After hearing Seraphina’s explanation of how he had behaved throughout the journey...
Lucian quietly clicked his tongue, frustration flickering within him.
’I messed up.’
He had gotten the perfect opportunity.
An entire hour to ask questions, gather information about the Association, and perhaps even learn something useful before the registration.
But instead...
He had remained trapped inside his own head.
And had completely wasted the opportunity, probably even embarrassing himself in the process.
Lucian let out a faint sigh before shaking his head, his crimson eyes briefly drifting toward Seraphina before looking ahead once more.
He could tell she was worried.
Far more worried than she let herself show, especially after seeing his unusual behaviour.
’Get yourself together, Lucian.
This isn’t the time to keep drowning in your past.’
He silently reprimanded himself, clenching his fists tightly for several long seconds before gradually loosening them again.
His breathing slowly became steady once more.
Finally calming himself, Lucian began properly observing their surroundings as they stepped through the Association’s entrance.
He immediately noticed the difference.
Compared to the Association building he had visited nine years—ahem, yesterday...
This place was on an entirely different scale.
The lobby was far larger, its polished floor reflecting the lights overhead, making the enormous hall appear even more spacious and pristine.
Awakened individuals were here as well, but these ones felt stronger, more disciplined, and carried noticeably better weapons and armour, either discussing missions or dealing with paperwork.
His gaze quietly swept across everyone nearby.
’Mostly F and E Ranks... only a handful of D Ranks.
The security isn’t nearly as impressive as I expected.’
Lucian thought as he continued following the white-suited man, who silently guided them toward the elevators.
As they walked...
A few—or rather, many—people naturally glanced toward them, their attire immediately drawing everyone’s attention.
But today...
The one attracting the most attention wasn’t Lucian.
It was...
Seraphina.
The black hood, the assassin-like attire, and the eerie faceless mask, seemingly veiled in darkness itself...
Together, they created an overwhelming sense of mystery.
People instinctively stepped aside before she even approached. Some frowned, others looked curious, while a few simply avoided looking at her altogether.
To an ordinary person, it might have seemed as though everyone was avoiding her simply because of her attire.
But Lucian noticed how many of them first glanced at the white-suited man before quietly moving aside.
’He must hold quite a high position here.’
Though...
It seemed Seraphina either didn’t know...
Or simply hadn’t noticed yet.
A faint smile slowly appeared on Lucian’s lips as he noticed the subtle awkwardness in her footsteps.
"Looks like someone’s famous now~" he whispered gently near Seraphina’s ear.
Seraphina visibly flinched ever so slightly before slowly turning her masked face toward him.
For several seconds...
She simply stared at him, seeing him finally behaving more like his usual playful self.
But rather than commenting on his words—
"...Maybe I shouldn’t have come dressed like this," she muttered quietly, letting out a faint sigh.
"It doesn’t seem like hiding has made me any less noticeable."
Lucian couldn’t help but chuckle.
"I think it worked. Now they aren’t curious because of your beauty, but because of your clothes."
Seraphina briefly fell silent before continuing forward, faintly lowering her head.
The man who had escorted them glanced back at the pair while walking ahead.
"It probably won’t take long before both of you become rather popular."
He flashed a polite yet amused smile before gesturing toward the open elevator waiting for them.
"We aren’t really interested in becoming popular."
Lucian answered calmly as he stepped inside alongside the silent Seraphina.
The man looked at both of them with quiet curiosity.
Lucian possessed the kind of face that could easily turn him into the most popular idol in the country if he ever wished to.
As for the mysterious woman standing beside him...
The cold, untouchable aura surrounding her, combined with her dark attire and the eerie faceless mask, was more than enough to leave a lasting impression on anyone who laid eyes on her.
If either of them truly wanted fame, it wouldn’t take long.
But, of course... that was entirely their choice.
The elevator quietly ascended, the soft mechanical hum filling the brief silence.
After a few moments...
The man finally turned toward Lucian.
"Since we didn’t really have the chance to speak before..."
A polite smile appeared on his face.
"Allow me to introduce myself."
He extended his hand, and Lucian immediately accepted the handshake without hesitation.
"My name is—"
"Leonardo Ashwood... I know."
The words left Lucian’s mouth before the man could even finish introducing himself.
Leonardo paused.
His eyes widened for the briefest moment before a faint chuckle escaped his lips.
"Seems like I’m already famous."
His tone remained light-hearted, though a trace of surprise lingered within his voice.
"Oh, you don’t need to be surprised... I already know a lot about you."
Lucian smiled slightly as his gaze settled upon the translucent screen hovering before Leonardo’s face.
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name – Leonardo Ashwood
Race – Human
Rank – B
Titles – None
Bloodline – Ashen Bloodline
Affinity – Fire
Talent – SS
[Attributes]
Strength: D+
Agility: C
Endurance: D+
Charisma: A
[Evaluation — A hidden gem within the Awakened Association. Completely loyal to both his grandfather and the Association headquarters established by him. Deliberately keeps his true identity hidden from the public.]
[Affection: 3%... 4%(Curious yet wary)]
’Hm... he became wary the moment I called him by name. Seems like he’s really hiding his identity... perhaps even his name?’
But then another detail caught Lucian’s attention.
’Why did his affection increase?’
Lucian’s eyes twitched, and a strange shiver ran down his spine as an odd...
And a very unpleasant thought crossed his mind.
What if... by some uncertain chance... this thing somehow reached 50 percent or something...?
Lucian instinctively shuddered before quickly releasing the handshake.
’Ugh... Yuck. Stop thinking about it.’
His face nearly twisted into visible disgust before he forcefully pushed the thought out of his mind.
Leonardo quietly withdrew his hand.
His polite smile remained, though a hint of caution now lingered beneath it.
Without asking another question, he simply stood beside them, his thoughts drifting elsewhere.
Lucian didn’t say anything either.
Even if he didn’t want to reveal too much of his abilities, he had no intention of appearing completely harmless either.
Sometimes...
Showing just enough mystery was enough to stop others from underestimating him.
The elevator finally came to a stop, and the doors quietly slid open, reaching the highest floor.
Leonardo stepped forward first.
"This way."
Lucian and Seraphina silently followed behind him, and after taking only a few steps, Seraphina quietly glanced toward her son.
"Do you know him?" she asked softly.
Lucian merely looked back at her, but instead of answering...
He slowly raised a finger to his lips before giving her a playful wink.
"Secret~"
Seraphina stared at him for several long seconds, watching the mischievous expression on his face.
She almost smiled beneath her mask, and her heartbeat quickened ever so slightly.
But... the smile never came.
’He’s still hiding things from me... too many things.’
A complicated feeling quietly settled within her heart.
She didn’t dislike the fact that he had secrets, but with the number of mysteries surrounding him... and getting no proper answer every time she asked...
It made her feel as though he didn’t trust her—or perhaps... he never had from the very beginning.
Unknown to Seraphina’s complicated thoughts...
Lucian suddenly remembered something.
’Come to think of it... I still haven’t looked at her status window.’
A flicker of curiosity crossed his crimson eyes.
[Analysing...]
[Analysis Complete.]
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