As Arth's voice rang out, welcoming Zarn to the Rudrug residence, a group of individuals stepped forward from the estate's entrance. They were a well-organized party, their movements disciplined, their attire crisp and immaculate.

  At the forefront stood an older gentleman with neatly combed silver hair, dressed in a tailored butler's uniform that carried an air of dignity and precision. His sharp blue eyes scanned the newcomers before settling on Arth with a respectful nod.

  "Welcome home, Young Master Arth," the man greeted in a calm, authoritative voice.

  "Uncle Russo," Arth acknowledged with a grin before glancing behind the butler. His parents were nowhere to be seen. "Where's my old man and mom?"

  Russo, the head butler of the Rudrug family, clasped his hands behind his back and responded smoothly, "The Patriarch and Matriarch were summoned to a meeting at the Light family residence. They regret not being here to welcome you personally, but they will return as soon as their obligations allow."

  Arth scoffed. "Figures. They always have something keeping them busy." Then, as if just remembering, he gestured toward Zarn. "And what about him? They wanted to meet him, didn't they?"

  Russo turned his gaze to Zarn, offering a small nod of respect. "Indeed, Master Zarn. The Lord and Lady Rudrug wished to express their gratitude for saving Young Master Arth. They will see to it personally as soon as they are available."

  Zarn simply nodded in response, his expression neutral. He had never been one for formalities, and the thought of meeting high-ranking figures in such an influential family was something he'd deal with when necessary.

  With the pleasantries settled, Russo turned slightly, gesturing toward the estate. "Shall I guide you inside?"

  Before he could take the lead, Arth waved a hand dismissively. "Nah, you can walk behind us. I'll be the tour guide today." He shot Zarn a grin. "Might as well show you around myself."

  Russo didn't protest, merely stepping aside to allow Arth to take the lead. With that, the group moved forward, crossing the estate's entrance as Arth began his impromptu tour.

  "This place doesn't have those massive skyscrapers like the rest of Light City," Arth explained as they walked. "The estate keeps things traditional. Buildings here are all between one and five stories, no cyber-highrises, no floating complexes—just a nice mix of the good old-world structure with new-world tech."

  "How does he know they were good. He wasn't alive when they were around." Mico snickered.

  "Well, he is seeing them now, and he can easily make the comparison necessary for his conclusion." Zarn took in his surroundings as he countered Mico.

  The estate sprawled across a vast area, a seamless blend of lush greenery and advanced facilities.

  "He is nostalgia-bias. Ever heard of it? It is a thing." Mico smirked, also surveying the view.

  High-tech surveillance drones hovered discreetly above, while automated security posts blended into the landscape.

  "Where do you learn these things?" Zarn wasn't just surprised at Mico's strange, all encompassing knowledge, but also surprised at the gentle air and elegance of estate.

  Despite boasting a great security presence, the place exuded an air of elegance rather than restriction.

  "To your right," Arth continued, pointing toward a massive open space, "that's the training ground. Pretty much one of the most important spots in the estate. We've got high-intensity combat zones, beast simulation environments, and even a gravity-enhanced sparring area."

  Zarn's gaze lingered on the facility. It was expansive, designed to accommodate not just human training but beasts as well. He had no doubt Mico would love it.

  But how wrong he was.

  "Are those Stardrive-produced beast training modules? I've seen them online. They're top-tier," Mico remarked.

  "Oh? If you had wanted one, I could have gotten it for you anytime." Zarn said absently.

  "Why would I want one?"

  "Huh?" Zarn was confused. "Don't you want to train with them?"

  "Train? Ewww, no! Are you comparing me to savage beasts again?"

  "Are you being racist against your kind again?"

  Arth's voice rang out, putting an abrupt stop to their mental conversation. "That's the research and development sector—labs, beast augmentation projects, weapon development, medical research, all that crazy tech stuff." He gestured toward a sleek, multi-level building with reinforced glass windows.

