During magic theory class, I couldn't help but feel the glued gazes of people from where I sat. Directly to my right, the school's so-called, Ice Princess was comfortably seated enjoying the class. She suddenly changing her seating position from the front row was far too uncommon. This sparked overwhelming rumors, even though I initially said I didn't mind. To my left, the Hell-Borne Witch's first and only student sat calmly, asking questions and talking to me with such casual demeanour.
I wondered whether I could actual keep up my job as the Cheshire with all this attention from jealous males and admiring females. Our instructor, Mr. Henry didn't really mind, since it challenged the other students to work harder.
After the class, it took using a high level concealment just to avoid being dragged to a fancy lunch by those two.
At my usual lunching spot on the Clock Tower, I enjoyed the mystifying view of the Archvain Mountain ranges, coupled with the brilliant flora and incredible arboreal creatures of this world.
In places like the imperial capital, it was common to see a wyvern or two. However with the beast warding talisman on the borders of the capital, it was difficult for such monsters to infiltrate the capital. As I enjoyed my usual pork bun lunch, I felt a familiar aura appear on the roof top.
" I thought you said we'd keep the interactions in school to a minimum, Mr. Wilfred?".
I said this, my gaze still glued to the view, highly confident in my perception skills.
" Well it's not like everyone knows you can climb up to the tower with this much ease... ... Besides, this is urgent. It's about certain agency in the shadows. Word on the underground is that certain Raven Society agents are holding an all mythical creatures auction behind the front of an antiques auction. Only selected aristocrats are in the know ... ..."
[ Throws a small black card towards August ]
"So you managed to get an invite? Wait, who did you kill for this?!".
" It's just been a day and yet you already know me so well. Rest assured, it's from one of the Raven Society agents we hunted. He had this in his coat. Which lead to some digging to find out about the auction".
" I'm lost, so what do you need me to do?... ...".
" I need you, to infiltrate the auction as the identity on that card, " Sir Blaine Knocksly". He's the young master of a fallen Noble House. After yesterday, I payed him a visit and played the role of reaper. With the real him out of the way, you can pose as him at the auction. Get some information about who the head of the Raven Society is and whether they're actually in cahoots with the Holy knights".
" When is this, auction?".
" Tonight!".
Huh!!!!!?
" What's wrong with you!!!? You expect me to infiltrate an auction tonight? How will I escape school grounds also, I don't exactly look like the guy in question, now do I?!!".
" Don't forget I'm the assistant dean of the school. Also, I hear the event is a masquerade ball themed auction. You should fit right in if you get a mask. Nothing too flashy... ...".
Although I knew that this was my chance to gather information on the holy knights and possibly take them down, I was still on edge.
" Alright fine, but you owe me for this... ... In return you have to do one thing for me".
He gave a sly grin and agreed to my condition.
A thick black fog enveloped his body and in mere seconds, he was gone. The clock tower chimmed for the end of lunch break, adding more tension to my nerves.
The school day went by far quicker than I had expected. The auction, per the black card was at a secret location. All I had to do was imbued magic into the card and it would lead the way. For the young master of a fallen Noble House, I didn't need to be flashy.
I summoned a plank of Aboria monster wood from an Arboria and with my intermediate level sinergy, crafted a black wolf mask for my face. For my outfit, I used sinergy to replicate spider demon silk and made a suite out of it.
To allow a flawless escape, the school's guard were relieved of duty for an hour on Mr. Wilfred's orders. I was now headed to the venue with the help of the tracing magic on the invite card.
After five minutes of leaping from roof top to roof top, I made it to a rundown mansion, or at least what I thought was a rundown mansion. The card went face up against the banister of the mansion, accessing a portal into a pocket dimension.
The card then vanished and before me, was a large hall. The hall was filled with masked nobles. Their conversations hinted at secret relationships, affairs kept from the public eye, plans to gain Fame and recognition. I tapped my right ear, attempting to activate a mental link with Mr. Wilfred. My attempts were futal. It would seem the hall had a charm around it that prevented outside interference and communication. I put up my guard, activating a thin yet perfected mana barrier around my body.
I was certain that this auction was a well known event, due to how casual the atmosphere was. From a high balcony, a man in a bird mask bid everyone welcome to the Mystic Night Market. For those unaware of the mythical creature auction, his words had no effect. However, for those who had received and presumably touched the black card, his words sounded different.
[ What the invited auctioneers hear] : " Welcome to the Mythic Night Market, the creature auction will take place in the basement hall below the current hall. Make way for the elevator shaft on right side of the hall. The password is, " Fauna Mythica " ".
" Fauna Mythica?".
I remember reading that term in a biological study journal once.
" Fauna Mythica: the scientific name for mythical creatures, beasts and animals that have a condensed mana mass attached to their heart. This mass of condensed mana can tell and individual the nature of the beast's magic power and is crystalline in nature".
- Mythic Biology - By: Ilsa Night
Although this auction might be potentially dangerous, I couldn't help but be excited about learning new types of magic, especially the type of magic the announcer had just cast.
I was prepared to bid a little to keep up appearances and as such, I brought a brief case containing a lump some of my saved allowance since I was a twelve year old. For a normal boy, that wouldn't amount to much. But for a Nobleman's son, it was quite the substantial amount.
The Birdman soon announced,
" Ladies and gentlemen, let the Mystic Night Market begin!!!!!".
[ Applause resounded, filling the hall with cheer ]