Chapter 188: Welcome To Toronto [ 2 ]

Frey practically launched himself toward the window.

"JET! BRO! ARE YOU SEEING THIS?!" he shouted, pressing his face against the glass. "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS PLACE?!"

Jet laughed at his reaction.

"Toronto," he answered simply.

"NO SHIT!" Frey exclaimed, staring at the enormous city. "I KNOW IT’S TORONTO! BUT LOOK AT THAT! THOSE BUILDINGS ARE INSANE!"

Mikhail couldn’t help smiling as he glanced toward the distant skyline.

"Well, I’ll admit, it’s certainly something," the older man remarked, his expression filled with genuine admiration. "I’ve heard plenty about Toronto, but seeing it in person is another matter entirely."

Beside Frey, Inez had fallen completely silent.

Her little hands rested against the window as she stared at the extraordinary city before them.

"Big Brother..." Inez murmured, turning toward Jet with wide eyes. "Is all of that really Toronto?"

Jet looked at her and smiled.

"Every bit of it," he answered warmly. "And what you’re seeing is only part of the city."

Inez turned back toward the window.

"It’s so big!" she exclaimed in amazement. "Are we really going to live here?"

"That’s right," Jet replied. "From now on, Toronto will be our new home."

The little girl’s face immediately brightened.

Jet watched her excitement with a gentle expression before returning his attention to the sprawling metropolis.

Toronto.

The capital of the Laurentian Region. With a population of approximately one hundred and twenty-eight million people, it was one of the largest and most prosperous cities within the North American Continental Administration.

The city was divided into twelve enormous districts, each possessing its own commercial centers, residential communities, administrative facilities, and defensive infrastructure.

Some districts were dominated by enormous corporate headquarters and financial institutions, while others contained prestigious educational establishments, entertainment complexes, and luxurious residentialneighborhoods.

There were also districts where powerful Guilds maintained their headquarters, training facilities, and private territories.

And among those Guilds were several organizations ranked within the Global Top 100.

Naturally, the presence of such influential organizations had attracted countless wealthy individuals, powerful Awakener families, and ambitious young talents seeking opportunities to advance their careers.

Toronto was a city where extraordinary wealth and supernatural strength frequently went hand in hand.

However, Jet had not chosen Toronto simply because of its prosperity.

In his previous life, several important events had occurred within the city and its surroundingterritories. Some involved the appearance of valuable Dungeons and extraordinary resources.

Others concerned individuals who would eventually rise to prominence throughout the Awakener world. There were also catastrophes that would claim countless lives.

Jet remembered enough of those events to understand that Toronto would become one of the most important locations in the Laurentian Region over the coming years.

And he intended to take advantage of that knowledge. Of course, there was another reason for his decision.

Inez.His little sister deserved a comfortable home, an excellent education, and the opportunity to enjoy a childhood free from the constant dangers that had defined their previous lives.

He had already lost her once. He would never allow that to happen again.

"Bro, look at that building!" Frey suddenly exclaimed, interrupting his thoughts.

Jet followed his gaze. An enormous skyscraper stood near the center of a distant commercial district, its exterior decorated with a massive metallic sword extending along several floors.

A holographic Guild emblem rotated above the building.

"That’s a Guild headquarters," Jet explained.

"Seriously?" Frey asked, looking impressed. "Damn, these people really know how to show off."

"Some of the world’s most influential Guilds have branches in Toronto," Jet continued. "You’ll probably see plenty of buildings like that once we start exploring."

Frey grinned. "Then we’re definitely going sightseeing!"

Mikhail shook his head.

"Let’s find somewhere to sleep first," he suggested. "We’ve been traveling for three days."

"Oh, don’t worry about that!" Frey replied confidently, leaning back against his seat. "I’ve already taken care of our accommodation."

Jet turned toward him."You booked the hotel?"

"Of course!" Frey answered proudly. "And not just any hotel, bro. I made sure we got something worthy of our arrival."

Jet narrowed his eyes. "Frey, what exactly did you book?"

Frey’s grin widened. "You’ll see."

Somehow, that answer made Jet considerably less reassured.

The vehicle continued toward the city, eventually passing through one of the main metropolitan checkpoints.

After completing the necessary identification procedures, they entered Toronto proper.The difference was immediately noticeable.

The roads became wider and more sophisticated, with multiple traffic levels accommodating different categories of vehicles.

Enormous shopping complexes occupied entire blocks, while beautifully maintained parks and public squares provided occasional stretches of greenery between the towering buildings.

Luxury automobiles traveled alongside ordinary passenger vehicles, and expensive restaurants occupied the lower floors of enormous commercial towers.

