Chapter 225: Gates of the Estate

The golden afternoon light bathed the capital’s high-end district as the flagship flying automobile dipped smoothly through the upper clouds. The light was warm and rich, casting long golden rays across the skyline of the most expensive district in the entire Aether Capital.

Down below, nestled among sprawling green hills and ancient mana-rich forests, stood Amira’s estate.

Even from the sky, the sheer scale of the property was staggering. Surrounded by thick perimeter walls of reinforced white stone, the estate looked less like a private residence and more like a secluded imperial sanctuary. The gardens alone were larger than most academy training fields.

"Is that... Amira’s house?" Lira gasped, her face pressed flush against the tinted glass window of the lead vehicle. Her wide eyes reflected the sprawling gardens below, sparkling with amazement. "It’s huge! It looks like a private castle! Like something out of a storybook!"

"It’s definitely bigger than the academy dorms," Kira remarked with a low whistle, crossing her arms beneath her heavy chest. Her orange eyes widened as she took in the sheer luxury below.

She glanced toward Lynx, her orange eyes shining with playful amusement. "You really know how to pick them, Lynx. First My Mom’s luxury manor, and now this? You have a type and it’s called ridiculously rich and gorgeous."

Lynx chuckled softly, leaning back against the plush leather couch with his arms outstretched behind Eleanor and Ophelia.

His posture was completely relaxed, like a king surveying his domain. "Hey, don’t look at me like that. I didn’t ask her about her bank account when we met. She just happened to be filthy rich."

"Filthy rich is an understatement, she’s rich even among Blessed," Layla chimed in, her amber eyes scanning the estate as the transport began its final descent. The wind from the descent made her hair flutter.

She tossed her long crimson hair over her shoulder. "Look at those outer walls. That’s reinforced stone. You couldn’t break through that easily. That alone must cost thousands of H-Crystals."

"And those gates," Iris added softly, her pale face flushed with quiet wonder as she fanned herself. Her silver eyes were glued to the entrance. "They look so intimidating. Like the gates to another world."

The flying automobile touched down effortlessly on the polished gravel driveway outside the estate’s outer perimeter. The engines hummed to a silent stop, and the doors hissed open.

The moment Lynx, his core circle, and Eleanor’s squad stepped out onto the ground, a deep, heavy silence washed over the group. The air itself felt different here, cleaner, richer in natural mana, and completely silent.

Standing right in front of them were the massive black iron gates. They towered high into the air, at least twenty feet tall, wrapped in thick green vines that seemed to pulse with faint natural energy. The vines glowed softly, alive with mana.

Sitting on heavy stone pedestals on either side of the entrance were two gargantuan stone lions, carved with such sharp detail that they seemed to glare down at anyone who dared approach. Their eyes were made of polished obsidian.

"Merciful gods..." Nadia muttered under her breath, her dark skin flushing slightly as she looked up at the stone beasts. She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, trying to maintain her usual fierce expression, but her voice betrayed her awe. "Are those lions enchanted? They feel like they’re watching us. Like they could come alive any second."

"They probably are," Eleanor said smoothly, stepping beside Lynx. Her long purple hair caught the warm afternoon breeze, and her divine golden sigil pulsed once on her forehead.

"And no guards?" Rhea asked, her ice blue eyes scanning the empty perimeter. Her silver-blue hair fluttered softly. Her frost affinity made her sensitive to any presence. "I don’t feel a single guard on the outer wall. It’s completely empty."

"Amira doesn’t like crowds," Lynx explained with a lazy smirk, pulling his hands into his coat pockets. His voice was casual, like he was talking about something obvious.

"Her mother hated having staff around, so she grew up doing things herself. She hires cleaning crews to tidy the place monthly, but nobody lives here permanently. She likes her privacy."

"No permanent staff in a place this big?" Ophelia murmured, her silver hair tied back elegantly as she stepped up beside Lynx. Her voice was soft and thoughtful. "That must feel very quiet. And a little lonely."

