Affinity: Chaos

”Welcome back, Young Lord,” The guards at the mansionʼs gate bowed respectfully when they saw Ellis.

Ellis smiled at them before walking in with Grey and Void. The banditʼs leader was still on his shoulder.

After they went in.

The guards looked at each other before sighing in pity. Everyone in the city knew what was going on in the OʼBrien family. The guards in particular are aware of the hard tasks the Elders are sending Ellis out to accomplish.

Every time they see him head out, they would always pray for his safe return, and it looks like their prayer worked once again.

Grey walked into the compound, staring around curiously. Void was the same, only, the moment he sensed some terrifying auras, he hid his aura, making it seem as if he was a regular cat. The people he sensed were people who could kill him with a sneeze.

He was certain that even with his elemental mastery of the space element, he still wouldnʼt be able to escape before he died.

ʼGrey, be careful here, there are powerful people here,ʼ Void warned.

ʼI know, this is one of the most powerful families in the entire Southern Continent, and in the Aurora Continent as well, you donʼt expect them to be weak, do you?ʼ Grey already knew what he was getting himself into.

His only worry is how Ellis would be able to sneak him into his fatherʼs room without being noticed by the people around. From what is happening with Ellis in the family, it is easy to tell that he wasnʼt welcomed by the Elders since theyʼre trying so hard to kill him.

They didnʼt get too far before a young man around the same age as Ellis walked out from the west wing of the mansion. When he saw Ellis, a look of surprise appeared on his face momentarily, before quickly changing to a smile.

”Youʼre back, I knew you would make it back,” The young man flashed a bright smile before walking towards Ellis.

”I survived by fluke,” Ellis said, putting on a fake smile.

”It doesnʼt matter, the important thing is that youʼre back. Father would be proud,” The young man said while approaching Ellis.

”Yeah, I bet he will,” Ellis said sarcastically.

”Come on, donʼt be like that, you know Father is only doing this to test your strength, you were gone for so long that everyone thought you were dead. Even the Family Head as well,” The young man smiled before staring at Grey and the banditʼs leader curiously.

”I suppose this is the bandit leader, but who is he?” He asked while pointing at Grey.

”A friend,” Ellis said before he continued moving.

”Oh, itʼs nice to meet you. Iʼm Keal, Ellisʼ cousin,” Keal stretched out his hands.

”Grey,” Grey shook his hand before following Ellisʼ lead.

”Whereʼs Uncle?” Ellis stopped to ask.

”Fatherʼs in the hall, heʼs discussing some matters with the Elders and some guests,” Keal replied.

Ellis continued moving once again.

Grey already sensed the hostility between the two, so he didnʼt even bother to ask. All that was important to him in the OʼBrien family was Ellis, his friend, nothing else.

They walked into the main building, after going through the hallway, they stopped in front of a huge door.

”Wait here,” Ellis said to Grey before pushing the door open and walking in.

After getting in, his facial expression changed when he saw the sitting position of the people gathered here.

There were around fifteen people here, three of them were not from his family, but he was familiar with them, while the other twelve were from his family. What he found annoying was that a certain middle-aged man was seated on the middle seat, which was reserved for only the Family Head.

”Uncle, my father is still alive,” Ellis said coldly, trying to reign in his anger.

”Boy, speak with respect when talking to me. Iʼm the acting Family Head since that terrible illness happened to your father, I have every right to sit here,” The middle-aged man said coolly.

He didnʼt raise his voice or scold Ellis even though Ellis sort of provoked him.

”I can see that youʼre back from your mission, good. If you want to take over from your father someday, then you have to be the very best of your generation,” The middle-aged man said.

Everyone in the hall kept quiet, looking at Ellis and his uncle.

”Hmph!” Ellis snorted coldly but didnʼt say a word.

”Hereʼs the banditʼs leader who terrorized travelers in the Suyin Canyon,” He dropped the man on his shoulder.

”Iʼm amazed by your strength since you were able to single-handedly deal with this powerful group. Tell me, how did you do it?” The middle-aged man asked.

”I was lucky,” Ellis replied, not willing to speak any further.

”Hmm, and whoʼs the young man standing outside?” The middle-aged man let the matter slide before asking about Grey who was standing outside.

”A friend,” Ellis replied.

”And why would you bring a friend of yours into the mansion when you know how things are?” The middle-aged man squinted his eyes.

”Itʼs none of your business,” Ellis turned around and left decisively.

”Hmm, youths, so feisty,” The middle-aged man laughed softly with a cold light flashing through his eyes. He turned to the people in the hall, ”Alright, where were we?”

”What do you plan to do with me?” The banditʼs leader suddenly spoke up.

Swoosh! Thud!

”Continue,” The middle-aged man didnʼt even look at the banditʼs leader.

On the head of the banditʼs leader was a hole the size of a finger. He was dead.

The people in the hall didnʼt take him for much and continued their conversation. A guard was summoned to dispose of the body.

After Ellis came out of the hall, he took Grey towards the right-wing of the mansion.

”My father is kept in the main building, but my uncle ensured that the security around is very tight. It will be almost impossible to sneak you in. And the use of the space element would be difficult since thereʼs a powerful Space Elementalist in the building, my third Uncle,” Ellis explained the situation of the mansion to Grey.

Grey nodded attentively while taking a good note of everywhere in the mansion.

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