Affinity:Chaos

The guards exchanged glances, after thinking about it properly, they knew they couldn't afford to leave the matter as it is.

"You two, go with the Young Lord, I'll stay behind," One of the guards said.

Since they were three, it wasn't really necessary for all three of them to leave the place, two should be enough.

"I said all three of you, are you defying my orders now just because my father is ill?" Ellis asked coldly while giving off a chill aura.

Chilled smoke started to circulate across the hallway, spreading around.

Grey and Void who were at the side felt as if they wanted to freeze to death.

The guards gritted their teeth, with no other option, they agreed to follow Ellis. Since Ellis said the place wasn't far from here, they could come back quickly in case of anything. Then there's also the array that was set by one of the oldest Elders in the family. He was an array master, so it was almost impossible for anyone to go through it without alarming him.

Most people won't even sense the presence of an array in the room until it's too late.

Ellis took the guards to the other side of the hallway, disappearing in the corner. Grey and Void who were hiding came out from their spot, walking towards the room cautiously.

'Can you hide from it?' Grey asked.

'No, the sensing system of this one is different from the one in that city, so there's no way I can,' Void replied.

'Hmm, alright. Guess I'll have to take the risk then,' Grey steeled his mind, praying for the best while preparing for the worst.

If things don't go as planned, he will hastily move towards Ellis' father and try to see if he could help him before he would be captured by the people in the mansion.

He held the doorknob, while preparing an array that he would use to slightly alter the array in the room. His plan wasn't to disable the array but to create a loophole in it so he can easily access it without being sensed. If it works, then he can stay here for as long as he wants and no one will know he was there.

Creak…

He opened the door slowly, and soon as a small space opened up, he sent the array he created into the room, hoping it might be able to work.

With fingers crossed, and a calm expression, he waited for the outcome of his experiment.

'Hmm,' He raised his head slightly as a smile appeared on his face.

He soon opened the door to the room and disappeared into it.

Ellis and the guards came back the same moment he just closed the door, but no one noticed this.

"Looks like I made a mistake," Ellis shook his head.

The guards smiled awkwardly but didn't speak any further. Opting to stay in their positions.

Ellis didn't stay any longer, he walked towards the spot Grey and Void were hiding, seeing the place empty, he heaved a sigh of relief.

He muttered some words as he walked towards his room. Now, all he had to do was wait for Grey. He felt leaving the room should be easier than going in, but just to be on the safe side, Grey gave him one of the communication devices he made so they could communicate without speaking out, unlike the ones they have here.

….

Outside the O'Brien mansion.

At the time Grey was stepping into Ellis' father's room, an uninvited guest appeared in front of the compound's gate. With the Dragon insignia boldly crested on their clothes, it was easy for the guards to identify the group. It was the Vaergahl family.

The facial expressions of the guards changed slightly.

"Is Thoma in?" The old man with white hair asked.

The guards nodded. They could feel an oppressive aura radiating from the old man, not just him, but every other person standing here. It was just like the oppressive aura high-ranked magical beasts give off. It was suffocating.

"Your Young Lord defeated the bandits in Suyin Canyon, correct?" The old man raised a brow.

"Yes," One of the guards nodded.

"Alright, tell him and Thoma to come out, we have things to discuss," The old man said.

"Sir… you… see… the family…"

"Whatever you want to discuss with my brother, you can speak with me," A voice suddenly resounded, not too loud, but everyone heard it perfectly.

A figure soon appeared close to the Vaergahl family group. It was Ellis' uncle, he was back.

"Claude, it's been a while," The old man said.

"I can say the same for you old man, who would've thought that you were still alive," Claude laughed as he spoke.

"You're still alive, why would you think I'll be dead?" The old man sneered.

From their exchange, it was evident that they've encountered each other in the past.

"Where are my manners, please, come inside. It's an honor to be visited by the prestigious Vaergahl family," Claude welcomed the group in.

"Hmph! Mannerless as always," A middle-aged man in the group snorted coldly.

"Still feeling angry about our little bout?" Claude asked with a smirk as he walked into the compound.

"You were lucky, nothing more," The middle-aged man said coldly.

"A win is a win, take it or leave it," Claude said with a grin as he directed the group into the main building, taking them to the hall.

….

In the hall.

Everyone took their seats, and Claude sitting in the chair designated for the family head didn't escape the eyes of the people seated here.

"Now, what can my family do for you?" Claude went straight to the point.

"Your nephew wiped out the bandits in Suyin Canyon, correct?" The old man asked.

"Oh, you've heard of his exploits as well, how wonderful," Claude smiled, "Don't tell me you're here to congratulate us for raising another prodigy?"

"He has something that belongs to us, we want it back," The old man said.

"Hmm, something of yours?" Claude's expression turned serious.

"Yes," The old man nodded.

Claude looked around the hall for a while before summoning the guard outside, "Tell Ellis he's needed here,"