Chapter 251 — A New Home

Chapter 251: Chapter 251 — A New Home

Chapter 251 — A New Home

Victor followed Elder Benton through the Fourth Floor, accompanied by Lyra, Grace, Valkor, Sierra, Baker, and Nala.

They had been told their new residence would be large, but Victor hadn’t expected anything extraordinary.

That changed when Benton led them through an archway formed from neatly trimmed shrubs.

Beyond it stood an enormous mansion.

Victor stopped walking.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

It was easily the largest private residence he’d ever seen, whether in his previous life or this one. The closest comparison he could think of was the White House back on Earth.

The mansion stood three stories tall, with pale cream-colored walls and a dark slate roof. Tall windows lined the front, framed by elegant wooden shutters painted a soft gray-blue. Two wide wings extended from the central building, giving the entire structure an impressive appearance.

A broad stone pathway led toward the entrance, bordered by colorful flowerbeds and carefully maintained hedges. Four white columns supported a covered porch, where two enormous wooden doors stood beneath hanging lanterns.

Despite its size, the mansion felt surprisingly welcoming. The soft colors, surrounding greenery, and warm wooden details made it look more like a family home than an intimidating noble estate.

Victor stared at it.

He had never lived anywhere remotely this large.

Behind him, Valkor and Sierra seemed equally stunned.

"Are we really going to live here?" Sierra asked.

Valkor slowly shook his head.

"Apparently."

Even as patriarch of the Shadow Fox Clan, Valkor had lived modestly. Their home had been comfortable, but nothing compared to this.

Benton glanced back at them.

"Come along."

They followed him toward the entrance, where several maids and butlers were already waiting in two orderly rows.

The moment Victor approached, they bowed together.

"We greet the Young Master!"

Victor almost shook his head.

Here we go again.

But he stopped himself. There was no point resisting every time someone treated him this way. He’d already accepted that his position had changed, and sooner or later, he would have to learn how to carry himself accordingly.

"Thank you, everyone. I’ll be in your care from now on."

Lyra glanced at him.

Hearing Victor speak so formally felt strange. It wasn’t like him at all, but she could tell he was trying, so she decided not to tease him.

Benton caught the exchange and smiled faintly before leading everyone inside.

The entrance opened into a spacious hall with polished marble floors, tall windows, and a grand staircase leading toward the upper floors. A large chandelier hung overhead, while wooden furnishings and decorative plants softened what otherwise might have felt overly extravagant.

Benton gestured toward an older gentleman standing near the entrance.

"Victor, this is Charles. He’ll be your head butler and will oversee the household."

Charles appeared to be in his fifties, with neatly combed gray hair and a perfectly maintained black suit. He stepped forward and bowed.

"Greetings, Young Master."

"Hello, Charles."

"If you require anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll be responsible for arranging your meals, baths, and daily household needs. Should you wish to host guests or organize a celebration, I’ll make sure everything is prepared properly."

Victor nodded.

"Thank you, Charles. I’ll be in your care from now on."

"It will be my pleasure, Young Master."

Charles bowed again, then dismissed the remaining servants with a small gesture.

Victor glanced toward Lyra, who looked back at him.

They had gone from sharing a modest apartment to living in a mansion with an entire household staff.

Apparently, their old life really was over.

As they continued through the mansion, Baker remained directly behind Victor, never allowing more than three or four feet between them. Despite his slouched posture and sleepy expression, his attention never wandered.

Grace stayed close as well, following Victor almost like a lost puppy.

Lyra watched the two of them for a moment.

I guess our days in the apartment really are over.

Back then, it had usually been just her, Victor and Nala. They could spend hours together without anyone bothering them.

Now, between Baker, Grace, and an entire household of servants, finding time alone together would probably become difficult.

Lyra sighed quietly.

Charles approached them again.

"Young Master, if everyone would follow me, I’ll show you to your rooms."

He turned toward the others.

"Sir Valkor, Madam Sierra, Madam Lyra, please follow as well."

A small chirp came from Victor’s shoulder.

"Chirp!"

Charles paused and looked toward Nala.

"Of course. You as well, Madam Nala."

"Chirp! Chirp!"

Nala puffed out her chest, clearly pleased with the acknowledgment.

Victor couldn’t help smiling.

The little ancestor is back.

Her personality certainly hadn’t changed.

