Lucian woke up on the morning of his tenth birthday with Growlithe sitting on his chest.
He had no idea how long the Pokémon had been there.
The Fire-type stared at him from so close that its snout nearly touched the boy’s nose.
“You’re too heavy to keep doing this.”
Growlithe wagged his tail.
“Get down.”
The Pokémon licked his face.
Lucian closed his eyes.
“That wasn’t necessary either.”
A deep sound came from near the window.
Metang floated there, clearly amused.
“You could have stopped him.”
Metang raised one of its arms.
It had no intention of intervening.
Growlithe licked Lucian again.
This time, the boy used his psychic powers to lift him a few inches and place him on the carpet.
The Pokémon landed on all four paws.
He barked in protest.
“I warned you.”
Lucian sat up in bed.
The room looked different.
Several boxes remained open beside the walls.
His books had been divided into two groups: those that would remain in the mansion and those he would take on his journey.
Most of them would stay behind.
His backpack couldn’t carry an entire library, although Lucian had tried to find a way to make it work.
His grandfather had rejected the idea of using Metang to transport six boxes of documents.
On the other side of the room were traveling clothes, medical supplies, basic instruments, containers for Pokémon food, and camping equipment.
Everything was ready.
Or almost everything.
Only two days remained before Lucian left Celestia Island.
He got up and opened the window.
The sun was rising over the sea.
From his room, he could see part of the orchards, the rooftops of the breeding center, and the mountains covered in mist.
The island would still be there when he returned.
That didn’t make leaving any easier.
A small stone marked by Nidoqueen’s claws rested on his desk.
The Nidoran tribe had been living in the southwestern territory for several months and had adapted without any major conflicts.
Two Nidoran had been born the previous week.
They were the tribe’s first new generation on Celestia.
Lucian considered that event more valuable than any birthday present.
A knock sounded against the door.
“Lucian!”
Elena entered before he could answer.
She wore a light yellow jacket, training pants, and her light-brown hair in its usual braid.
Absol walked behind her with a small bag held between her teeth.
“You could have waited for me to say come in.”
“You would have taken too long.”
“I was already awake.”
“Then there’s no problem.”
Absol placed the bag on the bed.
Lucian examined it.
“What is it?”
“Your present.”
“My birthday doesn’t mean everyone has to give me something.”
“That’s how birthdays work.”
Growlithe approached to sniff the bag.
Absol placed one paw in front of him.
The Fire-type looked at her.
She bared her teeth.
Growlithe retreated half a step.
“There’s no food inside,” Elena clarified.
Growlithe immediately lost interest.
Lucian opened the bag.
Inside, he found Elena’s old compass.
Its casing had been polished.
The scratches were still visible, but the mechanism had been repaired, and the needle moved more steadily.
The small yellow mark remained painted on its cover.
Lucian held it in his hand.
“You said it was a loan.”
“It was.”
“Not anymore?”
Elena shook her head.
“I gave it to you so you could find your way back from Pallet Town. Now you’re going much farther away.”
Lucian opened the compass.
The needle pointed north.
“You’ll need it more than I will,” she continued.
“Besides, Absol doesn’t need a compass.”
The Dark-type raised her head.
“Thank you.”
Elena smiled.
“It isn’t only for finding new places.”
“It’s also for finding my way back.”
“Exactly.”
Lucian placed the compass inside one of the inner pockets of his traveling jacket.
Elena looked at the boxes.
“Have you finished packing?”
“Almost.”
“Your grandfather said you tried to take eight books.”
“They were small.”
“One of them had more than a thousand pages.”
“But it was necessary.”
“You don’t need to read an entire encyclopedia while you’re walking.”
“I could use it during breaks.”
Elena approached his backpack and removed one of the books.
“‘Minerals and Magnetic Formations of Kanto.'”
“It could be useful for Metang.”
“Take it.”
She picked up another one.
“‘Historical Variations in Pokémon Diets.'”
“That could also be useful.”
“This one stays.”
“Elena.”
“You can visit a library in one of the cities.”
“Library books may contain incomplete information.”
“Then you can write your own notes.”
Lucian tried to retrieve the volume.
Elena raised it out of his reach.
He could have used his psychic powers.
She knew that.
So did Absol.
The Dark-type positioned herself between them.
“You’re abusing your numerical advantage.”
“This is a necessary intervention.”
Metang descended.
It extended one of its claws and removed another book from the backpack.
Lucian stared at it.
