Mister and Madam Solodrey weren't well-versed in alien arts. However, the appearance of a chaos spear showed a different pattern. Khan didn't require any gesture or technique to cast it. It was also unclear whether he had used his mana at all.
The event triggered Mister and Madam Solodrey's curiosity, but the threat at hand forced them to focus. They were fifth and fourth-level warriors, so the spear didn't pose much danger to them. Yet, the same couldn't be said for the office.
"Captain," Anastasia announced. "What are you trying to achieve with this?"
"I made my stance clear," Khan replied.
"We both know you won't-," Anastasia began to say, but the spear suddenly shot forward, landing on the metal door and detonating.
A violent gust of wind blew inside the office as the purple-red explosion unfolded. The furniture moved, and chairs and carpets rose into the air. Smoke also arrived, trying to fill the entire room.
The space station had security measures for certain crises, and one was activated during the mess. Holes opened in the office's walls, sucking the smoke away. The explosion also quieted down, and the door's state soon became visible.
Khan had held back with his spell, but the latter still inflicted considerable damage. The door and part of the wall had disappeared, creating a fuming and melting circular opening into the corridor.
Anastasia couldn't help but be shocked as her eyes inspected the hole's charred edges. She didn't doubt Khan could destroy that metal, but the fact that he had actually attacked stunned her. That wall was the Solodrey family's property, and he didn't hesitate to break it.
As for Mister Solodrey, he remained calm in the face of the destruction. He also inspected the hole, but no emotion reached his expression.
"I hope the next doors will open for me," Khan exclaimed, striding toward the hole. "There's no need to escort me anymore."
After that, Khan left, disappearing inside the corridor. He didn't know where Monica had gone, but that didn't stop him from leaving the pair of husband and wife alone.
Anastasia followed Khan's departing figure before focusing on the hole. The damage was consistent but nothing serious. It would still alert the guards, but Anastasia knew she had to stop them. The whole space station would be in danger otherwise.
"You seem to enjoy this," Mister Solodrey commented when a faint smile appeared on Anastasia's face. The gesture surprised her, too, and a sigh eventually left her mouth.
"He is shaping up to be a leader," Anastasia praised. "A rude one, perhaps, but still worthy of this family."
"That's not why you were happy," Mister Solodrey pointed out.
"Well," Anastasia exclaimed, adjusting her hair since the explosion had ruffled it. "He lacks background, manners, money, and more, but his feelings for our daughter are genuine."
"And a liability," Mister Solodrey added.
"He won't betray nor abandon her," Anastasia continued. "He is willing to go far and beyond for her. That must count for something."
"Are you getting sentimental?" Mister Solodrey asked.
"Maybe a bit," Anastasia admitted. "Though, he has potential, definitely more than any other suitor. He won't bring money or assets, but that frees us from balancing benefits with other families."
"He'll need a lifetime to make up for what he took," Mister Solodrey pointed out.
"And he will spend a lifetime doing that," Anastasia exclaimed. "He is that kind of man."
"You have made up your mind," Mister Solodrey commented.
"It's our daughter, Luther," Anastasia declared. "I won't accept anything less than the best man for her."
"And is Captain Khan the best man?" Mister Solodrey questioned.
"He'd better be," Anastasia scoffed, tidying her dress. "I won't forgive him for almost ruining my attire otherwise."
"Anastasia," Mister Solodrey called. "How sure are you about this?"
Anastasia couldn't help but look at her husband, and the two shared a long, meaningful stare. Something bigger than the current topic was at stake, and neither needed to speak more to understand each other.
"Our dear Monica has a shot at becoming the future Matriarch with the Captain at her side," Anastasia eventually revealed.
"That's a lot of faith to put into a single Captain," Mister Solodrey uttered.
"The Captain will become the best fourth-level warrior in history," Anastasia explained. "Then, the best fifth-level warrior. At that point, who's going to stop him?"
Mister Solodrey had the highest respect for his wife's appraisals. He had also kept a close eye on the matter, which confirmed everything she said. Khan would definitely rise to greater positions of power. The previous stunt was the only worrying aspect.
"He must be pointed in the right direction," Mister Solodrey exclaimed.
"No," Anastasia replied. "We must point Monica in the right direction, and he will follow suit."
The sound steps invaded the corridor, leaking into the open office. The guards were coming, and Anastasia crossed the hole to intercept them.
