The Ancient Genes

"Ancient Genes?" Lithiya muttered in confusion. This was the first time she had heard about something like that.

"There have been traces of past civilisation….some kind of life form very similar to us existed in the past….we don't have any information on but we know that they existed."

"Some people still carry the legacy of these ancient beings.... these people have dormant genes in their body, which doesn't react to mana…..people with greater concentration of such genes usually tend to have weaker mana affinity and it isn't a coincidence…in ordinary case, family background and a bit of luck is the major factor...but it is not so for these people…."

The old man was not entirely correct here....the Ancient genes belonged to the primal humans but it didn't mean the they were the old one of the past civilisation. There were several more of them and they too had passed down through dormant genes....

The old man started at Lithiya, this had been in his mind for a long time, "You are one of those people and so are each and every member of your family. But something about you is different, unlike your every other family member you are not weak..."

"Your source of power is not the same as us….am I right? You seemed to have met something along the way…."

Lithiya's expression changed, the fact which she had hidden from the world was finally out.

"You don't need to answer, I am sure you have your reasons. But that was the reason behind my actions. I was afraid of your child possessing the same characteristic….but it turned out to be even worse than I thought, he didn't awaken at all..."

Lithiya finally realised that it was her fault after all. It was because of her that Max was born powerless...it was because of her that he had to suffer all along...

"A powerless child can't survive in this family, the world we live in…. "

"I would have protected him… I wouldn't let anyone harm him… " Lithiya spoke as her eyes turned wet.

"Zack said the same thing last time…..but how long? You won't be there to protect him forever. There might be a bit of hope in case he possessed the weaker ability to wield the mana but his failure in awakening sealed all those hopes. No one would recognize a person like him in our society, he would be alone and lead a miserable life here….isn't it better to just let him leave an ordinary life then…." The old man finally said it with heavy hurt, he had been refraining himself from telling the truth. He knew that both of them would end up blaming themselves for the situation.

"But father, Max…." Lithiya suddenly remembered something and as she spoke, the old man interrupted her.

"I know, he has changed....he isn't weak anymore….but we don't know where that power comes from…." He thought about it a bit. First was the demons, he knew about the recent cases of conversion. The second was the Ancient families, they seemed to be doing something suspicious….he had heard it was some kind of human experiment long ago from a friend….and also knew that the Ancient families were always on the look for people like Max and Lithitya. As for the third, "Is it possible for him to have gained the power the way you did?"

Lithiya shook her head, it wasn't possible.

The old man didn't know of any other existing way, he could only assume the first two choices for now and both didn't seem to be good.

"Father…." Lithiya muttered as she looked at him, she had realised that she had been blaming him for nothing, he cared for Max as much as they did or maybe even more.

"Even if I save him, I can't bring him into the family now….this house will be more dangerous for him in the current situation..." The old man suddenly spoke with a frown, he loved his children no doubt. But he couldn't abandon his role as the Lord. It was a responsibility passed down from generations, he just couldn't betray his ancestor's hard work here and take a decision detrimental to the house.

Lithitya understood it very well too. Everyone was angered due to Victor's death. Even if they did not like him and fought internally, they would have shared feelings when it came to external forces.

"We can't leave him alone in the current situation, it is too dangerous and we still don't know if someone is influencing him…" the old man said with scrunched brows. He had his doubts towards Max's master, he knew that the man belonged to one of the Ancient Family but according to Zack he was a kind person…..so he still wasn't sure as it was impossible to find anything about the Ancient families…

"I will leave…."

Lithya's word entered the old man's ear.

"It was my fault to begin with, he has already suffered a lot. I can't leave him alone now…." Lithitya said with difficulty.

"You will be leaving everyone behind….your daughter, your husband..."

"I know….but they will have each other…..unlike him who is all alone…." Lithiya said as she thought about it. She was sure that Zack would understand it and even Lilly when she would be old enough. Besides, it wasn't like she wouldn't be seeing them….they would be seeing each other very less from now on and be very far away from each other.

Lilly had to stay back, it was the best environment for her growth. Besides, everyone already knew about her. It wouldn't be safe to bring her out with Lithiya. Zack on the other hand had to stay by her side and take care of her, while she stayed beside Max.

The old man looked at her, he had tried so hard to prevent it yet things still ended up here.

"Once you leave, there won't be returning anymore…." The old man said, realizing that things will definitely end up violent in case they had to take the harder way. She had to break the ties or in case, her identity was revealed by mistake….her actions would represent the house.

"I am willing…."

"Leave then….within an hour the news of your exile will be out…I will get Max to the recycling district….so wait there…. " The old man said with a calm look.

Lithiya didn't leave but instead went on her knees and made a bow, "I am sorry father….I never understood you…..thank you for everything and accepting me as your daughter…"

"Get up…" the old man said as he took out the locket from his neck and walked up to Lithiya before putting it on her. "Don't take it off if you want to reunite with your family again…"

"Hmm.." Lithiya nodded with red watery eyes before turning around and leaving.

"Are you there?" The old man said as Lithiya left.

"Yes, my lord…"

A person appeared from the dark corner in the room.

"Just ask what you want to?" The old man. said with a slight smile. He could feel his confused and worried gaze all along.

"If we don't take any actions against Young Master Max and instead save him….there will be a huge backlash from the elders and the House members as well…."

"As a Lord, I will definitely do what is good for the house. But it doesn't stop me from doing what I want afterward as a Grandfather, does it?" The old man asked with a smile.

"Why not just bring him in and reveal his identity?" The old butter asked.

"We still don't know what power that kid possesses and how it works….if it's something malicious, it would not only be dangerous for him but the whole House as well….I can't risk everyone's life on it…"

"Even in case he doesn't possess any malicious power, it still wouldn't change the fact that this house is not safe for him…..I doubt he could even handle all the schemes and people with ulterior motives…."

"I see..." the butler finally seemed to have understood.

The old man looked out of the window towards the location of the Association. Things would be much easier if he failed to get the majority and Max was released, but he highly doubted that….the second best option was to get Max's disposal in his own hands and he could then easily let him get away while hiding the truth…..the last option didn't look good. . . he wouldn't get Max's custody and the Association will take the custody and administer the punishment on behalf of everyone….if that happened, things would turn a definitely turn violent…