Chapter 776: Buying a new home

After arriving at Sierra’s estate and spending some time there as a courtesy, Moon collected the two girls and excused himself.

Sierra, ever gracious, insisted on providing them an orbital shuttle to carry them from her estate directly to Tom’s. They tried to decline, not wanting to impose further on an Ascender who had already done so much, but she wouldn’t hear of it, her stern but kind face brooking no argument.

Faced with her generosity, the three of them could only sigh and accept with grateful smiles, thanking her warmly before boarding.

Stepping off the orbital onto Tom’s estate grounds, Moon finally told Selene and Yara about his plan.

"You want to buy an estate like Master Sierra’s?" Yara exclaimed, her eyes going wide with shock.

The thought was almost too much to process. Standing on Tom’s sprawling estate, having just left Sierra’s one, and imagining Moon owning something comparable so quickly, it was bewildering. These were the properties of Ascenders and acting chairmen, people at the very pinnacle of the world.

Moon chuckled, raising a hand.

"Definitely not the same size as your master’s estate. Hers is enormous, something like that costs dozens of billions, maybe hundreds. I don’t have those kinds of savings. Not yet, anyway." He smiled. "I’m thinking something more modest. A proper estate, private, with good land and strong wards, but nothing on the scale of an Ascender’s domain. Something that fits where I’m at now, with room to grow into."

Yara nodded, understanding his points. "I see... a smaller one. That makes sense. And honestly, it’s a good idea. You’ve got the pets, the training, and all the things you need space and privacy for."

Selene added her agreement, though with a thoughtful note. "I agree. The privacy, the space, the freedom, it would be really good for you, especially with everything your growing status. A city mansion can only give you so much." She paused. "But buying an estate means sinking a huge amount of money into it. That’s not a small decision. Most people don’t do it until they’re at least very firmly rooted as surpassers, most time not until they Ascend. It’s a purchase that devours your pockets."

"True," Moon acknowledged. "And by the normal measure, I’m getting ahead of myself, buying an estate while still technically an Evolver. But I’m not exactly a normal case, am I?" He gestured vaguely, encompassing everything, the pets, the Surpasser kills, the connections. "My income’s already at a level most early-stage Surpassers never reach. My profile, my backing, my strength, all of it puts me in a bracket my official rank doesn’t reflect. Waiting until I Ascend to buy property I can afford and need just means making do with less than I require."

Selene considered his point of view and nodded slowly. "When you put it that way, it makes sense. You’re not really buying it as an Evolver. You’re buying it as what you actually are, which is a lot more than an Evolver."

"Exactly. Besides, with Tom’s help and connections, we will likely get the estate for cheaper than it is to the outside market. He will know the best options, properties that come up quietly for people in high positions rather than going on the open market." Moon started toward the estate’s main building. "Let’s go see the old fox. He’ll have thoughts, probably strong ones, and probably a dozen properties he’ll insist I look at before the day’s out."

Yara brightened at the prospect. "Can we help pick? I want to see the options! A real estate, with gardens and training grounds and space for Honeybun and Mirage to run around."

"Of course, that’s why I brought you two here," Moon said, amused by her enthusiasm. "You two will be spending plenty of time there, so your opinions matter. Consider it a group decision."

Selene smiled, touched by how naturally she had been included in something so significant. She could still remember what Moon had been like, as though it were only yesterday—the self-protective walls he kept firmly in place, never allowing anyone close enough to breach them. He had always made decisions on his own, rarely considering another’s opinion, let alone accepting one that conflicted with his own.

...He really is different now.

The three of them made their way toward Tom’s office, ready to turn Moon’s idea of a private estate into a reality.

????

Inside Tom’s office, the old fox greeted them with his usual booming energy.

"Moon, my boy! Back from another gate, and in one piece as always. Sit, sit! And look who you brought, Selene, Yara, always a pleasure. My office hasn’t had this much life in it all week." He waved them toward the comfortable seats, already asking his assistant to pour drinks.

"I heard you cleared that gate in record time again. The Association’s practically writing love letters to me about you at this point. And I caught wind of your little... exchange with that Richter kid, too." He chuckled, a knowing glint in his eye. "The Richter Group’s a snake pit, and you just stepped on the head of it. But that’s a conversation for later."

He settled into his chair, and when Moon raised the subject of wanting an estate again, Tom’s grin widened immediately.

"Ha! It’s your lucky day, boy." He leaned forward in his seat, clearly pleased.

"One of my closest friends, a man I grew up with since we were both knee-high, runs one of the most exclusive real estate groups in the region. All his properties are high-end, and they never manage to touch the open market before they are taken. In fact, my estate and Sierra’s estate were both provided by him, crazy isn’t it?" Tom tapped his desk. "And as it happens, he’s got a brand new listing that just came to him. I’ve seen the details, It’s exactly what you need. Not so large it bankrupts you or draws unwanted attention, but private, well-warded, with proper grounds, a secluded location away from the city’s noise, and more than enough space for training, for your pets, guests or yourself." He glanced at Selene and Yara. "Room for the whole crew, in other words."