Stepping out of the limousine, I am struck by the sight before me. The 'Galerie des Trésors' stands grandly, its entrance marked by a vast gate that looks like it belongs to a chateau rather than a mere auction house.

The building is a marvel of architectural beauty, combining the elegance of ancient design with magical enhancements that make it slightly shimmer in the daylight. Its tall spires reach towards the sky, and the ornate details on its stone façade speak of a rich history and grandeur.

Verdant Haven's architecture never ceases to amaze me.

"Let's go, Doms. The auction is starting soon," Arthur prompts, pulling me from my awestruck observations.

Following Arthur, I walk towards the entrance, only to be halted by a security guard.

"Greetings, but we do not allow middle schoolers to enter."

Without a hint of frustration, Arthur reaches into his wallet, retrieves an ID card, and hands it to the guard. The guard's reaction upon inspecting the ID is immediate; his eyes widen in surprise and a hint of respect.

"I see… you're Uther Lyon's son..." His disbelief is palpable, mixed with newfound deference. With a nod, the guard steps aside, opening the way for us. "Please come in, esteemed guests."

"Thank you," Arthur says graciously, then glances back at me with a smile. "Follow me, Doms."

"Uh, sure," I reply, still processing the swift change in the guard's demeanor.

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

Now, we find ourselves sitting in what feels like a theater, but it isn't just any spot; we are perched in VIP seats, high above and close to the stage. We are given a unique view, one that not only offers the best perspective but also some privacy. Noticing a large black glass in front of us, I realize it probably shields our identities from the rest of the attendees.

"Doms, here." Arthur's voice draws my attention.

He hands me a small button, which I accept, a bit puzzled.

"What's this for?" I inquire, eyeing the tiny device.

"It's how you bid. Just press it if you see something you like down there."

"Oh..."

With that simple instruction, my excitement surged. Thanks to Arthur, I am not just a visitor to this grand venue but an active participant, ready to dive into the auction from the comfort of our hidden perch.

Glancing below, the crowd is a mix of elegance and luxury, each person dressed to impress, likely here to showcase their wealth through their purchases of magical treasures.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the annual auction of 'Galerie des Trésors'!" announces a voice. My gaze shifts to the stage, where a lady in an exquisite gown stands, ready to present the first item.

-Poof!

With dramatic flair, white smoke envelops the stage, revealing, as it clears, a stunning painting.

"The painting 'Inside a Café' by Degas Edgar," she announces. "This piece is over a hundred years old."

While the painting is beautiful, I am not here for it. My interest lies in magical artifacts, not artworks, regardless of their history or beauty.

"The starting price is one million Camilliums!"

Immediately, signs fly up among the crowd, signaling the start of the bidding frenzy. Leaning back onto the plush sofa, I decided to bide my time. I am anxious for the magical artifacts to make their appearance. That is when the real excitement will begin for me.

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

"Now for the next item..."

-Poof!

With a flourish, white smoke fills the stage once more, slowly dissipating to unveil what appears to be a long, rusty sword scabbard.

"An ancient long sword scabbard!"

Who would be interested in such an item? A rusty scabbard, let alone a place in such a prestigious auction, seems hardly worthy of attention.

"The starting price is one hundred thousand Camilliums!"

I glance around, noting the crowd's lack of immediate interest. No one seems eager to raise their sign for this item.

-BING!

The sound indicates a bid from the VIP seats. Surprised, I turn to Arthur, realizing he has pressed his button.

"Why did you bid on that rusty scabbard?"

Arthur turns to me, a knowing smile on his face.

"You might not see it, but there's something special about that scabbard."

"Like what?"

"It has dormant Light Magic within it."

"Dormant, huh?"

I recall the concept of dormant magical artifacts from the web novel. Suppose a magical artifact goes unused for a prolonged period. In that case, its magical energy becomes dormant, concealing its true power until a suitable user awakens it. Despite their infinite potential, these artifacts require interaction to reveal their capabilities.

