[A/N: This chapter is quite simple I put little mind into the words.]
** **
The scene was that of an arc-like Theater and a raised platform with stairs. Close to 100 people were facing the stage, they all had tables with different numbers on them.
On top of the back side, there are several VIP rooms providing privacy.
"100! Low-grade-mana-stones" someone bidded.
"105!"
"150"
"150 Low-grade -mana-stones. Going once." The female anchor who wore revealing dresses, looked for anyone with h higher bid but many lost interest "Going twice. Going thrice. And, sold. Congratulations, room number 7 for winning the Hell Ruby."
Inside room number 7, Tom, Anna, and Cloe were sitting on a sofa. Cloe was hugging Tom's arms, her soft and small breasts pressed against his arms, she had a happy expression, and from time to time she would glaze at Tom's pants and intensely blush.
On the left side, Anna's eyes were delightful, she had quite the catch today. The Hell Ruby was Actioned close to 1000 Low-grade-mana stones in the capital and it was one of the things that she lacked currently in her Artificing journey.
And, yes Anna is an Artificer and it is also the reason why she wanted Cloe to be Tom's wife because she knew how hard and rewarding this job was. Most importantly every Artificer used slightly different language in their runes and when two or more parties with different languages put their minds together they can produce miracles with runes.
Anna's plan may seem like she wanted Cloe for her benefit and some part of it is still true, but no one gets damaged in the process, and everyone is satisfied in her opinion.
As they say 'every deed must have a purpose'.
"Husband, is there a reason why we are here?" Cloe asked innocently as she laid her head on his Arm.
"Mm, Not really, I just feel like coming here...And don't call me husband." Tom felt blood rushing through his head and nether regions when she calls him husband, he feels like doing unspeakable Naughty things to her.
Cloe felt sad and her eyes got teary, "W-Why...Do you want to cancel our c-contract...am I not pretty enough?" when she said the last part she was on the verge of a breakdown.
Tom felt like a headache appearing if he didn't solve this soon.
Tom decided to be honest and said, "You shouldn't come close to a boy and call them a husband. If they ain't got good self-control, something unspeakable will happen to you. So, I am not saying that I want to cancel the contract, I am just saying that don't test my self-control" When he finished he pinched her nose.
Cloe rubbed her nose and felt relieved, then she blushed, raised her knee-long skirt, and said, "If you want we can--"
Pha!
Tom spanked her Ass instantly. Cloe pouted and sat there obediently- not being Naughty anymore. Tom inwardly released a sigh, if she had continued anymore, he would have probably lost control over his little brother.
It was not the first time that Tom used spanks to control a female. The first time was when he used it on Anna; like some switch has been triggered Anna became obedient and he at that time thought that it was some kink of Anna.
However, when he used it on Cloe a day ago; he found out that the world was weirder than he initially thought.
'Are you sure the first sentience is here' Tom asked in his mind.
'100% sure.' Ezekiel answered.
'What even is this first sentience?' Tom asked again.
Ezekiel was silent.
'Curce my curiosity it would eventually kill me, I am sure. I can only hope that this first sentience is a passive one.' Tom squinted his eyes searching for the first sentience thing or living being, it maybe.
A dozen minutes passed and a few items were auctioned off, either they were unneeded or too high of a price to bid.
The lady with the revealing clothes pushed a table covered in red cloth into the stage.
"The next item on our list is." the lady revealed what she was hiding "The sword of righteousness. created by one of the best blacksmiths in our city."
Inside the showcase was a sword, the blade was red with various pulsing runes running through it, its hilt was obsidian black, and a murky blue crystal was attached to the base of the hilt. The gem had a mark on it, it was a triangle with a star inside it.
This mark was a symbol of the Blacksmith that made this sword and it was the mark of one of the ten best blacksmiths in this city.
"This is the creation of Berk Holfenhelm. This sword has the maximum output of 1000 units of mana."
Gasps resounded when the word 1000 units was uttered.
The lady continued when the information settled into the minds of the audience "The starting bid at 5 mid-grade-mana and minimum increment of 1000 low-grade-mana stones or its equivalent 1-mid-grade-mana stone will only be accepted----the bid will start in 3 minutes, so good luck."
The faces of the people sitting in the main room dropped, but the faces of people sitting in the VIP room were brimming with excitement.
Tom who was sitting in the VIP room was also interested in buying the sword, but it was just a mild interest nothing more.
Anna slid close to him and said, "You want that?"
"Want what?" Tom asked still looking at the sword in the showcase.
"Obviously, the sword, dummy." Anna pouted which was cute.