  A little further down, they passed by a large, well-maintained hospital wing. "Medical facility," Arth said casually. "Not just for us but also for people under the Rudrug family's protection. Top-tier healing tech, some of the best in the city."

  The tour continued, with Arth pointing out more key areas—the beast stables, the residential quarters, the tech workshops, and even an underground bunker rumored to be used for emergencies. The more Zarn saw, the clearer it became that the Rudrug estate was not just a home; it was a self-sustaining fortress.

  Eventually, they reached the main residence, a grand yet tasteful mansion constructed with a fusion of classical architecture and modern reinforcements. Arth stopped in front of the entrance, throwing an arm around Zarn's shoulder. "And that, my friend, concludes the tour."

  Zarn exhaled, taking in everything he had just seen. "Not bad," he admitted.

  "Truly not bad, but one would expect more of such prestigious family." Mico had to add his own review, even though only Zarn could hear him.

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  Zarn, of course chose to ignore him and rather listen to Arth. The fuck was Mico expecting? This is a family not a clan.

  Arth smirked at Zarn's reply. "Not bad? Come on, it's impressive, and you know it."

  Before Zarn could reply, Russo stepped forward. "Shall I have the staff prepare accommodations for Master Zarn?"

  Arth glanced at Zarn. "You good with staying here? We've got more than enough space."

  Zarn gave a small nod. "Fine by me."

  Russo inclined his head. "Very well. I will ensure everything is arranged."

  As the butler stepped away, Arth clapped his hands together. "Alright then, now that you've seen the place, let's get you settled in properly."

  Arth led Zarn and Mico through the residence's halls until they reached a door just across from his own. Pushing it open, he stepped inside. "I picked this room for you. Close enough so I can bug you whenever I want." He grinned.

  Zarn took in the space—sleek yet cozy, with a large bed, a spacious closet, and a window overlooking part of the estate. Mico trotted in, sniffing around before hopping onto the bed, claiming it as his own.

  Arth, still present, walked in the room, faced Zarn with his arms spread wide open. "Like I said earlier, welcome to the Rudrugs'"

  As they started unpacking, Arth kept talking, his words flowing effortlessly as he hopped from one topic to another. "You know, I was thinking—what kind of beast is Mico anyway?" He leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

  Zarn glanced at his companion. "A blue-flame lion."

  Arth blinked. "Never heard of that before. Lion-type beasts don't usually have elemental properties."

  Zarn merely shrugged. "I just know what he is, not why he is."

  Arth seemed to consider pressing further but ultimately let it go, shifting to another topic entirely. The unpacking process went by quickly, and before long, everything was in place.

  Arth clapped his hands together. "Alright, now that that's done, let's go get something to eat." Then, with a mischievous grin, he added, "You cook?"

  Zarn smirked. "Yeah."

  Arth's eyes lit up. "Really? Alright, change of plans—you're cooking!"

  A few minutes later, Zarn found himself in the mansion's massive kitchen, scanning the ingredients available as Arth and Mico watched eagerly. Shaking his head with amusement, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work, preparing a meal for his new companion and his ever-hungry beast.

  The meal was done, and the three of them were in full feast mode, eating away with eager appetites. A minute into their feast, Russo entered the kitchen, his composed presence breaking the casual atmosphere. He cleared his throat before speaking.

  "Young Master Arth, Master Zarn," Russo addressed them, his tone as steady as ever. "The Patriarch and Matriarch have returned. They would like to meet with Master Zarn—only Master Zarn."

  Zarn paused, exchanging glances with Arth, who groaned exaggeratedly. "Come on, now? Can't he finish eating first?"

  Russo's expression remained neutral. "I'm afraid they requested his presence immediately."

  Zarn sighed, setting down his utensils. "Guess I better go then."

  He stood, leaving Mico and a reluctant Arth behind. Just as he was leaving, Arth whispered to him. "They are really strict, but you should be fine."

  He followed Russo through the mansion's corridors. Eventually, they reached an open courtyard within the estate. It was simple but elegant, with a garden of trimmed hedges and a stone pathway leading to a seating area.

