Central Sector, Fortified City 50
The dark cloud receded as Isaac stepped onto the circular platform.
Behind him, Alice and Emily followed.
Isaac looked around. The area was quiet, despite many people using the teleporters.
A man in a sharp black suit stood nearby, waiting for them.
“Welcome,” he greeted with a polite nod. “You must be Mr. Isaac. Please follow me. We have prepared a vehicle for you on the instructions of Professor Catherine.”
They followed the man and exited the building.
He handed over a small key fob and motioned toward a nearby car.
It was a sleek silver-gray vehicle, elongated and low to the ground, with smooth curves and a reflective finish that caught the night light.
It looked something straight out of a sci-fi move, and was clearly expensive. The professor hadn’t held back when it came to arrangements.
“You’re free to use the car for your stay in the Central Sector,” the man continued. “Just return it to this location when you’re ready to leave.”
Isaac thanked him with a nod and took the keys. Alice moved to the passenger seat, while Emily floated into the back with an excited smile.
As they began to drive, Alice directed him through the maze of clean roads. The streets here were wide and well-maintained, bordered by perfectly trimmed trees and vibrant flowers that lined each sidewalk.
Isaac kept the speed steady, watching the traffic around them.
He saw sleek cars, pedestrians in formalwear, and the occasional drone overhead.
After ten minutes, the Calloway estate came into view.
It was hard to miss.
The estate was massive. The gates alone stood over four meters tall, gold-rimmed and engraved with the Calloway crest.
Inside, the mansion grounds stretched across several hectares, covered in carefully maintained lawns, flower beds, and fountains that shimmered in the sun. Marble statues stood at intervals along the paved path that led to the main building.
Dozens of luxury cars were parked in long rows on either side.
People in elegant gowns and suits were stepping out, greeted by staff members and photographers snapping pictures from behind invisible barriers.
As they approached, Isaac showed the invitation to a suited guard. The man bowed slightly, then motioned for another staff member to take the car.
Alice and Isaac stepped out first, followed by Emily, who hovered gently to the ground and remained near Isaac’s side.
A crimson carpet stretched from the vehicle drop-off point all the way to the main banquet building. The path was lined with subtle lighting and flowers in tall glass vases, and the smell of high-end perfume and fresh roses filled the air.
The media clustered just beyond a glowing barrier. They weren’t shouting questions or pushing forward, but the way their cameras clicked—fast and constant—made it clear they were hungry for a headline.
Emily’s eyes lit up with wonder as she pointed toward the lights and asked, “What’s that building with the floating banners?”
Isaac smiled and leaned toward her. “That’s where the main banquet is being held. The banners show the sponsors and supporters of the Calloway family. It’s basically a status display.”
“Ohhh.” Emily nodded like she was memorizing everything.
The cameras continued to flash, and Isaac noticed some people staring at them, not with hostility, but curiosity.
The trio stood out.
Alice’s horns and crimson eyes gave her a commanding aura, and Emily’s floating posture and innocent charm made her look like some high-ranking noble’s child.
Isaac, on the other hand, was like a greek god among men.
The combination of the SSS rank appearance-enhancing card and the changes from his Apex bloodline had boosted him considerably.
His features were sharper, and his presence more refined. No one seemed to recognize him as the student from the Awakening Ceremony.
He kept walking.
They reached the banquet building’s main entrance, where a woman in a smart white suit stood greeting each guest.
Her black hair was tied into a clean bun, and her badge identified her as Margaret, the secretary to Chairman Lucius Calloway.
When she saw them, she gave a short nod.
“Mr. Isaac,” she said. “Lady Alice. Miss Emily. Welcome.”
She gave a respectful bow and waved another staff member forward to take her place at the door.
“Chairman Lucius has been informed of your arrival,” she said. “He’ll come greet you personally once you’re inside.”
Alice gave her a small nod while Isaac replied, “Thank you for the welcome.”
Margaret smiled. “It’s good to see Miss Alice again, and congratulations on your awakening.”
Alice’s expression didn’t change much, but Isaac noticed the brightened gaze. She wasn’t fond of public praise or the public itself, but a praise coming from someone who had known her since childhood meant a lot.
Margaret led them through the entrance.
Inside, the banquet hall was stunning.
A high glass ceiling stretched above them, letting sunlight pour down over chandeliers that floated in place with a soft magical glow.
Round tables filled the space, each covered in fine white cloth and decorated with elegant centerpieces of blue flame lilies and soft crystal lights.
