Ahiro couldn't help but feel a deep sense of sympathy for Melvin. After Melvin had finished sharing the painful story of his family, Ahiro reached out and gently placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that," Ahiro said softly, genuinely concerned for his friend.
Melvin wiped his tears with the back of his hand and managed a weak smile. "I appreciate your sympathy, Ahiro, but I'm not telling you this for consolation or sympathy."
He took a deep breath and continued, "You see, the Goldbell family is power-hungry. My grandfather is sick, and he's going to choose the next CEO soon. Right now, the family is divided into factions, each supporting one of his sons. The largest faction among them supports Alan's father, Lucas. But there was a time when all the factions openly supported my mother. That's when it was apparent that she would be the heir, and it never sat well with the power-hungry uncles of mine back then."
Melvin's eyes reflected the weight of his words. "And because my grandfather loved me the same way he loved my mother. Those power-hungry monsters are afraid of me too, that is why they didn't let me have a shred of normal life since childhood. It was only my grandfather who treated me well and it was only because of him that I was able to survive in that hellhole."
Ahiro could hardly believe the intricacies and complexities of the Goldbell family dynamics. He had no idea how deeply entangled Melvin was in this power struggle. It was clear that Melvin carried not only the weight of the Goldbell name but also the legacy of his parents and the ambition of the family factions.
"Ahiro," Melvin said, his voice resolute, "I want to break free from this suffocating legacy. I want to create my path, make my own choices, and prove myself without being constantly under the shadow of the Goldbell name."
"But it isn't as easy as I hoped for" Melvin's voice trembled as he continued, "Thier hunger for power knows no boundry. When I was just five, there was an assassination attempt on me, and thankfully, I survived due to my awakening." Ahiro could see a mix of fear, anger, and determination in Melvin's eyes.
"I wanted nothing more than to have a peaceful life," Melvin confessed, his fists clenched. "I wanted to live with my grandfather, but recently due to my grandfather growing illness, everything seems to be getting darker."
Ahiro nodded, acknowledging the immense weight Melvin was carrying
"Ever since the grandfather has became ill those monsters are gobbling up the whole company, tearing it apart piece by piece, I just can't see the company that my grandfather nad my mother spent years to establish destroyed due to this struggle for power" Melvin leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper, "and I also have reasons to suspect that the death of my parents wasn't natural."
"I want answers, Ahiro, and for that, I need power." Melvin shouted aloud letting his emotions burst through
Ahiro sat quietly, absorbing the gravity of Melvin's situation. He finally said, "Melvin, i can imagine what you must have gone through and I know it's wasn't easy at all but --"
Melvin stood up, and Ahiro could see a sense of determination in his eyes. "I just wanted to tell you all of this before you heard it from someone else. Thankx for listening to my ramblings."
Ahiro understood the depth of Melvin's resolve. "why are you saying thankx, Melvin. I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you. If there's anything I can do to help—"
Melvin cut him off with a shake of his head. "Thanks, Ahiro, but this is my journey. I'll face it alone, but please, do not tell any of this to Emily. She's too innocent, and she would undoubtedly get involved if she knew."
Ahiro nodded solemnly, understanding the situation, he waited for Melvin to cool down a little and after some time left the room.
Melvin stood silently in his room, his thoughts heavy with the story he had shared with Ahiro. After a while, a subtle beep broke the silence, and Melvin reached under his bed to retrieve a peculiar device. A cylindrical shaped device with lots of wires covering the outer layer. It looked like a contraption made by combining junk.
he rotated the cylinder flicking some switches on and then a holographic image materialized before him. A striking lady, dressed in silver garments adorned with a mask bearing the symbol of the Cassiopeia constellation, gazed at him.
"How are you, my boy?" the holographic lady inquired.
Melvin's brow furrowed with lingering anger. "I'm still fuming about that Alan—"
Before Melvin could finish his sentence, the mysterious lady interrupted. "Do not let someone as insignificant as Alan rile you. Always remember that the most important thing is the success of our plan. Once we achieve that, you will have the freedom you desire and the chance for your revenge."
Melvin nodded in agreement, his eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and vengeance.
"Now, tell me about your progress," the lady requested.
"Yes my queen, the first step of our plan was a smooth success -- " Melvin began recounting his efforts and progress on the mission.
Ahiro entered his room, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts regarding what Melvin had shared with him. He had never realized that the jovial friend he had come to know had harbored such a storm of struggles beneath his cheerful exterior.
As he contemplated Melvin's complex life and the secrets hidden within the Goldbell family, Ahiro couldn't help but feel a profound empathy for his friend. The weight of Melvin's revelations left an indelible mark on Ahiro's conscience, and he couldn't shake the feeling of wanting to help.
Sitting at his desk, he contemplated the challenges Melvin faced and the overarching plot that seemed to be in motion. Ahiro knew he had his journey to navigate, but he couldn't deny the brewing curiosity and concern for his friend's well-being. His thoughts lingered, unsure of how to best support Melvin while respecting his desire to undertake this difficult path alone.
Ahiro knew that the key to helping Melvin lay in increasing his strength. His restlessness spurred him into action, and he decided to dedicate his sleepless nights to rigorous training. In the dimly lit room, he stood near the window, preparing himself for hours of practice.
He had learned some techniques in the library that were intricate and could be practiced to improve his proficiency in attenuation. As the night wore on, Ahiro tirelessly practiced his dedication pushing him through the weariness. The silhouette of a shield forming and dispersing, filled the room as he honed his skills. The cycle of concentration, manifestation, and dispersal continued until he was exhausted and physically drained, Ahiro fell into a fitful sleep, his mind still racing with thoughts of how he could support his friend.