Aftermath

Lucian's eyes open abruptly as his consciousness resurfaces, and he prepares for the worst.

'Huh? Where am I?'

Lucian sits up in an unfamiliar bed in a strangely luxurious room. Not a soul is present. His sense of danger fades, noticing that he is alone.

'This room is huge. I must be in a mansion of some sort. This room is almost as big as my entire house. Jeez. This bed, too, it's like laying on a cloud made of silk. Ugh. What happened after he threw me against the wall? All I can remember is pain and a few spotty memories.'

Lucian attempts to remember what happened that night as his memories slowly resurface.

'Who was that? I can't remember a time in my life where I was ever that calm in such circumstances. I fought those thugs like it was a natural instinct. It must be part of that "Evolution" the system was talking about.'

'So I killed all of them and saved Julie...No, Layla, so where is she now??'

'Shit! I need to figure that out after I understand what the hell happened to me.'

'Status'

The screen appears before Lucian with some significant differences.

Status Window

Name: Lucian

Current State: "Fledgling"

Race: Half-Breed

Titles: "Diligent Learner"

Corruption Index: 0% Lv2

Health: 100%

Strength: 12

Dexterity: 12

Constitution: 12

Intelligence: 15

Charisma: 12

Perception: 12

Magic: 12

Skills:

"Demonic Instinct" - When killing intent is present, predatorial instincts kick in, nullifying emotion and heightening senses. Lv1

Proficiencies:

Magical Affinities:

"Lightning" - Those with an affinity for lightning gain access to a rare tree of magic, which is capable of unleashing destructive power or immeasurable speed.

Languages: Common 100%

'Fledgling? Half-Breed? Demonic Instinct...and I have an affinity for lightning...'

'Damn, these stat increases are insane. So based on the new powers I gained and this "Half-Breed" race, the evolution must have caused me to evolve into some sort of lesser demon. I can't say for sure if this is a good or bad thing, but the stats speak for themselves. Plus, being unable to feel fear will be an insane asset.'

"Click, click, click."

Lucian's eyes snap to a creature moving in the far corner of the ceiling.

His eyes magnify the creature as it is revealed to be some species of spider walking along its web. His higher stats allow him to make out every hair follicle across the spider's body.

'Holy crap. These stat increases are insane. It's like having a magnifying glass.'

A sudden pang of pain erupts from Lucian's temple.

'Sheesh. I guess I'm still injured from the fight. How many concussions did I receive from that big guy? Jesus. I'm surprised I didn't die from brain trauma after all of that.'

Lucian grabs his head, feeling his fingers graze against a bandage wrapped around his head. As Lucian begins to unravel the bandage to check his skull for any wounds, the pain slowly subsides. Finding none, even though the bandage clearly has blood.

'Maybe it was a minor wound. I must have been unconscious for a while, considering it's already healed. Wait...What?'

Lucian raises his left arm, which was crushed by Duren during their battle.

'There's no way this is healed already. There's still blood on my bandage. Whoever my caretaker is would've switched this out before my arm healed. He snapped every bone in my forearm that would take months to heal. Is this some kind of regenerative ability of Demons? It must be. That's the only logical conclusion.'

Lucian checks over the rest of his body, finding nothing. His hands raise the white sleeping gown he wears, his fingers running along his ribs. He was sure that he had broken several, yet there is not even a single bruise.

'This may be difficult to explain. People might dissect me if they find out about this ridiculous healing speed.'

"Lucian...hmmph..." A barely audible sigh springs from underneath the blanket.

Lucian's eyes dart to the shape of a small figure as it slowly breaths underneath.

'Huh?'

Lifting the blanket carefully, his eyes latch onto the tiny sleeping human.

'Guess I found her.'

Curled up into a small ball, Layla's little arm is outstretched, holding onto the sheets next to Lucian's left leg. Ragged breaths and little moans for Lucian cry out from her deep sleep as small tears dangle from her eyes. Bringing the deep purple bags underneath to attention.

A smile frown crosses Lucian's cheeks at the sight.

'Poor girl. Nobody should have to deal with things like this at such an age.'

Lucian wipes the tears from her eyes as he slowly caresses her cheek with the back of his hand. His eyes gaze over her for a few moments as he takes in all the worries and pain she must have.

'This world is cruel just like Earth.'

'She doesn't deserve to feel this way.'

Lucian's moment in thought breaks as a conversation is heard outside the doorway.

"It's quite alright, Madam. Your boy is very special. No expenses can be spared on his treatment." A foreign voice speaks as the door to the bedroom opens.

Lilith steps through the doorway as the unknown man holds it open for her. Her eyes widen at the sight before her as she sees Lucian sitting upright without bandages.

"Oh! My boy!" Lilith shouts with joy.

Running over to Lucian and leaping onto the bed that she nearly crushes him.

"Guh!" A gasp erupts from Lucian's chest from her added weight.

She proceeds to kiss Lucian's head while holding him in a tight embrace to her boozum. Wearing a fancy black dress that may be a little too revealing for a mother, she presses his face in between her cleavage.

"I was so worried!" She exclaims as her hold over Lucian tightens.

"Mom, I can't breathe." Lucian whispers to her as his head is near to exploding from the pressure.

Causing Lilith to release Lucian from her embrace, her face turning from joy to pure anger.

Foreboding a terrifying scolding. Only a few people know the intensity of Lilith's wrath, Lucian being one of them.

'Oh god, I'm in for it.'

"What were you doing in the bad side of town! Do you know how worried your father and I were! You could've died! What the hell is wrong with you!" Lilith shouts with a fury unmatched.

"I was just-" Lucian replies.

"You were just what!? Trying to get yourself killed!? Trying to make your mother cry!?" Lilith angrily interjects.

Lucian looks to Siegfried a plead for help in his eyes.

Siegfried nods.

"Dear. Let the boy explain. I'm sure he has a good reason. He's never done anything like this before." Siegfried calmly says, trying to soothe Lilith's anger as she is now beet red from shouting.

"I was just trying to explore the town with Layla. It was all my idea, so don't blame her. Before I knew it, we were being chased by some thugs, and they cornered us in that alley. They were trying to hurt Layla, so I tried to stop them and..." Lucian explains.

"And he managed to be the youngest person in history to awaken magical talent. If I may interject?" The unknown man says, interrupting Lucian, giving him a look that asks for his approval.

Lucian nods.

"Madam, I believe your son may be a prodigy in the magical arts. I can't think of anyone even close to his age ever accomplishing such feats. The danger these thugs posed is much greater than it may seem. They were Aura Users that emigrated from the South. They have wreaked havoc on the neighboring areas and committed a multitude of crimes. What Lucian has achieved in defeating them is nothing short of a miracle. Of which he should be rewarded. Wouldn't you agree, Madam? Having such a talented son will bring your family great honor."

"Well..." Lilith drones, unable to find the correct words to justify her anger.

"I agree that what he did was dangerous, dear. But the fact that he has come out without injury should be something that we are happy about." Siegfried states as he nods towards the absence of even mere scratches.

"Alright. I guess you both are right. But don't get the wrong impression you're still getting a scolding when we go home." Lilith says as she points to Lucian with a scornful gaze.

'I guess this is the best damage control I could ask for. She isn't wrong. She's doing this out of love, not hate.'

"So what happened? How did I end up here? Where am I? And who are you?" Lucian says, changing the topic while looking towards the mysterious man.