Thirty minutes later.
Lucian slept on her lap, his head resting on her lap, his fingers gently running through his hair.
He wasn't sleeping.
He was staring at the floating screen inside the darkness of his mind.
[Quest: Welcome home]
Objective: – Bring your mother out of the facility and bring her home.
Reward: 3 AP
Difficulty: D
Failure: None
===
A second screen slid into view.
[You have completed the quest.]
[Reward: +3 AP]
Seeing the notification, he instinctively called out his status.
[STATUS]
Name – Lucien Foster
Race – Human
Titles – [LOCKED]
Bloodline – ??? (Dormant, Sealed)
Affinity – [LOCKED]
Talent – [LOCKED]
Rank – [LOCKED]
[Attributes]
Strength – 4→6
Agility – 5→8
Constitution – 4→7
Intelligence – 8
Will – 6→8
Perception – 3→4
Charm – 8
Stamina – 6→8
Mana – [LOCKED]
Attribute Points (AP) – 8
===
This was the result of his hard work after one full year.
His body was now stronger than ever before—
but still not enough.
Not for him.
He wanted more power, not only to protect the ones he loved…
But because he had started to like the feeling of growth.
As he was thinking this–
"Ai– Lucian." Sera called softly.
"Hm?"
He stirred, opening his eyes slowly.
He tried to rise, but she held his head firmly.
"Stay."
He just hummed and lay still.
"What is it?" He asked.
She paused, then asked.
"What should I call you?"
He tilted his head in confusion, a gesture she knew well—so familiar.
"I mean to say…
What should I call you? Lucian or Aiden."
He thought for a moment.
"I don't know. You can call me whatever you want."
She smiled softly, brushing his hair from his face.
"Okay, dear."
***
Later, Lucian drove off to pick up Lia from college.
He needed to talk to her about his mother.
About their blood relation.
She had to know about it, if she didn't already.
Reaching the college, he stayed outside until Lia entered and sat beside him.
"Did you wait long?" she asked.
"No, I just arrived."
He started the engine.
"How was your day?"
"Hm, nothing crazy happened. Just the usual. But…"
She paused mid-sentence, suddenly hesitant.
Lucian's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Mm? What happened? Did someone hurt you, or say something bad?"
He asked, his tone getting colder and darker.
"Ugh, nothing like that happened." She puffed her cheeks
"You don't have to react so much."
Despite her complaining, there was a smile on her face.
"Then?" He pressed.
"Well… a guy proposed to me."
Lucian hit the brakes so hard the car jerked to a stop.
"Ah– sorry," he muttered, forcing himself to drive again… this time faster.
"What's his name?"
His voice trembled despite him trying to sound neutral.
"His name is Elijah. He is one of those popular kids in college."
She said it casually, watching his reaction with a hidden grin.
"So… what did you reply?"
His grip on the steering wheel tightened.
'This happened too soon. He shouldn't have approached her already.'
Elijah, that guy should have asked her out at least 6 months later.
But it happened now.
Why?
He tried to calm his mind, along with all the murderous thoughts.
Seeing Lia's grin, he feared to hear the answer.
What if she accepted and said yes?
He would do anything to separate them, but—
"I rejected him."
Her answer didn't disappoint him.
He exhaled silently.
"Good girl."
He reached over and patted her head gently.
She giggled.
"Hehe~ why would I need anyone else? I already have you."
Confused, he looked at her.
She was smiling warmly at him, her intense eyes gazing into him.
He looked away, focusing on the road.
"…I see."
He didn't understand the meaning behind her words.
But she didn't mind.
Her smile deepened as she watched him drive.
After a minute of silence–
"I wanted to ask you something." Lucian started.
"Hmm?" She hummed, urging him to continue.
"Did you know I was adopted?"
She froze.
She stared at him, unsure how to respond—afraid of his reaction.
Seeing her expression, he understood.
"So you did."
She trembled slightly.
His voice remained calm, as if he had expected it.
It hadn't been difficult to figure out—especially after finding the adoption papers while they were settling into their new home.
Still, he had waited for her to tell him herself.
But now, after bringing his mother home, he had to be the one to speak.
He couldn't just tell her that he wanted a woman to live with them.
"Why are we talking about that? Is it necessary? Are you going to leave me now that you know?"
Her eyes trembling.
Lucian frowned.
"Lia…"
His tone hardened.
"Listen carefully.
I am never leaving you. Ever."
The final word was absolute.
"So get that foolish thought out of your head."
Her eyes widened.
Then she smiled—a soft, relieved smile.
"…Hm," she murmured faintly.