Before Lynx could answer, a loud, heavy mechanical sound echoed through the air. The sound of ancient gears and heavy mana machinery grinding to life.

GROOOOAN!

The massive black iron gates slowly split down the middle, swinging inward with a deep vibration that shook the gravel beneath their boots. The vines parted, glowing brighter as the gates opened on their own.

Beyond the gates stretched a wide, pristine driveway lined with glowing white mana lamps. At the far end, surrounded by trimmed hedges and clear stone fountains that sprayed crystal water into the air, stood the main mansion.

A towering, magnificent structure of pure white stone, tall columns, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows that reflected the golden sky. It was three stories tall and looked absolutely pristine.

Parked near the side garage were Amira’s three famous automobiles, the long, glossy black masterpiece that shined like a mirror, the low slung, aggressive red sports vehicle built for speed, and the understated silver four door sedan she used for camouflage in rural areas. All three were polished to perfection.

"Look at those cars!" Kira squeaked, her eyes lighting up instantly. She practically ran toward the red one, her hands hovering over it like she wanted to touch it. "That red one looks completely illegal! Lynx, tell me we can take that for a ride later! Please!"

"Ask Amira," Lynx laughed, walking down the driveway with the rest of the women following closely behind. His girls fanned out behind him like a procession. "It’s her baby. She might let you if you ask nicely."

Before they could even reach the grand front doors of dark wood and gold trim, the heavy double doors flew wide open. The light from inside spilled out onto the driveway.

"LYNX!"

A bright, joyous cry rang out across the courtyard. Full of love and excitement.

Out rushed Isabel, dressed in a breathtaking, form fitting maroon gown that emphasized her ripe, full figure. Her long blonde hair flowed behind her like spun gold, catching the sunlight.

Right behind her were Eira, wearing a cute sun dress that bounced with every step, Emily, looking radiant in a casual silk blouse, and Amira herself, wearing a sleek black slip dress with her towel dried hair tied back casually.

Isabel didn’t even care about the rest of the crowd. The moment her deep orange eyes locked onto Lynx’s tall frame, she practically flew down the marble steps. Her gown fluttered around her.

THUD!

She threw her arms around Lynx’s neck, slamming her soft, voluptuous body directly against his chest. The impact was soft but full of passion.

Lynx caught her easily, wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her off her feet as he spun her around once in the open air. Isabel let out a breathless, joyful laugh, burying her face into his neck and inhaling his familiar, intoxicating scent. Her legs wrapped slightly around him.

"I missed you so much, my love!" Isabel whispered passionately, her voice trembling with genuine emotion as she pulled back slightly to cup his cheeks.

Her eyes sparkled with tears of joy. "You did it. You actually won the entire tournament. The whole city is talking about you! My champion!"

"Of course I won," Lynx smirked, leaning down to press a firm, deep kiss onto her full lips.

Isabel melted instantly into the kiss, her hands entangling in his dark hair as she hummed in pure bliss right there in the middle of the driveway. She kissed him back with everything she had.

"Ahem!" Kira cleared her throat loudly, though she was grinning from ear to ear. Her cheeks were a little red. "Mom, please. Save some for the bedroom. We just got here. There are children present."

Isabel pulled back slowly, her cheeks flushed a beautiful rosy red, but she didn’t let go of Lynx’s arm. She leaned her head against his shoulder, looking over at the rest of the group, completely unembarrassed.

"Lynx." Eira squealed, running up on his other side and throwing her arms around his waist. Her small frame hugged him tightly. "You were so cool back there. When you caught that guy’s punch with one hand, Emily and I literally screamed! We almost broke the chair that were there!"

"It’s true," Emily laughed softly, walking up with a gentle, loving smile. She reached out to smooth down the collar of Lynx’s black coat. Her movements were tender and caring. "We watched every single match from the stands. We were so proud of you, Lynx. So, so proud."

Amira walked down the steps last, her hands resting casually on her hips as her dark eyes swept over the massive group of women standing in her driveway. A teasing, seductive smirk played on her lips. She looked completely at home and in control.

