"Five minutes remaining until the auction commences. We request that all attendees take their designated seats," the melodious female voice echoed through the hall once more.
A collective murmur rippled through the room as the influential guests nodded and made their way towards their assigned places. The focus of every gaze was the elegantly draped stage at the far end of the hall. In the coveted front row sat the patriarchs and matriarchs of the three most powerful families in the region, accompanied by their eldest offspring, both sons and daughters.
Occupying the prime seats were Alex, the revered master beast tamer of the south; Boris, the formidable head of the Borodino family; Kelvin, the leader of the Falons family; and Ethan, the head of the Valhalla family. Vincent, representing the Vanir family, whose influence had recently expanded to encompass the top four. The Vanir family still maintained a significant presence in Cordelia and thus held a prominent position in the front row.
Directly behind them sat the next generation: Chloe, the heiress of the Borodino family; James, the young master of the Falons family; an empty seat conspicuously reserved for Christopher; and Adrian, the young master of the Vanir family.
Ethan cast a subtle glance over his shoulder, a slight furrow creasing his brow. 'Where is that boy?' he wondered, a hint of impatience in his thoughts.
'These old geezers won't let that...'
Before he could complete his internal musing, Vincent's voice cut through the air, laced with a playful jab.
"Ethan? Where is your son, Christopher? Is he perhaps... intimidated?" he inquired, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Why would he be intimidated?" Ethan retorted, his frown deepening at the insinuation.
"Oh... you haven't heard? We seasoned veterans won't be participating in the bidding today."
"What?" Ethan's surprise was evident. He turned to Boris and Kelvin, who both offered solemn nods of confirmation.
"Yes... Vincent speaks truthfully. We will not be bidding," Boris stated matter-of-factly.
"But... why is that?!" Ethan pressed, his confusion growing.
"Because I have decreed it so."
Ethan's gaze snapped to the first seat in their row, where Alex sat, a subtle sneer gracing his features as he met Ethan's questioning look.
"Master Alex? What is the reasoning behind such a rule?" Ethan asked, his frown now tinged with concern.
"Do not fret, Ethan. You all will have their opportunity to bid, but only after the third item. I wish to observe the financial acumen of your sons and daughters... You see, they will be bidding with their own funds," Alex explained, his gaze pointedly lingering on Ethan.
A ripple of unease passed through James, Adrian, and Chloe. This unexpected stipulation was news to them all.
Alex sighed. "This presents a valuable opportunity to discern which of the younger generation possesses the business acumen and personal wealth... Not those who merely rely on the coffers of their parents," he added, his gaze unwavering on Ethan.
"Indeed," Kelvin chimed in, his tone thoughtful. "This will serve as an excellent gauge of which of our offspring are poised to lead our families to greater heights. Securing a significant item today will undoubtedly elevate their family's standing."
"Very well... But why was I not informed of this until this very moment?" Ethan asked, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the family heads.
"Come now, Ethan. It was rather sudden, or is it that Christopher is... financially unprepared?" Vincent interjected, his smirk widening.
'Ah! Why would we divulge such information to you?! Master Alex conceived this plan specifically to humiliate Christopher. If we had informed you, you might have provided him with funds. Do you truly believe we are so naive?' Vincent thought smugly.
Ethan turned his attention to the row beside them, where their wives sat, and let out a quiet sigh. "So, we are permitted to bid on any items beyond the initial three?" he clarified.
"Affirmative," the heads of the families confirmed with simultaneous nods.
Ethan sat back in his chair, a knot of worry tightening in his stomach. 'Christopher likely doesn't possess the resources for anything of significance here... This is the premier auction in Cordelia. Even the starting bids will be in the tens of millions.'
"Do not despair, Ethan... If your son finds himself lacking in funds, I would be happy to offer him a small token," Vincent offered with a condescending smirk.
"That insolent bastard!"
Before Adonis, seated in the third row, could react to the slight, Katherine firmly grasped his arm, pulling him back into his seat.
"Stop it, Adonis..." she whispered urgently. "If brother is truly the head of the C+ faction... he has no need to worry about money."
"I thought you didn't believe him?" Adonis asked, turning to his sister with a skeptical look.
"Hey! A person is allowed to have hope!" Katherine muttered defensively.
'C+? Did Christopher also acquire all the holdings of the late Supreme Beast Tamer?' Leyla mused, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
"Why would I ever consider accepting your paltry sum, Mr. Vincent?" a voice declared, cutting through the tense atmosphere. "I regret to inform you that the entirety of your treasury would scarcely suffice to fill a corner of my wallet."
"..."
A stunned silence descended upon the hall. The voice, clear and carrying, had reached every single person present. All heads swiveled towards the entrance, and a collective gasp rippled through the room, not solely because of Christopher's arrival, but because of the breathtaking woman who stood beside him.
"Wow..." Katherine breathed, her disbelief palpable.
"Is that still his disciple?" Adonis asked, slowly rising to his feet, his eyes wide with admiration.
'Hmm... So that is why Christopher chose her,' Chloe mused, her gaze fixed on the stunning red dress that adorned Advika.
"Are you addressing me, child?" Vincent asked, his tone laced with condescending amusement.
"Who else would I be addressing?" Christopher strode confidently into the hall, Advika a silent, elegant shadow at his side.
"Advika," Katherine whispered, a warm smile gracing her lips.
Hearing her name, Advika turned her attention to the blonde-haired young woman.
"Come here, I saved a seat for you," Katherine called out, gesturing to the empty space beside her.
Advika hesitated for a fleeting moment, then nodded gracefully. She walked towards Katherine and settled into the offered seat.
"Now, Advika, as a fellow disciple of Christopher, tell me... did he ever share any secret methods for enhancing one's beast?" Katherine whispered eagerly.
"Well... he did mention something. But he emphasized the importance of keeping the information discreet," Advika replied softly.
"Wow... That's fantastic!"
Advika reached into her small clutch. "Allow me to add you to my contacts so you can send me the details. I am also eager to become stronger," Katherine murmured, extending her phone.
Advika nodded and passed her phone to Katherine, then turned her full attention back to Christopher.
"You are still young, so I shall attribute that audacious statement to youthful exuberance," Vincent said dismissively, turning his gaze back towards the stage.
"One minute until the auction commences!" the same female voice announced, her tone infused with anticipation.
"Welcome, Christopher. I had begun to believe you would not honor us with your presence," James said with a thinly veiled smirk.
"And you are...?" Christopher asked, a hint of genuine confusion in his voice.
"You! I am James! The young master of the Falons family! The one whose... acquisition you so carelessly disrupted!" the blue-haired young man exclaimed, his face flushed with indignation.
'Oh, marvelous... One individual dismissed my statement as a jest, and now this blue-haired simpleton claims I interfered with his... acquisitions. One would think this gathering of the elite would possess a higher caliber of intellect,' Christopher thought dryly as he settled into the vacant seat beside Chloe.
BAM!
Every head in the hall snapped towards the stage as a striking young woman in a long black dress stepped into the spotlight, the rhythmic click of her heels echoing through the expectant silence.
"Welcome, everyone!" she announced into the microphone, her voice bright and engaging, a radiant smile illuminating her face.
"I am Britney, your host for today! And if I am being entirely honest, I believe my anticipation for this auction rivals even yours!" she added with a playful wink.
"So, without further ado, let us proceed directly to our first item!"
She gestured elegantly to the side of the stage, and every gaze followed her movement.
"....."
A beat of profound silence hung in the air.