Chapter 73
"It's all in the eyes, right?" Austin asked, while Lucas just lounged on a tree branch, casually watching the fight.
"Yes. You're easy to read because your eyes keep drifting to one side, showing where the rock is," Ethan replied.
"Also, you didn't hide it completely. When he pointed at one hand, you panicked a little—fear showed in your eyes," Lucas added with a smile.
"Okay, this is getting boring. I'm just losing to you two. I'm going to sleep. And Lucas, don't forget our deal," Austin said, walking toward where Kaya was sleeping.
"I'll charm some girls when we reach the city," Lucas said, waving his hand. "Good night."
Ethan picked up the rock and said, "Want to get beaten?"
"In your dreams," Lucas replied with a smile. Ethan then took the rock and began moving it at superhuman speed before hiding his hands behind his back and presenting them again in fists, concealing the rock.
"The left," Lucas said. Ethan opened that hand—the rock was there.
"That was too easy. Want to make it a little harder?" Ethan asked. Lucas simply gestured for him to go ahead.
Ten rocks rose into the air, controlled by Ethan's wind, and were cut into identical shapes—so perfectly matched that telling them apart seemed impossible. "I'm going to mix them up, but you need to find this specific rock," Ethan said, showing Lucas the one to identify.
"How will you tell them apart?" Lucas asked.
"I have my ways. But you need to find this one. Don't lose focus," Ethan replied. Using his mana to protect the rocks, he set them spinning at high speeds, enhanced by the wind element.
After a few seconds, the rocks stopped. "Which one is the rock I told you to pick?" Ethan asked.
Lucas looked them over for a moment, then pointed. "That one."
"How did you find it?" Ethan was genuinely shocked. Even he could only track the marked rock within a five-meter range using a subtle, nearly undetectable wind spell. Lucas's accuracy was startling.
Lucas shrugged. "As our team leader, you should've done your research. You know my clan—everyone died about sixteen years ago, just after I was born. You also know the reputation they had: extreme talent with mana. What's hard for others to sense or control was as easy as breathing for us. Knowing that, your little game was really a test, wasn't it, Ethan?"
Ethan's shocked expression gave way to an impressed smile. "You knew from the start?"
"Yes. You spending time with Austin, him putting you in an illusion while Kaya and I relaxed. This game you started. And your eyes—they seek to protect us, but also keep distance. That's usually tied to a past as a leader," Lucas said calmly.
Ethan's smile faded into a neutral expression. "You're right. Is it wrong for me to want to know your characters?"
"No. I just hated your fake expression when you knew I'd find the rock," Lucas replied.
"Hahaha. Yeah, I knew, but I didn't think your clan's abilities were that strong. I tried to hide my spell, but it was useless," Ethan admitted, scratching his head.
"Well, I'm an anomaly. My fallen clan was powerful at such things, but compared to me, they lacked greatly. That's also why I survived the disease that spread through them," Lucas lied, aware Ethan was still investigating him.
"Seems so. But that's impressive," Ethan sighed. "You're clever, cunning, loyal, highly prideful, and careful—too careful, actually. That's scary. Austin is a free spirit, trusts anyone who shows him love, is competitive, smart but also stupid, and doesn't trust me—but trusts you more than you realize."
"Why does he trust me?" Lucas asked, genuinely curious.
"I don't know. Same with Kaya. She usually avoids males, even from her clan, but she's drawn to you. Despite loving you romantically, she feels she can be herself with you because you make it that way."
"What do you mean?" Lucas pressed.
"You manipulate people into trusting you. And with Kaya, even when she doesn't fully trust you, she still loves you," Ethan said sharply.
"Hmm. Think what you want," Lucas replied, unconcerned.
Ethan studied him a moment, then sighed. "Seems not. Sorry." He smiled. "You're hard to read and hard to anger. Most people like that I've met have been dangerous—I've been careful with them."
Lucas nodded. "I never asked for trust, nor did I want Austin to trust me. But after our fight and everything connecting us, we ended up like this. As for Kaya—who knows? We were bound to meet somehow."
"Yeah, I understand. And I'm sorry. I just wanted to be sure I can trust my team. I hate being betrayed. And if you do manipulate us, just make sure we win, okay?" Ethan joked, though his tone turned serious at the end.
"Okay, leader," Lucas replied with a smile.
"I'm going to sleep. Watch over everyone. I'll wake up in two hours," Ethan said, lying down and falling asleep almost instantly. Trained elites from a young age could stay awake for days, weeks, or months, but short sleep cycles kept them sharp.
As for what Ethan said, Lucas agreed: Austin trusted too easily—that's why he died in the original timeline. Lucas wouldn't let that happen. Austin had immense talent, and if the Hidden City hadn't suppressed his clan, everything could've been different. But their greed for power and control over the last members of the imperial clan would lead to the Clover clan's destruction, with Blake as their weapon. And behind it all, Ray was the one planting the seeds. That bastard was responsible for almost everything in the story, alongside the leader of the Abyssal Moon. But that leader had honor—Ray didn't. He was a snake that needed to be destroyed.
That's why Lucas had joined Blake on that mission, beyond just getting close to him. He wanted Blake's trust. Once Blake trusted him, Austin would naturally open up. And Lucas knew that after their fight, he and Austin would grow even closer. You only truly know someone when you fight them—or fight beside them. Lucas didn't want the Clover clan destroyed, nor did he want to lose Austin and Blake, the most talented of their generation.
After this mission, he'd lie low, revealing only enough power to stay just behind Austin. Soon, news of Austin's four-leaf clover eyes would spread. Even though Lucas didn't want the higher-ups to know, it had to happen so everything else could unfold as it should.