Gravity Mage with Level-Up System

From MC's Perspective:

Inside the second room, the atmosphere was tense, with only the three of us present. The chairs, luxuriously cushioned in deep red velvet, creaked softly as we took our seats. The maids had exited without a word, leaving the air heavy with unspoken tension. Gloria had insisted on privacy, and now it was just us.

"Vincent, what are you doing here?" Gloria's voice, though calm, carried a weight of suspicion. Continue reading stories on empire

I sighed deeply. There was no point in hiding the truth any longer, at least not all of it. I had to reveal enough for her to understand my urgency.

"Miss Gloria," I began carefully, "I need to travel to the Ancient Redwood Country. But from what I've heard, there's only one teleportation platform, and it's inside the Headquarters building." I leaned forward slightly, feeling the pressure of her gaze. "Could you help me get access to it?"

Her eyes flickered with mild surprise, but not shock. Perhaps she had suspected something like this. After all, I had briefly mentioned my destination the first time we met. But back then, she hadn't taken me seriously, probably writing me off as a stranger with lofty ambitions.

Now, though, after hearing about what I'd gone through in this city, she could tell I meant every word.

"I can help you," she said slowly, her voice thoughtful. But then she hesitated, glancing sideways at her younger brother, Daren, who had been sitting quietly until now.

"Sister, who is this man?" Daren interjected, his voice tight with suspicion. He had clearly been following the conversation closely. Teleportation platforms weren't something just anyone could access, especially not outsiders. It was a privilege, often restricted to those of high standing or with deep connections.

I could feel his distrust emanating across the room. He wasn't wrong using a teleportation platform wasn't a simple matter for someone like me, a foreigner.

"Daren, stop it!" Gloria snapped, her eyes narrowing dangerously. Her brother fell silent, though the curiosity burning in his eyes hadn't dimmed.

Turning back to me, Gloria's expression softened, but there was still a hint of wariness. "Do you have anyone in the Ancient Redwood Country who can vouch for you?" she asked.

I frowned at her question. The truth was far more complicated than she realized. There were some things about my background and plans I wasn't ready to share, especially with my current standing in the True Elements Society uncertain.

Daren huffed from his seat, clearly unimpressed. "Sister, are you serious? How could someone like him have any connections in the Ancient Redwood Country?" His voice dripped with disdain, as though the very idea of me associating with anyone important there was laughable.

My fingers twitch involuntarily. The urge to slap the smug look off his face was strong, but I restrained myself for Gloria's sake. Still, I couldn't help but let my irritation show, causing Daren to flinch slightly.

Gloria, noticing the tension, shook her head as though disappointed by the childishness of it all. "I'm not prying into your background, Vincent. But knowing someone in the Ancient Redwood Country would make things smoother. I could arrange your passage more easily if I knew you had connections. Otherwise..." She paused, biting her lip. "Otherwise, I'd have to stake my name on this.

And that's not a risk I take lightly."

"Sister, don't!" Daren's voice was louder now, almost desperate. He looked genuinely fearful for the first time. "You know how dangerous those people are. If something goes wrong, if he causes trouble we could be the ones to suffer for it."

He wasn't wrong. The people of the Ancient Redwood Country were notoriously fierce. Even a small offense could lead to devastating consequences, especially for a small nation like theirs. Gloria, visibly torn, looked down, caught between her sense of duty and her brother's concerns.

I, on the other hand, was finding it hard not to laugh. This whole situation was becoming absurd. All I needed was a way into the country, yet they were treating it like I was planning to bring calamity to their doorstep.

"Is there any other way to reach the Ancient Redwood Country without going through all this?" I asked, my voice edged with frustration. "I'd be willing to reward you both in the future."

Daren snorted in disdain. "Reward? Please, who do you think you are?"

Gloria, though, seemed more thoughtful, her brow furrowed as she considered my question. She knew better than her brother that I wasn't someone to be underestimated. After all, I had already defied Don Blaire, a local power, without flinching.

"There might be another way," she said finally, her tone cautious but resolute.

My eyes brightened at her words, hope flickering in the pit of my stomach. Even Daren looked momentarily stunned.

Gloria continued, "This Auction Building… It has its own private teleportation platform. It's primarily used to transport goods, and only high-level auction employees have access to it."