Arthur's insight into the sheath's true nature highlights his keen understanding of magical items. Each day, I kind of understand Arthur. His depth of knowledge and intuition lies beneath his easygoing exterior.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Since no one else is bidding, the winner is from the VIP section!"

As the auctioneer confirms Arthur's successful bid, I can't help but feel a newfound respect for him. His decision to acquire the sheath isn't just a whimsical purchase but a calculated move, recognizing the potential where others see only decay.

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

"Now for the next item..."

-Poof!

The stage is once again shrouded in white smoke, which slowly clears to reveal a mesmerizing purple orb. My interest is instantly piqued.

"A monster orb!"

Without waiting for the auctioneer to announce the starting price, my hand impulsively hits the button.

-Beep!

"Oh my, someone from the VIP section is too eager. I haven't even announced the starting price yet."

With a hint of amusement, the auctioneer directs her gaze towards our secluded VIP area. The audience chuckles, and I feel my cheeks heating up with embarrassment.

"Hahahah, Doms, you're too excited," Arthur teases, giving me a friendly punch on the shoulder.

"Ow," I wince, rubbing the spot he hit.

"Now, the starting price is one hundred thousand Camilliums!"

Eager to secure the orb, I press the button again, signaling my bid.

"Oh, it looks like our enthusiastic VIP bidder is quick on the draw," she comments, smiling.

Bidding from the floor below quickly escalates.

"150,000!"

"200,000!"

"400,000!"

The bids fly in rapidly, and the auctioneer barely keeps pace with the escalating amounts.

"Oh my, it seems this monster orb has caught everyone's attention. In light of your eagerness, let's raise the stakes. The new starting price will now be 10 million Camilliums!"

The dramatic increase doesn't deter me; my finger is pressing the button again.

-Beep!

Arthur looks at me, surprise evident in his expression.

"Doms, are you sure?"

I nod, determined. Securing that monster orb could be a game-changer. With it, I plan to seek out a character from the web novel known for purifying such orbs. If successful, the orb could be a key component in transforming myself into a Manaficial.

"Does anyone wish to bid more than 10 million?"

The room falls silent; no more signs are raised. The orb is mine.

"Seeing no further bids, the purple monster orb is now sold to the VIP bidder!"

"Yes!"

I can't contain my joy, my fist pumping in the air without thought.

"Congrats, Doms," he says, patting my back. "Looks like you've got the orb."

"Thanks, Arthur."

As I am celebrating, I stop. The realization hits me like a cold splash of water—I just bid 10 million Camilliums on that orb. No wonder Arthur was surprised earlier.

Oh no, is Arthur mad or annoyed at me? Even though he congratulated me for getting the orb, I felt like he forced himself to smile. The weight of my impulsive decision suddenly feels crushing.

Crap, I should've thought before bidding 10 million Camilliums. What was I thinking? I let the excitement get better, and now I might have overstepped a boundary. I can't believe I let myself get carried away like that.

"Doms, are you okay?"

Arthur's voice pulls me from my spiraling thoughts.

I meet his gaze, searching for any hint of disappointment or frustration, but all I see is genuine concern. Arthur doesn't seem mad, but maybe he's just being polite—my mind races, trying to determine if I've made a colossal mistake.

"Yeah, I just..." I start, my words trailing as I try to articulate the panic. "I didn't realize how much I did until just now."

Arthur chuckles, a light, reassuring sound that eases some of my worries.

"It's okay, Doms. I told you to get whatever you found interesting, didn't I? I meant it."

His words are like a lifeline, pulling me back from the brink of embarrassment. Still, I can't shake the feeling that I might have gone too far.

"I just... 10 million is a lot, Arthur. I didn't mean to go overboard."

Arthur waves a hand dismissively as if brushing away my concerns.

"It's just money, Doms. The important thing is that you're happy with what you got."

His carefree attitude is a relief, but it also makes me realize how different our perspectives are. For Arthur, 10 million Camilliums might be a drop in the ocean, but it's an unimaginable sum for me. This whole experience is a stark reminder of the gap between our worlds.

"Thanks, Arthur," I say, my gratitude genuine. "I appreciate it."

