"Fufufu..." The sound of faint chuckles escaped in a dark room.
Within, a pair of bright emerald eyes shimmered in a shiny silver glow. Stuck in a single direction, they stared into the blank space with amusement.
*Swoosh!*
A small fireball blazed in front of the eyes. Its flames danced in a white hue rather than the average yellow-red.
As it illuminated the surroundings, the image of the room, the surroundings, and most of all, the bearer of those emerald eyes, all became clear.
Curling his lips into a devious smile, an old man sat on a wooden chair with his hands resting on the table in front. Dressed in the simplistic fabric of white robes, his wrinkled face remained slightly tilted forward.
Gazing through the flame that floated above his hands, the old man could see a figure within.
The back of a long white-haired man, his dark coat adorned with a silver white star — Lucian.
Though he walked endlessly to reach the exit of the mysterious passage, in the reflection of the white flame, he stood still — surrounded by darkness.
"The answer to my question, huh?" The old man muttered in a raspy voice, his tone — relaxed and calm.
"I would be lying if I said that I wasn't surprised upon hearing your message. But more than that, I felt amused. To think a snake that had lost its venom approached me on its own... I cannot help but wonder, how did you gain such confidence?" From the crevice of his eyes, the energy he sealed within began to leak and created a wave-like pattern.
"When I first met you, I figured you were, but just an interesting kid. However, you proved me wrong. Pioneering the untamed mountains, claiming things far beyond your reach, running wild amongst the horde of predators — everything you did was extraordinary. Greedy. Yes, you were greedy. But So was I. Looking at you, I saw my own reflection."
"For the first time in my centuries-long life, I met someone who made my heart race in excitement. But it all crumpled apart on that unfortunate day... Learning about your condition, I was enraged. It was strange. Neither were you my blood, nor someone related. Yet, I regretted not being able to help."
His gaze narrowed, "Since then, you lost that greed from your eyes. Maybe because of grief. Or maybe it was the slow-poisoning feeling of being weak. Your talents faded and your existence became hollow. You, were not exciting anymore..."
"But now, after years of torment, you approach me so boldly. Your eyes, Lucian... I can see it again..." Loud giggles escaped the old man's lungs as he widened his eyes.
"Show me, Lucian Arkwright... Show me that I'm not wrong..!"
***
"That passage door... No matter how much I walk towards it, its distance never closes..." Lucian pondered as his steps came to a halt.
For a moment, he began to scratch his head in confusion, as his mind was barraged with countless thoughts.
Furrowing his brows, he filtered out his thoughts and muttered, "If the door doesn't come closer, is it that I'm not moving in reality... Or, is it that the door isn't real?"
*Ding!*
A loud, sharp notification sound rang in his mind like a rampaging thunder, snatching his attention towards the blank space in front.
A glimmer of light appeared out of nowhere, floating mid-air as it began to expand. Spreading out loud into a geometrical shape, it stretched to form a rectangular screen.
Shimmering in a silver hue, dark patterns appeared over the borders. The system came alive.
---
[Reboot has been completed.]
[The System has transformed into "Luminary System".]
[Host's Special Perks are being stabilized...]
[The basic functions of the Luminary System have been unlocked! You may use them anytime.]
[As a Congratulatory gift, your bloodline powers have been successfully restored!]
[Caution: Use your bloodline powers carefully, as they have been reset to minimal mastery.]
---
The system window hung still in front of his eyes.
***
"He sure is taking his time..." The old man sighed disappointingly.
His eyes grew tired of waiting patiently as the old man closed his eyes shut.
"Don't tell me that my assumption was incorrect... Don't let me down, Lucian..." He rubbed his eyes in frustration as his brows dipped low.
*Crack!*
The old man suddenly widened his eyes as a loud crackling sound echoed in the room.
Bursting out into wild and unkempt laughter, he softly clenched his hand into a fist, extinguishing the white flame with his palm.
His gaze drifted upwards, as he looked straight in front.
"I knew my assumption wasn't wrong," laughing out loud, he leaned back over his chair.
"So you did really get your bloodline prowess back," he clapped joyfully and continued, "Fabulous! You amaze me yet again."
"It's been a while, Lucian..." The old man's laughter quietened as his eyes met with the dark crimson irises of the man standing in front.