Evan stood in the underground garage of his villa at 7 Elysian Crescent, the Vynix Zephyr and Kryon Phantom gleaming under the polished lights.
The cavernous space, with its charging stations and maintenance bots, hummed softly, a stark contrast to his usual Cinder Hall dorm.
Rylan and Lian, having just parked the supercars, handed back the key fobs with respectful nods, their tailored outfits—Rylan's blazer with his silver earpiece, Lian's shimmering silk suit—exuding wealth.
Evan pocketed the Zephyr's fob, his casual jacket and jeans feeling out of place in the villa's grandeur.
'I can't just send them off after they drove my cars,' he thought, the System's training urging him to maintain his role as Young Master Quillian.
"Gentlemen," he said, his voice calm and authoritative, "why don't you come inside? Rest a bit before heading out."
Rylan's grin widened, his deference tinged with enthusiasm. "Young Master Quillian, you're too kind. I'm not saying no to that."
Lian nodded, his polished smile warm but respectful. "A pleasure, Young Master Quillian. Thank you for the invitation."
Evan led them up a sleek elevator from the garage, its glass walls offering a glimpse of the villa's sprawling grounds—manicured gardens, a glowing infinity pool, and security drones patrolling overhead.
The doors opened to the main sala, a vast room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city's skyline. Plush sofas in neutral tones circled a holo-table, and living vines climbed the walls, their bioluminescent glow softening the space.
A maid in a crisp uniform appeared, her movements silent, offering a tray of Cryon infusions and chilled water. Outside, a gardener tended to the hedges, his tools humming faintly.
'The System set all this up,' Evan thought, marveling at the seamless illusion of a lived-in estate.
The three sprawled on the sofas, the maid serving drinks with a bow before retreating. Rylan sipped his infusion, leaning back with a sigh.
"Young Master Quillian, this place is unreal. Makes my family's Cresthaven house look like a starter home."
Lian, holding his glass with practiced grace, nodded. "Elysian Heights is one thing, but this villa? Exquisite, Young Master Quillian."
Evan smiled, deflecting with ease. "Just a place to crash," he said, his tone light but composed, sipping his water to hide his racing pulse.
'Crash? I've never even been here before today.'
The System's hum reminded him to stay sharp, his role as a mysterious elite unwavering.
Rylan set down his glass, a spark of realization in his eyes.
"Oh, almost forgot," he said, sitting up. "Young Master Quillian, my birthday's next week. Big banquet at our estate in Cresthaven—family, business folks, the usual. Would you do me the honor of attending? I'd love to have you there."
The System's azure panel flickered in Evan's vision, its voice clinical but clear.
[Recommendation: Accept invitation. Building connections with influential figures is advantageous for mission objectives.]
Evan didn't hesitate, his training kicking in. "I'd be happy to, Rylan," he said, his voice warm but measured. "Sounds like a good time."
Rylan's grin returned, his relief evident. "Awesome. I'll send you the details, Young Master Quillian. It's gonna be a blast."
Lian raised his glass slightly, his smile approving. "A wise choice, Young Master Quillian. Rylan's events are always memorable."
He paused, then added, "Since we're both in Elysian Heights, I'd be happy to give you a ride to the banquet. I noticed you don't drive—no license, perhaps?"
Evan's heart skipped, but he kept his composure, nodding slightly. "Yeah, no license," he said, his tone casual, masking the truth of his broke college life. "I'd appreciate the ride, Lian. Thanks."
Lian's smile widened, respectful but warm. "My pleasure, Young Master Quillian. It'll be convenient, living so close."
The conversation shifted, the tension easing as Rylan and Lian traded stories. Rylan laughed about a holo-game launch where the servers crashed mid-demo, costing Nexus Interactive a fortune.
"My dad was ready to disown me," he said, shaking his head. "Took all my pocket money to smooth it over with the investors."
Lian chuckled, his tone lighter than usual. "Pocket money? I spent mine last month on a single off-world gem for a client. Elara's board wasn't thrilled, but the sale closed."
He glanced at Evan, his deference subtle but present. "What about you, Young Master Quillian? Ever blow your allowance on something wild?"
Evan leaned back, his smile faint, deflecting as always. "I keep it low-key," he said, his voice smooth.
'Allowance? I had eight AR last week.'
He steered the talk back to them, asking about their companies, letting their banter fill the room.
They laughed about failed deals, quirky clients, and the absurdities of their privileged lives, while Evan listened, his poise masking his shock.
'These guys spend more on a whim than I've seen in a lifetime,' he thought, the business cards in his suit pocket a reminder of their chaebol status.
After an hour, the drinks were empty, and the sun dipped lower, casting golden light through the windows. Evan stood, signaling the visit's end.
"Thanks for coming in, gentlemen," he said, his voice authoritative yet warm. "Let me see you out."
As they reached the garage, Evan paused, pulling the Kryon Phantom's key fob from his pocket.
"Lian," he said, tossing it to him with a nod, "take the Phantom for the ride back. Faster travel, and a thanks for driving it here. Bring it to the banquet when you pick me up."
Lian caught the fob, his eyes widening slightly before his polished smile returned. "Young Master Quillian, that's… generous. Thank you. I'll take good care of it."
Rylan clapped Evan's shoulder, his grin wide. "You're full of surprises, Young Master Quillian. I'll catch you at the banquet."
He slid into the Phantom's passenger seat, Lian taking the driver's side. The car's engine purred to life, its holo-paint shimmering as they pulled out, disappearing into Elysian Heights' pristine streets.
