Booth two remained silent, and the room was filled with an awkward silence. Aria smiled, seeming to enjoy the tension.
"Going once... going twice..."
Akira's eyes remained fixed on booth two, her expression unreadable. Stellen, however, was bouncing with excitement, her eyes shining with anticipation.
Aria's voice cut through the silence,
"Sold! The Dragon's Heart goes to... Miss Emma, for five million gold coins!"
The room erupted into applause, and Akira's lips curved into a small, satisfied smile. She nodded to Aria, a silent acknowledgement of the deal.
Akira's smirk grew wider as she stood up, Stellen still clinging to her leg. She glanced at the Dragon's Heart, now hers, and then back at Emma, who was still grinning from ear to ear.
"Thank you, Emma," Akira said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"You're too kind. I'll make sure to treasure this... generous gift."
Stellen giggled and looked up at Akira, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Akira's smirk softened, and she reached down to ruffle Stellen's hair.
"I think we've had a successful evening, don't you, little one?" Akira said, her voice filled with warmth.
The scene ended with Akira and Stellen walking away, the Dragon's Heart safely in their possession, while Emma was left looking like a fool, still grinning from ear to ear, oblivious to the fact that she had just been outsmarted by the cunning Akira.
Aria's eyes sparkled with excitement as she revealed the last item. Akira's gaze narrowed, her interest piqued. Stellen looked up at her, sensing the tension.
"The starting bid is 60 million gold coins," Aria announced, her voice clear and confident.
The room fell silent, as if the air had been sucked out of it. Akira's eyes widened, and she raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the starting bid. Stellen's eyes grew wide, and she looked up at Akira, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Mama, that's so expensive!"
Aria's smile grew wider, and she nodded, her eyes scanning the room.
"Yes, the Yin Soul Elixir is a rare and precious item. It's said to have the power to revive even the most damaged soul. Who will start the bidding at 60 million gold coins?"
Akira's gaze locked onto the Yin Soul Elixir,
her expression unreadable. The room was filled with tension, as everyone waited to see who would make the first move.
Akira knew that her daughter needed this to understand her light and darkness elements even more.
"70 million," Akira said.
*The room fell silent, as if everyone was holding their breath. Aria's eyes sparkled with excitement, and she nodded, her voice clear and confident. "70 million gold coins, do I hear 80 million?"*
Stellen's eyes grew wide, and she looked up at Akira, her face filled with hope. Akira's expression remained calm, but her eyes seemed to gleam with determination.*l
A figure emerged from the shadows, a tall, imposing figure with piercing eyes.
"80 million," the figure said, its voice low and commanding.*
Aria's smile grew wider, and she nodded, her eyes locked onto the figure.
"80 million gold coins, do I hear 90 million?"*
Akira's gaze locked onto the figure, her expression unreadable. The room was filled with tension, as everyone waited to see who would make the next move.
The figure didn't flinch, its eyes fixed on Akira.
"90 million," it said, its voice firm and unyielding.
Aria's eyes sparkled with excitement, and she nodded, her voice clear and confident.
"90 million gold coins, do I hear 100 million?"*
Akira's gaze never wavered, her eyes locked onto the figure. She seemed to be sizing it up, calculating her next move. Stellen, however, looked up at her with a worried expression, her eyes wide with concern.
The room was silent, the only sound the soft hum of the auction hall's magic. The air was thick with tension, as everyone waited to see who would make the next move.
Akira's lips curved into a small smile, and she raised her hand, her voice clear and confident.
"100 million."
"900 million," the figure said.
*Aria's eyes widened in surprise, and she nodded, her voice clear and confident. "900 million gold coins, do I hear 1 billion?"*
Akira's gaze locked onto the figure, her expression unreadable. Stellen's eyes grew wide, and she looked up at Akira, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Mama, it's too much..."
Akira gave up forget it she stormed her feet slight but she carried her daughter away and didn't bother looking at the man but his eyes seemed to be looking at Akira back for a long time.
*Aria's voice echoed through the hall, "900 million gold coins, going once... going twice... sold! The Yin Soul Elixir goes to the gentleman for 900 million gold coins!"*
The hall erupted into applause, but Akira was already gone, storming out of the hall with Stellen in her arms.
The figure's eyes followed them, his gaze lingering on Akira's back for a long time, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
As Akira disappeared into the crowd, the figure turned back to Aria, his expression unreadable.
"I'll take the elixir," he said, his voice low and smooth.
"And I'll make sure to deliver it to the one who truly needs it."
Aria's eyes sparkled with curiosity, but she said nothing, simply nodding and handing over the elixir. The figure took it, his eyes never leaving Akira's retreating back, a sense of determination burning in his gaze.
The figure watched Akira disappear into the crowd, his eyes lingering on the spot where she had vanished. Aria's voice broke the silence.
"Congratulations, sir. I hope the elixir brings you the results you desire."
The figure turned back to Aria, a hint of a smile on his lips.
"I'm not buying it for myself," he said, his voice low and smooth.
"I'm buying it for someone who needs it more than I do."
Aria's eyes sparkled with curiosity, but she said nothing, simply nodding and handing over the payment. The figure took it, his eyes never leaving Aria's face.
As the transaction was completed, the figure turned to leave, but not before catching a glimpse of Akira and Stellen in the distance. Akira was still storming ahead, her anger and frustration evident in her stride. Stellen, on the other hand, was looking back at the hall, her eyes fixed on the figure.
The figure's gaze locked onto Stellen's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Then, without breaking eye contact, the figure turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Akira and Stellen to wonder who he was and what his true intentions were.
Akira and Stellen walked in silence for a while, the only sound being the rustling of their clothes and the distant hum of the city. Akira's anger and frustration were still simmering, but she was trying to calm down for Stellen's sake.
Stellen looked up at Akira, her eyes wide with concern.
"Mama, are you okay?" she asked, her voice soft and gentle.
Akira forced a smile, trying to reassure her daughter.
"I'm fine, sweetie. I just didn't expect that man to bid so high."
Stellen nodded, but her eyes still looked worried.
"I don't like it when you're upset, Mama," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Akira's heart melted at her daughter's words, and she pulled Stellen into a tight hug.
"I'm sorry, sweetie. I didn't mean to scare you. I just really wanted to get that elixir for you."
Stellen hugged Akira back, her arms wrapping tightly around her mother's waist.
"I know, Mama. But it's okay. We can find another way to get what I need."
Akira smiled, feeling a sense of love and gratitude towards her daughter. She knew that Stellen was right, and that they would find another way to get what they needed. But a part of her couldn't shake off the feeling that the man who had bid against her was not just any ordinary person...
Akira walked outside as she saw a group of guys stopped Akira. Akira sat Stellen down who sucked on her lollipop and she sighed these people are stupid mama is angry.