The butler fixed his tie and straightened his posture. "What can I do for you?" he asked them.
"This is my son, Michael. He has a company called Reborn and we just arrived in tropolis. We’d like to talk to Max about the Vanderbilt business" Bart said. "Is he here?"
"Unfortunately, I do not think that the Vanderbilt family can help you," the butler shook his head. "As much as we would like to help another Vandervilt, we do not have the influence nor the financial power to help you get a permit."
This ti, Michael was the one who took out a dal from his pocket. It was the red coin given to him by Claudia, signifying his business permit.
The butler’s eyes widened when he saw that. "I see. What terrific news for soone as young as you," he praised Michael.
"In fact, the young master is also the sa age as you, and he is being poised to take over the business—or at least, was."
There was a tinge of sadness in the butler’s eyes when he talked about it.
"Is Max there?" Bart asked.
"Unfortunately, you just missed him. Lord Max is away on business. He went over to Barnaby’s Vault, if you want to follow him."
That’s the auction house, Michael rembered. Why would he go to an auction house if they have no money?
The only way to answer that question was if they went to the auction house right now, or just waited till he got back.
Since he was quite interested in seeing Barnaby’s Vault in person, Michael decided to go. This place was where the auction for Soo would take place. It was better to get acquainted with it now rather than later.
The butler gave them so directions on where to find Barnaby’s Vault. And Michael found it to be quite far away from this place. It would probably take them close to an hour if they went on horseback.
"Should we go?" Lylia asked.
"Wait," Michael said as he used his shadow skill to teleport an automobile into the streets of tropolis.
The butler couldn’t help but gasp as he saw a giant do of shadow suddenly cover almost half of the street. Even the other passersbys was taken aback and almost scread their lungs out.
The mana quantity in the air took another huge hit as Michael transported a car that weighed over a thousand kilograms.
A second later, the shadow subsided back into his feet and the automobile sat perfectly by the side of the street, ready to be driven.
"Shotgun!" Fudge shouted as he imdiately took the front seat.
Bart and Lylia took the back seat casually, leaving the butler completely slack jawed. He knew nothing about the car, but he knew that making that giant tal contraption appear out of nowhere must have required great talent in the Mystical arts.
As Michael went into the front seat, the car roared into life, making the butler flinch. He thought there was a monster inside it.
"Thanks for the information," Michael said as he rolled the windows down.
Soon after that, the car rolled out into the street smoothly, yet with a lot of speed. In just a second, it already caught up to the carriage that was on the further side of the street!
"How is that possible?!" the butler wondered. "Wait...Michael? Where did I hear that na?"
It was only later that he rembered the rumors and gossips about the mystic genius boy that controlled four elents.
...
...
...
As the automobile drove through the streets, everyone was looking at their car. Even the horses pulling the carriages couldn’t help but neigh as they heard the sound of the engines roaring. They also thought they were getting chased by a monster.
It would have caught more attention if it wasn’t so fast. The car passed by so many carriages that people only saw a blur as it drove through the streets.
"Michael dear, I wish you would conquer this tropolis already. The roads here are too bumpy!" Lylia complained.
Although the suspension of the car was good, the road was just too bumpy as it was made out of uneven stone blocks.
Still, their experience here was far better than what any carriage could offer. Not only that, but they reached their destination far quicker and with the added benefit of not slling horse droppings in the street as they passed by.
Eventually, they took a turn and arrived in a dead-end street kind of like a cul-de-sac.
At the very end was none other than Barnaby’s Vault, which was quite large and extravagant in dieval standards. With just a little bit of renovations, it could totally look like one of those vintage luxury high-end hotels back in his previous world. There was even a red carpet that led inside.
Michael parked the car on the line of unmanned carriages near the street, making it stand out even more.
Thankfully, this part was private property, aning there weren’t any people just walking around the sidewalks.
They got out of the car and walked to the entrance of the auction house.
Imdiately, they were greeted by the receptionist that was standing by the door.
"Hello and welco to Barnaby’s Vault where treasure lies waiting to be bought! What can I help you with today?"
"My na is Bart Vanderbilt—"
"Ah, Vanderbilt? You must be acquainted with the Vanderbilt that is with us today. You can go ahead and enter the premises."
The receptionist opened the door and allowed them to go inside.
Once they entered, Michael saw an exquisite lobby with furniture seemingly gilded with gold. It looked more and more like a hotel as Michael observed the place.
"Mister Barnaby’s office is right over on the second floor, on the stairs over there."
They followed the directions and when they got there, they saw a man pacing back and forth waiting near the door.
The man had grey hair and an aging skin. Still, Michael couldn’t help but see a similarity to him and his father.
This must be Max, Michael guessed.
"Brother Max?" Bart called out to him.
The grey-haired man quickly turned to look at Bart and squinted. It took him a couple of seconds, but he seed to recognize him.
"Bart? Is that you?"
The two brothers approached before ending into an emotionally charged hug.
"How’ve you been? It’s been so long ago since I saw you," Max said, looking at Bart from head to toe. "I barely recognize you."
Bart was surprised. "You still recognize ?"
"Of course I do! How could I forget?"
Their reunion rejuvenated both of them. The looks on their faces was priceless.
"This is my wife, Lylia and this is my son, Michael."
Lylia perfectly did a curtsy as a formal greeting to Max, which was quite eerie to see from Michael’s perspective since he didn’t expect his mother to act so normal.
"Nice to et you. Michael, is it? I’m your uncle! Have you been doing well on your studies?"
Lylia stepped in and answered. "He doesn’t need studying. My Michael is a genius!" she said proudly.
"Yeah. He actually has a company now nad Reborn. And he’s expanding his business here in tropolis. He just got his permit a couple of days ago."
User Comments
0 comments from readers