New house.
"We arrived in Skyride City, a stunning metropolis ten times the size of Windhaven City. This sprawling city is divided into twenty sectors. Sectors 20 through 17 are typically inhabited by ordinary citizens. Sectors 16 to 10 are home to martial artists and boast more luxury and diverse cultures. Sectors 9 to 5 serve as the hub for government, military activities, tournaments, and representatives from different kingdoms. It's the heart of the capital, where everything is meticulously guarded, and everyone sports formal attire with serious expressions.
The final four sectors house the prominent families of the state. Sector 1, for instance, belongs entirely to the Smith family, and each sector spans at least 7 kilometers.
Margaret purchased a mansion in Sector 3, nestled close to the mountains and the forest.
As for my laboratory, it's located in the city center, a 35-minute car ride away. The city's design is stringent and lacks the freedom and openness of the Union of States Library, but the Smith family, who hold the most influence here, staunchly adhere to rules and regulations.
I find the city appealing, although I can't say I'll spend the rest of my life here. For the next few years, though, I can't see myself relocating."
Margaret got us a massive mansion, a real showstopper. This place is a beast, with a garage that can fit a whopping eleven cars. It's a three-story wonder with a huge basement.
Inside, it's like stepping into a fancy magazine. The design mixes old-school charm with a modern touch. Big rooms with high ceilings, fancy moldings on the walls, and lots of sunlight streaming through the big windows.
The mansion has nine bedrooms, and each has its own bathroom and a big walk-in closet. My bedroom is extra special, with a cozy sitting area, a spa-like bathroom, and a balcony that looks out over the garden.
And speaking of the garden, there's a cool swimming pool out back, perfect for those hot summer days.
Now, here's the kicker: the entire basement is our personal gym and training space. It's decked out with the best workout gear, a martial arts dojo, and even an open space for fights.
"You didn't disappoint me, Margaret," I praised.
"Glad to hear that. I had to pull some strings and call in some favors to get this place as close to the mountains as possible and far from the Smiths' supervision," she explained.
"Don't worry about that. When we took a stroll around the city earlier, I noticed that from Sector 9 to 1, there are a lot of 4th-rank people, and in the 4 sectors, there are even ranks 6 and 7. This place is teeming with strong individuals. Now I understand why Merline wants to become an Emperor fast; being a king here isn't all that special," I commented.
"Yeah, but still, with Dave Smith as a Master Rank, everyone answers to him. The gap between Emperor and Master is huge," she added.
"I just finished the tour. This mansion is perfect. I took the room next to my brother's, and no one is allowed in there," Sofia declared with a proud smile.
I exchanged glances with Margaret and started laughing. "I have to warn you, you might get bored of me. All I do is train and read books. I'm a bit of a bore," I reminded her.
"I don't care," she replied.
We each settled into our rooms and put away our things. I hadn't brought many clothes with me, as I planned to have new ones made. I also intended to shop for some luxury suits. After arranging my room, I placed the large array box in the corner. I left the saber but took the sword. I also grabbed the sniper rifle; I'd leave it in the lab. Carrying my newly created tools and books, I headed to the garage.
Inside, I found six cars—four were mine, and two belonged to Margaret. I opted for the black SUV and headed to the lab. I had already spoken to Latifa earlier; she was waiting for me there.
Here's your passage with improved flow and readability:
"Glad to see you again, Noah," Latifa greeted me.
"Happy to see you again, Latifa. Did Hiba not come with you?" I inquired.
"No, she's focusing on the company and hiring employees," she replied.
I walked to the lab with her. From the outside, it looks like a regular villa, but once you step inside, there are three bedrooms, a kitchen, and a spacious living room, all well-furnished. On the second floor, there are only two large rooms. One is a cozy library filled with comfortable furniture and a substantial bookshelf. The other is a well-equipped lab. I placed the boxes there and started organizing my books on the shelves.
"You must be the most talented Neemr. Not only are you skilled in alchemy, but also in smithing," Latifa praised.
"Don't praise me too much; I might get cocky," I joked.
She chuckled. "Sir, what will you do about guards and maids for this lab?" she inquired.
"I'll look into that later. No need right now," I explained.
I grabbed the nearly empty ink bottle and wrote, 'Do not enter' on the doors of the two rooms. The pressure is enough to give any rank 4 pause.
"I see, so this is where that pressure comes from," Latifa finally understood.
"Hehehe, by the way, what weapon do you use?" I asked.
She looked surprised. "I use a Maghrebian dagger," she explained.
"Alright, gather the materials, and I'll make weapons for you and Hiba for free. Also, order as many high-quality materials as possible; I want to showcase my skills with some public weapons," I instructed.
She was pleased with the arrangement and went about her tasks. Latifa and I were the only ones allowed in this secure space.
"Reve, I need different materials, good leather, and a bottle of ink. Additionally, I want two types of ink – one that induces relaxation and another that has a profound impact," I requested.
"That'll cost you 29M," Reve answered with indifference.
"Got it."