"No. Sarah. Let's sit down and ta—" Varian shout was cut off as Sarah's fist connected with his chest.
Boom!
The world around him spun and Varian was sent flying to the wall. "Ouch, that hurt."
Actually, it didn't.
She barely used the strength of a low level 5. But unless he wanted to provoke her, he wouldn't say that out loud.
"I'm Sarah. Countless men try to talk to me and I ignore them all." Sarah walked to Varian as she uttered word by word.
Her face was smiling, but her eyes were not.
Bang!
As her fist reached his shoulder, Varian pretended to put on a defense. She easily broke it and punched him out.
"Ohhh, that seriously hurt now." Varian said as he flew out in a parabola.
He even decided out to twitch and spasm to add realism to his acting.
'At least beat him properly.' Anna face palmed as she rolled her eyes.
Even though she didn't use much force, Sarah continued to beat him up.
It was as if every punch was relieving some of her frustration.
"You used me as a shield."
Boom!
"Me! I am number one on the beauty rankings! Not like I care about it, but—"
Boom!
"Seriously? You could've picked Ivy or Olivia for that matter!"
Boom!
"That's the worst reason I heard!"
Boom!
Boom!
As she punched him in and out, up and down, Varian gave up resisting and laid on the ground.
He turned to Anna and saw her eating popcorn. Veins popped up on his forehead, but calmly, he waved her farewell.
'See you in afterlife.'
Anna gave him a thumbs up. 'Have a pleasant journey.'
Sarah's punching arrived.
"I'm a Shield!!"
…
After an hour of continuous beating, Anna was bored.
So, she ordered the space shuttle to land in Sarah's house.
Then like the perfect maid she was, she appeared in front of Sarah and said with a kind smile.
"Miss, did you calm down?"
Sarah thought for a while and answered. "Well, I don't want to beat him up so hard anymore."
"It must be because you are hungry! Eat something and beat him again!" Anna cheered.
'Y-You!' Varian's eyes widened as he nearly coughed out blood. He heard Boo say the space shuttle was circling around the campus for nearly an hour.
It was all her doing. This evil maid!
"Varian, welcome to my home. It'll be yours too from now on." Sarah smiled at him, throwing the last hour out of the window.
"I will get changed." Varian pretended to be weak and took a shower.
Soon, he saw the most luxurious residential area of the academy.
Amethyst Community.
The reason he was here, well, to live here from now on.
It was Richard's idea.
At first, Varian freaked out. The old butler explained to him that it was for his own good.
After entering the house, Varian couldn't help but agree.
Even the grandiose mansion, which was the least important was impressive. There was a large beautiful garden with fragrant flowers, a lake with colorful fishes jumping, and even a space shuttle pad for landing.
There was even a garage with many hover bikes, cars. Sarah's space shuttle was parked separately. Upon notice, professionals would come and take care of the problems.
The best part about her residence was of course, the aura.
"Wonderful." Varian couldn't help but take a deep breath.
After his clothes were ripped to shreds by Sarah's beating, he changed into a casual white shirt and black pant.
After taking a healing potion, the bruises on his body cleared up and no one could tell he was beaten an hour ago.
To be honest, they would've healed with his morpher and body awakener healing abilities anyway.
Sarah was too lenient in her beating.
It was Sarah's first time watching him in something other than his comflamuage uniform.
She looked at him a bit longer and was caught by Varian.
"Am I handsome?" Varian smiled.
"...you are my punching bag." Sarah said through her gritted teeth.
"Tsk. Live in denial, Sarah." Varian shook his head.
'Miss, you didn't even hit properly.' Anna followed them from behind.
"I like this place." Varian smiled at the heavy aura that seeped in and out of his body.
"Every cadet in the campus envies the ten people on Amethyst list." Sarah said with a smug smile.
"Who wouldn't?" Varian laughed as they stepped into the mansion.
"I'll be back after a shower. Aunt Anna, show him around, will you?" Sarah said and disappeared.
The aura here was 150% or simply, 2.5 times higher than outside. That was equivalent to 12th floor of Aura Well.
If aura concentration formation was used, the aura concentration would reach 300% higher than normal. Four times than normal.
That was also the highest Varian could bear.
In other words, even without entering the aura well, he could gain the equivalent benefits.
Who would need Aura well anyway?
"Aura Well is more useful than you think." Anna suddenly said, as if she guessed his thoughts.
"The aura Amethyst community can provide has a cap. For Aura well, the deeper you go, the higher. Even high awakeners can practice.
In fact, the reason Imperial Defense Academy is sought out by many strong teachers is Aura Well." She patiently explained as they reached his room.
His luggage was already transferred. Well, he was moving houses pretty fast these days.
"I've checked it twice. But please see if you're missing anything." Anna said.
After a quick check, Varian shook his head. "It's good. Thank you for the trouble."
"No worries." Anna curtised and asked him to follow her.
Along the way, Varian couldn't help but marvel at the luxury of the residence.
Golden coated walls, rare paintings, beautiful white marble and dazzling chandeliers.
If he didn't know better, he'd have thought he entered one of those palaces of Old Earth.
But this was better than any such palace.
"This is too big for two people. With you coming in, it'll be more lively." Anna smiled with a mischievous expression.
"What are you thinking about?" Varian couldn't help but ask warily. This maid was too evil. Who knew what conspiracy she was brewing?
"Someone will know that you are living in Sarah's mansion. The news will be on fire." Anna said with an excited expression.
'You are the kind of person who wants to watch the world burn, aren't you?' Varian wanted to say, but didn't dare. Provoking a high awakener with his current strength wasn't wise.
As they walked past the seemingly endless rooms and corridors, Varian couldn't help but ask. "D-Did I hurt her by using her name?"
Anna stopped in her tracks and turned around.
Unlike a minute ago, her face was expressionless. She stared at him right in the eye with an unclear intent.
Varian felt the pressure behind that gaze. The pressure of an awakener many, many times stronger than the current him.
"So you care about her feelings?" Anna asked.
"Of course, I do. She's been very kind to me." Varian found himself sweating despite the cool temperature.
But he still answered calmly. "I know the risks she took because of me. Going into Astor Clan…I honestly don't know what to say."
Anna slowly smiled and started walking. "I hope when the time comes, she can rely on you."
"You bet—" Varian stopped abruptly as the automatic doors opened and a delicious smell wafted outside the room.
Stepping in, Varian saw a large dining table with all sorts of delicacies on it. Just the smell was enough to kick start his hunger pangs.
Sarah, dressed in black tee with straight pants, waved at them. "Let's start. Aunt Anna cooked to celebrate the third member entering our home."
Varian sat down in a flash and breathed in the aroma. 'This smells better than the best food from any hotel.'
"Thanks for the meal."
Anna joined them as Varian had the best meal since his mother's passing.