Marcus Aurelius sat in VIP+2 wondering who the fuck was messing with his authority and placing a bid over him.
He was in the VIP+ room with his dad's card, only and only because his father took pity on him for losing his friend Sigfried and gave him his pass to blow some steam for one night.
He was in the VIP+ room with four women today, all of whom were married and still coquettishly serving him as Marcus flexed his status to them.
He was enjoying the night with the performances and the married women pleasuring him like he was their god when he was so rudely interrupted by some idiot in VIP box 7.
Marcus did not even need the item, he just saw that nobody dared to bid over the items that Avans and Cervantez bid for and thought that with his status he would enjoy the same treatment.
When the announcer announced that the item was an unknown treasure and a gamble, Marcus tried to act cool and asked the most mature vampire out there serving him tonight if he should take the gamble and buy it, and the woman said ' Yes ' hence Marcus placed a bid of a staggering amount of 5 billion gold coins.
In his mind it was a done deal, however, he was slapped hard when someone outbid him as his dick that was being sucked by two of his company for the night went limp in anger.
" Which idiot dares to mess with the Aurelius house? That too a mere VIP member, call the fucking staff, I want this individuals membership revoked". Marcus said as he angrily stood up and pushed the two girls at his service aside.
He saw the looks in their eyes that spelt shock and horror instead of amazement and worship and instantly felt revolted.
Every individual in this world must worship him like he is the epitome of existence, there was no room for doubt or worry for a perfect being like himself.
" You, staff, revoke the membership of VIP room 7, the person definitely doesn't know his place " Marcus said to the staff member who was a tier6 god and had a stern expression on his face.
" Very well, we shall do that if you inform us of the rules that VIP 7 broke ". The God answered back diplomatically, completely unafraid of Marcus Aurelius.
" Well, it's an unwritten rule to not bid over members higher in stature than yourself, it's unacceptable". Marcus complained like a little bitch, and the tier 6 god tried his best to maintain a professional neutral face as he said " Sir, there is no such rule, in the third round everyone above platinum membership status is allowed to bid, I'm sorry but that cannot be considered a valid reason ".
The women around Marcus gasped, as Marcus looked around and felt rage boiling inside himself when he saw the look of doubt and contempt the girls had in their eyes for him, as he quickly stammered for words and said " Then revoke it because he offended the Aurelius house! Surely whoever is inside is not worth the ire of house Aurelius".
The God could not hold back his contempt any longer and he sighed audibly in front of Marcus and said " Look kid, there is a reason why we announce stuff like VIP+2 and not Marcus Aurelius bids X amount of coins.
It's precisely because we don't want to offend anyone.
The individual in VIP7 probably doesn't even know who is in this box, he doesn't have a vendetta against you or your family.
Now if you have the money to pay up and outbid him, outbid him, else let the item slide ".
Marcus stood there mouth agape as he could not believe his ears as to what the other party just told him, or the tone in which he addressed him.
He was Marcus Aurelius! The son of a Monarch, he was going to one day become a tier8 god himself and rule over the mighty vampire clan! He demanded respect be put to his name!
" Y-y-you? " Marcus stammered for words as the god coldly walked out of the room, giving him no face, leaving Marcus to face his group of women alone.
" WHAT?, YOU BITCHES WANNA SAY SOMETHING TO ME? ". Marcus shouted at the women as they scurried and avoided eye contact, afraid that Marcus may take out his anger on them.
It was one of the signs of a weak man, to take out their anger on a weaker target, typically women to feel superior and justified.
And Marcus Aurelius was as weak as weak men came.
" You fucking bastard trying to mess with me! I'll show you, I'll bid all the money father gave me for this auction at once, let's see if you can outbid me then.
Hahaha, I'll show you the wealth disparity between you and me, let's see if you can beat me now ".
" 10 BILLION GOLD COINS ". Marcus practically shouted into the microphone as the entire arena buzzed with murmurs, while the auction house staff put a big smile to their faces.
This was exactly what the auction house hoped for, an ego clash leading for one to overpay for items, however, Marcus Aurelius had underestimated Max's want for the item as just as he placed a bid for 10, Max upped it to 11 billion in just 2 seconds.
Marcus was in disbelief when Max placed a bid of 11 billion gold coins, it was money that no casual merchant could ever fork out.
" Who the fuck is messing with me today? " Marcus wondered as he was at his wits end with his allotted budget ending at 10 billion.
But in desperation, he quickly called his father hoping he would help Marcus save face.
Marcus : Sir Regus, I need another 5 billion gold coins for this auction, I've been forced into a bidding war over an item and need the money urgently.
Regus Aurelius : What is the inherent worth of the item?
Marcus : It's an ancient item, unverified, could be treasure or trash, but that's beside the point, some guy is outbidding me for it, please help me save face.
Regus Aurelius : ...… idiot.
( * Line disconnects * )
Marcus stood there stupefied as his father called him an idiot, as repressed feelings of guilt and self doubt surfaced once more inside his mind as his fragile ego took a hit.
" Nobody understands me… nobody gets me ". Marcus mumbled as he sat down and depressedly heard the auctioneer say ' Going once, Going twice, Sold to VIP 7 '
" Young master, are you okay? " One of his women approached Marcus carefully and placed a hand over his shoulder to try comfort him, however, it backfired as Marcus gave her a tight slap across the face.
" Don't touch me you bitch " Marcus said as his eyes became blood red from anger and bloodlust.
Marcus lunged at one other women nearby and buried his fangs into her neck and began sucking her blood violently as the other women began screaming and running out of the VIP+ box.
Today was a big blow to Marcus's ego as he swore revenge on whoever was within VIP box 7, who made him lose face today.
**********
( Max's POV )
With 11 billion gold coins deducted from his credit line Max held his precious second piece of the Agni-Astra in his hands as his breathing became rapid and uncontrollable from all the joy and elation he was feeling at the moment.
For a moment Max thought he was mad for trying to outbid a VIP+2 and was borderline sure that he would lose the bid, but somehow he managed to win the item without having to leverage Sebastian's money and still save over 1.7 billion gold coins.
' Grandpa Drax, we got it! ' Max exclaimed as he looked at the second part of the rustic bracelet and chuckled with amusement.
' Good job kid, I'm really proud of you ' Drax said feeling satisfied at how Max was progressing.
Having been around since Max started his journey, Drax was the one true observer of all his feelings and growth, and as his well wisher he was very proud of the boys improvements.
" Hazriel, brother, I won't let you down " Max said looking towards the heavens as Sebastian sat in the corner smiling at his friend's success.
" I'll move out, you probably have your secrets, call me in the room when ur done " Sebastian said, patting Max on the shoulder and tactically taking his leave from the VIP box, knowing that Max might need some space for a while.
Max smiled back at Sebastian but did not stop him, he wanted to bind with the second piece right here knowing full well that when he stepped out of the auction house VIP+2 might not make his life easy and may come after the item.
Not wanting to take such a risk Max decided to integrate with it right here, right now.
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/// A/N - Bonus chapter for hitting the PS target, good job everyone! ///