The Ancient Genes

"Calm down kid…" Wilson grabbed the kids hand who had suddenly barged in.

The kid was none other than Bahamut. During the last incident, Max had messaged him for help, but he was fast asleep because of his mom's habit of treating him like a child.

After getting up, he almost had a heart attack….but everything was already over by then. He had messaged Max more than a 1000 times but didn't get a reply. 

Well, Max's system was updating so he didn't have any idea about it….not to mention, Max didn't have a different way of contacting him….

Bahamut looked at Wilson and seemed to have finally calmed down.

"Let go…" He shook his hand and Wilson's eyes widened at the overwhelming force as the kid's hand slipped out of his grasp.

"Where is Max?" He asked looking at the two.

Lear rubbed his back as he got up onto his feet, "Who are you?"

"His friend. I heard he was here and came running…. Hmm...Are you Lear Barnes?" Bahamut suddenly asked as if recognising Lear.

"Yeah!" Lear couldn't help but get excited. This was the first time someone had recognised him.

"Oh...this makes it easier….come with me.."  Bahamut said, glancing at Wilson from the corner of his eyes. He knew Lear was one of Max's followers but he didn't know about Wilson.

Lear looked at the kid before following behind.

….

Max on the other side, decided to drop by his own apartment once.  He was afraid that any person would use this opportunity to take over the place if they share the same situation as Max and Aria did.

Max entered the place like usual and noticed that there weren't any extra pairs of shoes. He still just lightly scanned the place and confirmed there was only one person in the house.

 It was safe to proceed.

As Max entered the hall, he could hear the sounds coming from the kitchen.

"You didn't take over the house in my absence, did you?" Max spoke as he sat down on the couch.

He didn't hear any reply from her, even the rustling had stopped which caused a frown to emerge on his face.

'Don't tell me….she…'

"What's with the silence? Did you really clean my stuff thinking I would die? Don't forget I was the first one to sign the contract here. If someone has to leave then it's you not me…" Max said with a bit of anger. This girl really had done it now.

"..."

Max's frowned turned deeper when he didn't hear any reply. This was strange, not like her. If Max could remember, she knew how to reply at least. Not to mention, he didn't really think that she would actually throw his stuff out.

"Click!"

Max suddenly heard the entrance door click and abandoned his thoughts. He immediately moved towards the kitchen planning to get out of the window before giving Aria a piece of his mind.

But, the moment he stepped in the kitchen ….he froze….

The blonde hair girl looked at Max. Her eyes had a strange glint in them as her brow furrowed a bit. 

"Ah! I walked into the wrong place I think…sorry...I will leave..." Max said with a silly smile as he turned around to leave.

He regretted not further delving into the person's presence. If he did, he could have differentiated it.

"Wait!"

Of course, like she would just let him walk out like that…

"Who are you shouting at Elly?" Aria's sweet voice sounded as she entered the kitchen only to see Max smiling at her.

"Thud!"

The carry bag in her hand which seemed to have been carrying food fell onto the floor with a thud.

…..

Max and Elly sat on the couch while Aria stood beside them like a criminal. She seemed to be glancing at Max as if saying he should be doing the same with her.

Max ignored both Aria's pleading eyes and Elly's sharp gaze as he calmly sat there without a care.

Who asked her to live with him? This had nothing to do with him…..

"I get why you lived with him….but this is not enough of a situation to force you to do that..you could have just asked any one of us for help. Don't you know how many empty rooms I have at my mansion?" Elly asked as she looked at her.

"Obviously you wouldn't have asked...if there is something else…." Her gaze turned serious, "What are you hiding, Aria? If I am not wrong? Does this have something to do with your injury…"

Max already had seen her observation skills. He wasn't surprised at all if she deduced it with ease. 

"You could keep your mouth shut if you want, I don't care. But you are coming with me to my house…" Elly said as if declaring the final statement.

"But…"

"Refuse and I will tell your brother what you are up to….I don't care if you hate me...at least you won't get hurt or you can tell me and I will see if I can help your out or not …." Elly's words immediately shut Aria up. If it got out, it was possible that her father would forcibly bring her back. As for involving Elly, she obviously wouldn't want her in knowing the risk involved.

She couldn't do anything here....

For now, she had to lay low in order to find an opportunity in future or else she might as well have to give up entirely….but she would have to leave this place in that situation….

Aria suddenly glanced at Max for a bit. But the moment she saw the happiness and expectation in his eyes her face twitched.

"Ok, I will pack my stuff….lets leave right at this moment…" Aria said as she walked upstairs with loud and heavy steps as if trying to smash the floor.

Elly sighed thinking that her words were the cause of her anger. She then looked at Max. It was odd but this guy had been catching her eyes from time to time.

She still had a hard time believing how his demeanor had changed and his eyes seemed to have changed yet again. It looked brighter yet there seemed to be an immeasurable depth behind them as if he had experienced a lot in his life. Something very rare for people of his age.

"Do I really look that good?" Max taunted her with a smile seeing her stare at him.

Obviously, it was all just out of curiosity. He just wanted to see how she would react.

"You are not bad.." Elly replied calmly and the smile remained on Max's face.

"You are not going to say anything to me? I thought you surely would try to kill me…"

"Well, she didn't say anything ill about you. I sure wouldn't kill you because of that. Instead, I should be thanking you….for not doing anything…."

"Oh! How kind of you…" Max said with a smile.

"I cooked the food...but since we are planning to leave. We will eat at my house, so you can enjoy it." 

"Thank you very much…'' Max replied with a smile as Aria finally got down pulling her luggage.

Elly got up from her seat and Max followed them towards the door.

As they were about to leave, Max called Aria out, "Don't go around being reckless and make sure to get your injuries properly treated. And don't sign contracts without meeting the person and seeing the property personally."

"Who are you?! My mom! I don't need you to care for me…." Aria shot him a glare shutting Max up before slamming the door on his face.

"Tsk…. Ungrateful girl…" Max shook his head with a smile as he turned around.

Finally!

The apartment was his and his alone…

Max walked into the hall and stood there scanning the empty place…

'The place is a bit lonely now….' Max thought but soon he shook his head, 'Well I just need to spend my time in my spirit world…'.

Max then walked into the kitchen taking out the food that was made by Elly. At least he didn't have to cook today…

A few minutes later….

Max clenched his fist with sweat dripping down his forehead.

'Damn...in the end, she still tried to set me up….thank God my body is stronger than normal Mages….' Max could feel that the food could kill any ordinary person.

A few minutes later, Max walked out of this place going to meet Lisa as he had promised, not to mention her grandfather had clearly asked him to stay for a day or two if possible...worried about Lisa's condition.

"I will be back soon, my only personal home…" Max said with a wide smile on his face.

At this moment, Max didn't know that he would not be seeing his personal home anymore…..at least not any soon...