"Who do you fear the most?"
"...you."
A past memory woke Luvi from his sleep.
A memory that put a cowl on Luvi's face. But putting the dream behind, Luvi requested for a leave from the academy by sending them a message of being on the verge of breakthrough.
A request that can't be denied during these days and if the school did. Luvi was ready to cause a ruckus.
And as expected for an academy with no spine. They relented to his request without much issue.
As for the reason for the real reason for the leave?
It was simple.
Today was the day of the Auction.
And no, it won't be televised on TV or anywhere else. There was not even a chance for anyone to even think of bringing any recording devices to that place, unless they wanted to be banned or even die. And depending on the identity, the situation varies.
Not to mention, there is a signal jammer all over the auction house which prevents anyone from contracting people in or out of the Auction house.
As for security?
The Wulfer family was thorough.
Not only did they bring a total of 4 purple star hunters to overlook the security, along with many blue stars that guarded the entrance as well as exit.
The whole auction was also conducted under the protection of the only Gold Star of the Wulfer family and one of the greatest snipers in the whole world, Tikhon Wulfer.
The person that was also the reason that Wulfer family was able to push their weight around and suppress those people that wanted some special treatment.
But there are exceptions to every rule.
People that even the Wulfer family would ever dare to offend.
"Little Wolf, time was not kind on you."
"Madam please… There are juniors around. I have to maintain some dignity." A one eyed man with an eye patch and big gray beard said with some embarrassment.
An emotion that none in the room would have ever thought that their patriarch would ever make. Because generally, those that get embarrassed are not their patriarch, but those that come to meet him.
"Oh, that greeting was to an old friend. As for the Patriarch of Wulfer's, it's a pleasure to meet you." The small child android said while sitting on the same seat as Tikhon, a Gold star sniper.
"The same is true for me, Madam. I almost thought the time took you away."
"Enough with the pleasantries Tikhon. Let's get back on the topic."
Madam, also known as FIX to Luvi, informed the old man. "The serum we have made will be promoted at your auction. I believe you have no worries about it?"
"Yes, we have already shown our sincerity to those that were curious about the authenticity of the serum… but I still wish to learn. Does the serum really work?" Tikhon might be old and held a sense of responsibility to the Madam in front of him.
But he was also a family man. And due to his raunchy younger days, he had a bit of too much family.
A total of four official wives and six mistresses. And by conceiving multiple children through each of them, made Tikhon a bit of a ladies man, as well as a horrible father that barely ever focused on his children.
The most he could do is provide them protection as well as opportunities. And these kids also didn't fail him.
Now, the whole world was aware of the name Wulfer.
"Yes it does, we haven't had a human test just yet. Though don't worry, to prove the effects of the potion, the group I currently belong to has chosen to do a test run of the serum in front of everyone. And you should already be aware of the candidate."
The organization that FIX mentioned made Tikhon a bit curious. But knowing the old lady in front of him, he didn't dare to question their identity. But being in this business for so long. He had some idea of what was going on.
Not to mention, the rumors that were released by a small-time mafia had made rounds in not just Russia, but the whole world.
Making him aware that the person who released those bizarre training techniques in wild, was the one responsible for the creation of this serum.
"That hitman?... hmm. The one you saved?"
"I see that the words about that child have reached you as well?"
"Information like this tends to have a hard time hiding in secret." Nikoli had released the information on DreamMachine as revenge for ignoring him.
But it didn't mean he would expose his own incompetence by telling the world how he lost one of his most adept hitmen.
Respect was more important than might in the underworld.
"Yes, only someone as talented as that young man is worthy of becoming the first awakened among the population of normal people."
"Such a high evaluation of him… I never heard you speak in such a way when rating me." Tikhon sounded a bit hurt as he said those words in a playful tone. But in truth, he was genuinely curious. What kind of kid would this mortal hitman be rated so highly by Madam?
"Did you take down a Purple star before even awakening?" There was a hint of mockery in FIX's voice.
Since learning StarHusky's real name, she had done some research on him through her own means to learn more about Lev as a person. And what she learned surprised even her.
'He is too good.'
Inhuman was the term that had come to FIX's mind when learning about Lev. Which made her wonder, what kind of monster would he become when he enters the world of awakened.
"Hmm?... What kind of monster is that boy?" And the same was true for Tikhon, who just realized that this hitman might not be as normal as he learned from his sources.
"You will know when the auction begins."
The topic once again shifted to the Auction and the distribution rights.
There will be more serums in the future and they need a distributor that won't betray them.
And after thinking for a while, FIX chose Tikhon, the little pup that used to follow her during the world war days.
To FIX, Tikhon might act like an adult, but he will always remain her loyal puppy to her.
******
The rules of the auction were simple. Everyone has to wear a specific mask provided by the Auction house and a person can only bid on five items. At most.
This was to prevent some people from monopolizing certain items. And this makes people consider what to buy more.
Which in turn gives more opportunity to poorer attendees who might never ever get a chance to place in a bid.
A method which became the reason for the Wulfer's Auction house to be so popular. It might not be as high class as some other auction houses. But it was more just and balanced.
Which in turn, caused it to grow in size at a fast rate.
"Is it really alright for me to wear an earpiece?... Isn't it stated that this is not allowed?"
-"No need to worry, I have talked with the owner and as long as your earpiece remains on the current frequency, it will work."
Due to the jammer, it was close to impossible for people to communicate inside, unless they used wired communicators used by the Auction house.
But after pulling some strings, FIX was given an exception.
-"I can reach you around the stage as well as your viewing area. The rest of the areas, the communicator still won't work. So be wary in those areas."
-"My friend might be on our side, but the same can't be said about some of his other family."
A dog can be trusted, but a human can never be. And not all children of Tikhon loved their father.
No, some of them outright hated him. So it won't be bizarre for some of these children to do something underhanded to Lev, when he is moving places.
"I understand."
Unassuming, Lev walked towards one of the many entrances, where some people would enter from time to time.
Some hide their face from the start, while others show it without a worry in the world, because at the end of the day, they would still get a new mask on their own. Why bother hiding your face?
"Sorry sir, but ear pieces of any kind of communication devices are not allowed." The guard at the gate stopped Lev.
Being a Blue Star Hunter, he was easily able to tell that Lev was nothing more than a normal human. Not to mention, he dressed too simple.
Though he still dressed gentlemanly with a purple coat and yellow shirt with a matching tie. Its the quality of the clothes that spoke enough about the standing of this man.