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nAfter sorting out the details with Julius, I received my one copy of the written agreement and left the Auction house. Julius gave me the details of the date of the auction, and the time everything I had arranged for will get to me.

nAccording to him, I will have to wait for a few days before everything is sorted out. Fortunately, the auction is next week, about 5 days away. My proper credentials will be ready before the date of the auction.

nHowever, since I am now affiliated with the Imperius Auction House, I can not return to that small inn my money could afford at the time. Its time to live decently at least. Though my Coin Card isn't ready yet, a simple letter from Imperius Auction House is enough to allow me access to the best of hotels in Artia.

nI asked Julius to write a recommendary letter to the hotel I'll be lodging in. While he was doing this, I used one of my many treasures to create a telepathic link between Talia and myself.

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"Talia, it's me

" I transferred my thought to her.

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"Oh....What's the matter?

" She responded slowly.

nI could hear her yawning in the background.

nI had given her the other part of the treasure I used to communicate with her in case she needed to reach me. I guess that wasn't necessary.

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"Meet me at the Tarius Hotel. We'll be spending our nights there from now on

" I said, deciding not to comment on her sleepy and lazy behaviour.

n

"Whoah? For real? That place is really fancy! Does that mean everything worked out with the auction? Did you get my wings?

" She asked excitedly.

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"Just get there. I'll explain the situation when we meet. I must not get there before you

" I sternly said.

nThere was a short silence on her end before she finally answered.

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"Understood.

" She answered.

nGood. Looks like she understands her position perfectly. Despite how expressive Talia is, she doesn't lose sight of her relationship with me, and she can tell when I mean business. That's common sense, a trait others would do well to have.

n

"Now then... I best be on my way too

" I told Julis, who had prepared my letter already.

nI decided to walk to the hotel and take in the sight of the city. It wasn't a bad experience. I noticed the presence of many slaves though. They looked dirty and miserable. Even men who belonged to the middle class has a slave or two. People who sell in stalls or merchants who have shops have slaves who do the heavy lifting or serve as security. Of course, these slaves range from humans to other species, though humans seem to be the most common. Slaves of other races will naturally be more expensive.

nIt looks like this town is very tolerant toward slave trading, or rather its part of business. I heard from someone that there's nothing you can't find for sale in Artia, you just have to look deep enough. While that is indeed arguable, the morals of trade are loose here and while I know the world has changed since my death, I'm sure not every place is as morally loose as this.

n

"Humans selling their fellow humans as commodities, what a sight

" I mused to myself with a smile.

nMoving on, I eventually got to the hotel and I met Talia waiting for me, good girl.

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"Master, you're here

" Talia said to me, bowing her head.

nI told her to address me as Master in public, seeing as she resembles an Elf. Besides, my real name, Hexarion stands out too much. According to the legend of the people, I'm some sort of Demon god. The one who sought to destroy the world and caused the Great Chaos over 3,000 years ago. My name is considered a blasphemy and it is both hated and feared. Well, they aren't so wrong about that. In any case, I need to create an alternate identity for myself. I have Julius working on it, so in the meantime this will have to do.

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"Yeah, let's go in

" I said.

nThe both of us walked to the Hotel, and after showing them the letter we were immediately allowed in. Our room was in an exclusive suite, specially made for VIP guests. Oh Julius... You sure know how to treat a guy right.

nI smiled at the luxurious room. This is merely the beginning, soon I will possess more than this, but there's no need to be in a hurry. I can take my time.

nI called Talia after we settled in and told her about the deal I made with Julius.

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"Oh, that's a good thing... Right? But what about me? You didn't mention any Coin Card or Membership for me. Am I also sitting this one out? Please let me go with you. I don't want to be alone

" She pleaded.

nOf course I wasn't planning on leaving her behind.

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"You're coming with me. Premium members and above are allowed to bring an additional member into the auction to serve as their aid or company

" I said to her.

nHer face gleamed. She must be happy. Normally, it would have been preferable if the both of us had our separate Membership and Coin Cards, but it'll raise too much attention that way. Okus, Julius is already making an exception for me. Doing the same for my servant will definitely not fly.