“You too?”
Metang placed the book on the table.
Growlithe grabbed a shirt between his teeth and pulled it out.
“The clothes are supposed to stay inside.”
The Pokémon dropped the garment.
Elena started laughing.
“You definitely can’t pack without help.”
Breakfast was held in the garden.
Lucian had expected something small.
Instead, he found a long table, several decorations, and enough food to feed every worker at the breeding center.
Many of them were present.
Adrian was speaking with several guardians.
Doctor Miriam stood beside Chansey.
The people responsible for the orchards had brought baskets filled with fruit and berries.
The Nidoran tribe watched from the edge of the forest.
Nidoking and Nidoqueen didn’t approach the table, but one of the Nidoran gave Lucian a purple flower.
His grandfather stood at the center of it all.
Alaric wore formal clothing, although his Metagross remained by his side.
The enormous Pokémon had a blue ribbon tied around one of its legs.
Lucian stopped walking.
“You said it would be a family breakfast.”
“All of them are part of the Starfall family,” Alaric replied.
Lucian looked at the workers.
They didn’t share their blood or surname.
Even so, they kept the island alive.
The breeders cared for the Pokémon.
The guardians protected the territories.
The farmers produced their food.
Without them, the Starfall family would possess nothing more than an empty mansion and an ancient name.
“You’re right,” he admitted.
Alaric smiled.
“That happens often.”
“Not as often as you think.”
Daisy appeared behind the old man.
“Could the two of you wait until after breakfast to argue?”
Lucian looked at her.
He hadn’t known she had arrived.
Daisy wore a blue dress beneath a white jacket.
Her blonde hair was partially tied back with a ribbon, and Swablu flew above her.
The silver, star-shaped clasp continued to shine on the Pokémon’s chest.
“When did you arrive?”
“Last night.”
“No one told me.”
“It was a surprise.”
Lucian looked at Elena.
She smiled.
“I didn’t tell you either.”
“I don’t like surprises.”
“You keep saying that,” Daisy replied, “but you always look happy afterward.”
She approached and hugged him.
Lucian returned the gesture.
Elena watched from the side.
So did Absol.
“We’ll only be here until tomorrow,” Daisy said as she moved away.
“Grandpa has work at the laboratory.”
“Oak came too?”
“He’s talking to your grandfather inside the mansion.”
A crash came from an open window.
Then they heard Oak’s voice.
“That wasn’t part of the agreement!”
Alaric looked toward the house.
“It seems they found the records from their last battle.”
Daisy sighed.
“They haven’t even been together for an hour.”
“That’s enough time for them to argue three times,” Elena commented.
Gary came running from behind Daisy.
At seven years old, he wore a red cap backward and carried an empty backpack.
“Happy birthday!”
He crashed into Lucian instead of stopping.
Lucian took half a step backward.
“Thank you.”
Gary looked at him.
“Now you can become a trainer.”
“After completing my registration.”
“When are you doing it?”
“This afternoon.”
“I want to register too.”
“You still have three years left,” Daisy said.
Gary frowned.
“It’s always three years.”
“Last year, it was four.”
“Then time is moving too slowly.”
Growlithe approached.
Gary prepared himself.
When the Pokémon tried to lick him, the boy moved aside and avoided the attack.
He raised both arms.
“I dodged it!”
Growlithe turned and knocked him over with his tail.
Gary fell onto the grass.
The Pokémon licked his face.
Everyone started laughing.
“That was cheating,” Gary protested.
Lucian helped him stand.
“In a battle, your opponent won’t always repeat the same move.”
Gary wiped his face.
“I’ll dodge it next time.”
Growlithe wagged his tail.
Lucian suspected he was already planning a third strategy.
Breakfast began shortly afterward.
There was prepared meat for Growlithe, a mineral mixture for Metang, fruit for Swablu, and a special dish for Absol.
Elena and Daisy took the seats on either side of Lucian.
Neither seemed willing to sit anywhere else.
Oak and Alaric emerged from the mansion five minutes later.
They were still arguing.
“The recording clearly shows that Kangaskhan was outside the boundary,” Alaric said.
“One foot was touching the line.”
“The entire body must remain inside.”
“That rule was added afterward.”
“Because you tried to exploit the loophole.”
Adrian pointed toward the table.
“There will be no battles or reviews of previous battles today.”
The two old men looked at him.
“You can argue tomorrow.”
Oak took a seat.
“I wasn’t arguing.”
