As the car drove through the gates, Iris couldn't resist the temptation to peek out the window. She was captivated by the scenery: a long gravel driveway flanked by lush grass and towering trees. Water droplets floated up to six feet before cascading back down on the other side, creating the illusion of a road in the middle of a river. Along the path, sculptures covered in twisting vines and sprawling plants dotted the landscape. To anyone with a discerning eye, it was clear these weren't mere decorations—they were part of the Subaru defense systems.

The car came to a stop before another large gate, beyond which the house was partially visible.

"Over there," Riko pointed, "is the Subaru magic defense." He indicated a huge white magic array hovering above the mansion. "There's a special artifact protecting the mansion from outsiders. Even a strong Ability user couldn't force their way in without sustaining considerable injuries."

Iris was mesmerized, while Isakawa frowned in frustration. Such a high-level defense spell could only be maintained by an SSS-class hero or through a powerful artifact. It seemed dealing with the Subaru family would be more challenging than he had anticipated.

As the second gate opened, the car rolled forward into what appeared to be a parking lot filled with an array of luxurious cars, some of which weren't even available on the market yet.

Everyone exited the car, and Sally, along with another servant, began unloading their bags. As Sally lifted them, the bags started to float, demonstrating the magic-infused environment.

"Welcome back to the Subaru household, Isakawa Subaru and Riko Subaru," greeted a striking woman. She wore a uniform that was more akin to a butler's, complete with a pencil skirt.

Her bright yellow eyes and grey hair, which flowed gracefully to her shoulders, gave her an elegant and commanding presence. Despite her slender figure, she had a noticeable poise and beauty that rivaled even Sally's.

Sally suppressed a snort, maintaining her composure despite the obvious hierarchy.

"I'm Kena," the woman introduced herself with a polite bow. "I'll be the butler for Isakawa Subaru during his stay here."

At that moment, a young man appeared behind Kena. He looked remarkably similar to her but had a more masculine, well-built physique. His yellow eyes sparkled with excitement as he caught sight of Isakawa.

"And I'm Lucas," he said softly, "I am to be the butler for Riko Subaru."

With their luggage floating behind them, the group was escorted to the front door of the Subaru estate. They stopped before an imposing black door flanked by two obsidian pillars adorned with light blue crystal carvings. Iris marveled at the sheer scale of the house, its height and width seeming endless as she looked around. The door slid open automatically, revealing the opulent interior.

As they stepped inside, Iris's eyes widened at the sight of a massive sculpture, towering up to 10 feet tall, depicting two white dragons on either side. The ceiling soared 24 feet above, and a floating orb made of crystal shards hovered, illuminating the room with a soft glow. The mix of fantasy and sci-fi elements made it feel like they had entered another world.

The grandeur of the entrance gave way to an even more magnificent grand hall. The room was large, with three enormous chandeliers made of glowing white crystals hanging from the ceiling. The floor was lined with polished grey tiles, and black curtains adorned the tall windows. It felt more like a palace than a villa, befitting one of the most prestigious households in the world.

Iris, Tael, Sheila, and Krumi tried to contain their awe. Iris, especially, felt a surge of excitement, wanting to jump around in joy but held back, mindful of her father's presence and the need to maintain her composure.

As they moved further into the grand hall, an intense pressure filled the room. The atmosphere was tense, and Iris couldn't help but feel a bit scared, though she kept her head up. Everyone in the room seemed to be glaring at Isakawa with a mix of aggression and jealousy. There were about 25 families present, totaling around 56 people. Murmurs filled the air, barely above a whisper yet loaded with hostility.

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"What is that bastard doing here?" someone muttered threateningly.

"What's shocking is that he's still alive," another voice whispered.

"And he has a wife and a child," a third voice added, dripping with disdain.

Amid the murmurs, a man approached Isakawa with a strange grin plastered on his face. He placed a hand on Isakawa's shoulder, smiling as he spoke, "It's good to see you again, dearest little brother."

"It's good to see you too, big brother Matsuba," Isakawa responded, politely removing his sibling's hand from his shoulder.

Matsuba Subaru, Isakawa's third eldest brother, stood tall with his short bob-cut black hair and piercing dark grey eyes. Despite his friendly demeanor, there was a certain menace in his gaze. Standing at 6'2", nearly the same height as Isakawa, Matsuba was more muscular, his broad shoulders straining against the fabric of his dark black suit. He wore a long black cape that swayed over his polished office shoes as he moved.

