Chapter 15
Lucas sat around the table, sipping tea quietly.
Though physically present, he seemed distant.
His blue eyes and silver hair set him apart from the rest of the group.
The two adults sitting across from him had black hair and pure white eyes—cold at first glance, but Lucas knew how much care was hidden in their gaze.
Beside him, Nora sat with a warm smile, also sipping her tea.
"Mother, Father, have you been well?" Lucas asked politely.
The man, broad and muscular, responded with a deep voice, "My son-in-law hasn't visited in six months. How do you expect me to be fine?" His name was Jack.
The woman beside him, with otherworldly beauty and a noble presence, wore a kimono that added to her elegance.
Her name was Aria.
Lucas, however, was well aware of the hourglass figure hidden beneath.
She chuckled lightly. "But he did send you letters every day, didn't he?"
Lucas smiled, watching Jack glance away from his wife. Jack then sighed and said, "I understand you've been busy, son. But try to visit at least every week or two, okay?"
Lucas nodded. "Understood, Father. That was my mistake."
Jack nodded back with a rare smile. "Good. It's also good that you came today."
Nora tilted her head. "Why is that?"
Aria answered, "The patriarch wants to offer you and Nora a place to stay within the clan."
Inside, Lucas was laughing like a madman.
Everything was unfolding exactly as he had predicted.
This was the main reason he came here—not just to see them, though he did miss them.
Even if their kindness stemmed more from Nora's affection for him, he knew they were still good people.
Lucas never failed to send them a letter each day.
But more importantly, he knew that his recent achievements—completing a high-risk mission and defeating a 5-star Missing cultivator from the Hidden City of Water would have drawn attention.
That warrior even had a rare Ice-affinity bloodline.
Combine that with the aftermath that will come from the mana beast attack, and Lucas suspected the higher-ups, possibly even the Sky King himself, would soon take notice.
He wasn't sure of the exact date, but he knew a turning point in the story was approaching.
The protagonist was about to be born.
And Lucas?
He had his own agenda.
He needed funds—massive funds.
At least 50 million Auron to begin with.
The failed cloning attempts, enhancements to the nutrition fluid (the blue liquid), and improvements to the tempering fluid—all these required resources.
His ultimate goal was the artificial mana beast creation plan, which might be even more costly than the rest combined.
And then there was the arcane knowledge: the spell, technique, seals, or runes that the Arcane King used in his failed attempt to fuse all six elements.
Lucas had made 1% progress toward understanding it.
That was enough for now.
His plan was simple: strike during the mana beast release.
Use the chaos to steal as much intel, resources, and funding as possible before anyone noticed.
What came after was the Black Ops selection.
If he joined, he'd gain access to a vast intelligence network, a wide array of elemental spells, and techniques that he wouldn't be able to acquire during the beast attack.
The Lotus Clan wanted him to represent them—alongside another member of their clan.
An interesting one.
That person was the only one to come close to awakening the Lotus Eyes—an ancient gift tied to a forgotten elder, sealed in a tomb.
The elder was the key to unlocking the Giant Lotus of Life, hidden deep within that tomb.
Only someone who had awakened the Lotus Eyes could find it.
This person didn't play a major role in the early story but became significant after the war with the Abyssal Moon.
She sought power not for dominance, but so her clan would never again be disrespected.
Unfortunately, her ambitions led her to a monster who brought chaos to the protagonists.
Lucas believed he had found a way to awaken the Lotus Eyes—but he wouldn't let this woman suffer the same fate unless absolutely necessary.
If all else failed, he'd take them.
Because Lucas needed those eyes… for his own to evolve into the Primordial Eyes.
He sighed and took another sip of tea. "It would be an honor. I won't deny your offer, Mother, Father. But I would like to stay at the old manor… the one my family once held a little longer."
The two nodded, expecting that request.
"That's fine, son," Aria said gently. "But let us do something for you in return."
She smiled softly. "We'll speak with the patriarch about giving you a chance to enter the Black Ops."
Lucas raised his brows in surprise. "Are you serious?"
Jack nodded. "You're part of this clan. It's the least we can do for you."
Lucas smiled warmly. "Thank you, Mother, Father." He bowed his head slightly.
But inside, he scoffed.
'The clan never cared about me.
They even tried to cancel my marriage with Nora when my clan was crumbling.
Now that I'm strong, they suddenly want to support me?
No.
They want my favor… and the favor of the Royal Faction—the one the Sky King belongs to.
They think I'll be grateful.
That I'll be loyal.
What a shame… I'm a crazy bastard who puts his own interests above all.
Except Nora.
She's the only one holding me back from becoming like Master Elijah.'
Lucas turned to look at her, watching the excitement in her eyes.
'Yeah… I could never ask for more.'