Alaric sat at the opposite end.
“I was merely explaining why he lost again.”
“The battle was months ago.”
“And the defeat still belongs to you.”
Lucian picked up a cup.
“Will they always be like this?”
Daisy and Elena answered together.
“Yes.”
The presents began after breakfast.
The breeding center’s workers gave him a durable waterproof cloak, a set of containers, and a traveling medical kit.
Doctor Miriam added medicine, bandages, and antidotes.
“You mustn’t use them without knowing the proper dosage,” she warned.
“I studied the manual.”
“Studying doesn’t replace verifying the information. Some medicines lose potency over time.”
Lucian checked the dates.
“I’ll remember.”
Adrian gave him a camping knife inside a sheath.
It wasn’t a weapon intended for battle.
It could be used to cut ropes, prepare food, clear branches, and make repairs.
“Never use it against a person or Pokémon unless your life depends on it,” Adrian said.
“Understood.”
“And don’t show it to intimidate anyone.”
“I wouldn’t do that.”
Adrian looked at Elena.
“She would consider it.”
“Only if it worked,” the girl replied.
“That’s why you still don’t have one.”
Elena crossed her arms.
Gary gave him a small Blastoise figure.
Lucian examined it.
The object had several scratches.
It was the same toy Gary had carried with him since he was three.
“It’s your favorite.”
“I have another one.”
Daisy looked at him.
“You don’t have another one like it.”
Gary pretended not to hear her.
“You can carry it in your backpack. Blastoise is strong, so it’ll bring you good luck.”
Lucian held the figure carefully.
“Thank you.”
Gary raised his head.
“When I start my journey, you have to give it back.”
“Then I’ll take care of it until that day.”
The boy extended his hand.
Lucian shook it.
Daisy waited until Gary returned to his seat.
She handed Lucian a long case.
Inside was a red-and-black device.
Lucian recognized it.
“A Pokédex.”
“Grandpa prepared it, but I chose the color.”
Oak approached.
“It’s an updated model. It includes identification functions, note storage, maps, and communication features.”
Lucian turned the device on.
The Oak Laboratory symbol appeared on the screen.
Then it displayed his name.
Lucian Starfall — Trainer Registration Pending.
“It isn’t active yet,” Oak explained.
“It will be linked to your license when you complete the process this afternoon.”
Lucian examined its functions.
“Can I add my own information?”
“I created a separate section for your observations. The official data cannot be altered without authorization.”
“That prevents incorrect information from spreading.”
“Exactly.”
Daisy pointed to the back.
She had engraved a small blue star beside the laboratory’s symbol.
“So you’ll know which one is yours.”
“My name appears whenever I turn it on.”
“The star looks better.”
Lucian didn’t argue.
“Thank you.”
Swablu descended and settled on top of Metang.
Daisy smiled.
“My real present will arrive tomorrow.”
“What is it?”
“I’m not telling you.”
“Then you shouldn’t have mentioned it.”
“I wanted you to know it exists.”
Lucian looked at Elena.
“Do you know what it is?”
“Maybe.”
“Tell me.”
“No.”
“I can ask Absol.”
The Dark-type closed her eyes.
“She’s on our side too,” Elena said.
Lucian put the Pokédex away.
Once again, he was outnumbered.
Finally, Alaric stood.
The conversations around the table quieted.
The old man carried a dark wooden box.
He placed it in front of Lucian.
The symbol of the Starfall family was carved into its lid: a six-pointed star surrounded by silver lines.
Lucian opened the box.
Six Poké Balls rested inside.
They weren’t standard models.
Their upper halves were dark blue, and a silver star surrounded each central button.
“They belonged to our family for generations,” Alaric explained.
“They’ve been repaired and adapted to modern regulations.”
Lucian picked one up.
It was heavier than a conventional Poké Ball.
“Do they have any special functions?”
“They’re more resistant to magnetic fields and psychic energy. They can also identify their owner through a basic mental signature.”
“Can I use one for Metang?”
“That’s the idea.”
Metang approached.
Lucian held the sphere in front of it.
“You don’t have to change Poké Balls.”
His partner had used an ordinary one since agreeing to travel with him.
Metang examined the object.
Then it touched the button with one claw.
The Poké Ball opened.
Red light surrounded the Pokémon and drew it inside.
The sphere moved once and became still.
Lucian held it.
He felt a faint connection.
It wasn’t as strong as their normal bond, but he could recognize Metang’s presence inside.