"You have that much money with you now I thought we were just going for a stroll," Tom said confused.
A few hours ago three of them were going to a special place to check something but a message popped up about the 'first sentience' and Tom had to enter the Auction to satisfy his curiosity, so he didn't expect Anna to have much money with her.
Anna had a smirk and said, "Hehe. Don't forget I am a VIP customer. So, I naturally have a deposit. And let's see..." Anna's gaze went to a paper that miraculously appeared in her hand, "*sigh how bleak, only 100 Mid-grade's. I forgot to fill it back up. Clumsy me." she said tiredly----like someone who forgot to recharge their internet.
Tom and Cloe both widened their eyes in disbelief. 100 Mid-grade-mana-stones was not a small number and in this world, there are no banks but auction houses that acted like banks. So a person can have a deposit in their auction house account and if one surpassed a certain threshold in their account they can become a VIP member like Anna.
And one had to know that there were dozens of Auction houses that Anna visited in this city, !00 Mid-grade-mana-stones is not a low number in any way, and if she says it is a low number then what about other auction houses. Tom's mind spun at the sheer amount of money Anna had. On the other hand, Cloe's mind was more relaxed than Tom's because she didn't know that Anna had multiple accounts in this city and outside, she only had one thought.
'Mother-sister is rich' Cloe innocently thought.
Tom held down his surprise and held Anna's soft hand gently with a serious expression on his face and said, "I have a proposal for you. Would you like to be my Sugar mama?"
Anna slapped Tom's head with the paper in her hand and said, "Dummy, I am your real mother, and all your expenses till now were paid by me."
Tom scratched his head "I forgot that you were my mother and future wife at the same time... It's kind of hard to make my mind around it. You know from where I come from this kind of relationship between families didn't exist."
Cloe perked up her ears and thought 'From where he came from?...such a weak place exists?' Cloe was confused but didn't pry further she was sure her husband will tell her everything when they are officially married.
They chatted a little Anna was reasonable and let Tom bid till 80 mid-grades but nothing more than that.
And now it was time for the bid to start and Tom was the first one to place the bid.
"15 Mid-grade-mana stones!" Tom's sound resounded into the audience making many of the poor people sad, they were expecting to get the sword at a low price.
** **
In, room number 06---which was close to Tom's room.
A boy was sitting on a comfortable sofa with six girls of similar age sitting- one can say- intimately close to him and a mature lady sitting opposite the boy.
The boy had a very muscular body compared to his face---which still had some baby fat. His shirt was unbuttoned, one look was for someone like Tom to guess that this guy was a muscle head.
This boy was Cain, and the woman sitting opposite him was his mother and Count Netherlore's little sister, Camilia.
She had black hair, black eyes, and Thyes packed with mussels similar to that of an Amazonian.
A big eastern type great sword was also strapped on her back, a beautiful emerald-coloured choker with blue gems was adorned on her neck, and she sat straight with one leg on the other and both hands elegantly on her knees like a proper lady--- even though her thick thigh muscles say otherwise.
"Mmm, that sword looks interesting." Cain gazed interestedly at the sword and continued "But, it doesn't compare to mine."
He stroked lovingly at the blue long sword placed near him, it had a black hilt and a light blue crystal attached to the hilt.
"Yes, yes. it could never be a comparison to your sword, Cain." A chubby girl with black hair and beautiful Azure eyes said.
"Yes, yes. Cain is the best" A girl with bob-cut hair said.
All six of the girls began praising Cain even though the sword was brought using his mother's money- the sword had an output of 1200 units making it a notch higher than the sword Auctioned.
Watching these girls praising Cain for almost everything, Cain's mother Camila couldn't help but sigh.
Camila was a brave warrior and she placed very much importance on strength, she respected anyone who got more strength than her- she would bow down to a snail if it has more strength than her.
And she tried her very best to drill that mindset into her son Cain, Cain for a few years was a determined boy, every day he would wake up and take 50 push-ups, swing his sword a few times until he got tired.
It didn't take long for him to be one of the strongest children of the generation. Nobles everywhere would send their little girls to meet up with him hoping he would take their hand.
Even though the colour of Talent is what truly determines one's worth, Cain had good genes from his mother and father. it would be almost impossible for Cain to have bad talent.
Cain noticed all the attention he was receiving, consequently, his ego got a boost and he virtually became the center of the universe.
And fatefully one day he had an encounter with Tom and got bet up pitifully. Cain's ego was on the verge of damage but he coved himself within a cloud of delusion that the other party used some kind of trick or Artifact to gain unholy strength.
