The tests were complete. In a flurry of light and cascading data streams, Dr. Rhea Singhania and Dr. Ishani Kapoor had guided the man through a series of complex assessments. It didn't take long. His mind was as sharp and formidable as it had been 150 years ago, his skills undulled by time. Physically and mentally, he remained in peak condition.
Afterward, he was escorted back to the quiet sanctuary of the living room—a haven amid the sterile chaos of the lab. He sank into the plush sofa, letting the silence wash over him, a welcome reprieve from the constant hum of machinery.
He had just closed his eyes when a sharp knock at the door cut through the calm.
"Enter," he commanded, his voice low and firm.
The man who stepped in was in his early thirties, tall and lean, with subtle muscularity beneath a perfectly tailored suit. His face was a mask of composure, honed by a life of authority. Piercing dark eyes betrayed nothing, while a faint scar near his left temple hinted at a past of trials—a solitary imperfection on an otherwise flawless visage. He exuded the quiet authority of someone born to lead.
As he approached, he regarded the figure on the sofa not merely as a man, but as a living legend, a relic from a bygone era whose power and influence had shaped the world he now inherited. He bowed his head slightly—a gesture of reverence reserved for one's forebears—and offered a measured greeting.
"I am Veer, sixth-generation leader of the Black Dragon Society, current head of the family. I welcome you back… sir."
The man on the sofa rose, his presence immediately filling the room. "No need for formality. Sit," he said, gesturing to the chair opposite him. "Tell me, how is the family?"
"Everything is well," Veer replied, taking his seat. "Thanks to your guidance, we are the leading force in the world. Few dare to oppose us."
"That's good to hear." A genuine smile broke across the man's face, fleeting but warm.
Silence hung briefly between them, comfortable yet heavy with unspoken history. The man sighed, the weight of the last few hours pressing down. "Let's go to the family then."
"Not yet," he said, his smile fading. "There is something dormant within me… a power I cannot control. I might… accidentally hurt someone." He looked away, the burden of the confession clear in his eyes. "For now, make preparations. I want to… take in this future at my own pace."
Veer's composure faltered for a fraction of a moment. His gaze met the man's, then quickly dropped to the floor. "As you wish… sir," he said quietly. He understood the subtext perfectly: the man was not ready to reclaim his full mantle as the Black Dragon. "I will ensure your stay is comfortable. Someone will escort you to your temporary quarters shortly."
"Good," the man replied, a subtle spark of satisfaction returning to his voice.