System Change

Derek was taken aback by the renovations that had taken place in the hotel over the past few days. Stella had been a very busy manager. Where there were multiple tables set up for breakfast, many more had been added, and there were even multiple booths along the walls. At the end of the lobby, a stage had been erected.

The enormous lobby and dining area of the hotel had turned into a genuine auction house in a matter of days. It was impressive.

Derek looked around until his eyes finally found Alanah and Stella talking beside the stage.

“You guys can go mingle. I’m going over there.” Derek told Mal and Rudy as he made his way to the two women.

“You’re here early.” Alanah greeted Derek in a hushed tone. “I have to keep my voice low. I don’t want it to affect the guests.”

Derek nodded. “Got it,” he said. “I wasn’t sure how long it would take us to get through the city with it being as crowded as it is, so we left a bit early. I’m glad we did, because it really was packed full.”

Stella smiled. “It’s always like this during the auction week. Because of the announcements this time, though, it’s even more crowded. That’s how we know it’s going to be a good auction.”

“That, and the fact that we allowed members to invite others this time. I’ve never allowed that before, but because of the urgency, it was best to try something new. We’ll see how it goes.” Alanah leaned in, and with an even lighter whisper said, “Especially since we have so much more stock than we ever had or ever thought we would have.” She smiled and nodded at Stella.

“Here, take this,” Stella handed Derek a ring.

Derek took the ring and viewed the contents. To Derek’s surprise, there were at least two dozen stored Void Beast meals, a dozen vials of rainbow colored potions, and multiple vials of red liquids, which Derek assumed was the blood of the small Void Beast.

“Wow,” Derek said. “I didn’t expect to be getting this much.”

“You’ll have that and much more. We did not have enough time to process the entire inventory of Void Beasts yet, this only comes from the ones we have. Once the others are processed, you will have many, many more,” Alanah explained.

“I look forward to it.”

“So. Your guest had quite the introduction.” Alanah changed the subject.

“Yeah, Rudy is like that. He’s a pretty decent fellow, but had a bit of an odd personality.”

“Yeah, HE has an odd personality.” Stella cut in.

“What?” Derek shrugged. “I am the epitome of perfectly normal.”

Stella snorted. “You keep telling yourself that.”

Alanah placed her hand over her mouth and let out a light giggle before adding, “Being normal is overrated.”

“I bet Rudy’s wishing we would have left later, so more people would have been around for his ingenious introduction,” Derek said.

“He drew quite a few eyes,” Alanah replied. “He’ll get a decent amount of attention out of it. It will definitely be something that is talked about long after the auction. He is the first person to blatantly advertise his business at one of my auctions.”

The three of them continued chatting while more and more guests poured into the hotel. Derek asked about a few of the people he saw come in.

One family of guests piqued Derek’s interest. It was the Allister family that had arrived just before him and his group. All three members of the family shared the same platinum blond hair color. The color of their eyes was almost as white as Natalie’s, but with a slight gray twinge. At least, both Craig, the father, and Tristan, his son, had white-gray irises.

Craig’s daughter, Teresa, seemed to not have yet advanced far enough into her element to have the elemental eye color. Instead, her eyes were still the light blue that she was born with. It made sense, as she looked quite young, maybe sixteen or seventeen.

The Allister family was a mid tier noble family in the Kingdom. Though only considered mid tier nobles, they were well respected by everyone. The reason for that was their elemental affinities and generosity.

Derek and Alanah had discussed before that many of the nobles who showed generosity on the outside were corrupted on the inside. That wasn’t the case with House Allister. Most of the family members in the direct line worked toward obtaining a light affinity and used that affinity as support instead of strength.

The only reason they weren’t a powerful, high noble family was because they focused on healing instead of fighting. They were one of the families that lived in the capital. They were so well received because they only charged other nobles and the wealthy for their services. For others, their healing was given out free of charge.

“So there are no nefarious deeds being covered up by their family? So hidden dungeon where cruel experiments take place?” Derek asked, half jokingly.

“None that I have ever found, and I do extensive research before giving a membership, and even more before upgrading it,” Alanah replied.

“I haven’t been around here long enough for you to do extensive research on me,” Derek said. “And I already have the legendary Tier Four Membership.”