He pressed the button.
The Pokémon reappeared.
It produced a sound of approval.
Growlithe sniffed the remaining spheres.
“You can choose too.”
The Fire-type looked at his own Poké Ball on Lucian’s belt.
Then he touched one of the Starfall balls.
The transfer happened in the same way.
Lucian stored the two occupied Poké Balls.
Four remained empty.
“You don’t have to fill them during your first week,” Alaric warned.
“I wasn’t planning to.”
“Or during the first month.”
“I’ll only capture a Pokémon if we both want to travel together.”
“That’s the correct answer.”
Alaric closed the box.
“These Poké Balls represent more than our surname. Every Pokémon you accept as a companion will have a place on this island, even if it someday chooses to leave your team.”
Lucian understood.
He didn’t want to store his companions inside a system or leave them forgotten at a laboratory.
Celestia would be their home.
“I promise.”
The trainer registration took place in an office prepared inside the mansion.
Oak was authorized to supervise the process on behalf of the Pokémon League.
Lucian sat in front of a camera while the professor reviewed the documents.
“Full name.”
“Lucian Starfall.”
“Date of birth.”
Lucian answered.
“Region of registration.”
“Kanto.”
“Primary residence.”
“Celestia Island.”
Oak looked up.
“Declared specialties?”
“Trainer, breeder, and researcher in training.”
“You may choose more than one, but your primary license will be as a trainer.”
“Understood.”
Oak checked the Pokédex.
“Registered companions.”
Lucian placed Metang’s and Growlithe’s Poké Balls on the scanner.
The lights activated.
Their information appeared.
Metang — Shared ownership recognized through a voluntary bond.
Growlithe — Shared ownership recognized through a voluntary bond.
Lucian frowned.
“I don’t like the word ownership.”
“It’s a legal term,” Oak explained.
“But we added the voluntary bond classification for Pokémon capable of expressing consent.”
“What happens with those that can’t?”
“An examiner studies their behavior. The system is still far from perfect.”
Lucian committed that information to memory.
Perhaps one day, he could help change it.
Oak continued.
“Have you read the regulations concerning capture, transportation, and care?”
“Yes.”
“What will you do if you encounter an injured Pokémon?”
“I’ll determine whether I can approach without placing it in greater danger. If it needs help, I’ll provide first aid and contact the nearest Pokémon Center or relevant authority.”
“And if it tries to attack you?”
“I’ll keep my distance. I’ll only ask my companions to restrain it if there’s no other option.”
“How many Pokémon can you legally transport?”
“Six registered to my active team. Any others must remain in an authorized facility.”
“Which facility will you use?”
“The Starfall breeding center on Celestia Island.”
Oak marked the answer.
“Who will be responsible for them if you’re unable to care for them?”
“Alaric Starfall, Adrian Vale, and the breeding center’s authorized staff.”
“Correct.”
The questions continued for almost an hour.
Some dealt with safety.
Others covered laws, Pokémon care, and responsibility during official battles.
Lucian answered without difficulty.
Finally, Oak placed a blank card inside a machine.
“Put your hand on the scanner.”
Lucian obeyed.
The device registered his fingerprints and a sample of his psychic energy.
The machine produced a sound.
The card emerged.
TRAINER LICENSE — KANTO
Lucian Starfall
Age: 10
Status: Active
Lucian held it.
He had imagined that moment ever since awakening in his new life.
In the games, obtaining a license didn’t exist as a real process.
The protagonist simply chose a Pokémon and left town.
In this world, the card represented responsibility.
It allowed him to challenge Gyms, register captures, participate in tournaments, and travel without direct supervision.
It also made him legally responsible for the decisions he made with his Pokémon.
Oak activated the Pokédex.
The message changed.
Registered Trainer: Lucian Starfall.
A blue screen appeared above the device.
Only Lucian could see it.
Main Mission Updated
Name: The First Horizon
Condition fulfilled: Obtain an official Trainer License.
Primary objective: Leave Celestia Island and begin a journey of your own.
Secondary objectives:
—Register your first destination outside the island.
—Establish a growth path for Metang and Growlithe.
—Find your team’s first new companion through a voluntary bond.
—Complete an official challenge recognized by the Pokémon League.
—Establish the first useful contact for the future Starfall Organization.
Time limit: None.
Primary reward: Locked until the journey begins.
Note: The chosen path will determine which opportunities become available.
No single route contains every answer.
Lucian read the final sentence.
