Chapter 48: New Home
After parting ways with Kaelith near the tavern district — she’d mentioned needing to return home before her family began asking uncomfortable questions — Nova’s next destination was Silverpeak Estates.
Central District — Elite Housing Acquisition
Silverpeak Estates was a premium real estate company specializing in luxury properties for successful warriors and wealthy families. The showroom was elegant without being ostentatious — floor-to-ceiling windows displaying holographic previews of available properties, comfortable seating areas, immaculately dressed agents ready to assist discerning clients.
A man in his thirties approached immediately, his practiced smile warm without being obsequious. "Welcome to Silverpeak Estates. I’m Marcus Goldwyn, senior acquisitions specialist. How may I help you today?"
"I’m looking to purchase a mansion," Nova said directly. "In the upper district. Self-contained, with multiple bedrooms, modern amenities, garage space for at least four vehicles."
Marcus’s professional assessment shifted upward several notches. Direct. Confident. Knows what he wants.
"Excellent! We have several properties that might interest you. What’s your budget range, if I may ask?"
"Under 300 million," Nova said calmly.
Marcus’s smile brightened genuinely. "Perfect. I have three exceptional properties in that range. May I show you the listings?"
He gestured to a private viewing room where holographic displays could present immersive property tours.
Twenty minutes later, Nova had made his decision.
Thornhaven Upper District — Celestial Heights Residence #47
The mansion occupied a 5,000-square-meter lot in one of the city’s most prestigious neighborhoods. Four stories tall with modern architecture blending traditional elements, it featured twelve bedrooms each with private bathroom, a professional-grade kitchen with commercial appliances, an indoor training hall with basic equipment, a library and study with built-in bookshelves, an entertainment room with projection system, a rooftop garden with city views, an underground garage with capacity for eight vehicles, a refrigerated storage room designed for beast meat preservation, a full security system with defensive formations, and an automated home management AI.
Price: 198 million points.
"I’ll take it," Nova said.
Marcus managed to maintain professional composure despite internal celebration. "Excellent choice! The property is currently available for immediate occupancy. I’ll prepare the transfer documents."
The purchase process was streamlined for cash buyers. Within an hour, all paperwork was completed, ownership transferred, and security credentials assigned to Nova’s biometric profile.
Marcus handed over an elegant key card. "Congratulations on your new home. If you need any additional services — furniture, staff, maintenance — Silverpeak provides comprehensive property management."
"I’ll keep that in mind."
As Nova departed, Marcus watched with satisfaction. Best commission this quarter.
Luxury Auto District
Nova’s next stop was Azure Motors, a dealership specializing in high-end vehicles for warriors and successful professionals. The showroom displayed sleek cars equipped with reinforced frames, enhanced engines, advanced safety features, and aesthetic designs that communicated quality without announcing it.
A saleswoman in her late twenties approached with professional enthusiasm. "Welcome to Azure Motors! I’m Diana Steelwhisper. Are you looking for something specific today?"
"Four vehicles," Nova said. "Different styles to suit different personalities. Quality and comfort prioritized over speed. Budget approximately 50 million total."
Diana’s eyes lit up. Four vehicles. 50 million budget. This is my lucky day.
"I have perfect selections! Please, follow me."
An hour later, Nova had selected four vehicles. A Thornhaven Luxury Sedan MK-VII for his father — sleek professional styling, enhanced durability with a reinforced frame, advanced autopilot functions, at 12 million points. A Celestial Comfort Cruiser for Aunt Mira — spacious interior with premium comfort features, excellent safety ratings, easy handling designed for non-warriors, at 11 million points. A Skyline Sport Coupe GT for Lyanna — stylish sporty design popular with young adults, responsive handling, premium sound system, at 13 million points. And a practical SUV for Uncle Torven — versatile utility vehicle with large cargo space and reliable performance, at 12 million points.
Total: 48 million points.
"Delivery arrangements?" Diana asked as she processed the payments.
"Deliver all four to Celestial Heights Residence #47, upper district. Tomorrow morning."
"Of course! They’ll arrive by 9 AM." Diana’s smile was radiant.
Fashion District
Next stop: Threads of Excellence, an upscale boutique catering to customers seeking quality rather than brand recognition.
The proprietor — an elegant woman in her fifties named Madame Celeste — greeted Nova personally after his stated purpose.
"Four complete wardrobes, varied styles, emphasis on quality and comfort over fashion trends," she repeated, nodding thoughtfully. "Tell me about each person’s preferences."
Nova described each family member.
His father Thorne — professional, practical, subtle elegance. Dark blues, grays, blacks. Aunt Mira — comfortable but refined, soft colors, quality fabrics, professional nurse aesthetic. Uncle Torven — casual functional style, durable materials, earth tones. Lyanna — young, energetic, trendy but tasteful, bright colors, modern cuts.
