"So, where are you planning to go for high school? Have you decided yet?" Susanna asked Muria as she sat on the sofa, inquiring about his academic plans.
"Cyril Academy has a high school department too, so I'll just stay here. I don't feel like going anywhere else," Muria replied, somewhat dismissively.
To him, it didn't really matter where he studied. His main focus was martial arts, and as for the Star Armor training, he only dabbled in it. After all, he had just over a 60% Star Affinity, which he didn't think was all that impressive.
Improving one's level in Star Armor mastery largely depends on refining star-metal-infused Star Armor and nurturing it over time. By connecting and channeling the unique energy of the armor, users could strengthen their bodies and further enhance compatibility with it, making control during battle more fluid.
In this regard, those with high Star Affinity naturally held a massive advantage. A high-affinity Star Armor user could make progress in a single day that might take someone with average affinity two days. While it might not seem like much at first, over time, the gap would grow to a point that could make the difference between them seem insurmountable.
For example, Muria had a half-sister he'd never met whose affinity exceeded 80%. As long as she put in the effort, her Star Armor level would inevitably surpass his. If Muria's daily progress in nurturing his armor was three, hers would be four. While the difference between three and four might not seem like much, over three thousand days, the gulf would be astronomical.
"If possible, I'd prefer that you go to high school in the Federation's capital," Susanna continued.
"Why? What's the difference? The teachers at Cyril Academy can teach me just as well," Muria replied.
"But they're not at the level of the teachers in the capital. Most of the Federation's top talents are gathered there, and you should be studying among them," Susanna said, blinking as she looked at her son with a hint of pride. "Besides, you're already recognized as the strongest in Cyril Academy. Staying there any longer won't be of much benefit. Without competitors, your progress will slow."
"I don't need rivals," Muria said, touching his chin thoughtfully. In truth, apart from his Golden Dragon mother and Titan father, he hadn't found anyone in this world who could be his equal.
"I'm serious, Jenos. When you're constantly the best, it's only natural for arrogance to creep in. You need to see the other elites in the capital to broaden your perspective."
Hearing his mother's reasoning, Muria's lips twitched. Without further argument, he agreed, "Alright!"
Susanna, who had been ready to keep persuading him, was caught off guard by his easy acceptance. She'd thought it would take more convincing since she knew her son had a strong will, but this time, he surprisingly didn't insist on his own opinion.
A brief silence filled the room before Susanna spoke again, this time with caution.
"Jenos, the capital isn't like our provincial city. When you're there, keep a low profile. Even if you encounter trouble, it's important to prioritize restraint. There are plenty of people there with backgrounds as strong as yours—or even stronger."
"Got it," Muria replied, appearing to listen attentively as Susanna continued to give him an endless stream of advice, ranging from how to conduct himself to the complex power dynamics in the capital. While he outwardly seemed attentive, he had already shifted most of his focus back to his daily training.
Susanna had decided not to accompany him this time, so she spent a long time in the living room, rambling on about every conceivable topic to prepare him for life in the capital.
…
"Master Jenos, are you certain you want to bring all your pets with you to the capital?" an elderly man with white hair asked over the communicator, sounding a bit exasperated.
"Butler Pais, why even ask? You should have received the reports on my pets' capabilities, right? You know how strong they are. Do you really think I'd leave that kind of power behind?"
"I must remind you, Master Jenos, that while there's no rule against bringing pets to the Star Armor tournaments, the sheer scale of your pets is unprecedented. Even if they help you win in the preliminary rounds, they may be restricted later on."
"I can bring pets into the tournament?" Muria raised his eyebrows; he'd initially planned to rely solely on himself. "Having them in the early rounds could be useful. Even if they're restricted later, I can still punch my way through on my own."
"I'll arrange a train for you and your pets to travel directly to the capital," the butler replied, with a slight smile.
The young master's words weren't entirely convincing. Given how often Jenos pestered him for resources, Pais doubted he hadn't noticed the tournament's loopholes—ones seemingly tailor-made for him.
…
"Think things through before you act. Don't stir up trouble, and if there's a conflict, contact Butler Pais to help resolve it," Susanna tearfully instructed as they stood at the nearly empty station, her elegantly dressed figure holding Muria's hand.
"I won't start trouble unless someone else does," Muria said with a gentle smile. "You know I don't seek out conflict. I'm always calm and well-behaved."
Even in her sadness, Susanna couldn't help but laugh at his words. She gently tapped him on the forehead, saying, "I'm not joking. Once you're in the capital, stay low-key and don't provoke anyone, especially other members of the Douglas family."
Muria nodded. "Understood. As long as they leave me alone, I won't bother them."
The farewell stretched nearly an hour before Muria finally boarded the train with the two attendants he'd taken under his wing. The driverless train was otherwise empty of human passengers; only Muria and his two human attendants were aboard, along with the beasts he kept as "pets"—in reality, avatars of his true subordinates.
The train glided away from the station, carrying Muria and his entourage silently toward the distant capital.
…
"Master Jenos."
As the train doors slid open, Muria was greeted by an elderly man with silver hair and a neat butler's uniform, smiling at him from the platform.
"Butler Pais, it's great to finally meet you in person. We've only spoken over the communicator until now. I've been looking forward to this."
"You flatter me, sir," the old butler replied, maintaining his refined demeanor. He then looked past Muria. "And where are your pets?"
"They're getting off the train now," Muria answered, sensing the approach of his avatars.
The old butler watched as the train trembled slightly and the ground beneath it cracked. Adjusting his glasses, he saw a group of fearsome beasts disembarking from the train, gathering around Muria protectively.
"Invisibility cloaks?"
"I added a few other gadgets as well," Muria replied. "Not that I'm claiming to be an expert, but I do have a fair bit of knowledge about tech devices."
"If they could move around without leaving such destruction in their wake, those cloaks would be perfect."
"I don't really mind," Muria said, smiling. "I just equipped them with the cloaks to avoid alarming ordinary people."
"Very well," the old butler nodded, gesturing behind him. "Your residence is prepared. Please, bring along your… pets and join me in the car."
As they drove through the city, passing grand buildings, Muria engaged the butler in conversation. "Where exactly will I be staying? I hope there's enough room for my pets, given their number."
"There's no need to worry. You'll be staying at the Douglas family's Varnell Estate, which has more than enough space for your pets to roam."
"I won't be the only one living there, right?" Muria asked, raising an eyebrow. He didn't think he warranted an entire estate in the capital to himself.
"Correct. Your sister Miss Desli also lives there, so you two will be seeing each other frequently."
"What does that mean?" Muria narrowed his eyes.
"Nothing in particular. All family members attending school in the capital reside at Varnell Estate," Butler Pais explained. "Your sister already knows you'll be arriving today. She may come to greet you."
"Oh?"
…
"Jenos?"
"And you must be Desli?" Muria said, stepping out of the car to see a green-haired girl approaching, surrounded by a group of younger children.
"I'm Anna, Miss Desli's follower," the girl replied.
"Alright," Muria replied indifferently, gazing down at the shorter girl with the green hair.
"Jenos, I'm here on Miss Desli's behalf to warn you. While you may be her brother by blood, don't think you can use her name to stir up trouble in the capital. If you do, I won't hesitate to deal with you."
"So this is your idea of a welcome?" Muria looked back at Butler Pais as he got off the train. "Are you arranging a circus for me?"
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