"Wait, what?" Daren interrupted, clearly baffled. "Why would they ever let him use it?"

Ignoring her brother, Gloria looked me straight in the eye. "The Auction Building has powerful backers in the Ancient Redwood Country. They don't care about politics, only business. If you can offer something valuable enough, they might consider letting you use the platform."

A wave of realization washed over me. This could work. I wouldn't have to beg or pull strings. I could offer them something they wanted in return. This was the opportunity I had been waiting for.

"I doubt he has anything valuable," Daren sneered, his voice dripping with condescension.

Gloria shot him a sharp look, silencing him for the moment. "Don't cause any trouble, Daren. The auction is about to start," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Turning back to me, her expression softened slightly. "Thank you, Miss Gloria," I said, giving a nod of appreciation. "I really like this idea. Can you arrange the meeting? I'll let them appraise the treasure."

Her eyes flickered with curiosity, as if wondering what kind of treasure I could possibly offer. "Good," she replied, her voice calm yet thoughtful. "We'll talk after the auction ends." She had a strange glint in her eyes, as if sensing that helping me might bring her something valuable in return.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Daren, still standing to the side, was taken aback by his sister's willingness to assist me. His lips twitched with dissatisfaction, but he had decided to wait and observe. If this situation unraveled the way he expected, he would be ready to point it out.

Meanwhile, in the other private rooms, the atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation. Each was occupied by the upper echelon of the city's elite powerful figures from influential families, their personal guards standing stoically by the doors.

The auction hall below was a grand display of wealth and opulence, with its marble floors gleaming under the chandelier's light and luxurious velvet drapes framing the walls.

The premium second-floor seats, reserved for the wealthy, were filling up at a rapid pace. The auction hall staff, dressed in crisp uniforms, guided guests to their spots with a mix of deference and efficiency. Once all the premium seats were occupied, the crowd waiting on the lower levels began to grow restless.

Roughly twenty minutes later, the second-floor seats were completely filled, each occupied by those who could afford the hefty price of attendance. Among them were shrewd merchants, 2nd rated families and wealthy traders, all eager for a chance to outbid one another for the rare treasures soon to be displayed.

Finally, with a sharp nod from the auctioneer, the doors to the first-floor seats creaked open. In an instant, a flood of people surged forward. Despite the guards' efforts to maintain order, the sheer eagerness of the crowd was overwhelming. Men and women alike, their faces flushed with excitement, hurried to secure a seat.

The noise of shuffling feet and hushed conversations echoed throughout the hall.

In a matter of minutes, every seat on the first floor was filled. The crowd was a mix of eager bidders and curious onlookers, all seated shoulder to shoulder, their eyes focused on the raised platform where the auctioneer would soon make his appearance.

In the blink of an eye, the hall was packed.

When everything was finally set, the grand chandelier dimmed slightly, signaling the start of the auction. The heavy velvet curtain that shrouded the stage began to rise, revealing the platform bathed in a soft, golden glow. A hush fell over the room as all eyes turned to the figure emerging from behind the curtain.

A strikingly beautiful woman stepped forward, her presence commanding immediate attention. She wore traditional robes of deep crimson, embroidered with gold thread in intricate patterns, which shimmered under the soft light.

Her hair was elegantly pinned up, adorned with delicate jewels that sparkled as she moved. With graceful composure, she took her place at the center of the stage, her hands folded lightly in front of her.

Without wasting a moment, she addressed the room with a voice that was smooth and melodic. "Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, welcome to tonight's auction," she began, her tone warm yet professional. "We have prepared an exquisite selection of treasures, each more rare and valuable than the last time. Let us begin."

With a fluid motion, she turned toward a small, polished wooden table behind her, draped in a rich purple cloth. She reached out, gently pulling away the cover with a practiced flair, revealing a glass box beneath. Inside, resting delicately atop a velvet cushion, were several vibrant blue leaves that seemed to shimmer with an ethereal glow.

"I believe many of you are familiar with these blue leaves," the woman said, her eyes sweeping across the room. Her voice dropped slightly, lending an air of mystique to the moment. "But let me assure you, these are no ordinary leaves. These were harvested from none other than the legendary Supreme Wizard's Blue Fruit Tree."