As the private car departed from the District 23 Aviation Center, the scenery of Academy City began to unfold before Sebas' eyes.
"Sebas, you don't mind that I brought you from Europe all the way to Japan, right?" Selene asked with a bright smile, her eyes gleaming with joy as she turned toward the tall figure beside her.
The person in question was an elderly man dressed in a traditional butler's uniform. He stood over 190 cm tall, his hair completely white—matching the neat beard around his mouth. Despite his age, his back remained perfectly straight, like a tall pine. Deep wrinkles lined his kind face, but the sharp glint in his eyes resembled that of an eagle locking onto its prey.
His name was Sebas, Selene's personal butler from her days in Austria, responsible for her daily care and affairs. Their relationship was an exceptionally close one.
In this world, aside from Katy, Sebas was the person who had spent the most time with Selene. According to Sebas himself, he had watched her grow up since childhood. Having never started a family of his own, he had treated Selene as his own daughter and raised her as such.
That was exactly why Selene thought of him now—trust and capability were never an issue.
As for why she hadn't brought Sebas with her at first, well, she had come to attend school, not to play. Her parents would never have allowed her to bring Sebas along.
But now Selene had found an excuse. She told her family she needed someone to manage her assets in Japan, and naturally, Sebas was the perfect choice.
"No, Miss. Serving your needs is my greatest honor," Sebas replied, bowing respectfully.
...
District 7.
As an area primarily populated by high school and middle school students, land within the residential zones was incredibly valuable.
The residential area could roughly be divided into three main sections—and Selene had just entered one of them, the largest of the three: the villa district.
Originally, Selene's dormitory had been located within the Tokiwadai girls' dorms, meaning Sebas couldn't possibly stay there. Therefore, she had purchased a new palace-style villa as her personal secondary residence.
Money was hardly an issue for her now. Since arriving in Academy City, she hadn't had a single financial concern.
Selene and Sebas strolled along the central avenue of the villa.
It was a palace built in the Baroque style.
The ceilings were so high that one had to crane their neck to see them. At fixed intervals hung magnificent crystal chandeliers, radiating a warm golden glow.
The wide marble floors reflected that light like a mirror, glittering like a field of stars scattered underfoot.
In this world of splendor, Selene's crisp footsteps echoed softly, accompanied by Sebas' heavier ones. After passing through several corridors and turns, an enormous five-meter-tall door finally appeared before them.
Even from the entrance, the palace's grandeur could be felt. The massive black wooden doors gleamed with gold and silver inlays, their carvings exquisite and detailed. Servants stood at attention on both sides.
As soon as they saw Selene approach, the waiting servants opened the central doors. Inside, the luxurious furniture immediately caught the eye.
Settling into the lavish sofa in the grand parlor, Selene stretched lightly. "Sebas, are you satisfied with the new house?"
"How could I not be? However, Miss, that posture is hardly ladylike. If Madam Katy knew, she would surely..."
"Alright, alright, let's not bring up Mom Katy again. She's not here anyway, so let me relax a little. It's my own house, after all." Selene quickly interrupted, clearly flustered.
Back then, Katy had tried to raise her into the perfect textbook example of a lady. Thinking back on that time made Selene inwardly groan—it had been pure torture.
"That won't do, Miss. Before I came, Madam specifically instructed me to keep an eye on your manners."
"Ah, Sebas, don't tell me you're planning to report me? Mom Katy is such a headache."
"You mustn't speak ill of Madam," Sebas said with a fond smile, his tone filled with gentle affection. "But don't worry, I won't report you this time. Just don't let it happen again."
After a while of lighthearted conversation, Selene suddenly spoke up.
"Sebas, if I asked you to manage my assets, would you do it?"
Her words caught Sebas slightly off guard.
Indeed, aside from being a private butler, he also possessed extensive management experience.
If Selene needed someone to oversee her businesses, he could finally put his experience to good use.
Thinking for a moment, Sebas nodded thoughtfully. "What would you have me do, Miss?"
"Assistant to the Board Director," Selene said as she accepted a cup of tea from a nearby servant, taking a delicate sip.
"I've succeeded Thomas Platinaburg's position and become a member of the Board of Directors. I've also taken over his assets, which means I need someone trustworthy to manage them."
"That's the reason I called you all the way from Europe. Would you be willing to take on the role?" Selene asked, looking at Sebas with clear anticipation.
Sebas remained silent for a moment, thinking carefully. Although he didn't yet know the full extent of Selene's holdings, he could not—and would not—refuse her request.
As her personal butler, Sebas knew Selene's personality flaws better than anyone. No matter how graceful and elegant she appeared in public, the pride and detachment that lay deep within her could never truly be concealed.
In Sebas' eyes, Selene was easily prone to arrogance. She would eventually realize it and reflect upon herself, yes—but for reasons unknown, it was as if the flaw was written into her very DNA. No matter how many times she corrected it, she would always fall into the same pattern again.
Because of this, Sebas worried that Selene might suffer losses when dealing with the other Directors. Even if she were to hire a professional manager through a headhunting agency, there would always be the issue of loyalty.
Considering all that, Sebas had no reason—nor desire—to refuse her. Raising his head, he answered solemnly, "No problem at all, Miss."
"Wonderful!" Selene clapped her hands happily, her face brightening with excitement.
Seeing her overjoyed reaction, Sebas felt even more certain that he had made the right decision. He would manage her assets with utmost dedication.
...
And thus, the person in charge of all assets related to Selene was officially decided under such circumstances.
The next morning, Sebas immediately entered his work mode and went to District 1 to begin the consolidation and review of Thomas Platinaburg's remaining assets.
By the end of the day, the news that Selene had brought her old butler to Academy City had spread throughout both the upper echelons and the Dark Side.
That evening, Sebas reported to her. After sorting and compiling the information, the assets included:
Law firms, investment banks, insurance companies, real estate, entertainment clubs, hotel chains, and affiliated research institutes, among others.
It was clear that Thomas Platinaburg's wealth had been primarily centered on finance and investment. The manufacturing sector, which Selene valued most, made up only a small portion. But thinking about it, that made sense—his career had originated in the financial world, so it was natural that his holdings reflected that.
Still, even the smallest gain was worth something. Selene planned to merge all technology-related industries, manufacturing divisions, and research institutes into the Schicksal Research Institute, while assigning the financial and entertainment sectors to Sebas for management.
With that, Selene's major assets were now properly allocated—Sebas in charge of financial industries, Shuji Matsuzaki overseeing research and technological divisions, and Aoki Youichi handling security operations (essentially her own branch of the Dark Side within Academy City).
As for Selene herself, she could finally relax and act as the hands-off leader—her presence alone serving as deterrence.
And now, she would have plenty of time to focus on strengthening her power.