"I'll deal with this and reunite with the Captain," Anastasia announced, looking at the desk. "We'll leave that decision for after the wedding, right?"
"I'll approve if everything goes well," Mister Solodrey confirmed. "Rick Rassec isn't exactly a noble, but it's a foot in the door."
.
.
.
The temperature in the corridors dropped whenever Khan stepped into them. The previous exchange had soured his mood so much that he couldn't wait to leave the space station. Still, he had to retrieve Monica first.
Admittedly, Khan didn't know the estate's layout. He could trace his previous path back but had no idea where the third dining hall was. Luckily for him, the symphony helped.
Khan crossed doors and halls looking at the seemingly empty air. The synthetic mana wasn't too reliable in those endeavors, but tremors existed, and Khan could spot those familiar to him.
Of course, the process wasn't failproof since each room isolated Khan from the next. Yet, after returning to the main corridor, he found the trace he was looking for and followed it deeper into the estate.
Luckily for the estate, the doors opened without requiring additional security measures. Khan would have blown them away otherwise. Servants and guards occasionally spotted him, but no one dared to approach him due to the chilling feeling around him.
Eventually, Khan arrived in a relatively small hall. Rows of servants stood before the walls, ready to deliver drinks and food, but the table at the room's center immediately captured his attention.
Monica was abiding by her political training without exposing herself to uncomfortable situations. She was at the table, and Harris and Dennis sat beside her. Cyrus was on the other side, smiling at the sight of that peaceful conversation, but his expression suddenly froze.
Dennis and Harris didn't notice Cyrus' reaction, but a chill ran down their spines anyway. They instinctively turned, only to find a stern Khan standing behind Monica's seat.
Monica turned before the two descendants, but her reaction was far different. Her elegant façade broke into a genuine smile when she saw Khan, but his expression quickly told her something was wrong.
"We are leaving," Khan limited himself to say, keeping his gaze on Monica.
That short order could mean many things, but Monica didn't dare to question Khan there. She left her drink on the table and stood up, ready to take Khan's hand and follow him anywhere he wanted.
Nevertheless, another door suddenly opened, and Anastasia crossed it. Her eyes swept the table, immediately understanding what was happening. She had actually predicted a similar outcome.
"The other guests are arriving," Anastasia announced, approaching the table. "Take your seats and start enjoying the refreshments."
"We won't stay here," Khan responded, turning toward one of the exits when Monica took his hand.
"That would be a waste," Anastasia commented. "The servants have already prepared your room. My husband and I were hoping you'd spend the night here."
Khan couldn't help but halt his steps and look at Anastasia. Visiting the estate was one thing, but sleeping there was a message to the entire Solodrey family, especially in the same room. Moreover, that last line was quite relevant before witnesses from other factions.
"Room?" Khan asked, hinting at something Anastasia knew far too well.
"Obviously," Anastasia declared. "Let's not pretend you are a young couple, especially when my dear daughter is so eager to publicly announce your activities."
The jab at Monica made her shy and created some awkwardness in the hall. Still, the couple caught the underlying meaning. Anastasia was reaffirming their relationship, even going as far as mentioning embarrassing details.
"Did Mister Solodrey agree to this?" Khan questioned. He appreciated Anastasia's effort, but his mood wouldn't give up so easily.
"Of course," Anastasia confirmed. "We will have breakfast together tomorrow morning, the four of us."
The invitation could be a trap, but Khan saw no ill intent in Anastasia's mana. Actually, the matter sounded very personal. It almost seemed Monica's parents wanted to play the happy family with Khan.
That obviously couldn't be farther from the truth, but the political environment worked in mysterious ways. Announcing it was the same as confirming it. Even if the breakfast didn't happen, the other factions would still consider Khan formally accepted into the family.
Monica couldn't help but feel excited, but her expression didn't betray her emotions. Khan had given an order, so only he could take it back.
Khan briefly considered the issue. His sour mood wasn't satisfied, but the invitation was a good thing, politically and socially. Also, the idea of spending intimate time with Monica inside one of the Solodrey family's estates was compelling, to say the least.
Eventually, Khan placed a hand on the back of Dennis' chair. The man held back a gulp, but the following words made him complete that gesture.
"Stand up," Khan ordered. "I'll have this seat."
Dennis didn't even hesitate to comply. He shot to his feet, moving away to make enough room for Khan and Monica. Khan accompanied her back to her chair before letting her hand go and sitting at her side.
