The sound of the ceremonial hammer echoed like solemn beats in the heart.
"The next session of our imperial auction will be dedicated to artistic pieces from the past…" announced the auctioneer with an almost religious intonation.
An electric current of curiosity ran through the hall.
The lights softened, reflecting on crystal display cases.
Inside them, true relics rested: Greek marble statues that seemed to sigh under the golden light, fragments of Phoenician tapestries sewn with gold threads, scrolls with symbols carved in dead languages that almost whispered their forgotten stories.
Luna blinked at the sight, eyes wide.
That was time solidified. Art with the scent of eternity.
"That is…" she murmured, almost hypnotized.
"Authentic," Matthew completed beside her, eyes fixed on a sculpture of an Egyptian goddess made of onyx. "All certified. Some of these pieces were recovered with erosion reversal technologies."
Luna blinked several times. "Wow. That sounds like… very expensive."
Matthew chuckled softly, leaning a little closer. "And it is. But sometimes, preserving beauty and meaning is worth more than any dollar sign."
Luna looked away, pretending to examine a Roman bust with sapphire hollow eyes, but inside was melting more than butter left in the Sahara sun. That idiot knew how to be charming when he wanted.
The auctioneer raised his hand. "First item: the Mask of Ereshkigal — Sumerian goddess of the underworld. Pure gold and darkened onyx. Initial estimate: thirty million."
"Forty," said a magnate.
"Fifty," shot a duchess, adjusting her gloves studded with stars.
Matthew raised the card with a calm motion. "Sixty."
Luna looked at him with raised eyebrows. "Are you really going to buy an ancient demon mask?"
"Goddess, not demon," he corrected, smiling. "And yes. It's for your grandfather's collection."
Luna laughed, shaking her head. "Of course he has. With Sumerian statues. What else does he have there, an altar of Atlantean runes?"
"Two, actually."
Luna stared at him.
Matthew was not joking.
"You're officially weird."
"Weird is the new irresistible," he replied, almost whispering.
Luna's expression froze… but her fingers brushed her neck. Just to disguise. Totally casual.
Meanwhile, Lumine and Nikoly watched pieces that looked like they came straight out of forbidden tales: a Canaanite painting made with lunar pigment, a tribal spear enchanted by a shaman millennia ago, and even a ring carved by an Atlantean artisan that, supposedly, changed color according to the truth in the bearer's heart.
Nikoly, especially, was interested in the last one. "The ring's name is Ring of Thamos. Interesting…"
"Want to bid?" Lumine asked.
Nikoly shook her head. "No. I just want to analyze how it reacts to Victória's fake engagement. Could be useful."
Lumine let out a muffled laugh.
As the bids intensified, the most awaited item appeared: an Assyrian tapestry that had survived the fall of three civilizations and, supposedly, the wrath of a time demon.
"Estimated value: two hundred million."
"Two hundred fifty," Matthew whispered.
Luna's eyes widened. "You know it's basically just a piece of old cloth, right?"
"It's living history. Made with spectral silver threads and ink extracted from flower petals that only existed for twenty-four hours before their global extinction."
Luna scoffed. But smiled. For some reason, seeing Matthew passionate about something so weird made him… more real.
By the end of the session, Matthew had won three pieces and Luna looked at him with disguised admiration, like someone watching a stamp collector who just saved artifacts from an archaeological apocalypse.
"You should open a museum."
"Maybe I will," he replied. "If you're my partner."
Luna scoffed. "You talk too much."
But didn't stop smiling.
Meanwhile, the girls whispered behind:
"Do you think those two have kissed yet?"
"I don't think so, but Luna is one step away from building a Sumerian altar for him."
After the contained applause marking the end of the historical block, the auctioneer smiled, as if about to switch the academic tone for something… much more glamorous.
"Now, ladies and gentlemen… we begin the most contested block among the fashion elites: the Global Haute Couture Houses Auction."
Soft golden lights turned on.
Runway music filled the room.
Holographic models floated on ethereal platforms, showcasing the most desired clothes on the planet.
"Each piece is unique. All were created exclusively by designers from the Imperial Houses…"
The girls — Victória, Lumine, and Nikoly — practically lit up as if they had turned on an internal switch.
"That Míriel collection was canceled before release! And now they're auctioning it?!" Nikoly said, eyes wide.
