As soon as Klaus saw the butler, he sensed a great danger from him. ‘A Saint,’ Klaus thought inwardly, looking at the smiling butler. Even though he had fought monsters comparable to a Peak Saint, the difference between them and humans was vast. Humans were cunning and adaptable, whereas monsters were brutal.
When he faced the Tier 5 Dark Zombies, he realized just how powerful monsters could be when well-coordinated. So even if he had killed thousands of monsters at the Saint level, fighting a human at that level would be a different challenge. He has to be careful, well for now.
“Hello, nice to meet you,” Klaus said, shaking the butler’s hand. “Kofi, you can go now. I’ll let you know when I’m coming back so you can pick me up,” Klaus said to his own butler. Kofi nodded and left with the car.
“Follow me. The young misses are not ready yet, so I’ll take you to the garden to wait for them,” Henry, the butler of the Ross Great Family, said. Klaus nodded and followed him.
“By the way, Mister Klaus, I’m a big fan of yours,” Henry said with a slight smile.
“You can just call me Klaus. Thank you,” Klaus replied with a knowing smile. Henry nodded and remained silent.
Klaus followed him through breathtaking scenery before entering a sleek garden that immediately captivated his attention.
“What a beautiful garden,” Klaus praised, looking around. The garden was filled with vibrant flowers, neatly trimmed bushes, and a calm pond with koi fishes. A stone path wound through the garden, leading to cozy seating areas with elegant furniture.
Klaus admired the colorful blooms and the peaceful atmosphere. He took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh, fragrant air.
As he wandered along the path, he spotted a small fountain with crystal-clear water. The sound of the gently flowing water added to the serene ambiance made him want to stay there for a while, but of course, that was just a dream. They move further into the garden which by Klaus’s estimate was even bigger than his house, several times bigger.
“Seeing you in person, I have to say, Mr. Klaus, you are more handsome than I thought,” a voice said as they passed by a second fountain. Klaus immediately turned his gaze in the direction of the voice and saw a man who appeared to be in his 40s, sipping wine while sitting comfortably in the garden.
Very strong, Klaus thought, noticing the man’s powerful aura. He recognized him immediately but didn’t have time to appraise him further before the butler’s voice cut through.
“Mr. Klaus, this is Master Daven Ross, the patriarch of the Ross Great Family,” Henry said, introducing the man.
Klaus nodded slightly. “It’s an honor to meet you, Master Daven.”
Daven Ross nodded and smiled. “The pleasure is mine, Klaus. I’ve heard a lot about you. And you can just call me Daven or Ross”
“That would be impolite,” Klaus said, shaking his head. “My mother taught me that it’s always important to show respect to your elders.”
“Haha, then you can just call me Sir Ross. I hope you don’t mind,” Daven said with an amused smile.
Klaus nodded, accepting the suggestion. “Of course, Sir Ross.”
“Come, sit down. Lucy and Anna will be done soon,” Daven said. Klaus took a seat, and Henry poured him a non-alcoholic beverage. It was clear they knew better than to introduce a young person to alcohol, even though it wouldn’t affect them seeing they are all cultivators now.
“I heard you signed a deal with Nucci Fashion Trend X. Congratulations on that,” Daven said, and Klaus nodded, accepting the praise.
“Thank you, Sir Ross. It’s been an exciting opportunity.”
Daven leaned back, studying Klaus with a thoughtful expression. “So, Klaus, tell me—how did you come to be involved with Nucci Fashion Trend X? I’ve heard a bit about your recent achievements, but I’m curious about how you managed to make such a deal.”
Klaus smiled, sensing the curiosity behind the question. “Oh, it was actually through your daughters, precisely, Lucy.”
Daven nodded, “Well, that is to be expected, those children are always up to something. ” Daven said. He pauses for a second and continues,” What about your plans for the future? Are there any other ventures you’re considering or goals you’re aiming for?”
Klaus considered his response carefully. “I’m mainly focused on improving my skills and helping my family. I believe that success in one area will naturally lead to opportunities in others.”
Daven’s eyes glinted with interest. “That’s a wise approach. It’s always good to stay focused on your core goals while remaining open to new possibilities.”
“I have seen you fight and I have to say, you were incredible. But I am curious though, where did you learn to use that sword that good. Clearly, you have someone you studied under” Daven asked in a curious tone.
“Not really,” Klaus said, shaking his head. “I might have seen some people use the sword a few times, but I never truly had a teacher. Of course, there are videos online that can help one learn the sword, so I can just say I have not one but many tutors teaching me the sword.”
