Soft evening light filtered through the wide glass windows of the villa.
The atmosphere inside the large living room was calm, almost peaceful, a complete contrast to the chaos that had taken place only days earlier.
On one of the couches, Ryuki lay asleep.
Her breathing was slow and steady.
Beside her, Aavya carefully checked the small medical monitor connected to Ryuki's wrist. She adjusted the bandage around Ryuki's arm and watched the vitals for a moment before nodding quietly.
"She's stable," Aavya said softly.
Across the room, Akshat Aether leaned against the wall with his arms folded.
Standing near the large window was Alexander Vane, watching the evening sky outside his villa.
Akshat finally spoke.
"From now on," he said calmly, "Aavya and Ryuki will stay with me."
Alexander glanced over his shoulder.
His expression remained relaxed, but there was a faint amusement in his eyes.
"Fine," he replied casually.
Then he added with a small smirk,
"Just take care of yourself around that Ryuki."
Akshat raised an eyebrow.
Alexander adjusted his glasses slightly.
"She might hurt you, Master."
Akshat stared at him for a moment before shaking his head slightly.
"Are you serious?"
He looked around the massive villa.
The place was huge—luxurious halls, modern architecture, and more rooms than anyone could realistically use.
"You're giving me this villa entirely?"
Alexander nodded casually.
"I have plenty more."
His tone made it sound like he was talking about spare notebooks instead of massive luxury properties.
Without another word, he turned and walked toward the entrance.
Near the door waited the massive Cyanobear, its blue-tinted fur glowing slightly under the lights. Beside it waddled the small cyanobear cub, following closely behind its parent.
Alexander scratched the large beast gently behind its ear.
"Let's go."
The cyanobear rumbled softly before following him outside.
Moments later, the sound of the car leaving echoed through the quiet street.
_____________
Later that evening.
The Vane family's main residence stood like a fortress of glass and steel.
Inside the massive hall, the doors opened as Alexander stepped inside.
The cyanobear and its cub quietly followed him in.
Before Alexander could walk further, a deep voice came from the far end of the hall.
"…You lost quite a bit of weight and seeing the bear, you might develop a intrest in making some beasts as your pet didn't you?"
Standing near the staircase was Victor Vane, Alexander's father.
A powerful figure with sharp eyes that missed very little. He looked at his son for a moment.
Then asked casually,
"Didn't you meet your godmother at the event?"
Alexander stopped walking.
He adjusted his glasses calmly.
"I attended the meeting," he replied.
"And the family's traditional suit fit me perfectly."
Victor didn't respond immediately.
He simply watched his son silently.
Then he turned slightly away. "…Interesting."
His voice dropped into a quiet murmur.
"I would be interested to see the person…"
He paused.
"…who managed to change that dumb fat boy."
The faintest hint of curiosity appeared in Victor Vane's otherwise cold expression.
Because something about Alexander had clearly changed.
And whoever was responsible for that change…
Had already begun shaking far bigger pieces on the board than anyone realized.
__________
Night had settled over the private study of Victor Vane.
The room was quiet, filled with the faint scent of aged wood and expensive tea. Tall bookshelves lined the walls, and a large window overlooked the illuminated grounds of the Vane estate.
Victor stood beside the window, calmly pouring tea into three cups.
Across from him sat two familiar guests.
Old friends.
Kurana Alexanderia leaned back comfortably in the chair, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp with interest.
Beside him sat his younger sister, Olivia Alexanderia, elegantly crossing her legs as she observed the room with quiet curiosity.
Victor placed the tea on the table.
"It has been a while," he said calmly.
Kurana chuckled softly.
"You're still the same, Victor. Straight to business."
Victor took his seat. "The three of us don't meet unless something interesting happens."
His eyes moved briefly toward them.
"So tell me, Why are you two suddenly interested in my son?"
Kurana smirked slightly. "That boy…"
He tapped his fingers lightly against the armrest. "He's changed."
Victor didn't react immediately.
But Olivia spoke next. "It's not just a small change," she said thoughtfully.
"He's lost weight."
"He's more composed."
"And during the event…"
She paused slightly.
"He wasn't hiding behind people anymore."
Kurana nodded slowly. The way he walked into the hall wearing the Vane family's traditional suit…"
He smiled faintly.
"For the first time, he actually looked like someone from your bloodline."
Victor quietly sipped his tea. "I noticed."
His voice remained calm.
"But potential alone means nothing."
Kurana raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Victor set the cup down.
"My son was a fool for years."
He looked toward the window again.
"One sudden change doesn't impress me."
Olivia exchanged a quick glance with Kurana.
Then she spoke carefully.
"Well… there is something you should know."
Victor's gaze returned to her.
Olivia rested her chin lightly against her hand.
"At the event…Alexander did something interesting."
Victor's eyes narrowed slightly. "What did he do?"
Olivia's lips curved faintly. "He admitted that he had shared a glass of Soju with someone." Victor frowned.
"That's hardly significant."
Kurana laughed quietly.
"You know exactly what that means."
Victor's expression slowly stiffened.
Olivia continued. "A shared glass of soju can symbolize a pact of loyalty."
Her voice became quieter. "The one who drinks second acknowledges the authority of the one who drinks first."
Victor's fingers stopped moving. "…Who was the other person?"
Olivia's eyes sparkled slightly. "A boy."
She spoke the name clearly.
"Akshat Aether."
Silence filled the room. Victor's expression remained controlled, but his gaze had sharpened considerably.
Kurana leaned forward slightly. "That boy has been causing quite a few disturbances on campus."
Kurana smiled faintly.
"All under his influence now."
Olivia added calmly, "And your son willingly drank that glass."
Victor slowly leaned back in his chair.
His mind was clearly calculating something. "So you're saying…My son has pledged loyalty to someone."
Olivia nodded. ".. yes."
Kurana chuckled. "But honestly, Victor…"
He shrugged.
"That might not be such a bad thing."
Victor's eyes narrowed slightly.
Kurana continued.
"That boy Akshat…There's something different about him."
Olivia nodded in agreement. "Alexander seems to believe in him so much."
Victor remained silent for several seconds.
Then he spoke quietly. "…Interesting."
His gaze drifted toward the dark window again. "So the boy who changed my useless son…is the same one controlling half the lower hostels that you guys use to find a candidate."
A faint smile slowly appeared on Victor Vane's face. "Now I'm curious."
His voice dropped slightly.
"I would very much like to meet Akshat Aether."
End of ch 41
To be continue...
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