There was once a time when Aoto had asked Luvi a question.
Impala: I understand its function… but I wonder how it works? Most of the ingredients I see here are either used in detox medicines or curing stomach aches caused by the dungeon environment. How can they help in awakening?
It was an understandable question which anyone would ask.
Aoto might be able to cook the awakening agent, but he didn't know what was the reason why this serum even worked. What was the science behind it that made it work?
Which in turn led to the question changing to. What does this thing do to the body?
A fair question.
And Luvi understood that for a curious mind with talent for drug making. Aoto might have the drive to not only understand, but also upgrade it one day. So without holding anything back, Alfin explained.
DreamMachine: "It's very simple actually. It is still doing the same thing as before, purging the poison in the body. But this is not a simple poison, it's something one is born with."
What made the awakened different from the unawakened ones?
It's their innate ability awakening and forcing the poison out slowly during a long period of time. And when this innate poison is removed from the body, then one fully awakens.
This poison or blockage is the one that is holding the normal people without innate ability from awakening. And it also shows that its not the awakening that is the reason for the birth of the power, it's rather the opposite.
The abilities in an attempt to fully awaken, make the body go through a metamorphosis of a kind that goes unnoticed by the people as it happens slowly through a whole year.
But this is where Aoto asked something.
Impala: If this metamorphosis takes a whole year… then what happens when the poison is purged all at once?
DreamMachine: You know… its a good question. I didn't see or read anything about it. I am gonna let the furry and FIX know before the Auction.
*****
All the thoughts in Lev's head came to a halt.
He can smell it.
He can feel it.
This was not a simple fart.
Nor were the dark impurities that his whole body just purged, simple blood.
His head had almost gone light and losing consciousness. While the woman named Bella close to him had moved far away from him with a handkerchief on her nose.
As for the crowd that had been talking about him as well as the serum. Enthusiastic about the prospects of buying it and waiting for the group to make a fool of themselves.
All of them went silent. So much silent that for the first time in his life, Lev learned that there were things in the world way worse than being forced to kill for survival.
And hence, he was glad.
He was glad that he was wearing a mask.
"Look at that."
It was then, a single voice broke the silence as he pointed at the screen which many have forgotten to look at.
And there was a miracle going on there.
"The mana. It doesn't escape the body."
It was a wonderful discovery by the crowd, which brought life back to their faces as they started to talk about the serum once again. Forgetting the little accident that Lev had.
And why should they?
They were adults and understood that untested drugs like this had some side effects. And considering the side effects of some other drugs, this was almost harmless in comparison.
Yes you will fart or do something even worse. But considering this serum helps one awaken, all of this was worth it.
And it's not like anyone would dare to drink this drug in a group of men like Lev was forced to do due to demonstration.
Most will either choose to do it alone in their home or along with people they trust in case of any accidents.
"Miss Bella, if it's done. May I leave?" With the experience he had gained through surviving like a cockroach. This might be one of the most disgusting and embarrassing moment of his life. But he still kept a cool mind as he made the request.
He just wanted to move away from the stage at this very moment. Even FIX in his ears knew how bad FIX might be feeling and hence had already requested Tikhon to ready a shower for Lev.
"Ye… yes Mister Husky. The demonstration is done. You can take a rest." From the rest, she meant shower. But there were certain things she won't say on the stage. There was no need to make it more embarrassing than it already was.
And besides, the audience had lost their interest in Lev the moment it was proven that the serum works.
Now all of them were scrambling and calculating how much the price of these serums might go for.
And after a break where the stage was cleaned and disinfected. Bella came back., ready to continue the auction.
"50million."
One man said he belonged to the common seats, but the price he called out was anything but short.
No, that amount of money was not something Alfin's father made after years of work. Now, a product made out of cheap materials that his Son has asked someone to make was being sold easily for a base price of 50 mil.
But it was just a start.
"55 Million."
No one knew how many of these awakening serums were available. Some even complained of the auction house wasting something so precious as the serum on nobody like The Husky guy.
But they also understood, the prices of the serum might not have gone so high, if not for that demonstration.
So the price kept climbing.
Those families who had Awakened already among them, soon lost interest. These people were just interested in it and nothing more.
While those rich families who were not awakened, none of them held back and showed their pocket to the world.
Of course, none knew who these people were. But they were able to understand their desperation.
"70mil once, 70mil twice… would anyone like to bid for more?" Seeing that none of the people responded. Bella announced. "And sold to the gentleman in Elephant mask."
The first of these serums was sold out.
And it went as high as 70 million dollars, which was a lot higher than many have expected. Though FIX on the other hand was a bit disappointed.
To her, 70 millions was not even a chump change. But it was not like she didn't understand the reason why the price of it was so low.
At the end of the day, a single serum was only worth around a single awakened. And that too, without any ability to add to it.
Meaning, they would still need to practice and work hard if they wish to make something of themselves.
But even then, their limit was only blue rank. Or so what many thought due to the only available techniques at the moment.
'If the online store had been up with higher level techniques. Many would be rushing to buy these.'
FIX thought.
But what has happened has happened. It's better for Luvi to learn a lesson through this event and make better decisions later on.
And so with that in mind, FIX saw the rest of the auction without much expectations.
*****
"Hmm, from what I understood, the first might have only gone for 10 millions. This was unexpected."
Luvi was aware of dealings in the Auction through the updates that FIX kept sending to him.
Which made it so, he was even aware of what happened to Lev soon after he drank the serum. But that was all. He was not a juvenile that enjoyed shitty jokes.
Not when so much money was on the line.
"The real kicker would be the last serum."
From what Luvi understood. It was not only the families that would be interested in the serum.
There would be the Big Pharmas, which might even include Aoto's father, involved in this auction aiming to buy one of these serums to research and redevelop their own version of the awakening serums.
Meaning, the moment they learn how many there are. They would try their best to buy it.
Because, the faster they crack the method of concocting this serum, the faster they would be able to sell it and create a market monopoly.
And like he expected. After Luvi requested FIX to tell the audience the amount of serums that were left.
The prices suddenly increased.
Because at the end of the day, big pharmaceuticals were still one of the richest companies to exist in the world. So the amount of money they can splurge was way higher.
Which caused the last three serums value to over inflate and reach a whopping 800 mils in an instance.
Scaring many in the crowd as well as letting those that bought it first take a sigh of relief, thanking the gods that these people didn't act early.
"To those that haven't been able to buy the serum, but wish to own it. We will be selling around 12 of those next month."
"So please, come again. Your attendance would be highly appreciated."