Chapter 51
The atmosphere in the Lotus Clan's family sitting room was warm and relaxed.
Sunlight streamed through paper screens, painting soft patterns on the polished wooden floor.
Jack, Nora's father, was in the middle of a dramatic retelling of a clan council meeting that had devolved into an argument about ceremonial tea blends.
"—and then Elder Wen declared that his 'Harmony Blossom' blend could 'align the spiritual meridians of a charging rhino-beast!' Can you believe it?" Jack boomed, his laughter shaking his broad shoulders.
Aria, Nora's mother, sipped her tea elegantly. "You then proceeded to challenge him to brew it for the clan's actual guardian rhino-beast, if I recall correctly."
"Of course I did! The beast took one sniff and sneezed the entire pot onto Wen's robes!" Jack roared with laughter, slapping his knee.
Nora was giggling uncontrollably beside Lucas, who wore an amused, relaxed smile he rarely showed outside these walls.
This was his sanctuary—the only place where he could simply be a young man having tea with his fiancée's family, not a survivor, not a schemer, not a disciple with a dangerous secret.
"Father, you're terrible," Nora managed through her laughter.
"Nonsense! I was defending the honor of proper tea!" Jack insisted, turning to Lucas. "Right, son? You understand. A man's tea is his fortress!"
Lucas held up his hands in mock surrender. "I'm afraid my expertise begins and ends with laboratory-grade purification water, Father. But I'll trust your judgment on both fortresses and tea."
The conversation flowed easily from there—light, funny stories about clan mishaps, gentle teasing about Lucas's ever-serious demeanor, and Nora's cheerful chatter about her own training.
A platter of delicate sweets was passed around, and for a while, there was Just a family enjoying an afternoon together.
As the tea cups were refilled for the third time, Jack's expression softened from boisterous humor to something more quietly proud.
He exchanged a glance with Aria, who gave a slight, encouraging nod.
"Lucas," Jack began, his voice taking on a more serious, but still warm, tone. "Aria and I have some news we think you'll appreciate."
Lucas set his cup down, attentive. Nora leaned forward curiously.
"The clan leadership has been watching your progress," Aria continued, her white eyes holding a glint of approval.
"Your successful missions, your... remarkable recovery and advancement. It hasn't gone unnoticed."
Jack nodded. "The Patriarch believes it's time for the Lotus Clan to make a stronger showing in the city's upcoming events. There's a new initiative starting—a kind of elite recruitment drive. They're calling it the 'Skyguard Trials.'"
Lucas kept his face perfectly neutral, but internally, he felt a surge of satisfaction. So that's what they're calling the Black Ops selection publicly. Good.
"They're selecting candidates from all the major clans," Aria explained. "It's a significant opportunity for recognition and advancement within the city's power structure."
Nora's eyes were wide with excitement. "Lucas! That's perfect for you!"
Jack smiled. "We think so too. That's why we recommended you. And the Patriarch agreed. He's selected you to represent the Lotus Clan in the Trials."
Lucas bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you, Father, Mother. This means a great deal to me. I won't disappoint your faith."
"We know you won't," Jack said firmly. "But you won't be going in alone. The Patriarch is pairing clan representatives. You'll be teamed with another of our promising youths for the initial stages. A girl named Kaya. She's... very dedicated to the traditional arts. A bit quiet, but extremely talented."
"Kaya?" Nora tilted her head. "I've seen her in the archives. She knows more about the old Lotus techniques than anyone. She's like a library with a sword."
"A good balance, then," Aria said with a smile.
The news delivered, the mood lightened again. The conversation returned to lighter topics—plans for the upcoming festival, the absurd price of spirit-herbs in the market, and Jack's ongoing, mock-serious feud with the clan's head gardener about rose pruning techniques.
Later that evening, Aris made his way back to the Silver orphanage.
The familiar sounds of children playing and the smell of stew and fresh bread washed over him before he even reached the door.
In his mind's eye, he saw the building clearly—the shape of its wooden frame, the warm glow of lamplight from inside, and the familiar auras of the children moving within.
"Aris! You're late!" a familiar voice called out warmly from inside. "The little ones are about to storm the kitchen!"
Aris smiled. "Then I'm just in time to help hold the line, Mother Elara."
Elara stepped into the doorway, wiping her hands on her apron.
Her warm, motherly presence shone steadily in Aris's unique vision. "Good. Get in here. There's a mountain of potatoes that needs peeling."
He stepped inside, moving through the busy room without hesitation. The children's bright, lively auras moved around him.
Elara handed him a peeler and a bowl of potatoes, her expression knowing. "You feel… different."
Aris shrugged, his hands already working with perfect precision. "I met someone. In the Xineos Territory, A person named Lucas."
Elara's aura flickered with recognition and caution. "The last member of that clan."
"He didn't look at me like I was broken," Aris said quietly.
"He looked at me like I was… interesting. Like I had something he wanted to understand. And he offered to help me."
Elara stopped stirring the soup, her full attention on him. "Help you how?"
"Get stronger, Break my limits." Aris kept peeling, the motions steady.
"He saw what I can do. Not just that I'm blind, but that I see differently."
Elara was silent for a long moment, her presence a steady, thoughtful glow.
"Be careful, child. Men who seek power often see others as tools to get it."
"I know," Aris said.
"But he saw potential, Not pity, No one outside these walls has ever looked at me and seen anything but a blind orphan. He saw a cultivator."
Elara sighed, her hand finding his shoulder. "I've always seen a cultivator in you, Aris. I've just also seen the boy I raised."
She squeezed gently. "Just remember—clever men offer help for a reason. Find out what his reason is before you agree to anything."
Aris nodded. "I will."
He helped clean up, his movements smooth and certain.
Before leaving, Elara pressed a small, wrapped honey cake into his hand. "For the walk," she said. "And Aris… trust your own sight first. Even over his."
He nodded, tucking the cake away. "I always do."
As he stepped back out into the night, the orphanage's warm light at his back, he felt the city spread out before him—not as a place of darkness, but as a living map of light, shadow, energy, and intent.
It wasn't that Elara didn't truly see him.
She saw the real him—the boy, the dreamer, the son she never had.
Lucas had seen the possible him—the warrior, the power, the weapon.
And for the first time, Aris wondered if he could be both.