Chapter 16: The Secret and the Deal
"My grandfather was a brilliant engineer," Lucas said, running his finger along the rusted metal. "He created the electric bulbs you saw outside. He laid the foundation for this industrial empire. But even he couldn't fix this."
Lucas looked up at me, his eyes boring into mine.
"He called it a 'motor.' He believed this machine could revolutionize labor, generating more power than a hundred horses without ever getting tired. We don't really know what a 'motor' is… but you do, don't you, Mr. Asher?"
My heart slammed against my ribs. I tried to keep my face neutral.
"I… I don't know what you're talking about," I lied. "It just looks like a complex pump to me."
Lucas chuckled darkly. "It's not wise to play dumb in front of me, Asher."
He stood up and beckoned me with a single finger. "Come here."
I stepped closer to the desk, wary. Lucas leaned over, closing the distance between us until his face was inches from mine. He lowered his voice to a chilling whisper.
"There is no need to hide it. I know what you are."
He paused for effect.
"You are a Transmigrator. A consciousness from a different world."
I froze. The blood drained from my face. My breath hitched in my throat.
Lucas pulled back, a triumphant smirk on his face. He spoke normally now, loud enough to fill the room.
"I can tell with full confidence. Logic dictates it. A human brain does not simply rewrite itself overnight. A violent, uneducated drunkard does not wake up as a sophisticated gentleman and a master engineer in three days. The body is the same, but the soul… has changed."
He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Am I right?"
My hands trembled. I looked at the door where Finn and Elera were waiting.
"Y-Yes…" I stammered, my voice barely audible. "You're right."
I looked at him with desperation. "But please… I beg you. Don't tell my siblings."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"If they find out that their real brother is gone… that I am just a stranger occupying his body… they will never accept me. They will hate me. Please, Lucas. That is the one thing I cannot handle."
Lucas tapped his chin, considering my plea.
"Very well. If you want to keep your identity a secret, then you have a price to pay." He pointed at the rusted engine on the desk. "You must fix this machinery. Prove that your knowledge is real."
"All right," I said immediately. "I will do it."
I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. "But tell me… how do you know about transmigrators? Is it a known scientific phenomenon?"
Lucas smiled, a weird, secretive expression crossing his face.
"That," he said softly, "is a trade secret."
He rang a mechanical bell on his desk. The butler appeared instantly.
"Alfred, take the children to the East Wing guest rooms. Get them settled."
"Wait," I interrupted. "Sir, we cannot impose. We are your employees. We can simply live in a small house nearby. There is no need for us to live in the main mansion."
Lucas shook his head. "Nonsense."
He stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the vast estate where smoke rose from distant factories.
"This mansion is huge, Asher. But only two people live here—me, and my younger sister. She is… lonely. She wanders these halls by herself. Having children like Finn and Elera around will be good for her."
He turned back to me, his eyes gleaming.
"And you? You are my Chief Engineer now. It would look bad if the man revolutionizing my company lived in a shack. You stay here."