"You don't need to bring your knife," Monica commented.
"I won't use it," Khan reassured.
"Why do you bring it then?" Monica asked.
"Never go to a battlefield unprepared," Khan preached.
"My house isn't a battlefield!" Monica cried.
Khan shot a knowing glance at Monica, and the two stared at each other. Still, Monica quickly rolled her eyes, accepting defeat.
"Fine," Monica groaned. "It's a battlefield."
"I won't kill anyone," Khan reassured again, "But they don't need to know that."
Monica inspected her man before slowly approaching him. Her hands went on his chest, and she moved them alongside his torso to straighten his military uniform. She was tense, but her allegiances were clear.
"If they disrespect you," Monica whispered, "I'll kill them before you can draw your knife."
Khan took Monica's hands and brought them to his mouth to kiss them. He wasn't as tense at her, but that didn't mean he underestimated the imminent event's seriousness.
After the conversation inside the training hall, Monica had gotten to work to plan the trip to one of her family's estates. The whole process had taken two weeks, and she still couldn't confirm whether her father would be there.
Monica didn't use the two weeks just to plan everything. She had also waited for Khan to progress in his experiments, which he did. He didn't achieve any monumental breakthrough, but his runes had stopped exploding, at least.
"The others are already downstairs," Monica voiced a cute complaint since Khan had yet to let go of her hands. "We have to go."
"I know," Khan stated. "Let me look at you."
Monica smiled and complied. She stepped back, escaping Khan's hands to spin on herself. She was wearing her military uniform, so the gesture didn't expose anything, but Khan loved every second of it anyway.
"Am I good enough for you, dear?" Monica teased, pretending to have a skirt to perform a bow.
"Always," Khan smirked, forcefully pulling Monica onto him. She let out a cry, but her arms clung to Khan's neck as soon as their lips touched.
"We must go," Monica scolded when the kiss ended.
"I know," Khan groaned, leaning forward to kiss Monica again.
Monica welcomed the kiss but quickly pushed herself away. She showed a tempting smile before turning and walking toward the elevator room. Khan followed her with his eyes, and a snicker escaped his mouth when she peeked past her shoulder.
"Hand," Monica requested, using her childish tone while stretching her left arm toward Khan.
Khan took Monica's hand, and their fingers entangled while they advanced toward the elevator. An odd group was waiting for them downstairs, and both abandoned any smile or happy expression when they left the building.
A few gasps, cold glances, and surprised faces landed on the couple after they appeared in the open. A diverse group had gathered on the building's sidewalk, and different reactions unfolded at Khan and Monica's arrival.
Master Amelia and her all-female team were there since the trip involved one of the Solodrey family's estates, and seeing Monica donning the military uniform shocked them. That was a clear message. Monica would face the trip as her own person, not as a descendant.
The fact that Khan matched Monica's attire added value to that guess. The couple wasn't trying to impress Monica's family with nice clothes and flashy appearances. They were taking a stand, separating themselves from those political environments.
Francis and Andrew were also on the sidewalk, and the former noticed the same detail. He had worn his best suit for the visit to the estate because that was what was expected from a descendant. However, Monica and Khan had gone in the very opposite direction.
Of course, no one dared to complain or utter any derogative comments. Even thinking about them dried their throats. Something scarier than death loomed over the area, and Khan's cold eyes were its source.
"Sir," Andrew called, seemingly unaffected by Khan's presence. "The rides are ready. Headmistress Holwen also dispatched the required security teams."
Andrew's reliability was top-notch as always, and Khan mustered a nod at the man before giving a simple order. "Let's go."
The group opened a path where Khan and Monica could pass, and the couple trod it to reach the most luxurious cab waiting on the street. A single ride wouldn't have been enough for all of them, so Khan and Monica had made sure to have some privacy.
The group followed along, occupying the other rides according to their preset agreements. Soon, all the cabs set off, quickly flying toward the appointed teleport.
The Solodrey family's involvement with the event forced the Harbor to go far and beyond with its resources. The streets were free and open for the rides' passage. No crowd of onlookers or reporters could get anywhere close to the group, and many soldiers welcomed them to handle the last parts of the trip.
The teleport wasn't big enough for the entire group, but that wasn't an issue. The soldiers had already prepared for multiple rounds of that useful technology, and Khan and Monica went first.
Monica and Khan had chosen to use a private ride to highlight the separation from the political environment. Khan's ship was already waiting for them in the space stations they reached, and the two didn't wait for their companions while setting off.