Occasionally, Jet spotted Awakeners walking through the streets wearing distinctive combat equipment.

Some carried weapons openly, while others wore clothing bearing the emblems of powerful Guilds. There were also specialized establishments advertising Awakener equipment, Mana Beast materials, and other products associated with the supernatural economy.

Frey looked as though he had discovered paradise.

"Jet, I’m telling you, moving here was the best decision we’ve ever made!" he declared enthusiastically. "Just look at this place! The restaurants, the shops, the entertainment! Bro, we’re going to have the time of our lives!"

"Try not to spend everything you own within the first week," Jet replied with an amused smile.

Frey waved his hand dismissively. "Please, have a little faith in me."

Mikhail snorted."That’s asking quite a lot."

Inez giggled as Frey turned toward him with an offended expression.

After another forty minutes of driving through the bustling metropolis, their vehicle finally entered one of Toronto’s wealthiest commercial districts.

The buildings here were even more extravagant, and the streets were lined with luxury boutiques, expensive restaurants, and beautifully maintained gardens.

Eventually, Mikhail followed the navigation system toward an enormous hotel rising more than a hundred floors above the surrounding buildings.

Its entrance featured a broad marble staircase, an enormous fountain, and a driveway filled with luxury vehicles.Above the entrance, an elegant golden emblem displayed the hotel’s name.

GRAND MERIDIAN HOTEL.

Mikhail slowly brought the vehicle to a stop.

For several seconds, he simply stared at the magnificent building.

"Frey..." Mikhail began, turning toward the back seat. "Please tell me this isn’t where we’re staying."

Frey grinned. "Surprise!"

Jet closed his eyes for a moment.

"How much did you spend?" he asked.

"Come on, bro!" Frey replied, laughing as he opened the door. "We’re starting a new life! We deserve to celebrate a little!"

"That doesn’t answer my question," Jet pointed out.

"Details, details!" Frey answered cheerfully, stepping out of the vehicle.

Jet shook his head and climbed out after him.

Several hotel employees immediately approached to assist with their luggage, although one of them briefly glanced at the dusty off-road vehicle with a curious expression.

Considering the expensive automobiles parked around them, their vehicle looked rather out of place.

However, the staff remained perfectly professional. A sharply dressed hotel manager approachedand greeted them with a respectful smile.

"Welcome to the Grand Meridian Hotel, gentlemen," the manager said politely. "May I have the name associated with your reservation?"

"Frey Valentin D’Aubigné," Frey answered proudly, adjusting his clothes. "I reserved the presidential residence."

The manager’s expression immediately brightened.

"Ah, Mr D’Aubigné. ! We’ve been expecting you," he replied warmly. "Everything has been prepared according to your reservation. Please allow our staff to handle your belongings."

Mikhail slowly turned toward Frey.

"Presidential residence?" he repeated, sounding horrified.

Frey smiled innocently. "Did I forget to mention that part?"

Jet sighed.

A short while later, the group was escorted through the hotel’s magnificent lobby and into a private elevator.

Their accommodation occupied one of the highest floors. When the elevator doors opened, Inez immediately gasped.

The residence was enormous.

A spacious living room overlooked Toronto through floor-to-ceiling windows. Several luxurious bedrooms surrounded the central area, while a private dining room, entertainment lounge, and indoor swimming pool occupied adjoining sections.

Frey immediately threw himself onto one of the enormous sofas."Now this!" he declared happily, spreading his arms across the cushions. "This is how you start a new life!"

Mikhail looked around in disbelief.

"I don’t even want to know how much this costs per night," he muttered.

Jet smiled faintly as Inez hurried toward the windows. Beyond the glass, Toronto stretched endlessly beneath the afternoon sunlight.

The city was beautiful, prosperous, and filled with opportunities. But Jet knew better than anyone that beneath its dazzling appearance lay dangers that most of its inhabitants could never imagine.

In the coming years, this city would witnessevents that would change countless lives. Some would bring extraordinary opportunities. Others would leave entire districts devastated.

And several individuals currently living ordinary lives would eventually become figures known throughout the world.

Jet intended to find them before that happened but first, he needed to establish a foundation.

A home for Inez. A place where his companions could gather and enough wealth to support everything he intended to accomplish.

His gaze drifted toward the phone resting in his hand. There was something he needed to check.

Something he had recorded shortly after regressing an event that had once transformed the life of an ordinary man overnight.

The Laurentian Annual Grand Lottery.

Jet’s lips curved into a small smile. If his memory was correct, the next draw was approaching and this time, he already knew the winning numbers.