CH-55 Home return[1]

"Um, Mother, is that woman your girlfriend?" After a minute we exited the city far from campus, Little Arle piped up, Her innocent question nearly made my ears combust with embarrassment.

I had almost forgotten her presence amongst us. Shaking my head vigorously, I responded, "...No, we aren't a couple… yet. But perhaps in the future, who knows?"

"... But shall we catch the full speed of our vehicle?" With a wicked wink, I shifted the last gears and floored the accelerator, the empty desert road inviting our need for speed.

We found ourselves in a desolate yet strangely exhilarating landscape, the tarmac stretching endlessly before us.

Unleashing the full might of my evolutionary, speed-defying vehicle, we hurtled forward at a blistering, highest until now, at 783 kilometers per hour!

Yes, you heard that right – in this futuristic world of ours, cars are engineered for ludicrous velocities that would make earthly automobiles weep with envy.

But it was nothing compared to bMW on earth…

Why, because even the humble BMW i8 could reach a mere 1170 kilometers per hour in that realm!

Yeah, since it was a cultivation and magical world, there is much more not since our vehicles boast safety features so advanced here, even a head-on collision between two rocket-propelled juggernauts would roughly ruffle a hair.

The latter one is possible only If one possesses the financial means to modify and fortify these mechanical beasts.

'These vehicles here still work on good old dinosaur juice and liquid ancient sunlight.' I laughed, keeping my eyes peeled on the road ahead while Arle got lost in the digital smartphone.

Speaking of phones, I recently acquired the latest and greatest in pocket-sized technological wizardry – the iPhone 20 Pro Max.

This object puts its earthly counterparts to shame with more bells, whistles, and doodads than a Swiss Army workshop.

Why is that, you ask?

Well… I could probably use this thing to pilot the International Space Station if I felt so inclined!

Anywho, after what felt like an eon of cruising, we finally rolled into my hometown, known as Velo Smart City, around 8:10 pm.

Now, this place is a delightful hodgepodge of old-world charm, natural splendor, and cutting-edge modernity.

Anyone could imagine a Renaissance painting coming to life and getting zapped by a futuristic ray gun – that's Velo Smart City in a nutshell.

"Mother, Look, that building is really big~~" Arle squealed with childlike glee, her eyes sparkling brighter than a supernova as she pointed at one of the towering skyscrapers.

And by 'towering'. I mean that building stood a cool 1790 meters tall – a veritable midget compared to some of the architectural behemoths around these parts.

"Yes, yes~~..." I humored her, considering booking us a swanky hotel suite before remembering Ely's instructions to head straight home.

With a shrug, I switched lanes and steered my trusty steed towards the homestead, eager to swap tales of our high-octane abroad over a nice, piping hot cup of motor oil.

Just kidding... Or am I?

It wasn't long before I found myself at the gates of my... House.

It is a place that had a visceral unease within me. As my trusty steed rolled to a halt, a guard promptly approached and tapped on the window.

Obliging to his unspoken request, I lowered the glass partition, presenting my striking face for his perusal.

"Miss, do you have an appointment? Because at this hour, no one is permitted entry without prior clearance. If not, I must regretfully deny you passage, as per the rules of white family." The guard stated, his expression and demeanor as impassive as a statue.

My lips curved into a mirthless smile as I challenged him, "Do the daughters of the esteemed White family prefered permission by parents to enter in their own abode?"

The mere locution of the word 'home' ignited a smoldering resentment within me, an urge to batter down the very gates that barred my way to beat people who bully Mia.

I controlled myself from doing it. In simple terms, I'm weak at the moment otherwise…

Tsk! I would have blown these houses.

The guard's brow furrowed, his scrutiny flickering momentarily towards young Arle before returning to me. "I'm afraid I don't understand, miss. Do you have any form of identification?"

"Tsk!" The sound of my tongue clicking against the roof of my mouth resonated with palpable annoyance.

I steeled myself, prepared to have a conversation with the guard, but the words died on my lips as a familiar figure emerged from the other side of the gate – Ely.

"She is Mia. Let her enter." Ely smiled at me before she patted the guard's shoulder.

The poor man visibly paled, as if stricken by her.

Without any delay, he bowed before me, his words tumbling out in a nervous rush. "I-I'm sorry, My lady, but I was merely carrying out my duties."

He was a fresh-faced newcomer, no doubt regaled with tales of the infamous Iris, run away child.

Whispers of the White House's storied past had instilled a healthy anxiety in this young guard, his fear of reprisal palpable.

"No need to apologize." I mumbled, my annoyance lingering like a stubborn cloud.

Without further ado, I ride my sleek BMW through the now-open gates, leaving the guard as Ely trailed behind with a smirk yet muted.

As we were near the grand gates of the magnificent mansion, a sprawling swimming pool glistening in the distance, I turned to Arle, imparting a gentle plus commandant instruction.

"Arle, if someone exhibits a discourteous attitude towards me, refrain from retaliating, alright?"

Arle has a tendency to lash out with choice words whenever she sees an individual's disrespect directed my way.

It was sa trait I aimed to curb, at least within these hallowed grounds.

"... Okay!" she nodded obediently after a thought, her agreement was a balm to my apprehensions.

With a weary sigh, I got down from the vehicle, retrieving my suitcase before Ely relieved me of its burden with a warm smile.

Her presence at the gates seemed to welcome us forward. My gaze lingered upon the imposing edifice before us, And features likely contorted into an unbecoming grimace.

As this place has a profound aversion in my heart, an unshakable hatred that I will choose to live in enemy's abode would prove a more welcoming refuge.

"... Mother, we should go inside." Arle gently tugged at my clothing, rousing me from my bitter reverie.

Gritting my teeth, I clenched my fists tightly, nails digging into flesh but the anticipated pain never manifested.

There was not any physical sensation paled in me if equal to the pain that had in my psyche, a turmoil born of a history intertwined with these very walls.

"Mother, your hand is bleeding," Arle exclaimed, her voice laden with concern as she cradled my injured paw.

In a tender gesture, she called upon her innate mystical abilities, channeling a soothing warmth that mended the self-inflicted wounds.

"Don't worry." I straightened my posture as I squared my shoulders towards the looming gateway. And then twisted to Ely, whose features betrayed a hint of confusion at our exchange.

"I shan't engage in idle prattle, but one thing is sure… she is my family, my daughter, And everything. If you treat her with the respect she deserves... Perhaps, then, our relationship would be better. Is that okay… sister?"