The destination had connections with the Global Army but remained private, something more exclusive than Lord Vegner's estate. Khan had to fly for a while before reaching it, and surprise hit him even if Monica had prepared him for the occasion.
After a few hours, Khan found himself before a huge space station. An immense rectangular structure expanded at its center, and two cylindrical pillars grew from opposite sides. Circular structures also spun on top of those structures, granting stability to the building and hosting multiple rows of engines.
By then, Khan had seen his fair share of space stations, but that structure was different. It abandoned some of the typical stylistic choices to opt for custom details. The rectangular building at its center was one of them, but he knew the place had far more.
Khan didn't learn that from the network. The building's details weren't available to the public, but Monica was on his side. She had listed everything she knew, including the many weapons hidden from the ship's scanners.
An order reached the desk when Khan arrived at the appointed location. He gave up the ship's controls to the space station, and the vehicle slowly flowed toward one of the building's openings.
A mana barrier separated a vast hangar from the dark space, and Khan didn't hesitate to inspect the area during the landing. The place was truly immense, and tens of ships with different sizes and purposes filled it. Yet, he couldn't see a single soldier attending them.
The only human presence in the hangar was waiting in the appointed parking space for Khan's ship. A series of servants wearing smart clothes stood behind two equally well-dressed figures, and Khan recognized them with a single look.
"Alonso and Dennis Solodrey," Khan exclaimed, "Right?"
"Yes," Monica confirmed. "Do you need another summary?"
"No need," Khan reassured.
The estate couldn't have only Monica's parents or handpicked representatives. The Solodrey family had many conflicting factions, and some were bound to try to use the event to their advantage, which prompted Monica to prepare Khan as much as possible.
Alonso and Dennis were father and son from the most influential opposing faction. They didn't have anything against Monica, but she stood in the way of their goals, or, rather, her parents and those supporting them did.
That didn't necessarily make the two Khan and Monica's enemies. Many saw Khan as a liability that hurt Monica's political figure, so supporting their relationship could benefit opposing factions.
Of course, Khan had long since gone beyond those political intricacies. He didn't forget them, but they couldn't affect his behavior anymore. Be it friends or foes, he would remain himself.
Khan stood up as soon as the ship's canopy opened, and Monica followed suit, crossing the pilot's seat to cling to his torso. Khan also held her still before jumping forward and performing a graceful landing.
The couple landed right before the pair of father and son, triggering a mutual inspection. Even the servants behind remained still, but none of them dared to lift their heads.
Alonso and Dennis shared many physical features. They were quite tall and bulky, with Dennis being the leaner of the two. Their short, curly hair and dark skin matched the Solodrey family's characteristics, and their icy blue eyes even reminded Khan of Monica.
However, differences existed, with some too evident to ignore. In terms of appearances, Alonso looked to be in his fifties, and his well-kept beard enhanced his mature aura. Instead, Dennis barely looked older than Monica, and his clean face added fuel to his lively expression.
The pair's suits tried to hide it, but Khan also noticed the differences in their attunement with mana. Alonso was a fifth-level warrior, while Dennis looked as strong as Khan. Still, both lacked the usual chilling presence common among experienced soldiers.
"Captain Khan, Miss Monica," Alonso announced, performing an elegant bow, "Welcome to the estate."
"Captain Khan, it's a pleasure to meet you," Dennis added. "Monica, you look more beautiful every year."
"Thank you, Dennis," Monica said. "I owe that to my Khan."
Monica didn't refrain from getting closer to Khan's right arm. She was already holding his hand, but leaning her chest on him sent a clear message.
Khan didn't let the gesture affect him. Other thoughts occupied his mind while he inspected Dennis from head to toe. The man wasn't a threat, but Khan still had reasons to be wary.
"Monica told me you were considered among potential suitors," Khan stated. "Is that right?"
"Oh," Dennis gasped. "That's something that goes back almost twenty years. I have no recollection of it."
"We considered a marriage to put aside old grievances," Alonso explained. "That idea was quickly abandoned."
Usually, members of the Solodrey family should be mad about those revelations. Even with the general approval, Khan remained an outsider, but Monica had revealed inside secrets to him.
However, Alonso Solodrey didn't appear annoyed by that discovery. Actually, he had taken it upon himself to clear the issue, revealing more secrets in the process.
The short exchange conveyed far more than words. Alonso and Dennis were showing their support openly, going as far as involving Khan in family matters.
Khan's eyes darted between Alonso and Dennis before moving to the rest of the hangar. The many ships expanding from his position created an appealing scene, which triggered his curiosity.