Evan stood alone in the garage, the silence settling over him, broken only by the hum of maintenance bots. The System's panel flared, its voice cutting through.
[Unopened mystery box reward remains. Recommendation: Use the black draw box as a gift for Rylan's birthday banquet. Plan: Allow Rylan to draw the key himself from the box. Note: After the draw, remaining keys will vanish. Select key with discretion.]
Evan's eyes widened, the idea sparking intrigue.
'A key as a gift? And he draws it himself?' he thought, picturing the black box with its five unique keys, each a mystery.
The twist—that the other keys would disappear—added a layer of risk, but the gesture would cement his image as Young Master Quillian.
"Smart move," he muttered, nodding. "Rylan picks, I look generous, and nobody knows I'm winging it."
He wandered to the villa's master suite, its massive bed and holo-windows dwarfing his dorm's cramped space.
A walk-in closet caught his eye, its doors sliding open to reveal rows of luxury garments—bespoke suits, silk shirts, polished shoes, all tailored to his frame.
A rack of watches gleamed beside them, though none rivaled the Valthorne.
'The System thought of everything,' he thought, running a hand over a charcoal suit worth more than his old life.
"Clothes won't be a problem for the banquet," he said, a grin tugging at his lips. "Now I just need to survive a room full of chaebols."
As the Kryon Phantom glided out of the underground garage at 7 Elysian Crescent, its holo-paint shimmering under the fading sunlight, Rylan leaned back in the passenger seat, his silver earpiece catching the light.
Lian gripped the wheel, the supercar's purr a quiet thrill as they wound through Elysian Heights' pristine streets.
Evan's villa faded in the rearview, but his presence—Young Master Quillian's effortless poise, the Valthorne Chronograph, the casual loan of a 9,200,000 AR car—lingered in their minds.
Instead of parting ways, Rylan glanced at Lian, a grin tugging at his lips. "Mind if I tag along to your place? Cresthaven's close, but I'm not ready to call it a day."
Lian's polished smile returned, his eyes flicking to Rylan. "Of course, Rylan. Let's head to the Veyron estate. Father might still be at the company, so we'll have the lounge to ourselves."
The Phantom sped toward the Veyron family estate, a sprawling complex just a few streets away, its obsidian gates and bioluminescent gardens rivaling Evan's villa.
The Veyron family, Lian's lineage, was a side branch of the Veyron dynasty, one of the four major families in the capital city—the heart of the country's power.
In this world, every city had its ruling families, but the capital's circle was the most prestigious, its wealth and influence unmatched.
Being a major family meant standing at the apex, wielding power that shaped the nation's unseen currents.
The country's social structure was split into two circles: the upper circle, home to the major families like the Veyrons, and the lower circle, where rising families fought for relevance.
Rylan's family, the Halstead clan, sat in the middle ranks of the lower circle, teetering on the edge of breaking into the upper echelons with Nexus Interactive's growing success.
Their friends—Kael's Drayce family with Vynix Motors, Sylas's Norren family with Cryon Beverages, and Varen's Calder family with Varen Properties—were in similar positions, their wealth substantial but not yet at the Veyrons' level.
The capital's upper circle was a fortress, and the Veyrons' status as a side branch still placed them leagues above.
As the Phantom pulled into the Veyron estate's garage, its doors sliding open to reveal a fleet of luxury vehicles, Lian's brow furrowed.
A sleek shuttle, its hull marked with the Veyron crest, sat parked—an unusual sight. "Father's home?" he said, his voice tinged with surprise. "I thought he'd be at the company until tomorrow."
Rylan raised an eyebrow, stepping out of the Phantom. "Lord Veyron himself? This should be interesting."
They entered the estate's grand lounge, its walls lined with rare off-world gems glowing faintly under holo-lights.
Lord Elias Veyron, a tall man with silver-streaked hair and a silk suit sharper than Lian's, stood by a holo-table, reviewing data projections.
His presence was commanding, his eyes sharp despite the late hour. He looked up, his expression softening slightly at Lian's arrival. "Lian, you're back early. And Rylan Halstead—welcome."
Lian bowed slightly, his deference practiced. "Father, I didn't expect you home. This is… a surprise."
Elias's gaze flicked to the Phantom's key fob in Lian's hand, his brow arching. "A Kryon Phantom? That's new."
Lian hesitated, then launched into the story, his voice measured but urgent. "Father, we met someone extraordinary today—Young Master Evan Quillian."
He recounted the Obsidian Suite dinner, Evan's extravagant 500,000 AR order, the Valthorne Chronograph's exclusivity, and the sealed records their sources couldn't crack.
"He owns a villa here, at 7 Elysian Crescent, and these supercars—a Vynix Zephyr and this Phantom. He lent me this one to drive home, just like that."
Rylan nodded, stepping in, his tone earnest.
"He's no ordinary chaebol, Lord Veyron. We tried digging into his background last night—every contact, every data hub. Nothing but his name, age, and Cinder Hall enrollment. Everything else is locked, blocked by government-level authority. We think he's from a hermit family, one of the ones you hear about in the upper circle. The kind running things behind the scenes."
Elias's eyes narrowed, his fingers pausing over the holo-table. The mention of a hermit family—a shadowy lineage known only to the upper circle's elite—carried weight.
He studied Lian and Rylan, his expression unreadable, the air heavy with the implications of this Young Master Quillian's presence in their world.