Endless Evolution: Last Star

It had been quite some time since Adam first visited Heaven Island, saw Queen Elisa, and became a K3-Phantom. He ended up at the Twilight Palace. Douglas had lured him there under pretenses.

Despite its luxurious appearance and enormous size, the Twilight Palace was nothing more than a training camp for the talented offspring of the Twelve Branches. It was the highest echelon of the elite for youths who initially had a much higher chance of becoming a Phantom than others. They had all the necessary resources and the desire to advance further on the path of power.

Sure, Adam was not a nobleman, he was not even middle-class by financial standards. However, his power and talent were enough not only to end up at the Twilight Palace, but also to fight against Reinz Alderran. Reinz was not just a talent, but a prodigy by the standards of other nobles.

He was not the only one, but on that day, at the Twilight Palace, there was no one stronger than him. Well, at least until Adam appeared, because it was he that Reinz lost to.

Since they were not participating in an ordinary duel but in a battle watched by the high nobles who were placing bets, Adam could ask for almost anything for his victory.

It was a spontaneous decision, but his wish was for a mansion in the very center of the First Ring, in the first wing on government territory.

The First Ring was the center of the entire Citadel, where all the wealth, talents, and resources of millions of people were directed.

But even within the First Ring, there were places where these qualities were greatly amplified. This was the first wing, the richest and most influential of all nine. Moreover, unlike the other wings, the first wing was ruled by four different families from the Twelve Branches, the most influential of which was the Alderran Family.

Adam knew very well that even a penthouse at the top of a skyscraper in the center of the First Ring was not as expensive as a mansion on the Alderran Family's territory.

At that moment, he understood this, and that was why he asked for a mansion on government territory. Essentially, it was land under the control of the Gamma Division.

Buying or even renting a building was practically impossible for an ordinary person. Most of this land was used by the Gamma Division and the government to manage the Citadel.

However, something was always for sale or remained vacant. The most important thing was to have sufficient influence to access this land.

Considering the people who supported Adam and watched his battle against Reinz, he got his mansion. Well... more accurately, his family did.

Many events have passed since his battle against Reinz. He went with Reinz to train at Erik's mansion, then descended to the Lower Ring and ended up at the Dark Shore, where he finally became a K4-Phantom.

Then, he fulfilled the conditions one by one to become stronger, until he got stuck at the Tarnished Lands and found himself in his current situation.

"Damn..." Adam muttered as he stood in front of the austere, black gates.

The three-story modern-style house was hidden behind a high brick fence and trimmed bushes.

This was as close to the center of the Citadel as possible, so there was no room for huge palaces like those on the border of the First Ring or inside the Second Ring.

From the outside, the mansion in front of Adam was no different from an ordinary large house somewhere in the Second Ring, but the price difference was tens, maybe even hundreds of times greater.

It was convenient for the people who lived and worked here. Everything they needed was nearby, from grocery stores to law firms and banks.

Also, it was quieter and safer here than anywhere else that was not under the control of one of the high noble families.

For an ordinary family, this was something unattainable.

Well, from the moment Adam became a Phantom, and especially after he reached the K4 level, his family ceased to be ordinary.

Step.

Adam stepped forward as the gates in front of them opened.

His family knew he was coming today. He was a little late, but that didn't stop them from preparing for his arrival.

In addition to being made of the finest materials, the mansion was equipped with all the necessary technology, from the mundane, such as a refrigerator and oven, to facial scanners and electronic locks.

To the left of the house was a swimming pool, and behind it was a terrace with access to a small garden as Adam approached the large wooden door.

Click.

As soon as he got close enough, the door opened, and the fragrant smell of tea and candles immediately reached his nose.

"Huh, I knew Mom and Dad were still awake, but I didn't think they would prepare anything," Adam thought as he headed for the kitchen.

Even as he walked toward it, he could see the light on the first floor on the right side of the building, so he knew where to go.

Step.

As soon as Adam entered the kitchen, his eyes widened for a moment. As he expected, his family was waiting for him, his mother, Leona, was setting out pie on the table, while his father, Gary, stood at the stove, pouring green tea into cups.

There were several scented candles on the table. It seemed that one was enough to achieve peace of mind.

"Hey, I'm back..." Adam said, slightly uncertainly. After all, he hadn't seen them in a long time, a very long time.

Neither Leona nor Gary rushed. They knew their son was here, they had seen him on the cameras. On the one hand, this ruined the surprise, but on the other, it allowed them not to panic at the most inopportune moment.

Leona, being the mother, was the first to approach Adam and confidently pat him on the shoulder.

"Hah, my boy is all grown up. Darling, what do you think?" She turned to Gary, who had just placed the tea on the table. "I feel like I haven't seen him in years, not months!"

Gary nodded deeply and hugged Adam, patting him on the shoulder. He was always a little softer than Leona with her fiery temper.

"Glad to see you. I've heard a lot about you lately. Your job is more dangerous than ever, right?"

Adam nodded as he looked around.

"I take it Trici is already asleep?"

They exchanged glances and nodded.

"She said she would wait for you no matter what, but..." Leona smiled bitterly. "She fell asleep right on the couch."

"Hah, classic."