They all appeared in front of the secret realm. Silas and Amelia were slightly disoriented, but they got a grasp on themselves quickly.
The guard who had received them 2 weeks ago bowed as he saw Alfred walk out with them.
'When did the vice governor follow them?' he wondered silently.
At the front, a car was already parked, waiting for their arrival.
As they got closer to the car, a man in a black suit standing by the side of the door moved first, opening it for them to enter.
Amelia was the first to enter, then Silas, then Alfred.
They sat in the soft seats, their bodies sinking into the comfort they had lacked for 2 weeks straight.
Amelia was the first to sleep off, the fatigue of two weeks slamming against her.
Then, Silas followed shortly after.
Alfred, on the other hand, just looked at the outside world through the glass.
The secret realm was quite far from the mansion, over 4 hours by car. The place was one of the underdeveloped ones on the planet.
The sight of the car even drew the gazes of pedestrians.
It was very rare to see cars of this luxury in their neighborhood. Even the guilds who came to the secret realm did not have cars this luxurious.
"Hopefully our army does well in this year's Frontline battle," he muttered, thinking of the event that was coming up in the next 2 months.
He looked at Silas and Amelia, who were fast asleep.
Then he turned back to the window.
Time flew by, and they reached the mansion within 4 hours.
"Wake up, you don't expect me to carry you into the house," Alfred said, getting down from the car.
He did not bother to wait after what he said.
Silas and Amelia woke up shortly after he left.
Getting out of the car, Silas yawned tiredly. His eyes were deep red as he walked into the building.
Amelia was in a much worse condition. She could barely lift a leg without feeling tired.
In the mansion, waiting for them downstairs were Sebastian and Max.
They acknowledged Amelia's presence and asked how she was feeling.
When she left, they looked at Silas, whom they had told to wait for them on the sofa.
Max was clearly much more respectful after he knew of Silas's status.
But Sebastian was indifferent. Maybe Silas had some potential, but currently, his status was nothing.
"Alfred told me about the rifle you used to kill the void beast," Max said, shifting his posture on the chair.
Silas nodded calmly. "Yes, and I have a VIP card that will get you things 30% cheaper in any of the Sovereign Garden's branches," Silas added with a smile.
Sebastian nodded at Silas's words. He had heard of the Sovereign Garden from one of his officials. It was one of the organizations to watch out for in the future.
"I have heard of the Sovereign Garden and how unique their products are," Sebastian said, stroking his chin calmly.
"Yes, each of their products is unique and only sold in their stores," Silas said, advertising his store to the man.
Although he was currently earning a lot, compared to what a planet, even a low-tier one, could give him, it was little.
"Yeah, Alfred and I have been contemplating whether to purchase some things from there before," Max pitched in from the side. "But seeing as you are one of their suppliers and can even give us a 30% discount benefit, there is nothing to worry about again."
Silas nodded. Then he raised a finger. "For the VIP card, can you provide me with something monthly in exchange?" he asked directly. He wanted to milk as much as he could from this deal.
Max nodded. "What do you want? If it is within our power, I will provide it."
He was telling the truth. Not to mention the VIP card, there was also his identity as a scientist and the greatest talent on their planet.
Silas nodded. "For my research, I need some void cores. About 100 of any tier monthly."
Max furrowed his brows lightly. "Okay. Let's do it this way, you will gain 30% of all the void cores we gain as royalty from the guilds," Max said.
Silas's eyes widened, his heart beating faster when he heard Max. Thirty percent of all guilds on the planet, that was up to 500 void cores monthly.
"Thanks, Governor Max," Silas bowed.
"No, it is our duty to nurture your talent fully," Max waved.
Silas smiled lightly in response. "I will give the card to you tomorrow, I shall take my leave now."
Sebastian and Max nodded as they watched Silas's figure ascend the stairs.
Then, when he had finally gone, Max stood up from the chair.
"Master Sebastian, what do you say?" he asked with a bow.
Sebastian did not reply for a moment. He reached into his pocket and brought out a packet of cigarettes.
He took a stick and ignited it with a thought.
He took a drag, then exhaled. Smoke poured from his mouth.
But before it could even spread, it vanished without a trace.
"That boy has a lot of potential," Sebastian finally said. "To think that coming to help you absorb the Three-eyed genetic potion would actually give me another disciple," he said.
Max just smiled. He felt flattered hearing Sebastian's words. How many people were worthy of receiving the praise of a vice-tower master?
"It is time for your training," Sebastian said, standing up from his chair. "You need to absorb the genetic potion and advance to the Monarch stage quickly, you are already nearing your limit."
Max winced when he heard Sebastian's words. The pain he had been feeling in his chest while he tried to hold back his advancement was just too much to bear.
In a flicker, they disappeared from there, appearing in the training ground.
Max pulled off all his clothes, leaving only his pants. He sat cross-legged on the floor, entering a deep meditative state.
Sebastian sat beside him, aether gathering in his palm.
"Okay, the potion has merged fully with your soul, I will do it now," Sebastian warned.
Before Max could reply, he felt the hand strike him, passing through his physical body directly and hitting his soul.
His core shattered, exploding his body in a mess of gore and blood.
Even with Sebastian's proximity, none of it stained him.
A single core remained where Max's body used to be.
Aether began to surge towards the core.
All around the mansion, a massive phenomenon occurred, shaking the entire place.
Then it expanded till it covered the entirety of the planet.