There was no perfect path. This chapter is updated first at novelping.com.
He could begin with the Gyms, explore an area, accept a mission, or visit a city.
Every choice would open new possibilities while temporarily closing others.
For the first time, the system wasn’t telling him what to do.
It merely recognized that he was ready to choose.
Oak removed his hand from the machine.
“Congratulations, Trainer Starfall.”
Lucian put away his license.
“Thank you, Professor.”
“You can call me Samuel after all these years.”
“You’re still my professor.”
Oak smiled.
“Then I suppose I’ll have to continue teaching you.”
The celebration ended as evening fell.
The workers returned to their duties while Oak and Alaric reviewed the registration documents.
Lucian headed toward the coast alone.
Metang and Growlithe remained outside their Poké Balls.
The path ended at a cliff overlooking the sea.
It was the same place Lucian visited whenever he needed to think.
He sat near the edge.
Growlithe lay down on his right.
Metang floated to his left.
“It’s official now.”
Growlithe wagged his tail.
Metang produced a sound.
Lucian took out his license.
The plastic reflected the orange light of the sunset.
“We’ll leave in two days.”
His emotions were difficult to organize.
Anticipation.
Curiosity.
Pride.
And fear.
He wasn’t afraid of battling or sleeping away from the mansion.
He was afraid of making the wrong decision and discovering that all his preparation hadn’t been enough.
He remembered Nidoking raising its fist.
He remembered Swablu crashing into a rock because he hadn’t properly explained his strategy.
He remembered the fragment from Mount Moon reacting to Beldum.
Oak and Alaric were right.
He couldn’t control everything.
Growlithe rested his head on Lucian’s leg.
Metang descended until it touched his shoulder.
Lucian closed his eyes.
He didn’t have to do it alone.
Footsteps sounded behind him.
Daisy and Elena appeared on the path.
Absol walked beside Elena, while Swablu flew above Daisy.
“I knew you’d be here,” Elena said.
“He always comes here when he wants to think,” Daisy added.
Lucian looked at them.
“Were you looking for me?”
“You disappeared from your own celebration,” Daisy replied.
“It was already over.”
“No one said it was over.”
Elena sat beside Growlithe.
Daisy took the space beside Metang.
Absol remained behind them.
Swablu settled on one of the Steel-type’s arms.
For several minutes, they watched the sea.
“Where will you go first?” Elena asked.
“I haven’t decided yet.”
“Pallet Town?” Daisy suggested.
“The ship will reach Kanto, but I don’t know whether I’ll begin there.”
“You could register for the Gym circuit,” Elena said.
“He’s already registered as a trainer,” Daisy replied.
“He can do that from any Pokémon Center.”
“I mean he could start with a Gym.”
“Which one?”
“Pewter City is relatively close.”
“He would have to cross Viridian Forest.”
Elena smiled.
“That would be an adventure.”
Daisy looked at Lucian.
“You could also stay in Pallet Town for a few days before deciding.”
“That isn’t starting a journey,” Elena said.
“Yes, it is. He would be away from the island.”
“But he’d still be living in a familiar house.”
“He doesn’t have to sleep beneath a tree on his first day to prove something.”
The two girls started arguing.
Lucian listened to them for a while.
“I still have two days,” he interrupted.
Daisy and Elena looked at him.
“I’ll decide before boarding the ship.”
“You should decide before packing,” Elena said.
“He’s already packed,” Daisy replied.
“Then he’ll have to change some things.”
“Not if he starts in Pallet Town.”
Lucian sighed.
Absol lay down behind Elena.
Swablu sang softly.
The sun touched the horizon.
“Are you afraid?” Lucian asked.
The argument ended.
Elena looked down at her hands.
“A little.”
Daisy hugged her knees.
“Yes.”
Lucian hadn’t expected such direct answers.
“I thought you would try to deny it.”
“I’m not afraid that you’ll fail,” Elena said.
“I’m afraid I won’t be there when you need help.”
Absol touched her back with her snout.
“I want to travel too. But my father says I still need to complete my training as a guardian.”
“Adrian is right.”
Elena looked at him.
“You didn’t have to answer so quickly.”
“You agreed to the training yourself.”
“That doesn’t mean I enjoy waiting.”
Daisy spoke next.
“I’ll travel to participate in Contests once I turn ten. Grandpa has already started preparing my registration.”
“Then we’ll meet during our journeys.”
“Maybe.”
