Lorenz Mansion, Capital.

"So, she didn't talk about her parents after all?" The old man sighed.

Max didn't say anything and waited for him to speak.

"The world knows that all of my sons died on duty….but it's not true….Elly's father, Elwin didn't die..."

Max's pupils constricted for a second. This was indeed a surprise, but why was he telling him that….Elly's parents were supposed to be dead…at least that is what he heard....and if his son was alive why the heck did he have Rio at this age…

"My son, Elwin was heavily injured during battle with Beast Horde. But he didn't die, though it wasn't any much worse for him than death. His core was damaged and all his hard work slipped away like sand from his palm…he became powerless…his strength declined rapidly..."

"At that time, Elly's mother, Naira, was pregnant. Her child was the last hope of our family as Elwin's injury didn't allow him to have another child, but at the same time it scared Naira as well. As the only hope, the child was bound to live a difficult life...her husband had already suffered and she wasn't willing to give the same life to her child.."

"I promised her that I would let her go. But if her child turned out to be a boy then I would come to look for him on the day of his awakening. If he showed a high affinity then I would take him back…."

"Elwin agreed to it and Naira reluctantly did as well. But it seemed there wasn't a need for all of it as Elly was born…"

"The next day, I spread the news that Elwin succumbed to his injuries…and then a few months later Naira followed him due to her deteriorating health…"

Max had heard about it. But later when the old man brought Elly, the news once again spread that her mother hadn't died but was living with her child in secret. As for where her mother was now, some said dead some said alive….but no one could find her….and after so many years, most believe her to be dead...there were also a few people who believed that it was entirely false and the girl was adopted by the old man....

The society was mixed with so many lies and truths that it was sometimes hard to decide what was right and what was wrong...

"After Elwin and Naira left, everything was fine for the first five years…until one day when Elwin reached out to me…"

"Elly had gone berserk…."

"Berserk?" Max asked in confusion. What could a 5 year old going berserk do?

"Yes, no one except Elly knows what had happened that day...but for some reason, she turned into something like a…. monster…." The old man reluctantly said those words.

Max frowned. He had heard Elly mumbling something like that in her sleep as well.

"She almost killed her parents….destroyed her home….her body engulfed herself under plant cover and wreaked havoc in the area."

"Her parents at that time were unaware of the monster's identity and said something which a parent shouldn't say to their child…The incident left the seeds for the growth of Elly's current mental state."

The old man shook his head and sighed.

"After the incident, I had to take her along with me. After all, it was impossible for her parents to handle her situation…not to mention, Elly put herself in danger with the sudden outburst..."

''Elly during the first two years with me was very violent. She would keep breaking stuff and stubbornly insist on going back…" the old man said as he smiled remembering the past.

"In the end, I did take her back and I still regret it. The child hoped that her mother would hug her...love her...but her hopes were shattered.."

"They rejected her with harsh words..I was not supportive of it. But for some reason, they deemed it to be necessary...I am sure they had their reasons...but it left a scar on her mind…"

"And after that, Elly changed and you can see now, very different from her past self…"

"I am sure there could have been some other way. Was it really necessary for them to take the toughest way?" Max finally interrupted. He somehow started to hate where this was going….it somehow reminded him himself. He blamed her mother wrongly….it should have been clear to him but he was blinded and couldn't see anything else…

"I think they had some reason for action because after that incident, her parents disappeared. I haven't heard from them ever since…"

"Elly might have some idea about what had happened, but she never spoke about it...I can't get her to talk...but I hope one days she shares everything with you…."

Max knew that the old man wasn't aware of major things in the story. He only roughly knew what had happened. The only people who had a clear idea seemed to be Elly and her parents. But no one talked about it….Max could feel something was wrong there.

"You believe that the Ancient families are the one behind it?" Max suddenly asked as he looked at him. He remembered that the old man was saying something about protecting Elly from the Ancient families in the beginning.

"Elly's power isn't as simple as it seems. I have heard that the Ancient families have been after people with unique abilities like her….even if it isn't the Ancient families...I still fear them discovering her...after, all she has finally started to use her abilities which she has been avoiding for a long time…"

"But how can I protect her, I am nothing in front of the Ancient family…" Max didn't know why the old man was counting on a small fry like him.

"The current you is definitely not enough. But the people supporting your back are certainly capable of doing so…" the old man said as he looked at him.

"I don't understand...I don't think that Edwinson House is much better than Lorenz House.." Max asked as he looked at him.

"You don't need to pretend like that. I know the Lord of Zatch family values you...and the Kingsman family too seems to favor you a bit…I am sure you are not someone simple…"

Max's face turned black for a second. He couldn't understand how a person from Noble House was snooping on the Ancient families…

"Relax, I don't plan on finding your secrets. Last time, when you were held for the murder charges. I had received a personal letter from Lord Zatch to help you out….and even Lord Kingsman had given an indirect warning to the 12 Houses regarding your case.." The old man said with a smile.

Max finally realised it. He could only walk out of that thing so easily because the Noble Houses didn't dare to take any serious action from the very start...

"Now you understand why I count on you…" the old man looked at Max.

Max nodded.

"I hope that you can take care of her. That girl has lost something within herself. But she still smiles in front of you and even uses her power to help you….I am sure that you can make her happy…"

The old man then stood up and bowed to Max. "I am entrusting her to you...please take care of her….''

…

Max left the place and returned to his room and laid down on his bed.

'What are you thinking about?' Andriel's voice rang in his mind.

"I wonder too…." Max replied as he closed his eyes.