"Oh? Defeat the strongest in the world?"
Mage smiled suddenly upon hearing Lucifer's words and asked, "Then you've read so many books and read the newspaper every day without fail—tell me, who do you think is the strongest in the world?"
"Uh?" Lucifer was surprised by Mage's question.
Usually, his stepfather didn't care about anything.
If not for the large inheritance left by the Chris family ancestor, the two of them would have starved long ago by their undisciplined ways.
"Currently the strongest in the world? Gol D. Roger? Edward Newgate? Golden Lion Shiki? Any of them could be the strongest... Oh, and the Marine hero Garp!"
Lucifer combined his understanding of the current pirate world and gave his opinion.
"Is that so... You have your own views, not bad... But do you really think you can reach their level?"
Mage asked with a faint smile.
"I believe if I keep working hard, one day I will become such a strong person!"
Lucifer answered firmly.
"Heh heh..." Mage shook his head and laughed.
"Father..." Lucifer glanced at his stepfather.
"Don't lie to me, boy. Family knows family's issues. I don't believe you haven't noticed our family's flaws!"
Mage suddenly became serious.
"...That..." Lucifer frowned.
"I did notice... but so what?"
"You're still too naive, child..." Mage sighed and continued, "Well, today I'll tell you a bit. You've grown up; some things really should be handed down to you!"
"..."
Listening to Mage's words, Lucifer thought about something, but said nothing, waiting for Mage to continue.
"Our Chris family has an old and long lineage, with many precious things.
Some have been lost over the years, but we still kept some, like the Devil Fruit in the basement, and our weak constitution!"
Mage looked at Lucifer, noticing his serious listening, secretly nodding with satisfaction at Lucifer's character.
"The weak constitution problem—because most records were lost to time, the exact cause is unclear.
But as head of the Chris family, I can tell you an old family motto passed down through generations:
'Without a chance for family revival, the Devil Fruit must not be used, and the famous sword must not see the light of day!'"
"Oh?"
Lucifer was intrigued by Mage's words.
"Why, Father?"
"I don't know exactly. Your grandfather died when I was very young; he only left that one sentence.
The reason I never told you our family secret is simply because you were too young.
But I have no idea how you, this kid, discovered the secret basement hiding the Devil Fruit."
Mage looked deeply at his son and shook his head.
"...I have a naturally keen sense. I just accidentally found it while playing..."
Lucifer wasn't entirely lying; his spiritual awareness was indeed strong.
"I thought so..."
Mage nodded, thinking only those born with strong senses (Observation Haki) could easily detect the vibrations of the Devil Fruit and the famous sword.
"The reason I harshly scolded you was because those two treasures are too important and have been untouched for hundreds of years!"
Mage said slowly.
"Is that so... Dad, you guys have great patience... a Logia-type, the strongest Devil Fruit!"
Lucifer shook his head admiringly.
He could resist temptation because he was once a strong man and had good control over his desires.
But for a weak family like theirs, after generations of inheritance, being able to endure temptation was truly impressive.
"Ha ha, you kid!"
Mage laughed heartily at Lucifer's sudden words.
"You really know a lot..."
"Of course! Do you think all these years of reading were for nothing? Your son is a genius!"
Lucifer said proudly.
"That's right, you're a genius!"
Mage stopped laughing and became serious.
He fully agreed with Lucifer's words—he was a genius!
"Ah, no need for you to say that. I know it already!"
Lucifer laughed shamelessly.
"...Genius, yes... but... being born into the Chris family, becoming strong really isn't easy..."
Mage sighed.
"Don't feel pity, Father; I believe if I try hard, I will definitely succeed!"
Lucifer said casually.
"I believe in you, Lucifer. But for our weak constitution... the path is extremely difficult!"
Mage sighed again, but before Lucifer could reply, he said,
"However, I see in you the hope of the Chris family's rise!"
"Ah?"
Lucifer didn't expect his father to turn the conversation so quickly and was momentarily stunned by Mage's meaning.
"I said, you are the hope for our family's rise!"
Mage's previously aging face was filled with solemnity as he said earnestly to Lucifer.
"What does that mean??"
Lucifer was still a little confused.
"I told you just now: the two family treasures cannot be revealed unless there is hope for the family's revival.
So... do you understand now?"
Mage's eyes shone as he stared at Lucifer.
"Ah? Dad... you mean???"
Lucifer asked uncertainly.
He had intended to talk to his father about this in a few days but didn't expect Mage to bring it up first...
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T/N:
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