The thought of the upcoming duel shifts my focus back to the excitement of the auction win. The orb might be precisely what I need to tip the scales in my favor. Despite the lingering guilt over the price, I can't deny the thrill of having something so potentially powerful at my disposal.

Arthur and I settle back into our seats, the anticipation of uncovering the orb's secrets replacing my earlier anxiety. I silently vow to make the most of this opportunity and prove that the extravagant bid was worth it.

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

As Arthur and I make our way along the path leading out of the 'Galerie des Trésors,' I can't help but marvel at the day's events. Arthur carries a fancy suitcase with the rusty scabbard he has acquired, while I hold a fancy briefcase containing the orb that sparked such an intense bidding war.

Aside from the orb, I'm not interested in the other items that were up for auction. Most of them were paintings, jars, furniture, and other items.

Glancing up, I notice the sky painted in hues of sunset, a beautiful close to an eventful day. Pulling out my Commlink, I check the time—5:48 PM. The auction has stretched for two hours, far longer than anticipated, considering school ended at 3 PM.

"Geez, Doms, I didn't know you were interested in Demons."

Breaking the silence, Arthur's voice catches me off guard. "Wait, this is a Demon orb?"

"Yeah."

Without the ability to sense mana, the true nature of the orb has escaped me. Meanwhile, Arthur, with his affinity for 'Light' magic and its inherent sensitivity to demonic energies, had picked up on it immediately.

"Don't tell me..." Arthur glances at me with a teasing smirk. “You're planning to summon a Succubus, aren't you? Are you trying to live out some fantasy?"

The accusation sends my cheeks ablaze, embarrassment flushing through me.

"N-No, I'm not!"

I am certainly not into those kinds of things. But…for some reason… never mind.

"Hahahahah! I'm just kidding, Doms."

Arthur bursts into laughter, clearly enjoying the joke a bit too much. After a moment, he manages to compose himself, wiping away a tear from laughing too hard. Yet, his curiosity remains piqued.

"But for real, what do you plan to do with that orb? Sell it?"

I glance down at my briefcase, considering how much to reveal.

"Well, I have something in mind, but I'm not ready to share it yet."

"Aww, fine." Arthur's response is playful but resigned. He respects my decision to keep my plans under wraps for now.

-Vroom!

As Arthur's limousine pulls up to the gate, Butler Max promptly emerges from the vehicle, his demeanor as professional and courteous as ever.

"Welcome back, Young Master Arthur and Monsieur Dominic," Max greets us, opening the door with a flourish.

"Thanks, Butler Max," Arthur replies casually before sliding into the limo's plush interior.

"Uh, hello again," I say, following Arthur's lead into the spacious vehicle.

Once comfortably seated, Max closes the door behind us and returns to the driver's seat.

"Young Master, I presume we're heading to Monsieur Dominic's house?"

"Yes," Arthur confirms.

"Roger that," Max responds, and with a smooth start, we are on our way.

Curiosity was getting the better of me, so I opened the briefcase to take another look at the Demon Orb we acquired from the auction. Its deep, mesmerizing purple hue is captivating. Despite its ominous nature, I can't help but find a certain beauty in it.

"You know, Doms, if other people saw you admiring that Demon Orb, rumors might start swirling around," Arthur remarks, half-teasing.

"Well, they won't find out if I keep it a secret, right?"

"Yeah." Arthur then opened the mini fridge and took out the expensive canned juice. "But what are you planning to tell Uncle André and Auntie Celine when they see you with that?"

"You took me to 'Galerie des Trésors,' and you were the generous benefactor."

"I see."

Arthur seems satisfied with my response, passing me the can of juice, which I accept gratefully.

As I sip the refreshing drink, my gaze drifts to the window.

The view outside is breathtaking—a vast expanse of lavender fields bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. The tranquil beauty of the scene is a stark contrast to the whirlwind of events that unfolded during the day.

For a moment, I allow myself to be lost in the serene landscape, appreciating the peaceful end to an otherwise eventful day.