Daisy didn’t sound convinced.
Kanto was large.
The more distant regions were even larger.
Even if they were both traveling, months could pass without them encountering each other.
Lucian took out Elena’s compass.
Then he showed them the star engraved on his Pokédex.
“I have ways to find my way back.”
Elena touched the compass’s cover.
Daisy placed one finger over the star.
“And you’ll write,” Daisy said.
“Every week.”
“Without tables.”
“I didn’t promise that.”
Daisy gently hit his shoulder.
Elena started laughing.
Lucian put both objects away.
“I don’t know how long the journey will last.”
“Don’t come back too soon,” Elena said.
He raised an eyebrow.
“A moment ago, you wanted to come with me.”
“And I still do. But if you return after one week because you miss your bed, I’ll laugh about it for years.”
“That won’t happen.”
“Then prove it.”
Daisy shook her head.
“He can return whenever he wants.”
“I know. I’m just making sure he has enough motivation.”
Lucian looked toward the sea.
“I’ll return when I have something to bring back.”
“A Pokémon?” Daisy asked.
“Maybe.”
“An entire tribe?” Elena added.
“Not without preparing a territory for them.”
“That wasn’t a no.”
Lucian smiled.
“Knowledge, allies, Pokémon, or new ideas. I don’t want to return as exactly the same person.”
Daisy rested her head on his right shoulder.
Elena looked at him.
Then she leaned against his left.
Lucian remained still between them.
Growlithe raised his head.
Metang emitted a low sound.
Absol closed her eyes.
Swablu settled her wings.
“This is uncomfortable,” Lucian said.
“You can endure it,” Elena replied.
“Only for a little while,” Daisy added.
The sun disappeared beyond the sea.
Lucian remained there.
For once, he didn’t try to calculate how much time had passed.
That night, after everyone had gone to sleep, Alaric found Lucian in the mansion’s main hall.
The boy was looking at the portraits of the Starfall family.
Generations of trainers, breeders, and researchers covered the walls.
“I thought you had learned how to rest,” the old man said.
“I am resting.”
“Standing in the middle of the night.”
“I’m not working.”
Alaric stood beside him.
One of the portraits depicted a woman accompanied by a Bronzong.
Another showed a man with an Alakazam and a Skarmory.
“All of them traveled,” Lucian said.
“Most of them.”
“Did they return?”
“Some did. Others built lives far away from the island.”
Lucian looked at an empty space between two portraits.
“What happened to their branches of the family?”
“Some disappeared. Others abandoned the surname. Some lost contact, and others decided that the Starfall legacy was a burden.”
“Do you blame them?”
Alaric thought before answering.
“When I was young, I did. I believed everyone should sacrifice as much as I had to preserve the family. With time, I came to understand that a legacy that needs to destroy the lives of its heirs doesn’t deserve to survive.”
Lucian looked at him.
“Then why did you continue?”
“Because I chose to.”
The old man looked toward the family crest carved above the fireplace.
“And because I believed that someday, someone might build something better from what remained.”
“Me.”
“It doesn’t have to be your responsibility alone.”
“We’re the only ones left.”
“A family can grow in different ways.”
Lucian thought about Elena, Daisy, Adrian, Oak, and the workers.
He also thought about the tribes living under the island’s protection.
“An organization.”
“Perhaps.”
Alaric placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Travel because you want to see the world, not because you believe you have to repair all of it.”
“There are things that need to change.”
“And you’ll have an entire lifetime to try.”
Lucian looked at the portraits one last time.
“Are you worried?”
“Very.”
“You don’t look like it.”
“I learned how to hide it before you were born.”
“I can feel it.”
Alaric smiled.
“Then there’s no point in pretending.”
He embraced Lucian.
“I’m proud of you.”
The boy returned the hug.
“I’ll come back.”
“You’d better. You still aren’t ready to inherit all my debts.”
Lucian pulled away.
“What debts?”
Alaric started walking toward the stairs.
“It was a joke.”
“It didn’t sound like one.”
“Then you’ll have one more reason to return.”
“Grandfather.”
The old man didn’t answer.
Lucian could feel his amusement from the other side of the hall.
It was definitely a joke.
Probably.
Lucian looked at the portraits one more time.
In two days, he would leave the island.
The following day, he would finish packing, check on his companions, and say goodbye to every territory.
Then would come the harbor.
The ship.
Kanto.
And a decision he still hadn’t made.
The first step of his journey.
End of Chapter 25