"Do you want to try them?" Monica asked, noticing Khan's interest in the ships. "I can have them ready in a few minutes."
"We can do that later," Khan stated, facing the two men again. "Mister Solodrey, Mister Solodrey, I suppose you are our escort."
"Indeed," Dennis replied before glancing at the mana barrier in the distance. "Though, where are Mister Alstair and the other guests?"
"Khan's flying skills are too good," Monica praised. "I'm afraid we left them behind by a long stretch."
"If it's not a problem," Khan added, "We can go ahead."
Khan wanted to address the two men more seriously now, but the arrival of a hostile presence brought his gaze into the distance. Alonso and Dennis felt confused but followed Khan's eyes since Monica promptly looked in the same direction.
Someone else had entered the hangar, and his figure became visible after a few seconds. He was a young man seemingly close in age to Dennis and Monica. His skin was also dark, and long black curls fell on his shoulders. Still, his eyes were brown and intense.
'Harris Solodrey,' Khan recalled. 'Descendant from the old Patriarch's faction.'
To everyone's surprise, Harris had worn his military uniform, which showed three stars on each shoulder. That couldn't have been a random move due to Monica and Khan's attire, and the general hostility in his aura confirmed that hypothesis.
"I couldn't help but overhear," Harris exclaimed, taking long strides to reach the group. "I'd argue the ship is also to praise for your early arrival."
Harris glanced at Khan's ship when he reached Dennis' side. The two men were almost the same height, which put them a few centimeters above Khan. Still, Harris was more muscular, and his proud attitude almost overshadowed Dennis.
"Captain," Harris continued, eyeing Khan. "You sure gained a lot from our family."
"I agree," Khan promptly replied, showing the hand entangled with Monica. "She is the best reward I could ask for."
"Harris," Monica called. "Our family's conflicts have no place here."
"Why not?" Harris asked. "You finally brought the youngest Captain in history home. He should be introduced to our world."
"Does Monica need to repeat herself?" Khan questioned, his presence suddenly growing heavier. The event was so noticeable that Alonso arched his eyebrows in surprise.
Dennis and Harris instinctively gulped. They had read about that ability, but nothing could prepare them for its weight. They also struggled to understand what was happening. Their brains simply screamed in fear, freezing their thoughts.
The two men's reaction was quite evident, but Monica and Khan ignored it. They wouldn't add insult to injury unless other jokes flew in his direction.
Nevertheless, Alonso couldn't take the threat lightly. Khan looked calm, but his senses said otherwise. He felt like a loose cannon that could potentially endanger those descendants.
"Don't worry," Khan stated, filling Alonso's vision with his intense gaze. "They didn't give me a reason to act. Yet."
Rumors were often blown out of proportion, especially when involving famous figures, but Alonso only needed a look to be sure. Khan was everything the network said and more. The sheer confidence that landed on his face didn't carry a single trace of lies. It conveyed pristine power.
"I've been wondering why Anastasia didn't ask for your head on the spot," Alonso replied, showing an honest smile. "Not anymore."
"Am I a threat to your faction now?" Khan asked.
"Families count the time in decades, not years," Alonso declared. "It's too early to say anything."
"We'll talk in a few decades then," Monica uttered.
"I do hope so," Alonso nodded. "In the meantime, I'll leave you in my son's capable hands. I'm afraid I'm not as free as I'd like."
"Thank you for welcoming us," Khan exclaimed. "I'm sure you found what you were looking for."
"I did," Alonso confirmed before looking at his son. "Dennis, make our guests feel at home."
Dennis and Harris didn't understand what was happening, and reading between the lines was hard when they didn't feel as much as Alonso. However, Dennis knew his father had shown up just to size Khan, and his reaction told him enough to behave accordingly.
"It will be done, father," Dennis announced. "Captain, Monica, if you would be so kind as to follow me inside."
Dennis didn't mention Harris, but the latter didn't need invitations. The man turned even before Dennis, and an order for the servants promptly escaped his mouth. "You, wait here and welcome the other guests."
Dennis pretended not to care, but his mana trembled. Things weren't good between him and Harris. His presence there actually troubled him, but he had to maintain a cordial façade before his guests.
As for Khan and Monica, both noticed the faint tension, but neither cared. Khan was too beyond third-level warriors to mind their words, while Monica was mostly happy about having him in one of her family's estates.
The four left the hangar through one of its many doors, and a vast corridor expanded before them. The place resembled an immense hall that seemed to stretch forever.