Madame Celeste listened intently, occasionally making notes on a tablet. "I understand completely. Give me ten minutes."
She returned with an assistant pushing racks of carefully selected clothing. Each piece was examined, adjusted, and approved based on Nova’s input. The selection process took an hour but the results were precise.
Total cost: 18 million points.
"Delivery to Celestial Heights #47, tomorrow morning?"
"Perfect."
Gourmet District — Monster Meat Market
The final and most important stop: Silver Fang Provisions, a massive marketplace specializing in beast meat from ordinary mutated animals — creatures that had evolved through exposure to ambient mana, qi, blood energy, and other power sources, but not abyssal corruption.
Unlike Abyssal Spawn meat which only warriors could safely consume, ordinary beast meat was safe for civilians and beneficial — rich in nutrients, carrying life-extending properties, disease resistance enhancement, and general health improvement. For a family with old injuries and accumulated wear, it was exactly what Nova wanted them eating regularly.
The market sprawled across multiple warehouses. Refrigerated sections maintained different climate zones for various meat types. The air carried a surprisingly pleasant mix of herb seasonings and preserved meats.
A grizzled old merchant named Tobias Frostmeat approached, his experience evident in the way he immediately assessed Nova as a serious buyer rather than a casual browser.
"Looking for bulk purchases?" he asked directly.
"Yes. Family provisions. Variety is important — multiple meat types, fish, processed and raw. Also energy-infused herbs and vegetables. Enough to completely stock a mansion’s refrigerated room."
Tobias’s weather-beaten face creased with a professional smile. "Got a family to feed and want them healthy. I respect that. Follow me."
They walked through the warehouse as Tobias explained different options. Processed meats: Crimsonhoof Cattle which was a beef equivalent with enhanced vitality, Thunderboar which was a pork equivalent with a mild energy boost, Skyfeather Chicken which improved immune function. Fish: Silverscale Bass that enhanced mental clarity, Deepcurrent Salmon rich in beneficial oils, Pearlfin Tuna with muscle recovery properties. Herbs and vegetables: qi-infused root vegetables, energy-enhanced fruits, longevity greens, vitality mushrooms.
"I want comprehensive variety," Nova said. "At least 2,000 kilograms of various meats, 500 kilograms of fish, 800 kilograms of herbs and vegetables. All highest quality available."
Tobias nodded approvingly. "Smart investment. Quality nutrition is the foundation of health, especially for warrior families."
The selection and packaging process took two hours. When complete, the order filled multiple refrigerated transport containers.
Final cost: 85 million points.
"Delivery address?"
"Celestial Heights Residence #47. Tomorrow morning, early."
"Done. They’ll arrive at 7 AM." Tobias extended his hand. "Pleasure doing business with someone who values family health."
Nova shook it firmly. "Thank you for your expertise."
Miscellaneous Purchases
Over the next hour, Nova made smaller but important purchases — premium bedding and linens at 3 million, kitchen equipment upgrades at 2 million, an entertainment system at 4 million, home office equipment at 2 million, emergency medical supplies at 5 million, and various household necessities at 8 million.
Total additional: 24 million points.
Final Accounting
By the time Nova finished, the sun had begun its descent toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple.
Starting balance: 4,234,430,000 points.
Mansion: 198,000,000. Four vehicles: 48,000,000. Wardrobes: 18,000,000. Food provisions: 85,000,000. Miscellaneous: 24,000,000. Total spent: 373,000,000 points.
Remaining balance: 3,861,430,000 points.
Still nearly 4 billion remaining, Nova thought with satisfaction. More than enough for any future needs.
Everything was arranged for delivery tomorrow morning at Celestial Heights. His family would wake up to find their entire lives transformed.
Now came the more challenging part: getting them to actually accept it.
Everything is prepared, he thought. Tomorrow their lives change.
But first he needed to return home and plant the seeds for acceptance. His family wouldn’t simply agree to move into a mansion and accept luxury vehicles. His aunt’s quiet dignity, his uncle’s conservative nature, Lyanna’s protective instincts about not burdening him — all of it would produce resistance before it produced gratitude.
And then there was his father.
A proud border sentinel who had spent years posting careful messages home that said survived another day and used emoticons learned from young soldiers and never once complained about the injuries he was clearly hiding in the careful way he described his posting. Getting Thorne Stern to leave the frontlines would be the most complicated conversation of all.
Nova began walking home through the darkening streets.
The city’s evening lights were coming on one by one, the Skyrail running its last busy hour overhead, the street vendors beginning to pack up their stalls. Thornhaven moved through its ordinary evening with no knowledge of what had happened in the southern rift today, of what alliance had been sealed over cherry wine and braised Void Stalker, of what was coming in three years from the edge of the solar system.
He would need to be persuasive tonight.
Tomorrow, everything would change for the Stern family.
Tonight, he needed to convince them it was okay to accept it.