike the others she didn't spare any additional words to try and intimidate her opponents.

The room erupted in murmurs and gasps as the bids continued to escalate. The four 9-star beast-tamers were locked in a fierce battle, each vying for the God's Eye with a blend of wealth, power, and the occasional verbal intimidation.

The auctioneer, standing at the center of this high-stakes contest, watched with an almost palpable sense of satisfaction. The bids were reaching astronomical heights, and the intensity of the competition was a testament to the extraordinary value of the final item.

With each successive bid, the tension in the room mounted. The other guests watched with bated breath as the titans of beast-taming clashed. The auctioneer, barely able to keep up with the rapid-fire increments, prepared for the moment when one of the titans would make their final, decisive move.

Until finally… "I bid 1 Trillion Celestial Dollars!"