| Auction(4) |

"Now, now! I won't be able to start the bidding until everyone gets settled!" The auctioneer shook his fingers with a satisfied grin plastered on his face as he waited for the crowd to sedate.

As the bidders all reluctantly settled, the auctioneer finally announced the starting bid. "We will start at one hundred gold!"

Immediately, the price for the world lion soared. Soon, it passed four hundred gold and the bidders had no intention of stopping.

"500 gold!"

"550!"

"600!"

"700!"

"1000 gold coins!" the King bellowed into a voice-amplifying artifact.

Simply by hearing their king's voice, the crowd's incessant bidding stopped. It was obvious that, while there were plenty who could afford to bid higher, they were more debating on whether it was worth bidding against their own king.

It didn't seem fair once the King stepped in, but he at least had the decency to put up a high enough price.

After the auctioneer counted off, the price was eventually settled at a thousand gold coins or one white-gold tablet; something I'd only seen in books and pictures.

Vincent walked up to the King with his hand held out. "Seems like no one wants to bid against you, King Glayder," he congratulated.

"One white-gold tablet shouldn't be too unfair, right?" the King joked as he peered back down onto the stage, obviously excited.

"Thank you for the consideration," Vincent chuckled in defeat. "What are your plans with the new royal pet? Will you use it for yourself, or perhaps give it to your son?"

"While tempting it is for me to acquire a bond, I'm thinking of giving it to Curtis…" he said casually. "Of course, that all depends on how he does," he finished, patting his son's head.

"D-Dad!" Prince Curtis, whose face had visibly brightened at his father's first remark, stuttered out in worry.

Queen Priscilla, adding fuel to the fire, added, "Curtis, I remember you've been slacking off on your sword lessons."

"Ah! Mom! That was supposed to be a secret!" The fierce-looking prince tugged on his mother's sleeve as his eyes switched between his mother and father.

"Mama, can I have a pet?" Ellie asked.

"Haha! I don't know. Mana beasts only want to be pets for nice ladies," my mom teased.

"Ellie is nice! Right, Brother?" Ellie pulled on Art's sleeve, sending him out to battle on her behalf.

"Hmm? Who knows." Shooting her an evil smile, Art placed Sylvie on his sister's lap before she started crying.

"B-Brother Merl?" Ellie asked me, on the verge of crying.

"Of course! You're the nicest, bestest, cutest, silliest, funniest" I bombarded her with praise.

"Hehe, silliest?" She asked back.

"...Look! An infant Lion!" I sweat drop as she asked.

The Tenth Anniversary event ended without any further commotion besides the one that Art caused, and the guards escorted all of us back downstairs.

Upon reaching the storage room behind the stage, Vincent handed Art a package wrapped in a black cloth. The items that the King purchased were being hauled to the carriage by some of the workers.

"Thank you." I accepted it graciously.

"Merl, here's your item. Are you sure you don't want me to pay for you?" Vincent asked as he handed me a glass box with slime-like object that is glowing purple.

"Don't mind it. I've got plenty of gold to spend." I said as I received the box.

"...What about some discounts?" Vincent asked.

"Sure~" I agreed before Vincent

"For everything you and Arthur's family has done for us, this is hardly enough,"

Vincent turned to Art and said,

"Arthur, we have some swords in the back if you want to take a look while you're here. They might not be anything special, but I'm sure you'll be able to find a solid sword to last you until your body finishes growing."

"Oh! Are you planning on taking lessons with the sword?" The King inquired, putting a hand on his son's shoulder. "My boy has just started learning as well. Maybe you two can spar one day."

"Swords are merely a hobby for me, Your Majesty. I would never hope to amount to the same level as your son," Art replied, turning back to redeem Vincent's offer.

"Your Majesty, Prince Curtis would only become infected with bad habits if he began sparring with mere commoners," Sebastian's hissy voice rang.

As Art is about to retort back, his father and the Twin Horns came into view.

