The Ancient Genes

"It's surprising….he seems to be fine…" the old man who had been examining Max finally spoke in amazement.

"It's good then...that's what matters the most at this stage…" Lisa's grandfather chimed in.

"Of course it's good, but his condition was very strange and it seemed to have disappeared on its own for now….its intriguing…."

"I would like to do a few tests, you wouldn't mind Young man or would you? It will also clarify whether you really are fit or not..."

How could Max refuse? It didn't seem that he would be getting out without taking the test…

"Well then, I will call you within a few minutes…" the old man said as he got up from his seat and left.

Max then turned his gaze towards the two people in the room. One was Lisa's grandfather and the other was his own.

"Why are you here?" Lisa's grandfather looked at the Lord of Edwinson in irritation.

Even though it wasn't the old man's fault totally. He would still blame him for not being able to properly protect the kid.

That was what the Lord of Edwinson House had told him. During the clash, Max seemed to have been separated and ended up in this condition.

"It was due to my negligence, of course I will be here…" the old man replied as he looked at Max, gesturing to match his statements with him.

"You don't need to, he is my Grandson in law. I will take care of him…" 

Max's face twitched as he heard that. He immediately remembered the event from before where he was declared Mage King's son-in-law.

"Grandpa, why don't you tell him already?" Max spoke with a calm look.

"What do you want me to tell him?" Lisa's grandfather turned towards Max. He thought Max had called out to him but he soon realised that Max's gaze was directed towards the old man of Edwinson House.

The Lord of Edwinson house stared down at Max. He didn't know why but this kid had decided to reveal his identity now. He thought that he would be even more hateful of the family after what had happened.

"What's going on here?" Lisa's grandfather said with a frown feeling something was wrong here.

Max didn't reply but stared at his grandfather with a serious look on his face.

He had a few reasons for what he did…..but the main was obviously his sister, Lilly.

Max understood his mom's way of thinking, she planned to leave Lilly in his father's care. But after what had happened….Max wasn't sure about his father's condition….not to mention...he didn't trust him at all at this point….

And according to Leviathan, his Mother's last words before passing out was for Max to be by Lilly's side. She didn't want her to grow all alone like Max.

It must have been heartbreaking for her...

Aside from that, Max knew from the Grand Elder's testimony that her mother had been set up…..and it was an enemy from the family….he just couldn't leave his sister alone in that place….

And….there was also the Grand Elder's request. Even though Max was grateful to him for a few things, he hated him for a few too…..so his request wasn't that important to him…

As for why he chose the current situation to let it out…..

Max knew that Lisa's grandfather and even his father spoiled Lisa. He didn't know how he ended up becoming the son-in-law. But if he refused, they might snap and that could be dangerous….. Hence, he decided to use this situation, trying to borrow the family's name to ensure his safety. Still, Max was 100% sure that he wouldn't accept that name ever again even though he was trying to use it now…

It was true that things had changed a bit. But that didn't mean that he would abandon his newfound identity. When there was nothing to rely on, Arkansas and Max's duty was one of the things that kept him going on.

Max now planned to interfere with the family not only to protect his sister but also to kill that b*stard who had plotted against his mother.

The old man looked at Max and knew that even if he denied, it would still not change anything. The former lord of Walker House would definitely be suspicious….

Besides, even if he didn't want to use Max, he had to admit it...this was a chance to establish a good relationship with Walker House.

Max obviously had considered his Grandfather's thought process…..a man at that position, there was no way he wouldn't identify this opportunity.

At this moment, Max had no idea that the Mage King had already suspected him to have some kind of relationship with the Ancient Families...there was no way that he would do something to Max in anger and hence his worries were in vain.

"Would you care to explain, old man?" Lisa's grandfather once again spoke as his brows twitched. The duo had clearly ignored him and were staring at each other.

Max's grandfather could clearly see the resolve in Max's eyes. He could somehow think what was going through his mind.

To be honest, he had already failed miserably. There was no sign of Lithiya and he had received the message of Zack's disappearance as well. His own brother was gone and he almost killed his grandson…. So much for trying to protect his family….

He didn't have any right to be acting anymore the way he did….

In the end, the old man gave into Max's resolve…..

"He is my grandson…."

Lisa's grandfather's eyes widened as he looked at the two.

"Can't believe….you show yourself to be upright and yet dare to have an affair behind…"

Max's grandfather looked at him as if he was looking at an idiot.

"He isn't born from my illegitimate child….he is a legitimate child of my younger son." 

The next few minutes were spent explaining things to Lisa's grandfather. He had been truthful for a bit but used late awakening as a reason to explain the situation….

"I will be glad if you will be able to keep it a secret for the time being…."

"Of course, why not? We are in-laws now…." Lisa's grandfather said with a laugh as he slapped the old man's arm.

A few minutes later, Max was finally called for tests…..

Walking behind with Max, his grandfather finally spoke, "I thought you would have hated the family…"

"I do…" Max replied with a calm look.

"Then why?"

"I will protect my sister….besides, that old man left me with a request before passing away, I will do him the favor while I am at it…." Max replied.

"What favor?"

"Since he can't be by your side anymore, he asked me to help you until the new successor of the family is decided…...so don't worry old man, I will pluck out all the weeds for you…" Max's voice contained a chill which the old man could clearly feel.

Max didn't think it was a bad thing. It was something that had to be done one day or another if they had to unite the human forces.

….

With tests done, Max parted with his grandfather and headed to the Walker House leaving the Association building.

Lisa's grandfather seemed to be in a hurry for some reason.

"What's wrong, Sir? Did anything happen to her?" Max asked with a frown. He couldn't contact anyone due to his system being updated.

The old man nodded his head, "Ever since the chaos, she seemed to have been looking tired and exhausted. Every night she cries and refuses to tell us anything or even allow us to get closer to her. She had shut herself in her room…"

The old man had thought that it might be because she was worried about Max. He had asked for help from the Association's healer who had just treated Max. But the old man said that it was something psychological and not physical…...he asked for anything which could have caused her to be upset…

The old man could only think of one thing and that was this kid...