But even with that knowledge, he couldn't do anything to Tom. He could only wait, wait until the day of his awakening, and the gods didn't sink his boat. With Blue talent and barely reaching the boundary of violet, he was hailed as a genius again.
However, today he was even more happy. today he got the information about Tom's fake talent which was yellow. Seeing his arch-enemy so pitiful Cain even moaned in satisfaction.
Camilla was worried for Cain, day after day he was getting more arrogant and conceited. His mind was sick.
He didn't even put a chocker on his girls, believing that no succubus would harm him, and wearing bracelets was uncomfortable for him.
Camila gazed at the girls sitting close to Cain. One girl with bob-cut hair was even ogling at Cain's crotch, a shiver traveled through Camila's spine.
She really wanted her son to set up a contract with his partners but that would basically be forcing him- which is didn't want.
The break time was over and the bid began on the mark of the Lady in the revealing dress.
"15 Mid-grade-mana stones!" as soon as the bidding restarted Tom's shout was heard.
Cain's eyes widened in surprise- it seems that his arch-enemy was also here to bid. His surprised face turned to reveal a grin.
"17 Mid-grade-mana stones!" Cain shouted- today he will try his very best to make Tom's day a mess.
Meanwhile, in Anna's VIP room- which was close to Cain's.
Tom raised an eyebrow "It can't be a coincidence that he is here and coincidently started bidding when he heard me shouting." Tom shook his head "That would be stupid...and childish."
"20 Mid's," Tom again shouted.
"25 Mid's." Cain's shout was also heard.
"This is Guy is a moron." Tom shook his head and mumbled. 20 Mid's is an affordable price for the sword, but anything above that is just a rip-off.
"You want to make my time here harder? But do you have the brains to do that huh, Cain?" Tom put his palm on his forehead and mumbled with a smile.
Cloe and Anna heard him talking to himself. Cloe's face turned pale- she didn't like trouble, especially with someone as talented as Cain. While Anna was amused watching the two kids fighting, trying to ruin each other.
"40 Mid's!" Tom's shout echoed through the auction hall. Various astonished gasps were heard, and they all thought the same thing 'Was this guy a moron'.
Now Anna also started getting worried. Not because of the money- she had plenty of those. Because she thought her son would get some bad habits, spending money is good but spending money unnecessarily is unjust.
Anna tugged on Tom's sleeve and said, "Hey this an unholy amount just for a sword"
Tom patted her head "Don't increment your woes, Mother, just sit and watch." Anna touched her head where Tom just patted her, she looked at Tom's back and felt like he looked manly; even though he was smaller than her.
"60 Mid's!" Cain's shout was heard from the other side.
This time the entire hall was silent, the Anchor lady looked even more stunned.
The amount of money Cain just bid for this sword was just pure stupidity.
On the other side, Camila felt that the stupidity of her son knew no bounds. However, she didn't interfere because this wasn't her money, it was the Count's fund money for his talented children.
'Stupid son when your money runs out you will come running straight back to me then...I will teach you a lesson' Camila thought with her arms crossed.
The girls around Cain were unusually silent- they were rethinking their decision of being Cain's women, except for that one girl who kept ogling at Cain's crotch.
In-room number 7, Tom felt like he heard the best joke ever. 60 Mid-grade-mana-stones for a sword that was usually sold in the market at 15-20 Mid's.
Tom swiped the tears of joy from his eyes and said in an angry voice that was loud enough for everyone to hear, "Fine. You win this round. But don't you think that you will win the next round!"
Cain grinned and shouted in a mocking voice "Hahaha, It's good that you know your place, a weakling like you should be happy that you were defeated by me."
"Let's see about that..." Tom said with a grunt at last- obviously, Tom was acting.
The audience felt like they were listening to some kind of drama.
"Why does he sound like some kind of poorly made villain?" Cloe asked with her head tilted in confusion which looked extremely adorable.
Tom patted, ruffled her hair, and said, "You see Cain has a small mind, so his actions become very much predictable like a low-level NPC program."
Cloe nodded and asked "What"s an Npc?"
Tom scratched his head "Well, an Npc is a fish...its actions are easy to predict."
"Un!" Cloe nodded; this was new knowledge for her, and this shows how much ignorant she was about this world.
"Going once!" The Anchor lady shouted with excitement; today was her lucky day she would also receive part of the cut of the profit.
"Going twice...And sold!! Congratulations room number 6, for winning 'THE Sword of Righteousness' "
[A/N: I wrote close to 3k words and the chapter is quite simple. One thing I noticed is the world I envisioned is turning out to be more and more absurd. But recently I keep feeling like I forgot something in this story. Which is weird. Any ways, happy 24-hour day!]