Chapter 11 - Chapter 11 {Booth Two}

Aria's eyes widened in surprise, and she let out a dramatic gasp, playing up the excitement of the auction.

"30 million gold coins! A bold move by booth one! Liam, do you want to try and top that?"

The room fell silent, with all eyes on Liam, who was starting to look uncomfortable. He glanced around the room, trying to gauge the reaction of the other bidders, before turning back to Aria.

"I... I'll do 35 million," he stammered, his voice shaking slightly.

Aria's eyes sparkled with amusement, and she turned to the glass booth, her voice dripping with drama.

"Booth one, do you want to increase your bid? The current bid is 35 million gold coins."

Akira's card remained raised, and Aria knew that she was waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The tension in the room was palpable, with everyone waiting to see what would happen next.

Akira shook her head waved her hand saying she gives this one up. Aria chuckled she is so…cunning.

"Oh mama that idiot man fall for your trap," Stellen said no one could hear them after all they were in their own room and Akira touched her daughter hair that braided.

Aria's eyes sparkled with amusement as she turned back to the auction, a sly smile on her face.

"Sold to Liam for 35 million gold coins! Congratulations, sir."

*Akira's eyes locked onto Liam, a cold, calculating glint in her eye, and she whispered to Stellen.

"The real game is just beginning, my dear."

"Our next term is known is spirit gourd. The story behind this…"

Aria's voice trailed off as she gazed at the spirit gourd, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. She seemed to be savoring the moment, knowing that this was the item that Akira had been waiting for.

"Ah, yes, the spirit gourd. A legendary item said to grant immense power and wisdom to its owner. It's said that the gourd can only be wielded by one with a pure heart and strong spirit. The previous owner of this gourd was a powerful sorceress who used its power to bring great prosperity to her people."

Aria's eyes locked onto the glass booth, her voice taking on a sly tone.

"I wonder who will be the lucky one to take this item home tonight. Shall we start the bidding at 50 million gold coins?"

Someone from booth two bid 100 gold coins. Everyone gasped shocked but then people whispered among each other.

Aria's eyes widened in surprise, and she raised an eyebrow.

"100 million gold coins, a bold move by booth two! I think we have a serious contender here. But, I must say, I'm not sure if that's enough to take home the spirit gourd."

Aria paused for a moment, scanning the room to see if anyone else would bid. The whispers and murmurs in the room grew louder, with people speculating about the identity of the bidder in booth two and their motives.

"Ah, but wait, it seems we have another bidder. Booth one, you've been quiet until now. Will you enter the fray?" Aria's eyes sparkled with excitement as she turned to the glass booth, where Akira was sitting with a calm and collected expression.

Akira ring out it was gentle smooth yet full of mystery.

"Can this gourd hold liquor?" Akira said. Stellen dropped her mouth mama your love for liquor is far too much!

Aria's eyes lit up with amusement, and she chuckled.

"Ah, Akira, always the one to surprise us. Yes, the spirit gourd is said to be able to hold liquor, and it's rumored to have the power to enhance the drinker's senses and grant them clarity of mind."

Aria's voice took on a sly tone.

"But, I must warn you, Akira, the gourd is said to be quite particular about the type of liquor it holds. It's said to only accept the finest and rarest of spirits. Anything less, and the gourd is said to... reject it."

Aria's eyes sparkled with amusement as she glanced at the glass booth.

"But, I'm sure you wouldn't know anything about that, would you, Akira?"

Stellen's eyes were wide with excitement, and she whispered to Akira.

"Mama, you're going to get the gourd just for the liquor, aren't you?" Akira's expression remained calm and collected, but a hint of a smile played on her lips.

"120 gold coins."

Aria's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"120 million gold coins, a new bid from Akira. The spirit gourd is really bringing out the big spenders tonight. Booth two, will you top that?"

"200 gold coins."

Aria's eyes widened in surprise, and she let out a dramatic gasp.

"200 million gold coins, a staggering bid from booth two! Akira, it seems you have a serious competitor. Will you try to top that, or will you let booth two take the spirit gourd home?"