'Isn't he the one who challenged me and lost?' I finally remembered who the guard is.

"Ah, you guys are here! How did you enjoy the Auction?" Reynold exclaimed, picking up Ellie after showing his respects to the King and Queen.

Reynold pulled Vincent aside as he and the Twin Horns began debriefing about the event.

"Your Majesty. If I may have a word with you," I heard Sebastian say as he leaned closely to the King's ear.

After a few moments, King Glayder shot his royal guard an irritated glance, but let out a sigh.

As the two walked towards Art, it was obvious what they had just discussed by the way Sebastian wasn't even looking at Art, but instead, at his bond.

However, instead of talking to Art, the King called upon Reynold, Art's father.

The King smiled at him, but his eyes remained stern. "I never did catch your name. You must be this young boy's father, correct?" he affirmed rather than asked.

"My name is Reynolds Leywin and yes, that is the case. What might be the matter, Your Majesty?" my father replied, lowering himself slightly.

"Sebastian, here, has been a royal guard for a while now and has helped our family an uncountable amount of times."

His voice stayed relaxed he spoke to my father, but the condescension in his tone was still apparent.

"For the exemplary services he has provided me, and therefore the country, I do feel the need to reward him at times. You see; he has taken a fancy to your son's bond. I know it's not easy to sever a contract and I'm sure the boy has grown close to his little pet, but I would be more than willing hire a mage to take care of the contract and compensate you and your family for the troubles."

"Y-Your Majesty," my father stuttered, caught by surprise by the severe request. Taking a glance at me, he turned back to the King. "I must apologize, Your Majesty. Neither I nor my wife had anything to do to with my son's bond. He had acquired it himself, so I cannot speak on my son's behalf on matters of his bond."

'Good answer, Reynold' I thought.

"Hmm," the King turned his attention to Art direction, regarding his loftily, and Art suddenly realized that he was returning his gaze. The king realized, then, that for the entirety of their conversation, Art had been staring icily at him and his guard.

"Boy. Didn't your father teach you to lower your gaze when speaking to someone of your superior?" Sebastian snarled in disdain as he slammed the end of his metal staff to the ground.

"Sebastian, silence!" The King held up his hand. Besides the royal family and their guards, the King's request had caught the attention of the rest of my family as well as Vincent's.

"Hello, child." The King approached, standing an arm's length away from Art. "I'm sure you've just heard me speak to your father so I won't repeat myself. How about it? My royal armory would certainly have a sword befitting that of any aspiring knight."

Not wanting to make a big commotion, Art swallowed back the profanity that was itching to spew out of his mouth. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your gracious offer, but I must refuse. A simple sword could never replace Sylvie."

"How dare⎯"

"Sebastian!" King Glayder roared.

Turning back to Art, he spoke again with a much more impatient tone. "How about a trade then? The world lion cub that I just purchased for your bond?"

"Father!" Curtis scurried over to his father, pulling on his sleeve. "I thought the mana beast was mine?"

Ignoring his son, the King waited for Art's response.

"Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I do not wish to give, sell or trade my bond," Art reiterated, failing to mask the annoyed expression on his face. This caused me to smile, liking this part of Art.

"I have asked you twice, child, for a favor. Twice," he emphasized, his tone growing grave.

The air was tense as everyone's attention was directed at Art. Sebastian gave Art a menacing look from bloodshot eyes, just waiting to be released. The rest of the royal guards were on standby near the two, carefully observing the situation.

"Your Majesty, If I may inquire." I chimed in. Everyone's attention is redirected towards me.

"Go on" The king allowed, the irritation in his voice is evident.

"I think I know one of the reasons why my friend here declined your ludicrous request."

"Watch your mann-" One of the guard yelled but a glance from the irritated king silenced him.

"My friend here deemed your guard here incompetent, clumsy, inept, childish, unsuited, unskillful, unequipped, imbecilic, and idiotic." I gave out a combo.

"Why do you say so?" The king asked. Sebastian's fuming beside him.

***

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