"Amazing! Amazing!"
Leon was the first to recover. An unsettling light flashed through his eyes as he clapped his hands. The sound also woke up his friends, allowing them to slowly wake up.
"This feeling…"
"It's really not much weaker than a genuine Quipp."
"I still don't get how they do that…"
The rich scions talked among themselves. Now as they looked at Valentino there was not much of the earlier dismissiveness. Instead, they held a certain awe and even some… fear.
Valentino stood on top of the stage, taking it all in with a prideful grin. He turned his head towards Leon as the young man approached him, his eyes switching between Valentino and the painting.
"Really, it is always something special seeing one of your or your teacher's paintings for the first time! This intense sensation is simply… indescribable! Many other pleasures pale in comparison."
"Haha, thank you. Thank you. I'm glad I could find someone who appreciates my art as much as you do, Leon. I think this painting will not go to waste in your hands!"
Leon didn't care for the arrogance in Valentino's voice. He understood the hint coming from the painter. With a smile on his face, he invited Valentino:
"Don't worry. I will take good care of your painting. Let's go inside and finalize our deal. I can't wait to hang 'Return' on my wall!"
"Let's do this!"
Valentino's heart was pounding as Leon mentioned finalizing the deal. He could already image the feeling of a large amount of money in his hands. Although twelve million was only a small sum compared to his previous wealth, but right now that he was entirely broke, he couldn't wait to get his hands on it.
Under Leon's lead the group went back inside. Leon had already prepared a secure container for the painting. He asked Valentino to put 'Return' inside before excusing himself for a minute.
Valentino was left with behind with the rest of the group. He didn't have any qualms with integrating themselves into the conversation. The scions were somewhat surprised to realize that Valentino shared some of their interests. Although weirdly enough he seemed to be stuck in time. For example, when talking about horse racing Valentino actually named a horse which had retired more than fifteen years ago as his favourite. How old was he at the time? Could it be that this Valentino grew up in a rich family which fell into poverty later?
Before the rich scions could ask any uncomfortable questions, Leon already returned carrying a contract, a thick briefcase, and a cheque. Valentino couldn't help but grin. Earlier, when he contacted Leon, they had already discussed the form of payment. Right now, Valentino had no ID or bank account. At first, he asked Leon to pay him entirely in cash. But the latter offered him a better suggestion. Leon knew people who could arrange a legal identity for the right price. He didn't even ask any questions. Truly someone worth befriending!
"Here! That's what you have been waiting for, isn't it?"
Leon laughed noticing how Valentino's eyes were fixed on the briefcase. He put it down on a table and opened the briefcase, revealing neatly stacked bills.
"Two hundred k in cash and here is a cheque worth almost twelve million. I only need your signature and the money is yours."
"Great, great!"
Valentino was brimming with excitement. He only skimmed the contract briefly before setting his signature. Really, would Leon have any reason to trick him? Valentino didn't think so.
"Congratulations. These twelve million now belong to you."
Hands trembling Valentino reached for the briefcase, rubbing the precious paper between his fingertips. His actions earned him some scorn from the rich scions, but he didn't care right now. Twelve million dourus! Finally, he had some capital to his name! However, this was still far from enough. It was time to create more paintings and earn more money.
"Alright, these bills won't run away. Come, Valentino. Let's celebrate our successful deal!"
After a while even Leon found Valentino's behaviour embarrassing. He had already sat down with his friends before calling out to the painter. Valentino snapped back to reality. Celebrating the deal? Valentino was more than happy to do so! This was after all the reason why he was so eager to earn money!
Thus, Valentino didn't hesitate to sit down with the others. Leon ordered a round of drinks, and the party started. Valentino managed to mix with the rich scions. Luxurious hotel. Pool. Money. This was exactly the life Valentino had always envisioned. Now it was within reach.
"Leon, isn't it time to bring out your little treasure?"
One of the scions, a burly man nicknamed Tiger, suddenly said something which peaked Valentino's interest. Little treasure? To be treated as a treasure by Leon Denner, what precious item could it be? Jewels? A gem?
"Yes, yes. Don't be stingy, Leon."
"Haha, I have been waiting for someone to ask."
The other friends also chimed in, urging Leon. The latter rolled his eyes, but he didn't reject them. He swiftly disappeared into the master bedroom and reappeared with a square-shaped black cloth. Leon carefully put the object on the table and pulled the cloth away, revealing an intricate, small wooden box.
Valentino was puzzled as he stared at the wooden boss. He glanced around the room and saw the anticipation in everyone's eyes. The box had to be something special…
Valentino but his full attention on the box trying to figure it out. The wood was dark brown, old, but well-maintained. The edges were reinforced with some gold which had already lost its sheen. Oh, and there was a spindle at the back of the box. So it was actually some kind of music box? Did it record some special song?
While Valentino was still puzzled, Leon sat back down and addressed his friends:
"Guys, you know the deal. Lean back, relax your body, think of something nice, and enjoy. Valentino, the same goes for you."
Valentino nodded, confused, and followed Leon's instruction. He made himself comfortable and allowed his mind to wander. Thinking about something nice, he naturally imagined his life in luxury.
Leon, seeing that everyone was prepared, didn't delay any longer. He turned the spindle attached to the box a few times before sinking back into the couch, closing his eyes. With a click the box suddenly opened and a figure standing on a small, round platform appeared. The figure depicted a young man, his face a marvel of handsomeness. He had long, raven-black hair and gentle, blue eyes. Wearing a fine suit with a rose attached to its chest he held one hand high, taking the pose of an opera singer.
Valentino had already been warned by Leon and didn't peek. He patiently waited with his eyes closed. After the opening of the box about five seconds passed before a sonorous melody finally rang through the air. It was a powerful voice, a thundering aria, reminding Valentino of the operas he visited in the past. The music hit everyone present, sending tremors through their bodies. Their brains were stimulated.
Suddenly Valentino was met with a familiar sensation. He experienced a feeling of weightlessness as his soul appeared to fly. Valentino received a profound shock. The feeling was similar to the one he had after drinking the coffee made from the green beans. Only, it was less intense. If he wanted to, he could extract himself at any moment, an option the meditative state induced by the green beans didn't offer.
Someone else who experienced a situation like this for the first time might indeed panic and interrupt it. But Valentino, brimming with curiosity, allowed it to continue. After flying for a bit a green fog appeared, gradually filling his vision. It twisted and churned, moving in mysterious patterns. But other than what Valentino was used to his soul didn't linger within the green fog and instead continued its ascendance.
Suddenly he broke through the layer of fog and his vision cleared up. Valentino saw himself. It was the scene he envisioned earlier. Scenes of the life he wanted to live. Partying on boats, resting in the most luxurious resorts the world had to offer, occasionally creating a painting admired by the entire world, his name celebrated in all media, countless people looking up to him in admiration, the most beautiful women sharing the bed with him. Valentino's heart pounded heavily as blissful emotions erupted in his brain.
For a while everyone was caught in their own mind, reliving their wildest fantasies. There were groaning and moaning in the room. Tiger randomly swung his fists, his back drenched in sweat. Fortunately this was not the first time he entered such a state and had thus kept his distance to the others.
However, he was not the only one with a strong reaction. Everyone's bodies trembled, their limbs sometimes flailing. Their eyelids quivered as their eyeballs rolled madly. If someone were to enter the scene at this time, they would probably think the young men and women had been possessed by ghosts.