CHAPTER 6: THE FIRST SEED
The month between the Genesis Auction and the second gathering of the multiverse's elite was a strange blend of serene quiet and frantic internal activity for Adam. The House hummed, a living entity adapting to its new, permanent residents. Wanda, under its subtle influence and Adam's quiet, System-enhanced guidance, felt her powers stirring, a raw, vibrant energy that she now, cautiously, embraced rather than feared. Pietro, perpetually restless, had explored every inch of the impossible architecture, becoming a blur of motion, a silent guardian of the obsidian halls. And Natasha… Natasha was a ghost, a shadow, observing, analyzing, always dissecting.
Adam sat in his sprawling, crystalline study, surrounded by ancient tomes that shifted their languages to accommodate his gaze. He wasn't reading them, of course. His internal monologue was a whirlwind. This is it. Second auction. No more 'deer in headlights' act. Time to actually, you know, do something. Beyond just not dying. Though, that's still high on the list. High priority. Like, right after 'don't accidentally set off a universe-ending cataclysm while trying to sell a magical spork'.
His gaze drifted to the mental interface that represented the next batch of items. The System, in its infinite, unhelpful wisdom, had provided a new list. Some were intriguing, some were frankly bizarre, and a few were just plain dangerous. He needed to be strategic. The first auction was a chaotic introduction. This one, the Second Genesis Auction, needed to be a calculated step.
"Alright, System," he thought, directing his mental voice at the omnipresent AI. "Let's review the inventory. What fresh chaos are we unleashing on the unsuspecting masses this time?"
The mental display shimmered, revealing the new items:
[Weapon] Dragonslayer (Berserk): Oh, for crying out loud. Seriously? Guts's sword? Do I really want to arm some random alien with a comically oversized hunk of iron designed to cleave demons? Probably not. Too much collateral damage potential. Unless it's for, like, Thor's emo phase.
[Consumable] Elixir of Life (Generic Fantasy): Now that's a good one. Immortality in a bottle. Always a crowd-pleaser. Bet Tony tries to analyze it into oblivion.
[Info] Detailed History & Future of the Infinity Stones: Too soon, System! Way too soon! I'm trying to subtly nudge the timeline, not hand out a spoilers-for-the-entire-multiverse packet. That's like giving someone a blueprint for the Death Star before they even know what a galaxy is. Though, if Loki gets his hands on it… that would be bad. Very, very bad.
[Tech] Personal Cloaking Device (Predator): Ooh, that's useful. For espionage, for tactical retreats, for avoiding awkward conversations at parties. I can see Natasha eyeing that one.
[Skill] Basic Ki Manipulation (Dragon Ball): Yes! Now we're talking. This is the kind of general-purpose awesome sauce that could actually help. Imagine Steve Rogers with a Kamehameha. Or Bruce Banner, if he ever gets the Hulk under control, just casually charging up a Spirit Bomb. The possibilities!
Adam considered his 'Host's Choice' for this auction. He'd used it last time for Basic Observation Haki, a skill that would subtly benefit the Maximoffs without them knowing. This time, he needed something that served a broader purpose, something that would resonate with the Avengers, specifically those who weren't focused on tech.
Captain America. He's good. He's loyal. But he's just a guy with a shield and super-strength in a world of literal gods and soon-to-be purple alien warlords. He needs a boost that fits his style. Something fundamentally about inner strength.
He made his decision.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE: HOST'S CHOICE RESERVATION PROTOCOL INITIATED. ITEM: BASIC KI MANIPULATION. STATUS: RESERVED FOR STRATEGIC DISPERSAL.]
"Strategic dispersal, eh?" Adam thought, a small, internal smirk playing on his mental lips. "Sounds like I'm playing cosmic D&D, handing out legendary artifacts like candy. Hope no one rolls a critical fail on 'not destroying the planet'."
The first guests began to arrive, materializing with faint pops of displaced air. The familiar faces were there: Tony, radiating an aura of barely contained curiosity and technological hunger; Steve, ever stoic and observant; Thor, booming greetings that gently reverberated through the House's dampened acoustics; Bruce, looking perpetually anxious but fascinated. And of course, Nick Fury's proxy, an impeccably dressed but unnervingly silent S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, who simply took his seat, eyes scanning for any anomaly.
But there were new faces too, drawn by the System's new invitation cycle. A stern, intellectual-looking woman in a simple but elegant dress, her gaze sharp and intelligent – likely his designated 'scientist' invite. A man with a regal bearing and intricate tattoos, exuding quiet authority – perhaps the Wakandan envoy. And a few others, less recognizable, but equally bewildered by the House's grandeur.
As the attendees settled, Adam ascended to the podium, his movements slow and deliberate, designed to project absolute control. He observed his staff from the corner of his eye. Wanda was overseeing the Oculus Display, a subtle glow emanating from her hands as she seemed to gently coax the magical images into perfect clarity. Pietro, a silent, watchful blur, occasionally moving between the rows, his presence a subtle deterrent to any would-be disruptors. Natasha stood at the entrance to the main hall, her posture radiating poised authority, discreetly observing every guest, cataloging their expressions, their reactions, their barely perceptible tells. She was a master at this.
Wanda's really settling in. It's like the House is a massive, sentient magical amplifier. Pietro's doing his 'brooding fast guy' routine, which, honestly, he's a natural at. And Natasha? She's probably already got a detailed psychological profile on everyone in here, including what they had for breakfast.