He kept his tone casual, careful not to reveal that everything he knew came from spying on students at the Ross Academy. Mentioning that would be like admitting to a serious crime, especially since the owner of the Academy was sitting right before him.
Daven nodded thoughtfully. “Ah, online resources can be quite helpful. They’re a great way to get different perspectives and techniques.”
Klaus agreed. “Exactly. There’s a lot of valuable information out there. It’s just a matter of sifting through it and finding what works best for you.”
Daven leaned back, still studying Klaus with interest. “It sounds like you’re very resourceful. But tell me, besides your training, how do you balance your time with other aspects of your life?”
‘Really, had to ask that?’ Klaus wanted to say that but he swallowed his words. Instead,
Klaus smiled. “I try to stay organized and make time for everything that’s important. It’s all about managing priorities and making sure I don’t neglect any part of my life.”
Daven raised an eyebrow. “That’s a good approach. Managing priorities can be challenging, especially when you have so many responsibilities. How do you handle the stress that comes with it?”
Klaus thought for a moment. “I find that staying focused on my goals helps me deal with stress. Also, taking breaks and spending time with loved ones keeps me grounded.”
‘Your daughters are good company though’ Klaus smiled inwardly
Daven nodded, impressed. “It’s clear you have a good handle on things. I’m sure your determination and balance will lead you to even greater success.”
Klaus appreciated the compliment. “Thank you, Sir Ross.” Well, he had to.
Klaus knew Daven was testing him. Instead of asking direct questions, he was using a series of indirect questions to pry for information. However, he had picked the wrong person. Klaus was more complex than he realized. He managed to answer all of Daven’s questions without a single falter, something many wouldn’t be able to do.
Being in the presence of such a formidable being was challenging enough. Maintaining a neutral look in the face of such subtle probing required guts. But Klaus had more than enough courage to handle the situation.
He kept his responses carefully measured, aware that Daven’s questions were designed to reveal more than he intended to share. Klaus’s ability to navigate the conversation without giving away anything important showed his skill in dealing with delicate situations. He wasn’t an idiot, and he only trust his mother, so the rest can be said to be his potential enemies.
Such people don’t need his honest opinion. He has cultivated the habit of keeping to himself while speaking the truth at the same time. Not even a lie detector can probe that, so Daven Ross’s subtle probing wouldn’t pick any weird heartbeats.
Despite the subtle pressure, Klaus remained calm. He knew the importance of staying focused and not revealing too much. His experience had taught him the value of careful communication, especially with powerful individuals like Daven.
He was aware of Daven’s intent but chose to play along with the same level of subtlety. It was a game of wits, and Klaus was determined to stay ahead.
“So Klaus, which of my daughters do you like?” Daven asked suddenly, a curious glint in his eyes. “Someone as powerful and popular as yourself must have someone you fancy. So, which of them do you like?”
Contrary to Klaus’s expectation, the question caught him off guard. It was rather unusual, especially considering the serious nature of their previous conversation.
Klaus smiled, thinking quickly. “Would you believe me if I said I’m after both of them?” he replied with a smug grin.
Daven, clearly not expecting that answer, looked at Klaus for a brief moment before both of them burst into resounding laughter. The tension that had been building between them instantly dissolved. Even Henry, the butler who had been standing several steps away, couldn’t hold back his amusement, though he tried to stifle his laughter.
“You’re bold, Klaus,” Daven said between chuckles, clearly impressed. “You really have some backbone.”
Klaus shrugged playfully. “I’ve learned it’s best to be bold in life, Sir Ross. No point in holding back.”
Daven nodded, still smiling. “True enough. It’s refreshing to meet someone who’s not afraid to speak their mind. You’ve got confidence—something that will take you far.”
Klaus appreciated the praise, but he remained aware that Daven was still sizing him up. The light-hearted moment didn’t change the fact that Daven was trying to learn more about him, to test his character. Still, Klaus felt he had handled the situation well. He had managed to keep the conversation both respectful and playful, showing Daven that he wasn’t easily intimidated.
“Good then,” Daven said, still smiling but with a hint of challenge in his tone. “You’ll have to work hard because there are far more terrifying geniuses out there, all looking to catch their attention.”
Klaus nodded. “I wouldn’t expect anything less. The greater the challenge, the more rewarding the victory.”
“What are you two laughing about” Just when Klaus and Daven Ross could get more into their discussion, Lucy spoke. Turning, Klaus saw two immortal angels entering the garden. Looking at them, his heart skipped a beat.