Chapter 116: I think I would have to take driving lessons...
The following morning arrived much faster than anyone expected. Well, except Gromda. She had somehow been awake before everyone else.
Silas walked into the living room with messy pink hair and sleepy eyes, only to find the gigantic orc woman already dressed in black training shorts and a white sleeveless shirt, calmly eating what looked like her sixth sandwich, one of her favorite snacks at the moment.
"What time did you wake up?"
Gromda looked up. "Five."
"It is currently... Seven-thirty."
"..."
"Do orcs not sleep?"
"We do."
"..."
"Just less."
Silas stared at her for a few seconds before silently deciding never to compete with orcs in anything related to physical activity.
Anna soon emerged from her room carrying her car keys, already dressed in casual blue jeans and a white blouse beneath a light beige jacket. Her hair was tied into a loose ponytail.
"Everyone ready?"
Chloe hurried out moments later wearing an oversized cream-colored sweater, a denim skirt, and white sneakers.
"I am!"
Silas grabbed his phone. "Let’s go inspect our kingdom."
"It’s an estate." Anna rolled her eyes.
"It is our estate."
"..."
"That sounded cooler in my head."
***
Twenty minutes later, Anna’s black luxury SUV rolled into one of the quietest districts surrounding Valecrest. Compared to the busy streets near the academy, this neighborhood felt almost unreal.
Wide roads lined with ancient maple trees, beautiful stone sidewalks, elegant street lamps, and private security patrols passing occasionally. Every house occupied enormous plots of land hidden behind decorative walls and wrought-iron gates.
"This place is expensive," Silas lowered the window and commented.
"It is." Anna nodded.
"I don’t think students are supposed to live here."
"You aren’t exactly an ordinary student anymore."
"I know, right? I’m the most handsome."
"..."
The navigation system suddenly spoke.
"You have arrived."
Everyone looked forward.
Before them stood a pair of magnificent wrought-iron gates almost four meters tall. The Ashard family crest had been engraved into the center. It was an elegant pair of silver wings surrounding a stylized heart intertwined with flowing threads that, once again, made Silas question his reality.
Below it rested a simple inscription: Ashard Estate. Silas unconsciously smiled.
"Dad..." He hadn’t expected to feel anything, but seeing his family name standing proudly at the entrance stirred something inside him.
Anna noticed and quietly squeezed his hand.
"Ready?"
"Yeah."
The gates opened automatically, and she slowly drove inside.
The estate stretched far beyond what any of them had imagined.
A beautifully maintained stone driveway curved through carefully landscaped gardens filled with blooming flowers, decorative fountains, and towering cherry blossom trees whose petals danced gently in the morning breeze.
To one side lay an outdoor training ground nearly the size of a football field.
The opposite side contained an elegant glass greenhouse surrounded by small ponds filled with colorful koi fish.
Further ahead, the mansion finally revealed itself.
"Whoa..."
Even Chloe couldn’t hide her amazement. Three stories tall, built from polished white stone accented by charcoal-black glass and warm cedar wood. Its architecture balanced modern luxury with timeless elegance.
Large floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the morning sunlight beautifully. Stone balconies overlooked every section of the estate. The entrance alone featured six towering marble pillars supporting a magnificent covered porch.
The entire building radiated understated wealth. It was not flashy or excessive... just refined.
"...Big," Gromda commented with sparkling eyes.
"Very insightful."
"I know."
Anna parked beside a line of expensive-looking moving trucks. The moment they stepped out, someone noticed them.
"Mr. Ashard?" A middle-aged supervisor wearing a yellow safety helmet hurried over. "Welcome home."
He smiled politely before offering a slight bow.
"I’m Raymond Collins, the project supervisor. It’s an honor to finally meet you."
Silas returned the handshake.
"Likewise."
"I apologize for the mess." He gestured toward dozens of workers still moving furniture. "We’re just completing the final interior furnishings."
"No problem. We’ll stay out of your way."
Raymond smiled, feeling respect and admiration for the young man already. Youth these days were... arrogant to say the least, especially for those with high ranks. So, seeing how respectful an S-Rank like Silas was being, he couldn’t help but be respectful.
"Actually... I think you’d prefer to inspect everything before we finish. Feel free."
"I appreciate it."
The four entered together.
The interior somehow surpassed the exterior. A grand entrance hall greeted them immediately. The polished marble floor reflected sunlight pouring through an enormous skylight several stories above.
An elegant crystal chandelier hung from the center like a frozen waterfall. Twin staircases curved gracefully toward the second floor. Every wall displayed tasteful artwork and subtle gold detailing without becoming overwhelming.
Silas found himself momentarily speechless. The living room alone looked larger than their entire academy apartment. Massive leather sofas surrounded a beautiful stone fireplace. A seventy-five-inch television had already been installed above it.
The dining room could comfortably seat sixteen people.
The kitchen...
"I think this kitchen is bigger than our apartment," Chloe whispered.
Anna nodded absentmindedly. "I was thinking the same thing."
Meanwhile, Gromda had wandered elsewhere. They eventually found her standing inside the indoor gym. She slowly turned around, and her eyes... were sparkling.
