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Meeting a relative

Robin’s vehicle silently glided through Nexar,the city pulsed with vibrant energy of life. The road beneath him shimmered with embedded lights that guided traffic, shifting lights as they indicated different lanes for personal vehicles, public transports, and delivery drones. The car's transparent roof gave Robin a panoramic view of the towering skyscrapers above, their reflective glass surfaces gleaming in the sunlight, covered in holographic ads that shifted and moved like living object.

The street below was a sea of activity. Hovering bikes darted between towering delivery drones, their riders dressed in vibrant clothing. Pedestrians packed the sidewalks, some invested in augmented reality displays visible only through their advanced visors, others chatting in small groups, their voices blending into the general harmony of the city. People of all types humans, some demi humans, and androids—moved about purposefully, each with their tasks, giving the street a sense of constant movement and energy.

Seeing demi humans ,meta human and android didn't surprise him as much as he thought.

The buildings on either side of the street were massive, each one more impressive than the last. Some were designed with smooth, organic curves that looked as though they had grown out of the ground, while others were angular and sharp, their metallic surfaces reflecting the countless lights of the bustling metropolis. Sky bridges crisscrossed between the skyscrapers, where pedestrians moved from one building to another without descending to the ground level, adding another layer of complexity to the city’s design.

Above, huge holographic billboards floated in the air, advertising the latest in interplanetary travel, cutting-edge neural implants, and entertainment experiences that merged reality with the digital world. The sound of verious vehicles created a rhythmic background to the city’s lively scene.

Street vendors offered futuristic wares from floating kiosks, selling everything street food to weapon and other devices. Crowds gathered around holographic entertainers who danced and performed in a giant billboard , while others browsed tech stalls where robotic assistants pitched their advanced services.

Robin adjusted his course slightly, the car responding instantly as it weaved through the traffic, moving toward his destination. After some time the car entered a quit ally. This lonely alley lead to a building which has a sign and symbols that lookes likea antique shop. After parking the vehicle Infront of fhe building, All theee of them entered the building. Oliver lead both of them to the reception.Without talking Oliver showed a token , the receptionist signaled and a clerk came and asked them to follow him.

Robin, Oliver, and Andrew followed the clerk down a narrow, dimly lit staircase that seemed to spiral deeper into the earth. The stone walls were slick with moisture, and the faint hum of unseen machinery echoed through the air. After what felt like several minutes, the stairs opened into a vast underground chamber, where the real marvel revealed itself.

The lab was unlike anything robin had ever seen he thought to himself this sentence he's been using lightly. a seamless blend of ancient architectur and cutting-edge technology. The walls, made of white, polished marble stone, shimmered with engraved runes that pulsed faintly in time with their footsteps. At the center of the room stood a circular platform, surrounded by towering pillars of crystalline material, each one radiating a different hue of energy. The ceiling, far above, was a dome of glass, revealing swirling constellations and what looked like distant galaxies, despite being deep underground.

Various rooms were scattered across the lab,some filled with old tomes, parchment scrolls, and high-tech devices. Some objects seemed to hover mid-air, glowing softly as though charged with an unseen force. Strange, swirling vials of liquid and intricate mechanical constructs hummed with quiet power.

In one corner of the room, a massive set of gears turned slowly, powering a floating display of holographic symbols.

The clerk took them to a waiting room . "Please, wait here. The master will arrive shortly."

The three exchanged glances as they sat, the weight of the atmosphere pressing down on them. Robin could feel the tension in the air as they waited for her grandfather's elder brother, a figure he had only knew for the first time. He don't even know how he looks.

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Time seemed to stretch in the chamber, and the soft hum of machinery was their only companion as they waited for the elder to appear.

As Robin sat on the sofa in the waiting room, Andrew and Oliver stood silently behind him like statues. Through the transparent windows, he watched the people in white lab coats running around, attending to various tasks in the underground building . The clicking of boots on the sleek floors echoed faintly.

Robin was busy on observing the outside room until two figures entered the room. The man who led the way looks like your typical midde age man , he wore a white lab coat . Behind him followed a woman, she carried what looks like a tablet.

Oliver immediately stepped forward, extending his hand. “It’s been a while, Professor.”

The professor’s sharp gaze flickered with recognition. "Oliver,I know your father and I were good friend back then, and you were one of my top students back in the day. But you know how busy I am. I don't have time to talk with every member of the family."

Oliver smirked, undeterred. “You should be happy to know who i brought here , Professor.”