Aria's voice was filled with excitement and anticipation, and the room fell silent as everyone waited for Akira's response. Stellen's eyes were wide with excitement, and she whispered to Akira,

"Mama, what are you going to do?"

Akira opened her mouth and she closed her mouth she didn't know what to do at this moment who was the person in booth two? Forget it's just a gourd she has so many of them.

"230 gold coins."

Aria's eyes sparkled with amusement, and she let out a laugh.

"230 million gold coins, Akira, you're not one to back down from a challenge, are you? But, I must say, I'm intrigued by your sudden change of heart. You seemed so... uninterested in the gourd just moments ago."

Aria's voice took on a sly tone.

"Booth two, it seems Akira is determined to take the gourd home. But, I have a feeling you're not going to give up that easily. Am I right?"

The room fell silent again, and all eyes were on booth two, waiting for their response. Stellen's eyes were wide with excitement, and she whispered to Akira.

"Mama, who is it? Who's in booth two?"

"Who knows but we don't care who they are," Akira said.

"1.3 billion gold coins." This came from booth two.

Aria's eyes widened in shock, and she let out a gasp.

"1.3 billion gold coins?! That's... that's an astronomical amount! Akira, I think you've finally met your match. I'm not sure even you can top that bid."

Aria's voice was filled with excitement and drama, and the room fell silent as everyone waited for Akira's response. Stellen's eyes were wide with shock, and she whispered to Akira,

"Mama, what are you going to do now? That's a lot of gold coins!"

Akira's expression remained calm and collected, but a hint of a smile played on her lips. She seemed to be enjoying the challenge, and the room was on the edge of their seats waiting for her response.

Akira shook her head she didn't have that kind of money laying around!

Aria's voice was filled with a mix of surprise and disappointment.

"It seems Akira has finally reached her limit. Booth two, it looks like you've won the spirit gourd with a bid of 1.3 billion gold coins! Congratulations!"

The room erupted in a flurry of whispers and murmurs as people began to speculate about the identity of the mysterious bidder in booth two. Stellen's eyes were wide with disappointment, and she pouted.

"Mama, why didn't we get the gourd?"

"Because we don't need it. Let's watch the next term."

*Aria's eyes sparkled with amusement as she continued to auction off the next item. "Moving on to the next item, we have a rare and exquisite crystal vial. This vial is said to have the power to enhance one's magical abilities. Who will start the bidding at 100,000 gold coins?"

Akira's eyes scanned the room, her expression neutral, but her gaze lingering on booth two for a moment. Stellen's eyes were still pouting, but she leaned in to whisper to Akira.

"Mama, I want that vial. Can we please get it?"

"100,100," This came from Akira booth whatever her little cutie pie wants she will try to get.

Aria's eyes sparkled with amusement, and she smiled.

"100,100 gold coins, a small but significant increase. It seems Akira is determined to get the crystal vial for her little one. Who will top that bid?"

The room fell silent for a moment, before a voice from the back of the room called out.

"100,500 gold coins!" Aria's eyes flicked to the bidder, a smile still playing on her lips.

"Ah, a new bidder enters the fray. Akira, it seems you have some competition for the vial. Will you increase your bid, or will you let this new bidder take the vial home?"

"200,000" this came from booth two all these three people where all mysterious one was Akira but no one knew this Akira was and the other two booth it was just nothing as well.

Aria's eyes widened in surprise, and she let out a dramatic gasp.

"200,000 gold coins?! That's a massive bid! Akira, it seems booth two is determined to outdo you at every turn. Will you try to top that bid, or will you concede the crystal vial to them?"

The room fell silent, with all eyes on Akira's booth. Stellen's eyes were wide with excitement, and she whispered to Akira.

"Mama, what are you going to do? Please don't let them get it!"*

Aria's voice took on a sly tone.

"I must say, the competition between Akira and booth two is getting more and more intense. I wonder what's driving them to bid so aggressively..."