“This is really interesting.” the old man chuckled, “You are quite smart.”

I didn't reply to the old man's compliments, to me, it wasn't anything too great that I could guess he was related to me.

I don't know how much the magicians of this world understand about humans and genetics, but from the memories I inherited, I could tell that the colour of my eyes wasn't so easy to come by.

And the few I've seen were of an entirely different shade of purple, mostly lighter unlike mine which were royal.

But this man, his pupils are identical to mine, a perfect replica. He might not be close on the family tree, but I'm sure we have the same ancestry.

“Vindin, you are from the Astris Household?” the elf asked, his voice was cool, like a refreshing breeze, just like I imagined.

“No.” The old man replied as he stood up. He gestured for me to take a seat and I did after receiving a gentle nod from Gilma.

“But I guess your answer is not too far off either.” He added. He paused for a while, staring into the wall before sighing,

“The Astris Household is but a distant branch of a much more powerful and ancient family, Asterion.”

Noble families were different from ancient families. While some ancient families have noble titles, some didn't.

Ancient families are very few to begin with and most have adapted to the times, earning noble titles to better blend with society, but a few remained attached to their old system of keeping away from the masses.

‘These ancient families are like secluded clans.’

Although they don't have noble titles, their prestige is still as high if not higher than most noble families, so much so that not many dares to cross their path and this is because of one reason,

Doctrines.

It is said that unlike most fragmented doctrines nowadays, ancient families have completed doctrines with wisdom and power on a completely different level.

“I've never heard of them.” Nira shrugged,

“I have.” Gilma looked at old man Vin, a peculiar light in her eyes as she spoke, “the Asterion family, they were also known as the brightest constellation.”

“As expected of you, Gilma, well learned.” Old man Vin complimented.

“You mean old?” Nira added with a snort, earning her a look from Gilma.

“The Asterions were quite powerful, but now, they are no more. The founder of Astris was merely one of the many talented children of Asterion.”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

This info was baffling to me for many reasons, but the most important was old man Vin's last sentence, “one of many talented children”.

If just one of these talented children, someone that didn't particularly stand out could form a family as powerful as the Astris Household, how strong was this Asterion family?

The Astris Household, before their fall, were comparable to a marquis household!

“Were you one of those children?” I asked. Although it was just a guess, I felt like the old man was very powerful, possibly more than my father even.

“Of course not, I'm not nearly as talented.” He chuckled in reply like I had just said the silliest thing.

“I was merely the son of a nobody and I was lucky to become a knight.”

“I see…” I nodded my head and sighed.

I wanted to ask him why he didn't join the Astris Household, why he didn't help them during their crisis but those were questions the previous owner of this body would have asked.

I knew there was a simple answer to them which was “he had his own shit to deal with”.

I wasn't so naive to think he was obligated to assist a distant relative.

“What are you doing now?”

Old man Vin looked at me deeply for a moment before sighing,

“Nothing in particular, just living.”

“Then join me.”

“Why should I join you?” old man vin asked. I furrowed my brows, it took all I had in me not to look at him like he was stupid.

“Because you have nothing better to do?”

Old man vin paused for a moment before suddenly bursting into laughter. I sighed before speaking once again, I knew what he wanted to hear,

“I'm weak, but I'm not useless, all I need is a foundation to build my world upon. Help me get that foundation and I'll take you to the very top of the world.”

There was silence once again and everyone in the room had varying expressions. Old man Vin's face was blank and Gilma was looking at me with an expression that said ‘wow, so daring’.

Nira and the elf on the other hand, had the same expression; both of them staring at me like I was mad.

“Do you believe in fate?” Vin suddenly asked after a moment of silence. I shrugged, not particularly knowing how to reply.

“There is a relic of the Asterions, it has remained untouched for years because no one could take it for themselves.”

“You want me to take it?” I asked and he nodded his head in reply.

“If you can claim that relic, I'll give you a way to form your own core.”

A core. This was the reason I was useless in this world. No matter the doctrine, no matter the path, you need a core to be anything in this world and yet, I couldn't form mine.

If I had a core, I would be able to get stronger on my own. This was the answer to my problem.

But ironically, luck is about to decide if I would even be able to take this step.

“Fine, where is it? Let's get this over with.”

Vin looked at me and chuckled, “I like how straightforward you are.”

“Rune,” Vin called out to the elf, “Suit up, we are going on a short trip.”

“I'm coming too!” Nira called out before rushing out of the room. Gilma shook her head, laughing as she headed out of the room.

But I could tell, for some reason, that she was definitely coming with us.