Chapter 50: Old Fashioned Amber

Amber leisurely walked out of her personal manor, which was located right outside the Academy, and made her way toward the garage. As anyone who knew her would expect, her manor was built in the old style from the pre-Apocalypse era. Everything in her manor followed that same old-fashioned aesthetic, and she had even employed a few butlers and maids to take care of the property instead of relying on robots. She opened the garage and smiled brightly upon seeing her car collection. Every single one of them could be considered old by modern standards, but she loved each and every one of them. There were almost a hundred cars lined up in pristine condition, yet she still felt it wasn’t enough. She chose one at random and walked toward it. It was a sleek, low-slung grand tourer with hand-stitched leather seats and an engine that purred like a predator ready to strike. The car roared to life and sped onto the road, gliding out of the manor grounds. It didn’t take her long to reach the Academy’s main gate, which was heavily fortified with security measures, most of which were operated and monitored by the Gaia AI. Amber stepped out of the car and looked around, her brows furrowing slightly. She let out a sharp snort and commanded in a cold voice, "Come out before I drag you out." Her threat worked instantly. Four figures materialized before her, their eyes holding both wariness and a determination that said they were ready to fight her to the death if needed. As the silence persisted, the atmosphere between them became thick with tension. Amber swept her gaze over each of them and asked, "White Eagle Mercenary?" Their eyes flickered in shock, and they instantly went on alert, drawing their weapons. They couldn’t help but look at this woman in a new light. They had already heard plenty about Amber, but they hadn’t expected it to be this suffocating to stand in her presence. She wasn’t even moving aggressively or unleashing any killing intent, yet the pressure she exuded was enough to make even hardened mercenaries, who had seen the worst horrors the world could throw at them, feel like dropping to their knees. Amber casually leaned back against her car and took out her phone. She dialed a number, and the moment it was picked up, she said, "I didn’t think you would actually manage to subdue the White Eagle Mercenary." [You already met them?] "You didn’t know?" Amber’s brows rose in surprise. [I’ve been in the Primordial Expanse all this time. I just came back in the morning and will leave soon. What happened?] "Well, a lot happened yesterday, which eventually led to Leon receiving a vacation. We’re going to Vale," Amber replied. [Wait! Wait! That’s a lot to take in. What the hell happened there?] Amber perched herself on the car’s bonnet and began recounting everything to Jade, completely ignoring the mercenaries surrounding her. As for the mercenaries, they didn’t know what to do, so they just stood there awkwardly. This was the first time someone had blatantly ignored them like this, and the worst part was, they couldn’t even do anything about it. [I can’t believe this...] Amber smiled at the sound of Jade’s shocked voice. She could almost picture her face twisted in disbelief, and the image put her in a good mood. But Jade’s next words wiped that smile away. [How are you?] Amber licked her lips and sighed. "You and Master really are cut from the same cloth. Why do you both ask the same question? And aren’t you worried about Leon?" [I am, but I also know that with you there, he’ll be fine.] "I appreciate your trust and confidence in me, but remember, without him, all of us would be dead. That includes me." [I know.] "Aren’t you at least a little shocked that he made that potion at such a young age, when even old bones like Master couldn’t?" [He’s always been a curious and intelligent kid. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day he found the cure for this damned Virus too.] "You seem oddly proud for someone who’s never even met him." [What matters is that I watched him grow up.] Amber was genuinely surprised at that. She knew Jade was calmer than her, but she was also reckless and never formed bonds easily. Kind? Yes. But truly close relationships? Rarely, if ever. Silver was different since she was family but Leon? They weren’t blood-related and had never even met in person. [By the way, take care of his mother if you’re really going to meet her.] "Oh my? Am I detecting jealousy?" Amber’s fox ears twitched upward as she teased. [I am. I’ve been meaning to meet her for years, but I couldn’t...] "Now everything’s settled, so do it now." [I’ll see... Just take care of both of them, especially Leon, if you’re going to mass produce that potion. Call me if you need help.] "Aren’t you busy in that Corrupted Land?" [I’m withdrawing and leaving my team there. I couldn’t find her, even after searching the Death Zones.] "You did what!??" Amber jerked upright, eyes wide. "Are you crazy?" Even with her reckless streak, she wouldn’t dare to set foot inside a Death Zone. And knowing Jade, she was sure the woman had gone there alone. [I couldn’t stand the thought that she might be trapped somewhere out there among those damned monsters.] ’Crazy! No, she’s insane!’ Amber pinched the bridge of her nose. "No wonder Master never liked you." [Coming from you?] "You could have just called me!" [I don’t want burdens.] "Fuck off, pretentious bitch!" [Language!] "Coming from you?" Amber exhaled slowly. "What if she’s stuck in some unexplored region?" [It’s possible. I was thinking of going, but Elder Anthony forbade me.] "Good! Very good!" Amber’s tone brightened immediately. "You think Elder Anthony’s blood is weak? She’ll survive and come back stronger." [I hope so. Anyway, you go to Vale and keep them safe. I’ll check the incident with the Flame Knight Dungeon.] Amber’s eyes narrowed. "You think someone’s behind this? You know how hard it is to tamper with the Academy’s dungeons." [Yes, but I’d rather investigate than believe in coincidences. You know I hate that word.] "Update me if you find anything," Amber said coldly. "I’ll deal with them myself." [I’ll never steal your prey, Amber. If there’s a target, I’ll find it.] "Thanks." [Just keep yourself alive. Otherwise, our dead master will crawl out of her grave to kill you.] "I’d like that." Amber chuckled, then hung up. She turned toward the mercenaries and asked, "Why didn’t she ask you to find Silver too?" Seeing how familiar she was with their boss, and how dangerous she was, one of them answered, "We’ve been assigned to protect Young Master Leon and his family. That is our only purpose." "I see. Then do your job well, or I’ll punish you all instead of Jade," Amber said with a yawn, glancing toward the gate. "Go back to stealth. He’s coming."