Ascension of the elder

Chapter 30: My pretty

"WHATT??"

Randall and Nettie had identical looks of shock at Kyle's statement. Why were they going to be reassigned under this kid had they done something wrong what was the situation that pre-empted this move?

"I can't explain the full situation as we aren't in a secure location. I imagine father will give some random reason for the move but when you get to my mansion I'll be able to explain everything fully."

"Ok Kid I'll listen to you but you'll have to look after my guys."

"Very well Kyle, do you think I could bring some more apprentice tailors with me?"

"No problem Randall when this goes through you'll be my people and I look after my guys. With regards to apprentices it shouldn't be a problem as long as father authorises it."

Breathing a sigh of relief at Kyle's assurances Randall and Nettie had a few more drinks while making small talk with Kyle. As Kyle was able to hold an interesting conversation with them both regardless of the age difference they both began to treat him as someone close to their ages instead of a child.

Once Kyle finished his dinner he bade them both farewell as he knew that tomorrow was going to be hectic. He would also need to direct his father's anger at a target because with his personality it would be more the strange if he didn't respond to the attack against Kyle. Luckily there was a ready and willing scapegoat. This was in the form of the Miles family, as Ash's former employer and having bad blood with him if news got out about Kyle taking him in it wouldn't be a far stretch for a dark family like them to attack in a fit of hubris.

With this in mind Kyle took a leisurely stroll back to his mansion with the idea to plan out his next steps before going to bed. Kyle was a firm believer in the adage 'luck favours the prepared mind'. Upon reaching the entrance doors Kyle was surprised when they opened themselves and he felt a warm flow of mana wash over him. It was like the mansion was welcoming him home on its own. It looked like the mana crystal personality was more developed than he'd originally thought and he would need to look into what it was capable of and also to make sure it was stable. There were too many fears about AI in his old world. He could remember a few stories he had read about the laws of robotics and TV shows and movies which centred on AI takeovers.

Deciding that he would look into this before he started to create his to do list he began to head to the study he used earlier as he'd decided to use this as his main office because it seemed rather comfortable and welcoming.

Entering the corridor where his office was located, Kyle was surprised to see a young girl going into the rooms for a moment or two before coming back out and going into a different room. This must be Ash's daughter thought Kyle and decided to introduce himself to her as she would be living here for now.

"Good evening."

"Eeeepp....I mean who are you?"

"Well I'm Kyle but you should really introduce yourself before asking for someone else's name, it's only polite."

Hearing Kyle's words the girl got a little shy before she gave a clumsy curtsy and introduced herself.

"Good evening I'm Clara my father Ash is the guard captain for this mansion and its master."

After she finished her introduction she looked at Kyle expectantly as she was waiting for him to give a proper introduction.

"Nice to meet you Clara, why are you looking through all the different rooms?"

Deciding to dodge the implied question of why he was here Kyle instead asked a direct question which threw Clara off her pace. Looking over her shoulder she said to Kyle

"I'm looking for a bedroom as my parents have been apart for a long time and they asked if they could get some 'special time' together. I don't know what they mean but I always do what papa asks."

Clara dropped this sentence with the innocence only a young child can muster. Kyle didn't feel awkward about this as she didn't understand the context and he believed that her parents could definitely do with a bit of slap and tickle before they got to work tomorrow.

"Well that's good Clara, there are also bedrooms on the second floor if you wanted a bedroom with a view."

Leaving these words with the young girl Kyle carried on down the hallway towards his office before he was stopped again when Clara could no longer contain her curiosity.

"Wait who are you and what are you doing."

"Well I told you I'm Kyle and currently I'm walking down this hall."

Kyle decided to tease this girl a little as she was so innocent he couldn't help but find it cute. Clara puffed her cheeks when she heard his response, she knew he was doing this intentionally but couldn't help but bite. Raising her fist towards him she took a step forward before saying.

"You have to tell me what you're doing, my dad is the guard captain so if you don't I'll go and get him."

Not wanting to ruin Ash's fun time Kyle decided to answer Clara.

"I'm Kyle Powell son of Landon Powell, heir to the Powell family, owner of this mansion and your father's employer. It's my pleasure to make your acquaintance young miss. With regards to what I'm doing I'm heading to my office to complete my plans for world domination."

When Clara heard this statement she was at first shocked and when she heard of Kyle's plans she became frightened and pale. When Kyle saw her like this he couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Pffttttt your face HAHAHAHA."

Realising Kyle had messed with her again Clara went red to the ears. Kyle turned to the hall again and carried on to his office. When he entered he found Clara was still behind him.

"Yes can I help you?"

"Until I'm sure who you are I need to keep an eye on you. If you do anything suspicious I'll get daddy right away."

"Meh do as you want."

Deciding it didn't matter if she was there on not Kyle sat behind his desk before taking up a pen and paper. Clara decided to sit on one of the couches to the side of the entrance so she could keep an eye on whatever Kyle was doing.

Kyle took a pen and paper out from one of the drawers in the desk and began to write an agenda down. Even with his enhanced mental faculties it would still help to write down what points he needed to focus on.

1. Increase his and his people's strength.

2. Establish a connection with a great guild

3. Explore this new mansion and unlock its secrets

4. Uncover the conspiracy and deal with the source

The last of these points caused Kyle to pause as he knew he would probably have to fight and kill during this period of time. While he thought of himself as being pragmatic and having a firm will. The truth is he'd never been in a life and death battle, he didn't consider the fight previously as one because he was never in any real danger which gave him the leeway to disarm his attackers without killing them.

The best option he could find to prepare for this was to either fight and kill the bandits who reside between the cities or to do some bounty hunting within the city, due to his age the second one was already off the table which left the first option. He decided he would have to organise a beast hunting trip outside of the walls and aim for where bandits had been seen so he and the young people who were now his team could experience this side of life in a more controlled environment.

He would speak to Ash about this as he would need him as backup if he or the others couldn't complete this for whatever reason. Currently all of these would take time but he could make a start on looking at the mansion right now. As he thought about this the mansion seemed to respond to his desire and a control array appeared floating in front of him. Clara on seeing this beautiful golden array floating in front of Kyle as if awaiting his command couldn't help but comment.

"Pretty."