Servers moved gracefully between tables, offering drinks and appetizers to guests already mingling.
Quite a lot of guests seemed tense.
They wanted to know why such a large banquet had been set up suddenly.
Alice looked around calmly. She had seen similar banquets before.
Emily, on the other hand, stared in awe at the glowing chandeliers and shimmering walls.
“I feel like I walked into a palace from the stories,” she whispered.
Isaac gave her head a small pat. “Just stay close and follow my lead.”
Emily nodded quickly.
They found themselves standing at the edge of the banquet floor as Margaret excused herself to go find Chairman Lucius.
Alice leaned closer to Isaac and said, “Most of the important people are probably here already. My uncle will likely make a speech soon. I will have to go with him.”
Isaac nodded.
He was scanning the crowd, trying to spot familiar faces. There were celebrities, businessmen, and awakeners from all over the city.
He recognized a few he’d seen in the news before, but most were strangers, which made sense, since the news about awakeners and their identities were rarely shared with common populace.
He noticed a few demihumans in the crowd. Their non-human features made them stand out.
“Let me know if you see someone you don’t want to meet,” he muttered under his breath.
Alice scoffed softly. “It’s fine. It’s not like I’m afraid to meet them.”
Before they could move further inside, Isaac felt a presence approaching.
Isaac had noticed the woman watching them since they stepped through the door.
She walked with practiced grace. Her smile was bright but not overdone. Her red hair was tied back in a tight twist, and her dress shimmered faintly in the light.
She stepped toward Alice.
“Alice,” the woman said warmly, and pulled her into a hug. “You’ve grown even more beautiful since we last met.”
Alice froze for a second, surprised, then returned the hug hesitantly. “Aunt Layra…?”
“Yes,” she smiled. “It’s good to see you again.”
Then she turned toward Isaac and Emily.
“I’m Layra Calloway, Alice’s aunt on her mother’s side. You must be Isaac, and this little one…?”
“I’m Emily,” she said politely.
“Lovely to meet both of you,” Layra said, then turned to Alice. “I’m relieved to see you doing well. After you left the Calloway tower, no one knew where you’d gone. Especially after… that mess with Selene.”
She said it delicately, but the meaning behind her words was clear.
“We were all so worried,” she added, squeezing Alice’s hands gently. “I’m truly glad you’re here.”
After talking with Alice a bit more, she moved on, heading toward another group of guests.
Alice stood in place, stunned. Her aunt had treated her with kindness, warmth, and concern. That… wasn’t normal.
Then another person came.
“Alice! It’s been too long!”
A tall man with a broad grin stepped forward, clapping a hand on her shoulder like they were close.
“You look amazing! What are you eating these days?” he joked. “Not that garbage from the cafeteria, right?”
After meeting the man, who was her distant uncle, another woman approached her.
“Alice? You’re back?”
Alice blinked. “Ms. Renna?”
Her former team leader from the Calloway logistics department smiled softly. “I wasn’t sure it was you. I… I’m really happy you’re doing well.”
Another person came next, then two more.
“I was worried when you disappeared.”
“I thought something had happened to you Alice.”
“We missed you, Alice.”
The compliments and greetings continued. Most were brief. Some were more enthusiastic. Others were reserved but polite.
All of them said the same thing in different ways: We were worried. We’re glad you’re okay. Welcome back.
It felt like a reunion with long-lost friends and family.
Alice was overwhelmed.
Her posture stiffened with each interaction, and her eyes darted from person to person, trying to figure out if this was real.
These were people who had never gone out of their way for her before. Some of them she knew hadn’t even liked her.
Now they were all smiles. It didn’t add up.
Emily, standing behind Alice, didn’t say anything at first. But Isaac noticed the way her brows pulled together.
He quietly stepped beside Alice and pinched her side, lightly, discreetly, just enough to get her attention.
“Ow!” she yelped softly, turning with a glare.
Isaac shrugged, then tilted his head toward Emily.
Alice followed his eyes and turned toward the girl. Emily’s expression was clearly troubled.
Isaac asked, “Emily, why are you frowning?”
Emily hesitated, glancing at Alice.
“It’s okay. Alice won’t be upset. She would be happier if you were honest with her,” Isaac said.
The reassurance seemed to help. Emily took a small breath.
“It’s just… those people who came to greet Alice, they don’t feel right,” she said.
Alice blinked. “What do you mean?”