"That red dress there is inspired by the crystallized blood of a phoenix! I saw the concept in the designer's sketch before he mysteriously disappeared…" Victória commented, almost breathless.
"That lunar elf outfit… My God… only three were ever made in the world," Lumine murmured.
Meanwhile, Luna… yawned.
"Seriously? Dress… dress… another dress… oh, surprise, one more dress," she said, tossing a grape up and catching it with her mouth. "Someone tell me when they start auctioning something useful. Like a tropical island with robots that give massages."
The friends ignored her solemnly, eyes glued to the pieces.
"Thirty million for Archon Versae's enchanted cloak!"
"Forty million for the golden dress that repels curses and malicious compliments."
"Sixty million for the dress made with spiritual silk threads from the Myralith swamps!"
Luna rolled her eyes. "What is Myralith? A shampoo?"
She was about to look at the gala dessert menu when something, something specific, appeared on the runway.
It wasn't a dress.
It wasn't a female cloak.
It was a noble male suit.
Geometric stitching, tailored lines, color between cosmic black and the deep ocean blue. Details were lunar silver, subtle but undeniable. A crest embroidered on the left cuff represented an ancient symbol of wisdom and leadership.
Luna straightened up.
Very slowly.
"Okay…" she murmured. "That suit…"
The auctioneer announced. "This is the 'Astralis Crown Suit.' Hand-sewn by Luthan Vestriel — the last globally recognized master tailor. It was designed only once and denied to the president of France for political reasons. Starting value: 150 million dollars."
Victória, still ecstatic over another dress, turned and blinked seeing Luna absolutely serious. "Did you like something?"
"I want that suit." Luna said.
"For you?" Nikoly asked, confused.
"No." Luna answered, staring at the runway as if it were a battlefield. "It's for someone who wears politician clothes like it's style."
Victória gave a sharp smile. "Matthew?"
"Don't bother me," Luna said, already raising the bidding card.
"Two hundred million," someone shouted.
Luna raised a finger. "Two hundred fifty."
The hall fell silent for a moment, since Luna did not place her own bids and was, theoretically, unknown.
"Two hundred eighty," answered another voice.
"Three hundred," Luna said without blinking.
The friends looked at her as if she had been possessed by a buying spirit.
"Are you really going to bid three hundred million on a suit he might not even wear?" Lumine whispered.
Luna replied dryly. "If he wears it, great. If not, I'll force it on him."
The girls fell silent.
"…uh… metaphorically, right?" Nikoly asked suspiciously.
Luna just smiled.
In the end, no one dared to compete beyond that bid.
The auctioneer struck the hammer: "Sold for three hundred million! Congratulations to Miss Luna Malroth."
Polite applause echoed.
Matthew looked confused at the holographic panel with the winner's name. When he saw the item… his eyes widened.
Luna just blinked at him. A quick, casual wink, as if saying: "Look good. Or I'll regret it."
Matthew brought his hand to his chin, laughing quietly to himself.
"That woman…" he murmured, already imagining how it would be to wear that suit under the sharp and demanding gaze of the queen who bought it.
While the auction continued, the friends joined Luna on the reserved sofa, one of them murmuring, "You two will get married without even realizing it."
Luna scoffed… but didn't deny it.
The hall lights dimmed briefly.
The stage elegantly turned, revealing a new background scene: a colossal hologram of the world map.
A whisper ran through the hall like an invisible wave.
The auctioneer smiled, now with a more solemn tone. "Ladies and gentlemen… we will begin the World Properties auction. Each lot represents not only land, but a strategic, economic, and cultural base. Some of these properties have not been traded since the last Ice Age. Others… have never been available for purchase."
The girls stopped talking.
Luna straightened.
Victória paused her tea.
Nikoly stopped observing the nobles present.
Even Matthew crossed his arms, eyes attentive.
The auction started strong.
Floating holograms showed an urbanized floating island, surrounded by research towers, hospitals, and greenhouses. The continent of futuristic medicine, shining with biomedical technology, where every building seemed to pulse vital energy.
"We start with the Laes Nuar District. 120 hectares of technological soil with genetic research centers and anti-aging laboratories. Starting value: 1 billion dollars."
"1.2 billion!"
"1.6!"
"2 billion."
