Alex was able to convince his father to get a security detail. His concern stemmed from the fact that he still didn't know who The Order was and the force that abducted him. For all he knew, they were still watching him.
"I understand, son. Do what you have to do." Willian nodded. "Though they'd have to stay out of sight like the previous ones we had."
"Definitely," Alex agreed. "It will be like they aren't even around." Of course, to the normal being, it would be a challenge to spot an awakened keeping an eye on them.
"Then it's settled." William got up. "I'll leave you guys alone. I want to take another look around." He gestured for Shawn to follow him.
"So, with that out of the way, what else do you have in mind?" Julia asked moments after William and Shawn disappeared upstairs.
"Right now I just want to relax," Alex replied, holding Julia closer to him.
"You do know the universe is still a mess, right?" Ross asked with raised brows. "We can't afford to relax."
"I see you mean, man." Alex turned to him. "But I want to be with family and you guys. If I leave now, it might take a while to return."
"Yeah. Sorry about that." Ross apologized as he leaned on the sofa. He didn't even know why he said that. After all, even he was pretty much useless with his current strength.
'Maybe I just want to see him in action.' Ross pondered. 'And once again, I feel left behind.'
The trio continued to make small talk as they waited for Alex's mom and sis to prepare a celebratory feast.
...
Alex stayed true to his words as he spent the last couple of days with his family, visiting different places on Earth and on Mars, going shopping and doing everything that families usually do.
For his brother, Aaron, Alex got him a new armour equipped with the latest tech with a defence strong enough to resist attacks from Class B hunters.
It was overkill but Alex saw no problems with that. For his sister, Alex simply gave her the liberty to get whatever she wanted.
As a married woman, Alex couldn't tell what she wanted as her husband's opinion also mattered.
And after liquidating all his assets, Alex transferred all his wealth to his father. William was unwilling to take that much wealth.
"It's for the entire family, Dad." Alex's words and a nudge from Sarah finally sealed the deal. Of course, William also made Alex promise to take what he wanted whenever he wished.
"Of course." Alex agreed. It was unlikely for Alex to need anything as he could generate wealth whenever he wished. Yes, he was at that point in life.
The news of Alex's return and what he could do quickly spread throughout the empire. Those on Earth and Mars had the privilege of seeing him around with his family and friends.
Many people had their thoughts to share about the issue, some were pressed with his immense luck and growth, and others felt suspicious and worried.
In one of the favourite gatherings of hunters on planet Earth, many were having discussions mostly centred around Alexander.
"I can't believe he survived in the universe all by himself. Now, he returns as one of the most powerful beings there is. Isn't that a bit too abrupt?" A hunter said to his buddies.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Didn't you hear he was the one who defeated the S-Class void creature? Something that even the hero hunters couldn't do?"
"How is that a bad thing?"
"It takes several tens of years to reach the A-tier and even more to break through to the S rank. But this Alexander reached the same level and beyond in just like what, five years?"
"Well, they did say he can utilize void energy. So that must be why."
"Maybe. But it feels like he got everything easy."
"Haha… so that's what your problem is. You do know power like that comes with responsibilities, right? Knowing you, you would use that strength for nefarious business."
"And that is another one of my concerns. Who is to say with his newfound strength, he won't go around doing whatever he pleases? Remember, his strength might be greater than our leaders now."
"Mm. You make a valid point. But I don't think he is like that." The hunter recalled seeing how Alex presented himself and behaved with his family.
There were no signs of a ruthless and power-hungry individual being born.
"People change, buddy. People change."
Their conversation was heard by many around as with their enhanced senses, there wasn't much that could escape them.
And like they heard; many began to wonder what Alex might do with his newfound strength. They began to raise concerns about his power and what the leaders were going to do about it.
...…..
Charlotte and Evelyn had remained in the Knight Mansion since their return, focusing on cultivating to increase their strength, even if it was just a little.
Alex had made his conditions clear to them, and they were not interested in crossing him. Unfortunately, with rising concerns, the empire's leaders reached out a second time.
"Have you been able to speak with the boy?" Lord Basso asked while Charlotte and Evely exchanged glances.
"No, sir." Evely replied. "Alexander made it clear he wanted to be left alone and would reach out to us in his own time."
"What?" Basso didn't like what he heard. "The boy actually said that?"
"Not exactly," Charlotte chipped in and explained how Alex reached out to them and gave his conditions.
"So you just stayed back." Basso sneered. "And you call yourselves S-Tiers."
"It's not their fault, Basso." Zara didn't like his harsh tone. "What were they supposed to do? Force the boy's hand?
"Remember, we don't want to give the boy reasons to see us as the villains."
"And we don't want the boy thinking he can push us around." Basso countered. "He's been back for like what, four days?"
Turning to the two hunters, Basso instructed, "Tell the boy to report to the capital in two days. He's had his fun."
His words caused the two hunters to raise their heads in surprise. They wanted to say something, but Basso wasn't done.
"Should he refuse, his action would be seen as contempt." Basso finalized, surprising even his co-leaders.
The feed ended at that point, leaving Charlotte and Evelyn speechless.
"We're in trouble."