The years had passed swiftly, and Lucien had grown into a teenage version of himself that was both a reminder of his past life and a promise of the future he planned. Now standing at a lean but muscular 5'11", he had sharpened his features, and his once-soft tail had extended into something long and sinuous. Though still lean from their meager resources, he had practiced drills he remembered from his past life's military days, keeping himself fit without damaging his physique. He often made notes to himself about the Solarian traits he observed — his elongated ears had grown even sharper, and he realized that his people were naturally tall and physically striking.
Mar entered the room shortly after, as she often did in the evening. She, too, had changed over the years, blossoming into a quiet but self-assured young woman. Her skin was a rich, polished ebony, her form softened with subtle curves. Her ears remained shorter than his and Lara's, and her tail was less pronounced, more like Lucien's had been in childhood. Her demeanor had evolved from shy hesitance to something calm and comfortable; she spoke sparingly, but it wasn't out of insecurity — she'd simply grown to be very at ease around Lucien.
Mar glanced over at Lucien, her eyebrows lifting slightly. "Are you going to talk to Lara about… that?" she asked, tilting her head thoughtfully.
Lucien met her eyes and nodded. He had almost approached Lara on the subject of their father countless times over the years, but something had always held him back. He suspected she hadn't spoken about him for reasons both painful and personal, and he hadn't wanted to pry without reason. But with his mind now maturing fully and his memories from his past life integrating even further, it was becoming impossible to ignore. If he was to pursue his plan — to reshape this world's technology, society, and maybe even its boundaries in space — he needed to understand his roots. He had to know who his father truly was.
He paced as he spoke with Mar, who occasionally offered nods or one-word responses. Her quiet way of listening always brought him a sense of calm and, sometimes, an amused sense of defeat. She said so little and yet understood so much, an unusual skill in a world where silence was often used to avoid being noticed at all. Finally, he sighed, shaking his head at her, and settled back into a chair by the table.
A few minutes later, he heard footsteps approach the door. Lucien sat straighter as Lara entered. She was flushed from the day's work, her hair slightly wind-tousled, and she smiled faintly when she saw him.
"Busy night?" she asked, her voice gentle but weary. Lucien noted that her tone was happier these days, as though the weight on her shoulders had lessened somewhat.
He hesitated for a moment, unsure how to broach the subject, but the question was too urgent now to delay. "Lara, can we talk for a moment? It's… about Father," he said softly, watching her expression shift.
She paused, then nodded slowly, pulling a chair beside him.
Lara's gaze turned distant, her expression softening as memories began to surface. She let out a sigh, then looked at Lucien, her eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and pride.
"Our father… he was a part of a gang," she began quietly, watching Lucien's reaction. He raised an eyebrow but stayed silent, absorbing every word. "In our Hive City, there are really only two ways to escape the grip of gangs: you either pay them off to keep yourself safe, or you join them."
Lucien nodded, recognizing the ruthless reality he had pieced together in the past few years. Here, survival had its cost, and few managed it cleanly.
"But Dad… he couldn't pay," she continued, the corners of her mouth tightening as she spoke. "He was a man with dreams, with ambition that couldn't be sated by mere survival. He was intelligent, sharp, and he loved learning more than anything else. Moving up in a gang's hierarchy meant more access to knowledge, things he could only dream of as a low-level civilian. So, he joined the gang. And as he climbed the ranks, they let him read ancient scrolls that had been unearthed — scrolls they kept hidden until they could sell them to the syndicates above."
Lucien felt a rush of admiration and curiosity. "Ancient scrolls? Was he able to…?"
Lara nodded, a hint of a smile breaking through. "Yes. Dad was smart and had a natural talent. Using what he found in those scrolls and what he knew, he was able to become a magus — a real one, Lucien. That was his greatest achievement. With his understanding of Magia and his ability to wield magia relics within maguscraft, he became invaluable."
A sense of awe filled Lucien as Lara continued. Their father had learned to harness the very force Lucien now sought to understand. The pieces were falling into place.
"Eventually, the syndicate leading his gang noticed him. They don't scout just anyone — you have to have something special," she explained, her voice softening as she spoke. "So he joined the syndicate. That's how he learned so much and had access to things most people in our hive can only dream of."
Lara looked away, her expression bittersweet. "Not long after, Mom was pregnant with you, and we were all happy for a little while. Then Dad's syndicate wanted to meet a High Lord from the underground — someone powerful. And you know the rest," she said, her voice barely a whisper now. "He went with them, but the meeting turned into an ambush. Dad sacrificed himself to save that High Lord. His sacrifice meant everything to them. They blessed our hive city, and because of that, the syndicate was favored by our Hive Boss. They showed respect for what he did, and in turn, the syndicate protects our family."
Lucien's mind was racing. The layers of power and alliances, of sacrifice and knowledge, were far deeper than he'd expected. "So that's why… no one dares mess with us?"
Lara nodded, her eyes distant once more. "Yes. It's the reason we're safe from gangs and trouble in the district. As long as the syndicate holds influence here, no harm will come to us."
For a long moment, Lucien remained silent, letting her words settle into his mind. Their father had carved out protection for them through brilliance and courage, leaving behind a legacy.