"Welcome, once again," Adam's voice resonated through the hall, perfectly modulated. "To the Second Genesis Auction. May the bidding be… spirited."
The Oculus Display materialized, shimmering with potential. The first item appeared: Dragonslayer.
A collective gasp swept through the hall. Tony Stark leaned forward, his eyes practically bugging out. "What in the… is that a sword? That's not a sword, that's a slab of metal! What's it made of, collapsed star iron?"
Thor, however, boomed with unexpected recognition. "By the Nine Realms! That blade… it sings of battle! A weapon fit for a true warrior!" He looked genuinely impressed, perhaps recalling some ancient Asgardian legend of a similarly gargantuan blade.
Oh, Thor, bless your noble, war-loving heart. Yes, it's a weapon. A very, very large one. And no, you can't have it.
The bidding started, fierce and immediate. Several armored figures from other dimensions, along with some of the more battle-hardened Terran agents (not Fury's, obviously, they were here for intel), vied for the monstrous sword. It was clear many perceived it as a symbol of immense power, regardless of its practicality.
Next, the Elixir of Life. This caused a different kind of frenzy. Moneyed figures, desperate scientists, and even some of the more ancient-looking alien species clamored for it. Tony Stark was, predictably, in the thick of it, trying to outbid everyone. He was probably planning to reverse-engineer it for world peace, or at least for his hangover.
As the auction progressed, Adam carefully watched the reactions. He noted the growing awe, the increasing desperation in the faces of the bidders. The House wasn't just a curiosity anymore; it was a source of unimaginable power, a beacon of impossible solutions.
He glanced at Natasha. Her gaze was locked on him, then on the Elixir, then back. He could practically hear her brain whirring, trying to calculate the implications of such an item existing. She was subtly observing the bids, trying to discern the value system of the House, and perhaps, his own.
She's trying to figure out my pricing strategy. Like I have one. It's literally 'System generates random cool stuff, I sell it'. The only strategy I have is 'don't make eye contact with the guy who just bid his entire planet for a magic beanstalk seed'.
The Detailed History & Future of the Infinity Stones appeared next. A wave of unease rippled through the audience. Even the Asgardian present, not Thor, but another, more scholarly-looking alien, visibly recoiled. This wasn't just information; it was a peek behind the cosmic curtain. Too much knowledge, too dangerous. Tony was fascinated but also wary. Fury's proxy, however, started bidding immediately, clearly under orders to acquire it at any cost.
Adam watched this particular item closely. He knew the danger. Loki would have been utterly obsessed with it, but he wasn't here yet. It was crucial that this information didn't fall into the wrong hands. Fortunately, the System's internal algorithms seemed to be working in his favor. The price for such devastating information was astronomical, quickly out of reach for anyone with less than planetary resources. It eventually went to a rather bland-looking, universally-recognized "Watcher" proxy, ensuring it would likely be locked away in some cosmic archive.
Crisis averted. For now. No one needs to know about the six shiny death pebbles just yet. Or the angry purple guy who wants to collect them all like Pokémon.
Then came the Personal Cloaking Device (Predator). Natasha's eyes, usually unreadable, betrayed a flicker of intense interest. She started bidding, quietly, efficiently, outmaneuvering a few overly aggressive alien intelligence agents. This was her wheelhouse. Tony was interested, but ultimately, Natasha's strategic bidding won her the device. It materialized, sleek and almost invisible, in her hand. She examined it with an almost reverent focus, then discreetly, efficiently, made it vanish into one of her many hidden pockets.
Called it. She'll have fun with that. Just don't use it to sneak into my private quarters, Natasha. I value my privacy. And my snack stash.
Finally, the item for his Host's Choice was revealed. Basic Ki Manipulation.
"Our final item for this auction," Adam's voice boomed, "is a skill. The ability to manipulate the fundamental life energy, 'Ki'. For strength, for speed, for focused projection."
The Oculus demonstrated, showing a figure focusing, a faint aura shimmering around them, then a powerful, invisible force pushing back an incoming object. It was subtle, yet undeniably potent.
Bidding began, but Adam allowed it only for a moment. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he raised his hand.
"The Host's Choice," he declared, his voice resonating with finality, "for Basic Ki Manipulation, is hereby exercised."
The display froze. "RESERVED."
A ripple of murmurs went through the audience. Tony scowled. "Oh, come on! Another Host's Choice? What's the deal with all the 'no, you can't have this' actions?"
Adam ignored him, his gaze sweeping over the familiar faces of the Avengers. He didn't need to specify who it was reserved for. The System would ensure it found its way to the right hands, or rather, the right core being, without his direct intervention. He simply had to will it. And he willed it towards the man who always put others first, who needed that extra edge. Steve Rogers.
This isn't just about winning battles; it's about giving them the tools to survive the ones I know are coming. Steve, you're getting a power-up. Use it wisely. Don't go blowing up any national monuments with accidental energy blasts. Or do. I'm not your mom.
As the auction concluded, and the guests began to disperse, Adam felt a strange mix of accomplishment and profound weariness. He had survived another one. He had strategically placed items, influenced the flow of power, and, perhaps most importantly, subtly empowered a key figure. The board was being built, piece by piece. But the weight of knowing the future, the burden of orchestrating these quiet machinations, pressed down on him, a heavy cloak he couldn't shed. He was the Master, yes, but he was also just Adam, desperately trying to keep the pieces from falling apart.