Prime Evolver System

A bitter smile emerged on Jack's face as he recounted the last parts of his story. He explained how he was escorted out of the shop under the ugly, hideous grin of the conceited little rat. 

He could see in his eyes how good he must have felt, coming back so quickly to get some payback for the humiliation he had suffered just a few hours ago in this very same place.

His colorful taunts, arrogant attitude as he pranced around like some heir of a noble, powerful household… Jack found it incredibly hard to retain a mostly neutral disposition and ignore the scrawny guy.

After that, Jack's story was almost at its end. A battle ring was quickly formed as the more than twenty band members encircled him, closing off all routes for escape. He could recall a gruff, deep voice bellowing at him from somewhere above, but strangely he couldn't recall the face that spoke, only that it spoke from somewhere above.

Although Jack found this peculiarity strange, Lucien and the blonde woman, Sera didn't seem to mind it, so he didn't linger on the topic too long. 

Jack was then explained that, although they understood his plight, he still offended one of his own, and for that, he had to go through a so-called 'Trial of Retribution', which after a bit of explanation turned out to be nothing more than a handicapped street brawl where he would have to face the person that called for justice.

Still, though he felt that things couldn't be as simple as they sounded, there was nothing he could have done. There was no way for him to get out of this situation, but by acquiescing to the blurry, hazy figure's words.

As expected, the fight against his opponent didn't take long. As soon as the shivering, scrawny figure of the guy stepped in front of him, and with great trepidation, he slowly shakily raised his hands in front of him, he was quickly sent flying with a single, decisive blow.

As Jack explained he figured that if he showcases some of his strength the group would decide to leave him alone and scatter. Sadly, that wasn't the case. His flawless, but at the same time: expected victory only managed to light the fire, the passion, the desire for more. 

As soon as the weak, thin man's limp body hit the pavement, the deep voice echoed in the back alley again.

He praised Jack's prowess, and as he stated, 'graciously' allows him to test his mettle, some more.  Two new much bigger and fierce-looking figures stepped into the ring, looking like a pair of mistreated twins. Matching tattoos covering almost every inch of their skins, bald, cleanly shaven heads, the two burly, sturdy figures gazed back at him with cruel, vicious, expectant looks in their eyes.

After that, Jack's story finally came to an end, as the fight was pretty much one-sided from that point on. Although Jack did manage to hold his stance for a while, it was a fruitless effort. Ultimately his effort was futile, he held no chance against the two brothers, they were much stronger, more powerful than him.

"Even as I tried to utilize Grandpa's teachings, in the end, I'm just a failure. I can barely use any of my qi at all. My foundation was always weak, I wasn't a good student of his…" Jack sighed, unaware that he just spilled the beans of the very same topic, the sole reason that Lucien searched for him.

Although the terms and phrases he used were alien to him, Lucien knew that this was it. This was the missing piece of the puzzle that he needed. The knowledge he so desperately required to finally finish building up spiritual veins. From the fusion with Pravitas, his other 'self', he understood that some of the central part, a core of some kind was missing, but he just couldn't understand what to do or how to get started with that.

Still, Lucien knew that once he achieves this step, he would elevate himself from the constraints of mortals, not just with his ever-evolving physique but with spirit and mind also.

Trying his best to not show his excitement over his face, he retained a calm, collected outlook, silently contemplating Jack's narration of the events.

"Thank you for telling this to us, Jack." Seeing the distant look in his Young Master, Sera stepped in, nodding with her gentle, warm smile towards the lonesome boy.

Giving a light cough, she continued after seeing that Lucien was still deep in his own mental world, contemplating, pondering this young man's story…

"Anyway, we are glad that in the end, you turned out to be okay." She gave a bright smile, as she left the chair and stood up. Turning her attention towards the pondering Lucien, she reached out and gently touched the top of the boy's head.

"Young Master… we need to get going. We still have a few things to do…" She gently whispered although Jack could still hear her words. Once again, he was reassured that despite what he said, he was some rich noble kid that was just passing by. Though his presence and attitude were unlike what he had seen and had known… 

'Maybe he is from some of those hidden families Grandpa has once told me about…' Jack thought, listening to their conversation with interest.

"Yes… I know. Just a minute, I want to ask…" Being brought back from his thoughts, Lucien nodded with a hazy gaze at Sera, before shifting his attention back to his newly made acquaintance.

However, before he could say a thing, Sera added again.

"We need to get going, Lucien." Then she leaned closer and whispered his next words, making sure that this time, only Lucien would hear them. "Since we also need to fix up your missing education and knowledge, you could ask him about where he studies. We could sign you up in that school, so instead of hurrying here, you could slowly build up a friendly, brotherly relationship with him."

Lucien's eyes brightened up as he listened to Sera's advice. A friendly smile emerged on his face, he looked at the confused Jack.

"Jack, I'm afraid Sera here is right. We need to slowly go and leave. We have quite a few items to complete still, and we have already spent most of the day."

Pushing himself off from the ground, Lucien stood up and reached out his right hand in a friendly manner. 

Realizing what his next action would be, Lucien's strong presence suddenly wavered, he soon found himself not sure of what to say. Offering a handshake wasn't too hard, or getting information… However, he never had a friend, a normal 'human' friend in his life, he had no experience in what to say.

Back in the orphanage, the only ones that didn't hate him, beat him, or condemn him were the animals in the shed… or his overactive delirious mind in some times when he felt extremely lonely.

After that, in the facility, he didn't even have a life of his own, much less a friend he could talk to. 

Due to that, he had no idea how to continue, or what to say. In the end, Lucien just stood there, with his hand raised and an awkward smile plastered on his face.