As they arrived in front of the massive building of the House of Stellan, Charles pulled up to the entrance and brought the car to a smooth stop.
One of the two guards stationed by the door immediately stepped forward.
"Welcome, honored guest, to the House of Stellan," the guard said as he opened the car door in a smooth motion, the kind that only comes with doing it a thousand times.
Kyoji stepped out of the car, adjusting his suit, which felt even more uncomfortable after the long ride.
The expression on the two guards' faces shifted slightly the moment they saw him.
Kyoji had long since removed the hat Butler James gave him after leaving the hospital, leaving his face fully visible.
The beast horde incident had taken over the shelter's media for days now. His face—and Frederick's—had appeared on screen constantly due to their major roles in the beast horde. So, of course, the guards recognized him right away.
But just as quickly as their expressions changed, their professional demeanor returned.
Kyoji didn't miss this.
After what had happened during the beast horde, being recognized was bound to happen. The guards' reaction was understandable.
That's why he didn't bother hiding his face.
He was in the House of Stellan—a place with enough status and power to keep out unwanted eyes. The media wouldn't dare to intrude here. And more importantly, they had no way of knowing he was even here.
Kyoji gave a small nod to the guards, then entered the building with Butler James beside him, while Charles drove off toward the parking area to wait.
The moment they stepped inside, it felt like entering another world.
The air smelled of high-end fabric and clean luxury.
The space was wide and open, with only a few people present, each being guided by staff members wearing the House of Stellan's custom outfits. Their uniforms were lined with silver, and a crystal badge rested proudly over their hearts.
Even from the faint perfume coming from the surrounding people, it was easy to tell—this place didn't serve ordinary people.
But that was expected.
The House of Stellan wasn't a store for the poor or even the average person. They crafted goods only the rich and powerful could afford.
As they walked in, the atmosphere shifted. A few dozen eyes turned in their direction, and quiet whispers started spreading through the space.
"Isn't that the boy from the news?"
"I think so... but what's he doing here?"
The murmurs surrounded them. Kyoji's enhanced hearing picked up every word, but he didn't react. His eyes were already drawn to a beautiful young woman who looked to be in her twenties. She wore the same custom outfit as the other staff, but there was something distinct about her—something that made her stand out.
"Welcome to the House of Stellan," she said with a bright smile that could melt a glacier. "My name is Sera. You must be… Kyoji, right?"
Her eyes lingered on him with an emotion he couldn't quite place.
Kyoji noticed the look immediately. Being recognized everywhere is getting annoying, he thought.
But he misunderstood her expression.
Unbeknownst to him, Sera's feelings ran deeper than simple recognition.
You see, her younger brother had been one of the newly awakened inside the temple during the beast horde attack. Kyoji's actions didn't just save strangers—they saved him, the only family Sera had left. To her, Kyoji wasn't just famous. He was a hero. Her hero.
If not for her strict professionalism, she would've burst into tears the moment she saw him.
But Kyoji, unaware of the meaning behind her gaze, simply gave a small nod, his expression unreadable.
"Good," Sera continued, regaining her composure. "I've been waiting for your arrival. Please, follow me to the private fitting chamber. Grandmaster Vellian will join you shortly."
She turned and began to lead them deeper into the building.
Kyoji wasn't surprised. He had heard Butler James making calls back in the car. Most likely, it was to arrange everything in advance.
But there was something else in Sera's words that caught his attention.
Grandmaster Vellian.
It wasn't the name that caught his attention—it was the title.
Anyone with the title of Grandmaster had reached the peak of their craft, whether it was Alchemy, Blacksmithing, or any other field. People like that weren't easy to meet. They were respected and powerful individuals.
Even the elite and the powerful families in the shelter had to show them respect. That alone showed how valuable they were.
So if Grandmaster Vellian was personally coming to attend to him, it meant someone had pulled some serious strings.
And Kyoji already knew who that someone was.
They turned a corner, leaving behind the open showroom and stepping into a hallway lined with glowing runes carved into the marble walls—subtle security enchantments that shimmered faintly.
Sera stopped in front of a tall blackwood door with silver inlays, placing her palm against a glowing screen on the wall.
The door opened without a sound, revealing a large and elegant chamber.
It was spacious and refined. A luxurious-looking couch sat in the center, clearly meant for guests. A large mirror stood against the wall, gleaming with an almost enchanted glow. Another door stood at the back—most likely leading to a changing room.
"This is our private fitting chamber," Sera said as she stepped aside for them to enter. "Please fill out the form here while you wait for Grandmaster Vellian," she added, handing Kyoji a sleek tablet.
Kyoji took the tablet with a nod and walked into the room. Sera quietly closed the door behind them, leaving just him and Butler James.
Kyoji moved forward and sat on the couch, with James settling beside him.
The room fell into silence as Kyoji focused on the tablet and began answering the questions. It asked about his preferred style, what kind of outfit he was looking for, and a few other basic things.
It didn't take long for him to finish. And almost as soon as he set the tablet down, the door opened.
An old man entered with silver hair tied back into a neat ponytail. A gleaming monocle sat over one eye, catching the light of the room. He wore a simple white robe—plain, especially for a tailor—but something about the way he carried himself made him stand out.
A wide smile appeared on the old man's face as his eyes landed on Butler James.
"James, my old friend," he said warmly, his voice a smooth mix of class and energy. "It's been far too long."
"Indeed, Vellian. Time hasn't dulled your flair, I see," James replied, standing with a rare genuine smile.
Vellian chuckled. "Flair may fade, but precision remains. And I've heard this young man here gave quite the heroic performance recently."
He turned his full attention to Kyoji, his monocle gleaming. His gaze felt sharp, like he was observing more than just the surface—as if he was looking through him.
"You must be Kyoji."
"I am," Kyoji replied with a small nod.
"Good. Very good," Vellian said as he stepped closer, folding his hands behind his back. "I must say, I'm not usually called in person unless it's for the High Families or the Alliance generals. But when James calls, I answer."
There was no flattery in his tone—just plain fact. And it confirmed what Kyoji had already suspected.
James was not just a regular servant. His connections and influence went deeper than his appearance suggested. Kyoji couldn't help but wonder just who James really was.
Vellian then picked up the tablet Kyoji had set down and began to read through it, scanning the details casually. After a few moments, he looked up with a smile.
"Step forward, please."
Without saying a word, Kyoji stood and stepped in front of him.
Vellian gently placed a hand on Kyoji's chest and closed his eyes. He stayed still for a few seconds, then pulled back with a thoughtful look and turned toward James.
"He's quite an interesting one. His muscles, bones, and skin... they're all unique. Constantly shifting, even now," Vellian said, smiling wider.
"He sure is," James replied with a nod.
"And you figured that out just by touching me?" Kyoji asked, his voice flat and unreadable.
"Yes. I wouldn't be a Grandmaster if I didn't have a way to understand the body I'm designing for," Vellian answered calmly. "Don't worry—I already have something in mind that's specially tailored for you."
With that, he turned and left the room, his footsteps quiet and confident.