Nikoly murmured, "This place might be the future of longevity… and also the control center of the world pharmaceutical market."
Victória noted mentally.
Luna, however, watched silently, processing.
The lot was won for 3.4 billion by an old European pharmaceutical magnate.
The auctioneer announced with a slight smile. "Now, the Ysrhim Fortress District, a millenary castle-metropolis, now adapted with modern technology, headquarters of frozen trade routes and underground ports."
The hologram showed a subterranean city carved into crystalline ice, protected by force fields and polar crystal lamps.
The girls exchanged glances.
"Kael." whispered Victória, her cheeks blushing for no reason.
Lumine and Nikoly laughed.
"You're on your own, winter flower," Nikoly said, smiling.
"Bids?"
"2.1 billion!"
"3.5!"
"4 billion."
Silence.
Then a female voice rose firmly.
"5 billion."
Everyone looked.
Victória, with iron eyes, had placed the bid.
Kael, at the back of the room, raised a champagne glass and smiled discreetly at her.
The hammer fell.
After a moment, the auction continued.
Colossal peaks appeared, cities suspended by technology, and mineral veins that could only be mined with imperial permission.
"Zenth-Khaal District. One of the only civilian accesses to the Dragon's Valley."
"5 billion," came directly from a CEO's mouth.
"6!"
"6.2!"
Luna leaned forward. "Dragon's Valley? Okay, I confess I'm curious now."
Victória blinked and commented amusedly. "They must mine raw ether there."
The lot closed for 7.8 billion.
The next lot showed a desert. Golden towers rose in the dunes, artificial oases sprang like miracles. It was an extreme — scarcity and wealth, heat and advanced cooling technology.
"Zahr'at Mehara Region, intercontinental transport center and headquarters of the Celestial Merchants Guild. Bids?"
Luna raised an eyebrow. "Celestial Merchants? That sounds dangerous."
Nikoly answered. "They control more routes than some nations."
Won for 6 billion by an unknown noble from Oceania.
Lot five showed a green continent, covered by enchanted forests, rivers, internationally protected animals, and… a hidden research center.
The hologram showed the Elentha Forest, surrounded by druid towers, gardens, and an ancient environmental protection dome.
"Elentha Verde District. Source of Eternal Herbs. Unexplored for almost two centuries."
Matthew whispered to Luna. "Anyone who manages to control the legal extraction of Sylvaran's resources can dominate half the natural ingredients market."
Luna feigned disinterest… but her gaze betrayed her.
"6 billion," shouted a voice.
"6.8!"
"7.1!"
"8 billion."
Silence fell.
No one dared to surpass.
Sold.
In the following lot, a hologram of the continent of knowledge appeared. Libraries, Universities where geniuses graduated since age 12. Regions where faith and science intertwined.
"Aurum Lex District, a complex of universities and archives of forbidden knowledge. Contains the Institute where holographic technology was developed."
Reverent silence.
Luna whispered. "I heard about this in documentaries. They say even advanced AIs tried to decipher the books there… and failed."
Lumine and Nikoly exchanged glances. "I think we need this to expand our company, don't you think?"
"For sure."
"7 billion."
"7.5!"
"8!"
In the end… won by the girls for 8.2 billion, through the company Diamond Tycoon.
The Tycoon system sent a holographic notification to Luna:
[Strategic acquisition recognized. Bonus of +1 billion added to corporate research & development.]
Luna just responded with a nod: "Thanks, System. Now shut up."
The last lot.
The continent with the most inactive volcanoes. Source of geoarcane energy, home of disappeared ancient civilizations.
"Pyrrhan District. Contains the Frozen Magma Lake, ruins of the ancient Ignarii civilization, and access to the Underground Golemancy Laboratory."
Victória looked with shining eyes.
Nikoly bit her lip.
Luna… "Golemancy Laboratory? That's a robot factory, right?"
Matthew whispered. "Yes."
"Okay. I want this one."
"10 billion," Luna said casually.
Everyone swallowed hard.
"10.2!"
"11."
"12."
"12.5!"
Silence.
"13," said Matthew, looking at Luna and smiling provocatively.
"14," she replied, yawning.
The hammer fell.
Luna had won.
She leaned toward Matthew and murmured. "Your bluff was cute. But I play with bigger numbers before breakfast."
Matthew laughed softly.