"It seems the cotton candy has grown quite well," Matsuba teased, eyeing Isakawa's silver hair.

"And it seems my mushroom-head brother has also grown," Isakawa shot back, a smirk playing on his lips.

Matsuba's expression darkened. "What the hell did you just call me?" he barked, his voice rising.

"I called you a mushroom head. What are you going to do about it?" Isakawa replied, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the provocation.

In an instant, Matsuba lunged, his hand shooting towards Isakawa's face. But Isakawa's reflexes were lightning-fast. He sidestepped effortlessly and appeared behind Matsuba in a blur of motion. Matsuba felt a brief, sharp pressure in his stomach, instinctively leaping back and clutching the spot. He checked for wounds but found none. Confused, he glanced around and saw Isakawa across the room, smirking.

'What the hell was that?' Matsuba thought, a chill running down his spine. 'Were my instincts warning me?'

He recalled Isakawa's reputation within the family. 'Yes, this brother of mine was never normal in the first place,' Matsuba thought with a mix of awe and wariness.

"You two should stop acting like children," a voice interjected, calm yet firm. The speaker straightened his glasses, exuding an air of authority.

"But, brother Takase!" Matsuba whined, turning to face the man who had spoken.

Takase Subaru, the second eldest brother, was a tall and fair man standing at 6'3". His dark black hair was styled meticulously, with an M-shaped fringe and two bangs framing his face. His long hair was tied in a high ponytail that reached down to his back. Takase's sharp grey eyes, accentuated by his blue stylish glasses, seemed to appraise Isakawa coldly. He wore a green tuxedo embroidered with gemstones and other jewels, a testament to his status within the family.

"I find it meaningless to quarrel, especially with someone like Isakawa," Takase grunted, his tone dripping with disapproval. His gaze shifted to the beautiful little girl standing beside Isakawa, clutching her father's hand tightly. There was a moment of silence as Takase observed her, his expression softening slightly.

As Takase continued to stare at the child, a strange sensation crept over him, sending a shiver down his spine.

"Could you stop staring at my daughter with those ugly eyes of yours?" Isakawa's voice cut through the tension, his words laced with an icy edge. A sudden, intense pressure enveloped the room. The weight of it pressed down on everyone, causing some to brace themselves while others crumpled to their knees, struggling to breathe. Isakawa’s blue eyes glowed ominously, surrounded by a palpable blue aura.

"That's enough!!" A commanding voice reverberated through the grand hall, making everyone turn their gaze to the top of the stairs. Standing there was an elderly man, leaning on a long wooden staff. Dressed in a light grey shirt and black trousers, he exuded an air of authority. His slate-grey eyes surveyed the room, but his attention was fixed sharply on his fourth son, Isakawa Subaru. This was Goshi Subaru, the current head of the Subaru family.

"Welcome back, esteemed members of the Subaru family. As you all know, we have gathered here for a reason," Goshi greeted, his face stern and unyielding.

"It's a pleasure to see you too, Sir!" The gathered families responded in unison, their voices harmonizing in respect, though Isakawa and his family remained notably silent.

"We have come together to participate in an event that has been a tradition in our family for generations—the Subaru Family Games. As you have traveled from far and wide, you will have two days to rest before the games commence."

The room erupted in applause, the families beaming with anticipation. However, the children’s expressions were far from cheerful.

Goshi descended the stairs, his long grey and black striped hair flowing with his movement. His shrewd grey eyes locked onto Isakawa. At fifty, Goshi appeared remarkably fit, his muscular physique evident even through his slightly snug shirt. His fair skin bore only a few wrinkles, a testament to his robust health.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Father," Isakawa said, bowing his head respectfully, his face portraying no emotion when he faced his father.

"Likewise, Isakawa. And who is this little angel? She looks quite like you," Goshi remarked, his gaze shifting to Isakawa's daughter.

He looked down at Iris with a kind expression. "What's your name, child?"

"I’m Iris Subaru," she replied promptly. "It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Subaru." Her voice was polite, but her smile was absent. She felt an unsettling aura from him, though she couldn’t pinpoint why.

Alka, watching from the sidelines, muttered to herself, "It seems this old man is trying to target Iris."