Gravity Mage with Level-Up System

From MC’s Perspective:

Auction building,

The bustling atmosphere outside the auction building was unmistakable. A sea of wizards had gathered in front of the grand structure, their eyes fixed on the closed main entrance.

Though the air was thick with anticipation, none of them dared to move forward. The doors remained firmly shut, and no one would be allowed inside until the distinguished guest had arrived.

Two individuals from the auction house stood like statues at the entrance, their gazes scanning the crowd but betraying no emotion. It was clear they were waiting for someone of great importance. The locals, accustomed to such delays, waited in silence, understanding that patience was expected of them.

I, however, was not as calm. My eyes flicked over the wizards around me, carefully studying their expressions and behavior. They were an unwitting source of information. If I was going to learn more about Topset City and its secrets, I’d need every detail I could get.

I had tried looking up information about the city online, but like in most places, the data I needed was heavily restricted. Information about city defenses, magical artifacts, and anything that could be useful to a person like me was off-limits.

Without knowing if there were any powerful defensive spells or artifacts in place, I couldn’t risk deploying my Zero Puppet to gather intelligence. If anyone discovered its existence, my entire plan would be at risk. Escaping would become impossible.

My thoughts drifted to the Alliance Headquarters. They had teleportation platforms there, but the actual distance between the Small Nation Alliance and the Ancient Redwood Country was still unknown to me. As I mulled over my options, a sudden commotion erupted from the crowd, snapping me back to reality.

The noise was unmistakable a collective reaction from the gathered wizards. I turned around, my eyes narrowing as I searched for the source. Within moments, my heart skipped a beat. Don Blaire had arrived, flanked by his entourage. My pupils constricted in recognition.

“This guy again? Doesn’t he have anything better to do? Like looking for my whereabouts?” I cursed inwardly.

Don Blaire wasn’t just any wizard; he was the heir to one of the Top 6 Families. His constant presence here was suspicious. He had to be tied to something bigger maybe even an organization from the Ancient Redwood Country.

The Small Nation Alliance was under the influence of the Ancient Redwood Country, and Blaire’s clan certainly did business with them. My eyes gleamed with sudden realization. I’d been so focused on Don as the heir to the Blaire Clan that I hadn’t considered his other identities.

If Don had ties to Wizard organizations, it could complicate everything. I was lucky I hadn’t provoked him directly so far. But the time would come when I’d have to join the True Elements Society, and that would change everything.

I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on Don Blaire and his entourage. He walked with the confidence of someone who owned the place, flanked by Gerald, a lean Level-8 Wizard, and Peter, a hulking giant of a man. Their sheer presence caused the crowd to part like the sea, leaving a clear path to the main entrance.

Don’s cold eyes scanned the crowd with disdain. When he reached the entrance, the two auction employees sprang into action, bowing deeply before opening the heavy doors. Don and his men disappeared inside, leaving the rest of us to wait.

The crowd let out a collective sigh. Such was the power of the Top 6 Families. As for me, I could only feel the weight of my failure. I still hadn’t figured out a way to enter the Alliance Headquarters. Time was slipping away, and I might have to resort to more brutal methods.

Suddenly, a voice behind me cut through my thoughts.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

I froze and turned casually, my heart sinking when I saw Gloria Moody staring right at me.

“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath, my frustration building.

Gloria wasn’t just anyone. She was a member of the Moody Family, another one of the Top 6 Families. Her sharp silver eyes gleamed, piercing through my magical disguise. My mask had failed against her.

“Didn’t you hear me?” Gloria asked, her voice firm.

Before I could answer, another voice chimed in. “Sister, who is he?” It came from a young wizard who bore a striking resemblance to her Daren, her younger brother. He was taller than her but shared her inquisitive expression.

“He’s an acquaintance,” Gloria said with a soft smile.

“Oh, an acquaintance! Can you introduce?” Daren asked, clearly intrigued.

I stood there, stunned. My cover was blown. There was no need to ask how she had found me it was obviously her magic. Now what? I thought, searching desperately for a way to escape this situation.

Around us, the crowd respectfully stepped aside, giving the Moody siblings space. Their family name carried weight, just like Don Blaire’s. As much as I hated it, all eyes were now on me.

My situation couldn’t have been more embarrassing. I felt Daren’s eyes fixate on me, his curiosity apparent as he tried to gauge my strength. But I wasn’t worried. The system blocked any attempts to probe my power. His efforts would be in vain, though I could tell he was persistent.

Just as I was about to speak, the two auction employees rushed forward to greet them.

“Young Miss Gloria! Young Master Daren!” they said, bowing with the utmost respect.

“We have a private room ready for you,” one of them said, his voice deferential.

Gloria smiled, clearly aware of his discomfort. She had heard rumors and it seemed they were true. She knew about Don Blaire’s actions from yesterday and had no intention of making his life more difficult than it already was.

“Well, I have one more person with me. He’s my friend,” Gloria said, gesturing toward me suddenly.

My heart skipped a beat. Friend? I barely knew her, and yet she was vouching for me in front of these people. Not wanting to make things worse, I gave a brief nod to the employees. Your journey continues with empire

Their eyes widened in surprise for a moment, but they quickly composed themselves and agreed to her request.

Meanwhile, Daren watched the whole exchange in silence, his brow furrowing in thought, curiosity building in his eyes. He knew his sister well enough to understand she didn’t extend such gestures lightly.

“Interesting,” he muttered under his breath, clearly intrigued by connection.

As we walked toward the entrance of the auction building, I couldn’t shake the sensation of eyes on me. Every step seemed to draw attention. The crowd, including the two employees, couldn’t stop staring at me. They were trying to piece together who I was, and why someone like Gloria would claim me as a friend.

Once we entered the building, the opulence of the place was clear. The Auction Building had a circular design, with the auction stage and the audience seats on the first floor.

The second floor was reserved for premium seating, where the wealthy could enjoy the view while bidding on exclusive items. But the third floor where we were headedwas the most exclusive area. The private rooms, hidden from prying eyes, were reserved for the truly influential and powerful wizards.

These private rooms weren’t just about comfort. They ensured complete privacy. No one could use magic or artifacts within them, which made them perfect for those who valued discretion. From these rooms, bidders could participate in the auction without revealing their identity.

We ascended to the third floor, stopping outside Room 2. I noticed that Room 1, unsurprisingly, had already been claimed by Don Blaire and his entourage.

My thoughts drifted for a moment. Don had power and status, but I was here now, in a place reserved for people like him.

Shaking off the thought, I followed Gloria and Daren into the private room. The soft click of the door behind me felt almost ominous, sealing me in with the curious stares and questions I wasn’t yet ready to answer.

…

Meanwhile…

Inside the first private room, Don Blaire sat comfortably, surveying the auction preparations. His expression, normally one of boredom, shifted when he noticed movement outside. Through the small gap in the curtains, he saw the door to the second private room open.

His eyes narrowed. “Go and see who just arrived,” he said, his voice calm but commanding.

One of the maids immediately stepped forward, bowing slightly before making her way to investigate. She moved quietly, slipping out of the room and glancing toward the second private room.

As the door closed, she caught a glimpse of Daren Moody walking inside. The Moody family was just as powerful as the Blaire family, if not more so, and Daren’s presence was impossible to mistake. His tall frame and the unmistakable aura of confidence made him stand out. There was no one else behind him.

The maid returned to Don Blaire’s room, her steps light as she delivered her report.

“It’s Daren Moody,” she said softly, bowing again.

Don’s expression tightened. “So, he came,” he muttered under his breath, his tone growing serious. He leaned back in his chair, a frown forming on his face.