"Well, well, well," Amira purred, looking at Lynx. Her voice was low and playful. "Look who brought the entire academy top tier to my front door. You really don’t do things by halves, do you, god-boy? You brought an army."

Lynx laughed, pulling Eira into a half-hug while keeping Isabel close. He was surrounded by his women. "I told you I was bringing everyone, Amira. Hope you have enough food and drinks. It’s a big group."

"Please," Amira scoffed, waving her hand dismissively, her eyes sparkling. "Isabel and I bought out half the market in the central district this morning. There’s enough wine, meat, and dessert inside to feed a small army. We were prepared for your harem."

Amira’s gaze then drifted past Lynx, locking onto Eleanor, Layla, Iris, Rhea, and Nadia.

The five senior beauties stood together, looking slightly hesitant as they took in the warm, familial atmosphere of Lynx’s core harem.

Their skin still bore that soft, luminous golden glow from the night before, making them stand out like goddesses in the afternoon sun. They looked a little out of place but curious.

Isabel stepped forward, gently releasing Lynx’s arm. Her deep orange eyes softened as she looked at Eleanor. She understood the importance of this moment.

As the oldest and most mature woman in Lynx’s life, Isabel knew exactly how to handle new additions. She walked right up to Eleanor with an open, welcoming smile, extending both of her hands. Her grace was absolute.

"Miss Eleanor Haleborn," Isabel said warmly, her voice rich with genuine kindness. "Or should I just call you Eleanor now? We’re family after all."

Eleanor blinked, slightly caught off guard by Isabel’s incredible warmth. She had expected tension, not this. She took Isabel’s hands, offering a polite, respectful nod. "Eleanor is fine, Lady Isabel. Thank you for having us. Your home is beautiful."

"Nonsense. You don’t need to thank me," Isabel smiled, squeezing Eleanor’s hands gently before looking at Layla, Iris, Rhea, and Nadia. Her smile included all of them.

"Lynx told us everything through the group chat this morning. Besides you five fought bravely for our empire, and more importantly..." Isabel threw a playful, teasing glance toward Lynx, "...you’re part of our family now. Look at that familiar rich glow on your skin! Lynx certainly took good care of you last night."

Nadia’s dark skin instantly flushed a deep, furious crimson. The glow was undeniable. She looked away quickly, crossing her arms tightly, trying to hide her embarrassment. "I-It was just... training! Just Affinity training!"

Layla let out a boisterous, cheerful laugh, clapping Nadia on the shoulder. Her laugh broke the tension instantly. "Oh, stop lying, Nadia! Lady Isabel already knows! We all know what kind of training it was!"

Iris blushed softly, covering her face with her hands, unable to meet anyone’s eyes, while Rhea shook her head with a small, quiet smile, her own cheeks pink.

Eira bounced over, grabbing Layla and Iris by their wrists. Her energy was infectious. "Come on inside, seniors! We bought a massive golden cake with strawberry cream! It’s so good! You’re going to love it!"

"Golden cake?" Layla’s eyes lit up instantly, her love for sweets taking over. "Lead the way, shortie! Cake is more important than being embarrassed!"

"Hey! I’m not short. You’re just tall." Eira said, though she was already dragging them up the marble steps, laughing all the way.

Amira stepped up beside Lynx as the girls began filing through the massive front doors. The driveway was slowly emptying. She bumped her hip lightly against his leg, whispering low enough so only he could hear, her voice full of mischief.

"About Fourteen women in one house, Lynx," Amira teased, her dark eyes glinting with dangerous delight as she looked up at him. "You think your stamina can handle a party like this? This house has never seen so much energy."

Lynx looked down at her, his heterochromatic eyes shining with supreme, absolute confidence as a wicked smirk spread across his face. He leaned down slightly.

"Amira, sweetheart..." Lynx murmured, his deep voice vibrating in her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. "You of all people should know... I never run out of stamina. Not even for fourteen."

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