Cirrugur, 24th of Brightforge, year 305 UC

Bryan had a new habit.

Spying on Lucas late at night.

The man seemed to be in his own world as he conversed with a bird.

His antics were amusing because the beast never once talked back.

It was silly of him to spy like this but fun.

Watching him have whole conversations with the bird he called Zoltan.

Strangely, he had not been caught yet.

He merely peeked in and whenever Lucas turned in his direction, he hid.

'What are you up to tonight?'

Bryan wondered as he peered through the open slit.

Lucas rubbed his temples in frustration.

This project of his was not going well.

It wasn't easy by any means, but that was the point.

This ring was a challenge that would push all of humanity forward.

That is if he could figure out how to make it work.

Zoltan who was perched on the edge of the desk, hopped closer to a particular sheet and pecked at it insistently.

"Oh, for the love of—"

Lucas waved his hand, shooing the bird away.

"I know, I know. You don't have to tell me twice."

This was the fourth time he'd done that, and it was starting to get on his nerves.

Did he think it was that simple?

The raven cawed indignantly, ruffling its glossy black feathers.

Leaning back in his chair Lucas ran a hand through his unkempt hair.

"If you think you can do a better job designing this thing to work, then, by all means, give it a shot."

Zoltan cocked its head to the side. Its beady eyes gleamed with what almost looked like amusement.

It let out a low, throaty caw.

"What do you mean you can't?"

Lucas scoffed, gesturing dramatically at the bird.

In response, Zoltan looked down pointedly at its tiny clawed feet.

"Oh, that's merely an excuse."

Lucas retorted, wagging a finger at the raven.

"Don't go blaming me for having hands. You're supposed to be my brilliant assistant, aren't you? Figure it out!"

He didn't tell the beast to help him, it invited itself into his life.

Always messing with his inventions, and telling him he was doing it wrong.

Pure insanity.

He could not have a moment to himself without the creature bugging him.

Bryan watched the pair and tried to stifle a giggle at the absurd one-sided conversation.

How Lucas managed to understand the beast was beside him, but he'd like to know.

"Bryan?"

A voice called out.

'Uh-oh.'

Turning around slowly, Bryan felt like he had been caught doing something he wasn't supposed to do.

Edward was there, a few feet behind him.

"What are you doing out here?"

Edward asked.

"Nothing!"

Bryan hurriedly said before he got up from the ground.

"I just couldn't sleep, that's all."

He gave the man a smile before he tip-toed around him to leave.

Edward just watched him go and didn't say a word.

He was lucky that he escaped with ease.

If Edward asked him questions, he wouldn't be sure how best to answer them.

After all, he still wasn't sure what he was doing.

'I wanted to see more though.'

Bryan sighed as he made his way back to his room.

Edward watched Bryan leave.

He wasn't sure if he should be impressed or upset that Bryan lied to him.

Before he even said a word, he watched the boy peek through the door.

Once Bryan was out of sight, Edward turned his attention to the door that seemed to catch Bryan's attention.

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He knew that this was Lucas's workshop.

It was usually locked.

Even when he came back here, he always couped himself in there, refusing to come out except when he got hungry.

'Always too dangerous' was the reason Lucas always gave.

'It is open, so might as well.'

Edward thought as he knocked twice on the door before pushing it open.

The sight that greeted him was disturbing, to say the least.

Lucas was spreading Zoltan's wings as if he were trying to rip them off. While the bird was clawing at his face and kept cawing.

As Edward stepped into the room, both of them froze, their heads swiveled in unison.

'What did I just…'

'No, this is Lucas. There's obviously a reason.'

"What in the world are you doing?"

Edward asked.

Lucas spit out a black feather.

"Just getting ready to flay this feathered nuisance for his constant annoyance."

He said as he glared at Zoltan.

The raven cawed as if understanding the threat.

Edward pinched the bridge of his nose.

'I should not have asked.'

'For what reason did Emilia marry this fool again?'

"If you're done playing around, I have a question for you."

Lucas released Zoltan.

"Who said anything about playing around?"

Lucas asked, not understanding how Edward had come to that conclusion.

Zoltan smacked him in the face with his wing before flying away to a nearby shelf.

Edward didn't have time for Lucas's games.

