Tale of a Hedonistic wizard

"The security must be tight for something like this," Jaegar said, his tone even, ignoring that man.

"Very tight," the steward replied, still gazing at her.

"Guards patrol every corner, and the entrances are heavily monitored. Only those with verified invitations can enter… or so we thought." His words trailed off as he glanced at Lilianna, a flicker of confusion crossing his face before her charm smoothed it away.

Jaegar's attention shifted to the stage as the first item was brought out—a young half-elf in her twenties, her wrists bound in glowing chains that suppressed magic. The crowd murmured appreciatively as the auctioneer began his pitch.

Jaegar, however, barely registered the scene. His gaze swept across the hall, searching for the woman who had caught his eye earlier.

It didn't take long to find her.

She sat in a section opposite theirs, her presence distinct even in the dimly lit hall. Her posture was elegant, her movements refined, and her aura commanded attention despite her shadowed surroundings. Jaegar's sharp eyes narrowed as recognition dawned on him.

It was Carolina. Veronica's mother.

Jaegar leaned back, his expression unreadable as his mind raced. He had never expected to see Carolina here, of all places. The mystery of her presence only deepened as he observed her interactions. She appeared composed, almost disinterested, as though the horrors unfolding below were of no consequence to her.

"What's wrong?" Lilianna's voice broke through his thoughts. She followed his gaze and frowned. "Do you know her?"

"Yeah," Jaegar replied, his voice low. "She's a mother of a friend of mine."

"Well, this just got a lot more interesting," Lilianna said, leaning forward with a sly grin. "Shall we go meet her?"

Jaegar didn't respond immediately. His gaze remained locked on Carolina as he watched her. "No, let's just observe for now."

-

Jaegar's gaze flicked back and forth between Carolina and the women seated beside her. The dim light of the auction hall obscured finer details, but he could make out their figures and demeanour well enough.

Beside Carolina sat Lady Bordaulf, a woman of formidable reputation and wealth, known for her commanding presence. Her auburn hair was streaked with silver, her posture exuding grace and authority.

Jaegar remembered seeing her briefly at the soiree he attended. She was Arnal's mother—a sharp-witted woman who rarely stepped into events without a purpose. That she was here, in a place shrouded in secrecy, piqued Jaegar's curiosity even further.

To Lady Bordaulf's other side sat Leona, another aristocratic woman he recognized. Leona was well-known for her charm and beauty, even in her forties. She carried herself with an air of allure, her golden locks cascading over her shoulders.

Jaegar smirked, the corners of his mouth curling upward. The absurdity of the situation amused him.

All these women in their forties, elegant and poised, were attending a slave auction. He couldn't help but recall his previous life history, where women of high society bought young men—not for labour or servitude in the traditional sense, but for far more personal purposes.

The very thought seemed archaic, yet here it was, playing out before him in the heart of the imperial capital.

The auction hall buzzed with a low, anticipatory hum—nobility from across the imperial territories gathered to witness the sale of the most prized commodity: Blaeruak slaves.

A man took the stage, dressed in a tailored black suit that gleamed in the low light. He was the auctioneer, his voice smooth and practiced as he introduced the first lot.

Jaegar's eyes wandered back to Lady Bordaulf, whose expression was one of polite interest. Beside her, Carolina sat rigidly, her blush deepening as the auctioneer's voice filled the hall.

The first slaves brought to the stage were men of a race Jaegar recognized as Blaeruaks. Their graphite-coloured skin glistened under the harsh light, and their vivid green eyes gleamed with a mix of defiance and resignation. Each man had intricate engravings on his back, symbols and patterns that were unique to their lineage.

Jaegar had heard of the Blareaks, a rare race known for their extraordinary physical prowess and mysterious origins. The engravings on their backs were said to be imbued at birth, marking their identity and fate.

The Blaeruak had a long history, as they were not merely another conquered race. There was a biological marvel, a species that defied conventional understanding of human potential. Towering up to seven feet, their muscle and sinew spoke of generational and evolutionary perfection. They were a distinctive race present in the western part of the continent.

By human standards, the male members of the race weren't attractive; rather, their faces were out of proportion. Their faces were asymmetrical landscapes of harsh angles, skin textured like weathered granite, features that suggested generations of survival in unforgiving environments. Yet their ugliness was counterbalanced by an extraordinary physical prowess that made them invaluable. Muscle groups that seemed impossibly dense rippled beneath their skin, a testament to an innate strength that could crush stone and bend metal.

In stark contrast, Blaerak women were universally acknowledged as breathtaking. Where the men embodied raw, utilitarian strength, the women represented a different kind of perfection. Their graphite skin possessed an almost luminescent quality, smooth as polished obsidian but with an inner radiance that seemed to pulse with otherworldly energy.

The first Blareak to step forward was a towering figure, easily over seven and a half feet tall. His shoulders were broad, his muscular frame accentuated by the minimal clothing he was allowed to wear.

On the other side, where the ladies sat, Lady Bordault's keen eyes observed the man standing on the stage. Noble women whispered behind delicate fans, their gazes lingering on the male slave with a mixture of disdain and barely concealed desire. It was an open secret that while Blaerak men were primarily valued for backbreaking labour, their women were sought after for more... intimate purposes.

"They're magnificent, aren't they?" Leona said. She was a witch from one of the most renowned covens in the imperial territories.