"The armory is right up ahead," Dennis announced, pointing at a door in the distance. "This branch doesn't have much, but you might find interesting martial arts inside."
"Dennis, you heard the Captain," Harris teased. "Monica is the only reward he wanted from our family."
"I know you might find it hard to understand," Monica proudly stated, "But it's the truth."
"What would that mean?" Harris groaned, glaring at the couple behind him, only to divert his gaze as soon as he caught sight of Khan.
"Some people look past politics and old grudges," Monica explained.
"If they don't have to worry about them," Harris scoffed, "It's because they can't."
"And yet," Monica responded, "You are escorting us, not the other way around."
Khan let Monica handle that bickering and focused on the immense corridor. The armory was only one of the many doors crossed during the walk, and some were open. Khan spotted greenhouses, training halls, restaurants, and more in the span of a few minutes.
'And this isn't even the full estate,' Khan thought.
Khan knew the Solodrey family was extremely wealthy, and his time in the Harbor had given him an idea of how many assets that translated into. However, he had just crossed halls that would cost a fortune to build, let alone fill them with valuable items.
Moreover, Khan had only seen one corridor and a hangar inside an entire space station. The Solodrey family also owned more of them. As much as Khan had studied, he couldn't fathom the full extent of that wealth.
The scenery didn't look good when Khan added multiple wealthy families to the equation and compared them to the Global Army. The latter looked on the losing end by a large margin, and that without involving the nobles.
'No wonder they feel untouchable,' Khan realized.
"We are starting to corrupt the Captain," Harris commented when he noticed Khan's distraction. "He looks interested in our family's assets."
"Harris," Dennis tried to scold.
"Don't Harris me," Harris chuckled, halting his tracks and spreading his arms. "Come on. Face it. This is what everyone aims to obtain."
Harris wasn't pointing at anything specific, but the corridor conveyed enough wealth. He was also right. Most of the Global Army would kill to join the Solodrey family, but Khan was one of the few exceptions.
"Harris, right?" Khan said, halting his tracks and stopping the rest of the group.
"You don't need me to confirm that," Harris proudly laughed. "We all know Monica shares inside information with you."
"I don't answer to you," Monica coldly stated.
"Does your behavior have a goal?" Khan questioned. "If it doesn't, you can leave right away."
"How dare you?" Harris raised his voice. "This is my home. You can't order me around."
"I asked you a question," Khan reminded. "Answer it."
The situation quickly grew tense, and Dennis looked for Monica's eyes, hoping to find an ally. However, Monica let go of Khan's hand and stepped back to give him some room.
"I do find something irksome with your presence here," Harris admitted. "We are the Solodrey family. Breaking a few records doesn't earn you any special privilege among us."
"That's it?" Khan wondered, focusing his inspection on Harris' mana. His hostility felt superficial when it came to Khan. The man's grudges lay elsewhere.
"Yes," Harris firmly claimed. "That's it."
"You can leave then," Khan ordered. "Your inferiority complexes are boring."
Khan quickly lost interest in Harris and resumed inspecting his surroundings. Truth be told, two new figures had appeared in the distance, but the tense situation and focus on Khan made the group unable to spot them.
"Infe-," Harris said, unable to finish that word. "Fine! Why don't you show what you are actually worth?"
Harris jumped backward and bent his knees as soon as he landed. He crossed both arms before his face while pointing his palms at Khan. That was a battle stance, and his mana moved to power it.
Khan wasn't holding back. Those third-level warriors truly weren't worthy of his attention, but Harris' actions forced him to act.
"Bow," Khan ordered, and the mana complied.
Harris suddenly lost his balance, slamming one of his knees to the metal floor. He didn't know what had happened, but his temporary confusion was fatal. Khan was already before him by the time he lifted his eyes.
"Don't let the stars on our uniforms trick you," Khan announced, sending his dark thoughts to the figure kneeling under him. "We aren't on the same level."
Harris wanted to find the strength to react. Khan didn't hit him once, but his body wouldn't move. Still, the descendant had enough anger to throw away caution and override his survival instincts.
"Harris!" A man shouted from deeper into the corridor, and his voice suppressed any reckless plan Harris had started to implement.
"Captain Khan," A familiar voice followed the previous call. "Avoid these barbaric methods."
The man was slightly overweight but still carried some resemblance with Harris. He was his uncle, which Monica had already shown to Khan.
Anastasia Solodrey walked beside the man, and Khan felt able to see past her aloof expression. She hid it perfectly, but Khan still knew she liked his show.
