[Valhalla Family’s Villa.]
The colossal iron gates groaned open, yielding to the sleek, white BMW that purred into the estate, finally settling beneath the cool shade of a sprawling canopy. Katherine emerged from the driver’s seat, her gaze immediately drawn to the imposing black Rolls-Royce, flanked by a quintet of gleaming Audis. The Rolls-Royce, with its distinctive license plate, S33333, radiated an air of undeniable authority.
"Mr. Peter," Katherine inquired, her brow furrowed, "who owns these cars?"
"Miss Katherine," the gatekeeper responded, his voice respectful, "some gentlemen arrived a short while before you. Your father greeted them with utmost deference. And those men standing beside the vehicles, they are the visitors’ bodyguards."
"All Legendary level tamers, and ten of them? Who is this visitor?" Katherine murmured, her eyes lingering on the imposing figures.
A sharp BEEP! echoed through the air.
Peter swiftly returned to his post, pressing a button that caused the massive metal gates to swing open once more. A sleek Lexus glided into the estate, coming to a halt in front of Katherine.
"Brothers!" Katherine exclaimed, a warm smile spreading across her face.
"Why are you standing outside? In this heat?" Christopher questioned, stepping out of the Lexus.
"Indeed, little sister, why?" Adonis added, closing the car door behind him. His gaze shifted to the black-clad bodyguards, and he asked, "Who are those men? We don’t have so many powerful guards."
"I don’t know," Katherine replied, "I only know they work for someone who is currently inside the house with Dad and Mum."
Christopher’s eyes narrowed as he examined the Rolls-Royce’s license plate, a flicker of recognition in his gaze.
"Come on, let’s go inside," he said, striding towards the villa, his siblings following closely behind.
Two of the bodyguards positioned themselves in front of the trio, effectively blocking their path.
"Who are you?" Katherine demanded, her expression hardening.
"We should be asking you that," the second guard retorted.
"You! This is our home!" Adonis exclaimed, his voice rising in anger.
"Apologies, but an important person is inside. You are not permitted to enter," the man stated calmly.
"Get out of our way," Christopher commanded, his voice laced with a chilling undercurrent of killing intent.
"Listen, young man, even if this is your residence, you have no authority here. Even your father would be denied entry if we so desired," the second guard said arrogantly.
The ten bodyguards standing beside the Audis turned their attention to the confrontation.
Instantly, the Valhalla family’s guards materialized from various corners of the estate, forming a protective wall behind Christopher, Adonis, and Katherine.
"Now, may we enter?" Katherine inquired, her voice sharp.
The two guards glanced at the assembled guards behind the siblings, their expressions shifting to a sneer.
"You believe we will yield? Your mere Elite level guards are no match for even one of us, let alone all of us."
Katherine and Adonis exchanged worried glances as they saw the ten Legendary level bodyguards advancing, stopping just behind their own guards.
"Hehehe... Now I don’t want you out of the way, but out of the villa."
Christopher looked at the two guards, his hazel eyes flashing gold.
"You! Then we will detain you here! Men!" The man yelled.
Inside the villa, three figures were seated in the elegantly furnished living room, with one standing respectfully behind a handsome, young man, some years older than Christopher.
"Mr. Alex, so you wish to recruit my son for your team?" Ethan asked, a polite smile on his face.
"Indeed," Alex replied, his gaze fixed on Ethan and Amara. "Christopher has proven to be a capable and promising young man. With him on my team, I am confident we will emerge victorious in the international Tamer competition."
Alex, the third master tamer of the south and the former disciple of the late Supreme Tamer, was also Christopher’s most formidable adversary.
Ethan turned to his wife, seeking her opinion.
"What do you think, Amara?" he asked.
"This is certainly good news, but we must consult Christopher. It is his life, and he should make the final decision," she said, turning to Alex. "I trust that is acceptable, Master Alex?"
"Of course," Alex replied, relaxing back into the plush sofa.
"When can I meet Christopher?"
The newly installed door splintered into fragments as two men were hurled into the living room, crashing onto the polished floor. They coughed up blood, their eyes wide with shock and horror as they stared at Christopher.
Alex, Ethan, Amara, and the standing man turned towards the shattered doorway, witnessing Christopher, Adonis, and Katherine calmly entering the room.
"You! Who are you?" the standing man demanded, his voice trembling.
Before Ethan could intervene, Alex raised a hand, silencing him.
"Leave," Christopher commanded, his voice imbued with a chilling coldness that silenced everyone in the room.
"How dare you?! Do you know who he is?" the standing man yelled.
"I do not care who he is. These fools not only disrespected my siblings but also insulted my father. That alone warrants death!" Christopher declared, his golden eyes blazing with fury.
"Even if the current Supreme level tamer were here, he would be asked to leave," he added.
The man channeled his life force, surging forward and throwing a powerful punch at Christopher’s face.
The man was sent flying backward, colliding with the wall with a sickening thud. He slid down, his eyes filled with disbelief and pain.
Christopher lowered his leg, his gaze fixed on Alex, who was still seated on the sofa.
Adonis and Katherine watched their brother with a mixture of admiration and awe.
The guards outside stood frozen, their faces etched with shock and surprise.
’Wow! Brother is incredibly powerful! Even a high-stage Legendary level tamer couldn’t withstand a single blow,’ Adonis thought.
’Brother will have to train me. I want to become stronger too,’ Katherine thought.
Amara rose to her feet, her expression concerned. Though she was unaware of what had transpired outside, Master Alex was not someone their family could afford to offend.
"Are you deaf?" Christopher asked, his voice sharp. He approached Alex, placing his hand on his shoulder.
Alex froze, not from the touch, but from the voice, the aura, and the palpable killing intent. He felt as though an ancient, predatory beast was staring him down, waiting for him to make a fatal mistake.
’This? Only one man could make me feel this way. No, he’s dead! This is...’
Hesitantly, he turned his head, his eyes locking with Christopher’s hazel eyes.
’Phew... It’s just Christopher! But these fools have ruined my plan! How am I supposed to recruit him now? He clearly values his family, and they must have insulted Ethan,’ Alex thought, sighing deeply as he removed Christopher’s hand from his shoulder.
’He’s just a low-stage Legendary level tamer, and he can take down a high-stage? This is the man I want on my team,’ he thought, rising to his feet and turning to Christopher.
"Christopher, I am--"
"--I do not care who you are. Get out." Christopher interrupted.
Alex was stunned. No one had ever shown him such disrespect, not even the head of the most powerful family. What gave this Christopher the audacity?
"Do you know who I am, young man?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of menace.