In a luxurious hall, three people could be seen indulging in food that most lower-class individuals could only dream of, even gazing upon the food. A red-haired man with piercing eyes sat at the head of the table, exuding a cold expression and intimidating presence—he was Lucas's father, Alexander Nightstar. Seated on his right side was his wife, Violet Nightstar, while Lucas himself dined on his left.
'Ugh, this is awkward. I've never really had a proper conversation with my father since the affinity test. I avoided him out of fear... Hell, this is the first time we're eating together since that day. Did Mother tell him about me crying? Probably,' Lucas thought to himself.
Honestly, Lucas didn't know what to do in this situation. It was way too awkward for him, especially since his memories returned. It seemed like his social skills also regressed.
'We didn't even greet each other; we just nodded...'
Cough, cough
"Father, can I have access to the library?" Lucas asked, hoping to dispel the awkward atmosphere.
Intrigued by his question, his father asked in his usual cold voice, "Library? Is there a reason for it, my son?"
Though he sounded cold, Lucas's father was a caring father and loving husband who always put his family first in every situation.
'Now, should I lie to them or just tell them the truth? Hmm... Forget it; they're my family. I don't want any misunderstandings to happen. I want to make them proud instead,' Lucas resolved.
"Yes, I think I finally found the reason why the orb couldn't measure my affinity, Father," Lucas said confidently.
"What!?" his mother exclaimed in surprise. No wonder, since she had been extremely worried about him not having an affinity.
His father raised his eyebrows in surprise at hearing how confident Lucas sounded—something he hadn't heard from his son before.
"And what could the reason be, if you don't mind me asking, son?" his father inquired.
'Okay, no lies,' Lucas thought, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath before meeting his father's gaze head-on with a determined look—an expression that surprised his father, who had never seen his son give such a look before.
"The reason was because the orb couldn't handle measuring my affinity. I am a progenitor of an element called Chaos, and because of that, it must have destroyed the orb," Lucas said confidently.
"Progenitor of Chaos?" his father asked in surprise, while his mother looked on with extreme joy but equal worry. The element Chaos sounded ominous, and nothing was really known about it—and the unknown was something that everyone feared.
"Yes, that's why I want access to the library—to learn more information about Chaos," Lucas explained.
"Hmm, I understand, my son," his father said, a smile etching onto his face, happy about his son and how he had matured.
"Thank you, Father," Lucas said happily, though he knew he wasn't done yet.
"Father, do you know anything about a person having a special talent?"
Frowning upon hearing this question, his father asked, "Do you mean like a special trait that a race would have?"
"No, I mean something an individual would have," Lucas clarified.
"No, there aren't any records. And if there were, I doubt someone would be stupid enough to reveal a special talent of theirs," his father replied.
'Makes sense,' Lucas thought.
"Why would you ask something like that, dear?" his mother inquired, sounding worried.
"Well..."
Lucas decided to tell them everything about what he saw on his status, including his other elements and the special talent he possessed. It was pretty funny since the expressions they made were priceless. Lucas barely held back laughter after seeing how dumbfounded they were.
After listening, the first one to snap out of their daze was his father.
Sigh
"I see..." After thinking for a while, his father turned to meet Lucas's eyes. His gaze was that of a predator, and his smile turned sadistic. "Heh, to think my son would be so talented..."
Gulp
"I-it's not that impressive, if I'm honest, Father..." Lucas said, a little afraid after seeing his father's expression.
"Very well, you can have access to the library. I will also provide you with a training schedule from now on. You will wake up early in the morning at 7 a.m. and head to the training grounds. I will have William be your personal instructor from now on," his father declared.
'Shit, this battle maniac,' Lucas thought to himself.
Lucas had always been lazy in his previous life, and some old habits are hard to lose, so it would be natural for him to be reluctant. But he could understand his father's reasoning. Understanding didn't mean he wanted to do it, though.
"F-father, wouldn't Sir William be busy with the knights?" Lucas asked, hoping to get out of this situation.
"Nonsense. It's relatively peaceful these days in our territory, so William has a lot of free time. Besides, after he learns about you, I'm sure he wouldn't want to do anything else but train you, my son," his father said with a sadistic grin.
'Fuck, these two are battle maniacs,' Lucas thought.
Sir William Rashford was the head knight and leader of the Order of the Falling Stars. The Order of the Falling Stars was composed of elite soldiers under Lucas's father and the House of Nightstar. Sir William was a middle-aged man with white hair, blue eyes, and a small white beard. But by no means was he someone to be underestimated, as he was a low 10-star level swordsman.
'Yeah, I'm screwed,' Lucas thought.
Sigh.
"Fine, I'll do it. Thank you, Father," Lucas said reluctantly.
"Fufu," it seemed like his mother was enjoying his torment.
"It's important to make you as strong as possible, son, since you will be attending Shield at the age of 15," his father said.
Shield was the academy in the capital of the human domain, the most elite academy meant to produce the strongest of magicians and swordsmen. To enter Shield, you had to pass an entrance exam first, which was extremely difficult. But it looked like his father believed that Lucas could easily make it, which was 100% true.
"Ugh, fine, I understand, Father," Lucas said.
After that, they decided to have some small talk, which was enjoyable for the three of them since it had been a while since they could talk together as a family. Afterward, Lucas decided to head to the library accompanied by Lucielle. She really was overprotective of him.
'Alright, let's hope I can find something about this Chaos element,' Lucas thought as he walked to the library.
*******
"He has matured," his father remarked after Lucas headed to the library.
"He has, but I am worried, though," his mother said with concern, fearing that her son might be hiding something since the change seemed too abrupt, especially considering his earlier tears.
"Don't worry, my dear. Those eyes of his seemed determined and brimmed with confidence. I'm sure he knows what he's doing and has finally found the path he wants to walk," his father reassured her, trusting their son without any hesitation.
His mother, looking at his father, couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, you're right, darling. Perhaps I'm being a little too overprotective, like Lucielle."
"Haha, no worries. We should just support Lucas and his choices from now on and help when he needs us. After all, that's what parents are for," his father said with pride, recalling his conversation with Lucas earlier.
"Fufu, very well. But I am worried. I can see that he hasn't shed that lazy attitude of his," his mother admitted with a bitter smile.
"Haha, at least he accepted and it looks like he won't cut corners," his father said happily.
"That is right, I suppose," his mother said with a bitter smile.
'I wonder, my son, how strong you will become,' his father thought with a predatory smile, contemplating his son's future.
Smack.
"Dear, go easy on Lucas, okay?" his mother said with a smile, yet her eyes were extremely cold.
Gulp.
"Of course, I would. He is my son. I wouldn't push him that hard. Haha," he replied nervously.
Yes, the Great Alexander Nightstar was easily tamed by his wife, something that would shock thousands of people if they were to learn about it.