Silas burst into laughter. "You found your favorite room."
Gromda nodded seriously.
"I live here."
"No."
"I do."
"No."
"..."
"Fine."
As they continued touring the mansion, the workers couldn’t help stealing glances toward them. Whispers spread rapidly.
"Isn’t that him? The S-Rank boy..."
"No..."
"I saw him on television..."
"And that’s Chloe... The Ice Queen..."
"The giant orc is here too..."
Even Anna attracted plenty of attention. More than one worker had to remind himself to keep carrying furniture instead of staring. Eventually, one young carpenter nervously approached.
"U-Um..."
Silas turned. "Yes?"
The man scratched the back of his head.
"This is probably inappropriate while working, but my daughter is a huge fan. Could... Could I get your autograph?"
"Mine?" Silas asked in surprise.
"Yes!"
Another worker immediately joined.
"And mine too! I mean his!"
Soon, several others gathered nervously nearby.
"I apologize," Raymond sighed helplessly.
"They’ve been talking about meeting you ever since we received today’s work schedule."
Silas laughed awkwardly. "It’s fine."
He accepted the notebook.
"What was your daughter’s name?"
The worker’s eyes widened. "Emily."
Silas smiled and carefully wrote:
To Emily. Study hard, become stronger than me someday. — Silas Ashard.
The man stared at it as though he’d been handed treasure.
"Thank you!"
Another worker stepped forward.
"Mine too!"
Then another.
"And mine!"
Chloe was soon asked as well. She became so flustered that her handwriting became noticeably smaller with every signature.
Anna covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Meanwhile, one brave female interior designer slowly approached Gromda.
"Miss Gromda?"
The orc looked down. "Yes?"
"Would... Would you sign my helmet?"
"Helmet?" Gromda asked in confusion. Her vocabulary had become noticeably better, though her accent sounded... some way.
"Please." The man pointed towards his helmet.
"What do I write?" Gromda looked toward Silas and asked.
"Just your name."
She nodded solemnly before writing in surprisingly neat handwriting: Gromda Ashard.
The designer looked ready to cry from happiness.
Silas scratched his cheek. "...I don’t think I’ve fully processed the fact that we’re famous."
Anna smiled.
"You’d better get used to it."
Looking around the mansion filled with laughter, moving workers, and the occasional request for an autograph, Silas couldn’t help but feel something settle inside him.
This enormous estate no longer felt like an empty inheritance left behind by his parents. Little by little, it was beginning to feel like home.
***
"I think I would have to take driving lessons..."
Silas, his girls, and Raymond stood inside the estate’s underground garage.
The garage alone could’ve passed as a luxury showroom.
Soft white LED lights were embedded into the ceiling, illuminating the polished gray concrete floor until it almost reflected the vehicles parked upon it. Every parking bay had its own charging station, maintenance equipment, and automated cleaning system. Along one wall stood neatly arranged tool cabinets, spare tires, and shelves stocked with motor oils and detailing supplies.
Five cars rested quietly inside. Each one looked as though it belonged in a museum... or a billionaire’s private collection. Silas slowly walked toward the first.
"This one’s beautiful..."
It was a 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback, finished in deep midnight blue with silver racing stripes running from the hood to the rear. Its chrome bumpers gleamed under the lights, and the unmistakable growl of American muscle almost seemed audible despite the engine being off.
Beside it sat another classic.
A 1963 Jaguar E-Type Roadster, painted British Racing Green with a tan leather interior. Its impossibly long hood and elegant curves made it look less like a car and more like rolling artwork.
"My father had excellent taste," Silas muttered.
Raymond smiled proudly. "He certainly did."
The third vehicle contrasted sharply with the first two.
It was a Range Rover SV, finished in matte obsidian black. Large, luxurious, and imposing, it looked capable of carrying both passengers and a small army in complete comfort.
Silas instinctively looked toward Gromda.
".hat’s yours."
The orc tilted her head. "Mine?"
"You actually fit inside it."
She nodded thoughtfully. "I like this one."
Anna laughed.
"I had a feeling you would."
Parked beside the SUV were the final two.
The first sports car was a brilliant Ferrari 812 Superfast, painted in Rosso Corsa red. Every line of the vehicle screamed speed, from its aggressive front grille to its sculpted rear diffuser.
The last one looked even more futuristic.
A silver McLaren 765LT, low enough to almost kiss the ground, its butterfly doors folded upward slightly for maintenance. Carbon fiber accents ran across its body, making it appear more like a spacecraft than a road car.
Silas slowly turned in a circle.
"So... I own all of these?"
"Yes," Raymond answered.
"They were all registered under the Ashard Estate. They’ve been serviced regularly over the years according to your family’s standing instructions."
Silas scratched his cheek.
"I don’t even have a driver’s license."
The garage fell silent. Then Anna burst into laughter. Chloe quickly covered her mouth, trying not to laugh as well. Even Gromda looked mildly amused, though she didn’t understand a thing.
Raymond coughed politely.
"In that case, I know an excellent driving instructor."