Morning came quietly over the Ashard Estate.

Sunlight filtered through the tall glass windows, painting golden streaks across the polished floors while the aroma of breakfast drifted from the dining hall. Unlike most mornings, the estate wasn’t filled with sleepy silence.

It was chaos.

"More pancakes." Gromda had somehow finished her eighth serving and was staring expectantly at Raymond. Raymond maintained the composure expected of a professional butler.

"Coming immediately, Lady Gromda."

Across the table, Alpha sipped his coffee while sketching something inside a notebook.

"What are you drawing?" Silas asked.

Alpha immediately shut the book.

"Nothing."

"You’re drawing me again, aren’t you?"

"No."

"You hesitated."

"I did not."

"You absolutely did."

Chloe quietly ate beside Silas without joining the conversation.

Ever since comprehending Absolute Zero, she had become noticeably quieter. She still smiled around those closest to her, but compared to before, her movements carried an elegant stillness.

Anna noticed it too.

"You’ve been meditating again."

Chloe nodded.

"My control improved."

Silas smiled.

"Nice."

Just then...

Bzzz.

Silas’s phone vibrated. Everyone instinctively looked toward him. He glanced at the screen. Unknown? No. The caller ID displayed a familiar name; Aureline Apparel Group

"Oh."

He answered immediately.

"Good morning."

A pleasant female voice greeted him.

"Good morning, Mr. Ashard. This is Amelia from Aureline Apparel Group."

Silas leaned back.

"Morning."

"We hope we aren’t disturbing you."

"Not at all."

"We’ve completed development of our newest Hunter Series equipment. We’d like both you and Miss Chloe Montreal to participate in today’s promotional advertisement."

Silas glanced toward Chloe.

"They want us."

She just nodded.

The woman continued.

"Our production team is already prepared. Transportation is unnecessary if you have your own arrangements. We’d appreciate it if you could arrive before ten."

"What exactly are we advertising?"

"Our newest combat gear."

"..."

"A professional Hunter outfit."

Silas smiled.

"Sounds fun."

"We believe it’ll suit you perfectly."

"I’ll be there."

"Wonderful."

The call ended. Silas looked around the table.

"Looks like we’re working today."

Alpha blinked.

"People actually pay you to wear clothes?"

Silas nodded. "Apparently."

"I picked the wrong career."

"You don’t even have a career."

"I know."

Raymond cleared his throat.

"I shall prepare the vehicle."

"No need." Silas shook his head. "I still need driving practice."

Raymond looked uncertain.

"Young Master..."

"I’ll drive."

"..."

"..."

"..."

The entire dining table became quiet. Anna slowly lowered her fork.

"You’ll... drive?"

"Yep."

"On public roads?"

"That’s generally where cars are driven."

Raymond coughed.

"I believe... perhaps, I should drive today."

Silas sighed dramatically.

"Nobody believes in me."

Alpha raised a finger.

"I believe."

Silas smiled.

"See?"

Alpha continued.

"I believe we’ll crash."

"You know what?" Silas stood up. "I’m revoking breakfast privileges."

"You can’t."

"I absolutely can."

"You’ll starve too."

"Good point."

***

Nearly an hour later, a sleek black SUV rolled into the parking area of Aureline Apparel Group’s headquarters.

The building towered above the surrounding district, its modern glass exterior reflecting the morning sunlight. Huge digital displays covered the front façade.

One advertisement featured Silas himself. Another showed Chloe standing beneath gently falling snow while wearing elegant winter apparel.

Silas stared upward.

"I’m still not used to seeing my own face that big."

Alpha looked at the billboard.

"It does have better posture than you."

"I’ll throw you into traffic."

"I’ll sue."

"You live with me."

"I’ll sue emotionally."

They entered together. The moment the receptionists noticed them, the atmosphere changed.

"Mr. Ashard!"

"Miss Montreal!"

Several employees immediately stood. One hurried away to notify the executive floor, while another approached with a bright smile.

"You’re welcome."

Silas smiled politely.

"Good morning."

"It’s wonderful seeing both of you again."

Within minutes, they were escorted to one of the company’s executive conference rooms. Unlike the previous meeting, today’s room resembled a creative studio more than a boardroom.

Large concept boards covered the walls showing weapon sketches, armor prototypes, combat boots, protective gauntlets, and mana-resistant fabrics.

At the center stood two people waiting for them. One was a middle-aged man in a charcoal-gray suit with silver-framed glasses. The other was a woman wearing a fitted navy business suit, holding a digital tablet.

The man smiled warmly.

"Mr. Ashard. Miss Montreal. It’s an honor."

He extended his hand.

"My name is Victor Hale. I’m Director of Product Development."

The woman nodded.

"And I’m Elena Brooks. Creative Director."

Silas shook both their hands.

"Pleased to meet you."

Victor gestured toward the display wall.

"Shall we begin?"

The lights dimmed as a massive holographic presentation appeared. At its center floated a sleek suit of combat armor. It was black and silver, with deep crimson highlights. It was elegant rather than bulky.

Victor began.

"This is the Aureline Hunter Series - Vanguard Mk.I."

The armor slowly rotated.

"It combines awakened-grade synthetic fibers with mana-conductive alloys."

Another image appeared.

"The suit offers enhanced flexibility, high resistance against monster claws, temperature regulation, mana dispersion, and integrated emergency medical patches."

Anna raised an eyebrow.

"Medical patches?"

Victor smiled.

"Designed with consultation from leading healers."

He didn’t know one of those healers was standing right beside him. Elena took over.

"Our goal isn’t simply protection. It’s confidence." She looked directly at Silas. "When awakened hunters enter a rift, they should feel like professionals."

A new slide appeared. It showed several hunters wearing the equipment as they fought monsters. Silas nodded.

"Looks good."

Victor smiled.

"It gets better."

He snapped his fingers, and assistants entered carrying garment cases. Inside were two customized versions. One was tailored for Silas, the other for Chloe.

Silas lifted his.

"Whoa."

The material felt incredibly light, almost weightless, yet firm. Chloe quietly examined hers. Her usually expressionless face showed the faintest hint of approval.

Victor noticed.

"I’ll take that as a compliment."

"It is."

Chloe answered. The room chuckled softly. Elena opened another presentation.

"Today’s advertisement won’t be a standard fashion shoot."

Silas looked interested.

"It won’t?"

She shook her head. "No. We’re creating a cinematic commercial."

Another storyboard appeared. It showed a devastated city with monsters, collapsed buildings, hunters, and Silas and Chloe standing at the center.

Victor folded his hands.

"We don’t want models." He smiled. "We want two awakened hunters."

Silas returned the smile.

"I think we can manage that."

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