Alanah snorted. “I have done more research on you that you think.” She smiled coyly. “Plus, the way you acted with and around poor villagers, the way you reacted when the girl and her mother were taken, and the way you reacted when you found out about Gerald, all give me a pretty good idea about you. Then, in such a short time, you become the leading benefactor of my business. If not you, who else would I give a Tier Four Membership to?”

“I guess I am pretty awesome, huh?”

“Well, you’re not exactly generous, for generosity’s sake. You’re actually quite selfish, but in a good way. That is why it’s even easier to judge you. You don’t try to hide your selfishness from the outside. You do what you want, and so far, the results I’ve seen have made this Kingdom better off.”

“Stop… You’re going to make me blush.”

“How about both of you stop? The auction is drawing closer and we still have preparations.” Stella cut in. “Come on.” She grabbed Alanah by the wrist and dragged her away. She turned back and pointed at one of the booths. “That’s your booth. It has multiple runes built in for privacy.”

Derek nodded. “Got it.” He watched as the two beautiful women disappeared into the hotel.

After the hosts disappeared, Derek moved around the lobby, casually avoiding being dragged into annoying conversations. He would let Malorie and Rudy take the lead on all of that. He knew that the first thing anyone would bring up would be his Tier Four Membership, and he didn’t feel like spinning a story about how he got it.

He was definitely not about to go around saying, ‘Oh, I just delivered a few dozen Void Beasts to Alanah. No big deal.’ No, he would leave that to the guest’s imaginations. At least there was no shortage in the amount of attention Rudy was getting because of the announcement. Every time Derek caught sight of the man, he was talking to another group of people with a big smile on his face.

Malorie looked like a deer in headlights at the beginning, but as time passed, she became more and more confident in her dealings. Derek just leaned back beside his private booth and observed. She was doing well. She would have no problem running his shop when it came to it. He continued to observe until the booming voice announced the arrival of someone Derek was familiar with.

“Tier One Member Walter Gracefall, his son Jensen Gracefall, and niece Clare Gracefall have arrived.” The booming voice announced.

A giant smile fell over Derek’s face as he pushed himself up off the wall and made his way to the new arrivals. He’d talked with Walter occasionally, but he had no idea that the man would be coming to the auction. He knew he had a Tier One Membership, but he doubted the man would have enough money to compete against the nobles here.

He didn’t care, though. It was always nice to see someone who he considered a friend. Even if that friend was the father of one of the first people he killed when he got to Cydaria. Derek decided he would not bring that up today, especially since the man had brought his other son along with him.

Little Clare was the first person to recognize Derek walking their way. She immediately broke out into a sprint after seeing him.

“Derek! You’re here, too!” She ran up and hugged his waist.

Derek ruffled her hair a bit, but was careful not to make it too messy. He pushed her off and put his palms out. “Show me what you’ve got.”

Clare immediately fell into a brawling stance and began throwing punches as Derek moved his hands faster and faster as designated targets. She was just as passionate as ever to spar.

“Okay, that’s enough.” Walter stopped Clare mid swing, causing her to frown. “There are people watching.”

Derek waved him off. “Who cares? Let them watch. I’m more interested in how much progress Clare has made since I’ve been gone.” He chuckled. “We’ll go to an Adventurer’s Guild training room later. How about that?”

Clare nodded seriously. “Yes.”

“So, you finally chose to go after a membership to the Crown?” Derek asked Walter.

“I did. After the last meal that we ate, and the possible benefits that go with being a member, I reached out to Emily and learned what I needed for it. It wasn’t much, so here I am.”

Derek thought back for a moment until he remembered who Emily was. She was the boss of the Torith Crown Restaurant, who took back over once Stella left.

“That’s good,” Derek said. “So, no Bronson?”

Walter shook his head. “No. I needed somebody to stay back at the manor to make sure things ran smoothly. I trust him the most.”

“I see… well, tell him I said hi when you get back.”

“Will do.”

About that time, the third member of Walter’s group made his way over to them. Jensen stood a little taller than Walter, and look just like him, except younger.

“You must be Jensen.” Derek turned and put out his hand to shake.

Jensen took his hand and stared deep into Derek’s eyes. “And you are the man who killed my brother.”

Ah… Like father, like son.

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