The professor's brow furrowed as he scanned the room. His eyes landed on Andrew, from his posture you can tell he's a soldier, his build imposing he looks quite stronger then his peers. His aether storage seems high. He might be a captain in any division of house.

Then his gaze shifted to Robin, who appeared to be in his late twenties, sitting comfortably but watching intently. From the look of it his black hair and reddish brown eyes indicate he is a member of William family.The professor’s eyes narrowed as he noticed the bracelet on Robin's wrist—a bracelet that sent a chill down his spine.

The man froze, as if seeing a ghost.

Robin, puzzled by the sudden shift in atmosphere, looked from the professor to Oliver, searching for an explanation.

After a few tense moments, the professor finally spoke . “Where did you get that bracelet?”

Robin, feeling the weight of the question, answered cautiously. “It’s my grandfather’s i guess.”

The professor's eyes widened, shock written across his face. “What?” he muttered in disbelief. He turned to Oliver. “You’re seriously trying to give me a heart attack, Oliver.”

Oliver chuckled. “That’s impossible, sir. I know you’ve replaced your heart with a bionic one. I just thought, since it’s been years, why not surprise you?”

“That was a metaphor, you idiot,” the professor snapped, his tone sharp. “And I hate this kind of surprises. I need to speak to him privately. All of you leave.”

Oliver and the woman turned to go, but Andrew stood to the spot like a statue, unmoved by the professor’s authority.

The professor’s eyes flared. “I said leave "

Without so much as a glance at the man, Andrew responded, “I’m here to ensure the master’s safety. Speak as much as you want I won’t interfere.”

Robin sighed, rubbing his temples. “ I think he doesn't recognize you. Andrew, please, just wait outside. I’ll be fine.”

Andrew hesitated for a moment before nodding. Without another word, he left the room with Oliver and the woman, leaving Robin alone with the professor.

“Such a problematic fella where did you pick him up.,” the professor muttered, shaking his head before turning to Robin. “So, what's your name, boy?”

“Robin,” he replied evenly.

The professor’s eyes softened slightly. “So, you’re Leo's grandson.”

Robin nodded, unsure of how much to say.

The professor took a deep breath, straightening himself as if shaking off the years. “I should introduce myself properly, but age is making me forget my manners.” He extended a hand. “ My name is Liam William, your grandfather’s brother.”

Robin blinked in surprise. He hadn’t expected to meet another family member so soon especially not one who didn’t immediately seem hostile. A faint smile tugged at his lips.

“You said you were getting old, but you look pretty young in my opinion,” Robin observed, trying to break the tension.

Liam chuckled softly. “Modern medicine, boy. I’m already 197. By your standards, I’m ancient.”

Robin’s mind whirled. A hundred and ninety-seven? That’s old enough to be fossil. He found himself wondering, "Was my grandfather also over 100 when he married my grandmother? If that Was then was he some kind of… creep , married a girl way way younger then him?" His thoughts run wild, but he quickly shook them off.

Liam seemed to sense his racing thoughts. “Keep your wild thought to yourself for now,” he said, his tone light. “Tell me about yourself—and about my idiot brother.”

Robin took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts. “I don’t know the full details of my grandfather’s past, at least not before I was born, but I’ll try to summarize what I do know. He came to my grandmother’s village out of nowhere. He had no home, no connections no money. My great-grandparents who didn't had any son ,offered him a job on their fishing boat. He helped them with their business and, over time, he fell in love with my grandmother. They got married, and my mother was born.”

Liam listened intently, his expression unreadable.

Robin continued, “A few years ago, both of my grandparents passed away naturally, and the year after, my mother died during a virus outbreak. After that, I just… I got caught up in work. It didn’t bring me any joy, though. Just stress and depression. So, I quit and moved back to the old family house. That’s when I found a strange box with a pattern similar to a necklace which my grandfather gave my mom. Then both items fused into this bracelet, and it automatically attached itself to my hand and while trying to remove it i accidentally pressed some sort of rune … well after that, I was teleported here.”

Liam looked at Robin with a strange mix of pity and curiosity. “You’ve had quite the difficult life boy, haven’t you?”

Robin exhaled. “You could say that. If you have time could you please tell me about my grandfather's past and I'm curious if i can teleport here why didn't he came back to his home”

Liam's gaze darkened slightly. He leaned forward, lowering his voice as though the walls themselves had ears. "Your grandfather did many things , Robin. But a fisherman? That was just one chapter in a much larger, much more dangerous story."