  There, seated on two simple but finely crafted couches, were the leaders of the Rudrug family.

  Contrary to Zarn's expectations, they did not look nearly as intimidating as he had imagined. The patriarch, a man with well-kept dark hair and a sharp but approachable demeanor, looked as though he had just entered his middle-aged years.

  His wife, on the other hand, appeared no older than twenty-five, her striking beauty and youthful elegance making it hard to believe she was at least forty-five. He had looked them up online beforehand and knew she was at least forty-five.

  As Russo led Zarn over, he turned to leave without another word. Zarn hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. Just as he was about to dip into a respectful half-bow, he was suddenly stunned into silence by a delicate but excited scream.

  "So cute!"

  The exclamation came from the matriarch, who immediately stood from her seat and hurried over to him. Before Zarn could react, she cupped his cheeks in her hands, her golden eyes sparkling with amusement. "Isn't he just adorable, honey?"

  Zarn blinked in sheer confusion, his gaze darting toward the patriarch, silently pleading for help. However, the man merely turned his head, looking away as if pretending he had nothing to do with what was happening.

  Before Zarn could protest, he found himself pulled into a tight hug, his face unceremoniously buried between the matriarch's soft, endowed peaks. His muffled voice finally managed to escape. "You know I'm an adult, right?"

  The matriarch, however, paid no mind to his words. Instead, her expression suddenly shifted into a mischievous, almost villainous smile as she turned toward her husband. "You know what, dear? I just thought of the best idea—we adopt him."

  "Huh?" Zarn and the patriarch echoed in unison, equally caught off guard.

  ---

  Arth watched as Mrath, his phoenix, flapped its wings lightly, sending tiny embers into the air before settling into Mico's mane. The small phoenix let out a pleased chirp and nestled in, its feathers glowing softly as it attempted to absorb the blue flames dancing along Mico's fur.

  Mico, unfazed, continued eating, his massive jaw moving rhythmically as he ignored both the bird and the boy circling around it.

  Arth moved with careful curiosity, his fingers brushing against Mico's body now and then. Mico's hide was firm yet oddly smooth, the flames tickling his skin without burning. He crouched low, eyes scanning every muscle, every shift in movement. He wasn't sure what he was looking for, but he knew Mico wasn't just any beast. His instincts told him this creature was special.

  "Mrath, do you feel anything weird?" Arth murmured. The phoenix didn't respond, only letting out a content hum as it burrowed deeper into Mico's mane.

  Mico let out a low rumble, more of an acknowledgment than a complaint. He had already accepted their presence and chose to ignore them, entirely focused on his meal.

  Arth huffed, stepping back and crossing his arms. "You're no fun," he muttered, but a grin played on his lips.

  Then, the doors to the kitchen swung open.

  The moment the Matriarch and Patriarch entered, Arth turned his head, his eyes immediately drawn to the figure between them. Zarn.

  He had an unmistakably gloomy expression, his shoulders slightly hunched as if weighed down by something far more than just the Matriarch's firm grip on him. She, on the other hand, looked entirely pleased, a warm, almost motherly smile gracing her lips. Her hand rested gently on Zarn's shoulder as she guided him forward, treating him as if he were a child in need of protection.

  Not even up to five minutes. Zarn lamented in his heart.

  Arth blinked. Why does he look so miserable?

  The Patriarch halted just a few steps in, taking in the sight before him. His sharp eyes moved from Arth and Mico to Zarn and the Matriarch before he let out a quiet sigh, shaking his head.

  Arth, eager as ever, ran toward them, his excitement barely contained. "Father! Mother!"

  The Patriarch chuckled as Arth skidded to a stop, reaching out to ruffle his son's hair. Arth leaned into the touch, then glanced at Zarn with open curiosity, his eyes asking, What happened?

  Zarn answered aloud. "Our mother happened."

  "Our?" Arth muttered, confused.

  With a small but firm gesture toward Zarn, the Patriarch spoke. "Arth, meet your new brother—your bigger brother."