Charles led them upstairs and began showing everyone their accommodations.

Valkor and Sierra received a large bedroom together, while Lyra, Grace, and Baker each had rooms of their own. Charles also explained that the mansion had several shared facilities, including a large communal bathing area.

Finally, they reached the end of the hallway.

"And this, Young Master, will be your room."

Charles opened the door.

Victor stepped inside and stopped.

The bedroom was enormous.

A king-sized bed stood against the far wall, covered in clean white sheets and a thick comforter. Matching nightstands sat on either side, each holding an elegant lamp. A comfortable sitting area occupied one corner, while a large wardrobe stood along another wall.

The entire room reminded Victor of an expensive hotel suite back on Earth, something he might have expected to find at the Four Seasons.

Not a bedroom meant for a fourteen-year-old boy.

Baker followed him inside.

For a moment, Victor wondered whether they were supposed to share the room, but Baker simply walked around, checking the windows, adjoining doors, and other possible entrances.

Ah. He’s making sure it’s safe.

For someone who constantly looked half asleep, Baker certainly took his job seriously.

Charles gestured toward the wardrobe.

"Your clothing has already been prepared, Young Master."

Victor opened it and found neatly arranged shirts, trousers, coats, robes, and shoes.

He picked up a coat and slipped it on.

It fit perfectly.

Victor blinked.

How did they even know my size?

Everything had apparently been prepared while he was unconscious. The speed and precision were impressive.

"If anything is unsatisfactory, please let me know," Charles said.

"No, it’s perfect. Thank you."

Charles bowed.

Victor walked toward the large windows overlooking the backyard and pulled the curtains aside.

Then he stopped.

Behind the mansion was a beautiful Japanese-style garden.

Bamboo grew along one side, while smooth stone pathways wound between carefully arranged plants and patches of pale gravel. A clear pond occupied the center, filled with colorful koi drifting lazily beneath the surface.

A small wooden bridge crossed one end of the pond. Nearby, beneath the shade of a carefully pruned tree, stood a simple table surrounded by several chairs.

Victor smiled.

The entire garden looked like something from a Japanese movie.

Of everything he’d seen since arriving, the little table beneath the tree somehow appealed to him most. He could already imagine sitting there with a book, studying alchemy in the quiet.

Yeah. That’s definitely going to be my favorite place.

After admiring the view for another moment, Victor turned toward Elder Benton, who was standing near the doorway.

"Victor."

"Yes, Elder?"

"I know all of this will take some getting used to."

Victor glanced around the enormous bedroom.

"That’s one way of putting it."

Benton smiled slightly.

"But you need to understand something. You’re no longer an ordinary boy."

Victor listened.

"Being the Tower Master’s personal disciple already places you in an extraordinary position. But being Samal’s chosen successor makes you more important than almost anyone within this Tower."

Benton paused.

"In the eyes of the Order, your position is even higher than the Tower Master’s."

Victor nodded.

He understood what Benton was saying, even if understanding it and feeling comfortable with it were two very different things.

"This is going to be your life from now on," Benton continued.

"I understand."

Benton studied him for a moment before lowering his head in a respectful bow.

Victor immediately frowned.

"Elder Benton, please don’t bow to me."

Benton looked up.

"I’m sorry, Victor."

He gave a faint smile.

"But even I must follow the rules."

Before Victor could protest again, Benton bowed once more and left the room.

Victor watched him disappear into the hallway.

Unbelievable.

Baker approached.

"I’ll be outside standing watch, Young Master. If you need anything, just let me know."

"Thank you, Baker."

Baker nodded and stepped outside, closing the door behind him.

Victor finally sat on the enormous bed.

For the first time since waking up, he had a moment to himself.

Well, almost.

Nala was still nearby, apparently quite satisfied with their new home.

Victor looked around the bedroom again.

The mansion, the servants, the bodyguard, the expensive clothes.

Only a short time ago, he’d been struggling to survive as a slave inside the Tower. Now people bowed whenever he entered a room.

He was living on the Fourth Floor as the Tower Master’s disciple and Samal’s chosen successor.

This is going to take a while to get used to.

Victor sat quietly for another moment before remembering something Charles had mentioned.

The bath.

After everything he’d been through, a long, relaxing bath sounded perfect.

He stood, grabbed a fresh change of clothes and a towel, and headed toward the door.

Yeah. That’s exactly what I need right now.