A strong aura burst out from the VIP Room no. 05 when the woman on the podium announced Zeres as the owner of the item.

The ground trembled faintly, glasses clattering. The glass on Zeres’ hands started to crack.

"How ridiculous" he snickered, then he let his aura burst forth. A blazing crimson light shielded him as he leaned on the couch leisurely.

"Also on Eclipser-rank. A bishop? " Zeres flicked his fingers as multiple pouches of Haven coins appeared.

"This should be enough" he mumbled

The sound of creaking echoed as the door to his balcony opened. A man was pushing a table, a cloth covering the item on the table, his black hair was meticulously combed back, the man looked at him then he stopped in front of Zeres.

"This is the item sir, let’s proceed with the payment" the man smiled, there was a badge hanging on his chest, a symbol—he was the manager of the auction.

"Check it" Zeres pointed at the pouch of coins resting beside him. He had meticulously arranged his fortune every time he was bored so he knew that those pouches contained thousand coins of Haven each.

"Perfect" the manager smiled, then his eyes narrowed. "Dear VIP customer, we willl guide you out of the auction hall. We’re deeply responsible on how the other VIP’s are reacting." He bowed his head slightly.

Zeres nodded quietly, his hands grabbing the necklace. The pendant was in a miniature book, it was made from a divine relic.

’I finally have you’ Zeres smiled as he stood up. Though the artifact had no use for him as he doesn’t possess holy magic—it was better to be in his hands. He still remembered vividly how the saintess was being manipulated by the cardinal before the protagonist stepped up to help her.

’Well, out of all the characters. Haslien was the one who suffered the most’

________________

In a certain room.

"Find that indolent one" the man’s deep voice made the surrounding tremble, the wine bottles shattered, then it went still.

"Yes your grace" A woman replied, she wore a tight black clothes and a mask, only revealing a sharp pair of Silver eyes.

"I will be expecting results" the man’s voice echoed as the woman retreated back into the shadows.

"Do be careful. That one managed to repell my aura" the man said, a grim expression on his refined face

________________

Zeres’ face twisted as he walked through the crowds of the Black Market. The scent was terrible, smoke, sweat, alcohol and the faint metallic scent of blood mixed together. Everything around the Black market felt tense and heavy.

’Well it’s normal’ Zeres thought. The black market was a lawless place after all. A place where you’ll see a fugitives and knights of order in the same place.

But despite being a lawless place, everyone adheres to one single rule: Do not make a scene inside the Black Market.

It was a rule long been made, a rule even nobles must obey. Because the one that made that rule was a Gifted of the Exalted-rank—one of the seven humans who’ve managed to reach the level of peak.

"Aye young lad. I have many good items here" Zeres’ head turned towards the sound of a dry old voice. An old man was beckoning him to come closer.

’Well, I have free time anyways’ Zeres thought as he walked before the stall.

"Here, this is the map of the Derovean Continent" the old man pointed at an old yellow parchment as he puffed out a smoke.

"A map? " Zeres’ brow arched. He grabbed the old yellow parchment then he scanned it.

"Kid don’t listen to that sly old man" he heard a voice behind him, his head turned, and a man with long black hair tied in a ponytail stood beside him.

"That map isn’t real. Even in history, the human empire had been at odds with the other two Empires, for that reason—no human has been allowed to step foot inside of those two Empires." The man sighed.

"They’re at odds? " Zeres asked. His thoughts scrambling back to the book he had read, the relationship there between the Empires was neutral!

’So the story really change. Sister, your rewrite is really troubling your handsome older brother’ Zeres dropped the map. A breath escaping his mouth as he stepped away from the cunning old man.

"Yeah, it’s known by everyone. Did you perhaps come from an island?" The man asked, the scar on his cheek visible.

"Yeah" Zeres nodded. Considering he came from Lilith, there was no difference to being a country bumpkin.

’He must be working here’ Zeres inclined his head to the side. Only customers were wearing robes for identity confidentiality.

"Are you bored? We have an entertaining arena here" the man nudged his shoulders, a smile on his face, then he grabbed Zeres’ shoulder—guiding him across the crowds.

"Kill him! "

"You can do it boy! " Zeres covered his ears immediately as they they arrived before a massive gate.

"Here we are, a simple arena we spend our spare time" the man said, his hands on his back before he went in.

Zeres followed quietly, his ears felt like bursting from the shouting. In truth, he felt dizzy since he entered the black market. There were so many people, and the sound of heartbeats mixed with the feeling of blood flowing made his head feel like it was splitting open.

Soon enough, he caught the scent of something. His head immediately snapped towards the scent.

’Blood? ’ he gritted his teeth, then he turned away. He didn’t want to lose himself again.

"Hey! " he ignored the shouting of the man as he stepped outside, his steps quick.

Zeres walked quickly until he bumped into someone. "Sorry" he bowed his head slightly.

"It’s okay"

’Huh? ’ Zeres’ eyes widened as he stared at the kid he bumped into. The kid had an Auburn hair and crimson eyes, he looked frail. The kid wore ragged clothes stitched together from scraps, fabric hanging loosely over his thin frame. Dirt clung stubbornly to the torn sleeves, and the coat resting on his shoulders had long lost its original color.

"Umm, can I go now?" The kid shifted uncomfortably.

’This boy.. He’s one of the villains of fourth volume! ’ Zeres’ fist clenched. This kid will become one of the most unpredictable character three years in the future when the protagonist graduated from the academy.