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"It also works out well this way

" I said to her.

nNow then, its time to wait for my package to arrive, and then after that, we prepare for the Auction.

n3 DAYS LATER

nJust as Julius said, the package arrived in three days. Both my Royal Membership Card and Special Imperius Account Coin Card. Looking at the information displayed, everything is in place.

nBoth cards have affiliations with Imperius, meaning the identity of the owner can be changed and edited by Imperius. Pursuant to my wishes, Julius has made my new identity for me.

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"Rio Xarion... That's my new identity from now onward

" I smiled to myself.

nNow then, for further preparations.

nI gave Talia an identity concealing ring which makes her appear as a human to whoever sees her, unless she gives them permission to see her true form. This is to avoid unnecessary eyes looking in our direction. Of course, I can always see her true form so its powerless on me. I also decided it is high time we changed our clothing.

nOur current clothes were made by me using Hex to manipulate matter and turn them to clothing. But since its merely matter woven to form clothes, it's not very durable. It also has no real benefit or special properties. Now, with 'Root', I can finally choose from the clothes I have stored there. Not only are they exponentially more durable and even more regal, they possess special features.

n

"Time to do indoor shopping

" I smiled to Talia, who seems very excited with this.

nAfter hours of sorting through the clothes and testing them out, though most of the time was eaten up by Talia, we finally got our outfits.

nI wore a black and gold regal attire, with dark shiny shoes and dark gloves. Talia went for a dark red gown, with black leggings and shoes. She also wore dark colored gloves and had red ribbons for her hair. These clothes had the special abilities of magic resistance, stain resistance, wear resistance, damage resistance, auto repair feature and color change feature.

nI can't even recall what pushed me to have started designing clothes in the past. I must have been bored out of my mind then, with nothing to do.

nWith the ring Talia had, preventing her identity from being exposed, and the shapeshifting function of my body, no one will recognize the both of us. This way, we draw no attention to ourselves.

n

"It's almost time Talia, how do you feel?

" I asked her.

nThe looks in her eyes could tell it all.

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"I can't wait

" She said.

nAUCTION DAY

nTalia and I walked into Imperius Auction House. There were so many people at the entrance, however we didn't need to join them since our Membership is of the highest rank. A personal attendant escorted us to where we will be staying for the auction. Unlike the general hall, which was on the first floor, we were taken to a higher level. We entered through a special door which led to the same massive hall, except we were in an upper level.

nI am able to see the rest of the bidders sitting on their seats downstairs, I could see almost everything from the angle in which I sat. The place Talia and I have to ourselves is exclusive. A private chamber to be precise. Also, our identities are kept safe. A glass barrier protects the open room from any eye. The other bidders can see our private room from where they sat, but they can't see who is inside. However, I see them all clearly. Truly, there is no such thing as equality.

nI looked and also saw the Premium members sitting in a special section. They had a more elevated seat than the rest, but nowhere near where I sat. The difference between the two memberships is just this vast.

nI was curious about how I am to bid if anything catches my eyes, so I asked our personal attendant and guide.

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"Yes sir. When you want to bid for an item, all you have to do is press this button.

" She said, pointing to a button right beside my seat, to my right, on a vertical desk within my arm's reach.

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"It will send a light and buzz signal from your room so everyone can see you bid for the goods. Normally, this place is sound proof, however, after pressing the button, everyone will be able to hear whatever goes on in this room, so you'll be able to speak out the amount you're willing to bid.

" She explained to me.

nI understood everything perfectly, so I sent her off. She excused us, leaving the room.

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"If you need me for anything else sir, I'm right outside this room.

" She said, exiting.

nI smiled. In this massive theater filled with so many people, I will be the one to get the grand prize. I already know this, but I find it amusing that they do not even know of it at all.

nA man suddenly entered the stage, introducing himself as the person who will be presiding over the auction. He was short and fat, also had a mustache. However, I could tell... This guy is also a shrewd and experienced business person.

nI relaxed on my chair, same with Talia, who sat to my left side. We both braced ourselves for what would come next...

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"Now then, LET THE AUCTION BEGIN!

" He announced.

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