"Why'd you leave the door cracked? That is unlike you."

No matter how much of a mess he kept his appearance and even his workshop. Lucas always shut the door.

That was the one thing he was diligent at.

Lucas raised his eyebrow slightly.

"Oh, I did? I didn't notice."

Edward stared at him, unamused.

He really hated this guy.

"Really? You mean to tell me that you didn't notice Bryan observing you?"

Lucas laughed a little.

"Well… now that you mention it…"

Sighing, Edward rubbed his temple.

'It's Lucas Eward, just remember that. Don't do anything.'

He let out a deep breath to calm himself down.

"How long?"

Shrugging, Lucas picked up a paper off his desk.

"About a week, give or take."

"A week?!"

Edward's voice exploded after hearing that.

"Woah there. No need to get shaken up."

He'd already have to hear from Emilia, he didn't want to deal with Edward to.

Edward was making it seem like this was a bad thing.

When in fact, he should be thanking him.

'No need to get shaken up? You really…'

He wanted to strangle Lucas, he really did.

Even now, his fingers twitched at the idea.

"Lucas… did you really let him sit there this late at night for an entire week? And not think to say anything about it?"

Blinking once, Lucas gave him a blank stare.

"Didn't know I had to. Not like he was harming anyone, was he?"

'I'm more worried about what you would have done to him given enough time.'

Edward kept that thought to himself.

"Besides, he seemed to have a hard time sleeping. Kid kept crying in the hall, damn near drove poor old Zoltan crazy."

Zoltan after hearing this cawed.

Lucas waved off the bird's comment.

Edward could feel it, like really feel his eye twitching.

"Lucas… you're… just… not making this situation any better. You do know that right?"

The man had to know that.

There was no way he didn't.

He was playing with him, that had to be the case.

Edward really hoped that was the case.

"I think the kids scarred, Edward. Kept going on and on about how it was his fault, how sorry he was."

Lucas leaned back in his chair.

"But at least that's all over now. Thank Pater for that, right?"

"Please tell me you're joking."

It was a long shot, but he had to make sure.

For his own sake.

Lucas shook his head.

"How long have we known each other for? When have you known me to joke around?"

It sounded crazy, Edward knew that.

But, he was right.

He never joked, or so he said.

"Just… tell me you're kidding Lucas. I need to hear you say it."

Lucas stared at him for a moment.

'When you say it like that… it makes it seem like I've done something wrong.'

Lucas thought.

Edward was so hard to read at times, so Lucas wasn't sure if he was messing around.

Of course, he knew Bryan was outside his workshop the entire time.

Naturally, he left the door open to keep the kid entertained.

What other way would he have a chance to build trust with the boy?

He wanted the kid to come in here, and maybe, potentially volunteer to help him out.

Give him a bit of blood.

Take some tissue samples.

Nothing too major.

But, now that he was thinking about it…

"Let's say you're Emilia at this moment. How pissed would you be?"

Lucas asked as he watched Edward clench his fist.

It was bothering him.

Edward rarely got upset, so his actions must have been bad.

It's a good thing the man couldn't hear his thoughts.

If that ever happened…

He didn't even want to think about it.

"Pretty sure you wouldn't be talking right now if she were here."

Lucas laughed nervously.

"Well then."

He looked at Edward.

"Just pulling your leg. You know me."

"I do, that's the sad part."

Edward replied.

He had to calm himself down.

At least Lucas didn't harm Bryan.

He must have put on this whole show for him, to keep him calm.

That was the only logical reason for his antics with Zoltan.

At least… that's what Edward hoped was the reason.

"Anyways, thanks. For…"

He had to think of something, but his mind was drawing a blank.

"For looking out for him."

Lucas shrugged.

"Eh. I do need him to be in good condition. You know, I still have to unlock that book."

"You just really had to mess that up there, didn't you? Can't you think of anyone other than yourself for once?"

Edward asked but figured it'd be futile.

Zoltan took that moment to caw as if he was agreeing.

Edward didn't know how he knew, but he did.

And that scared him.

Being in this room alone with Lucas…

The man's insanity was already starting to rub off on him.

He had to get out of here.

"I can, and I have."

Lucas told him as he crossed his arms.

"I'm not a narcissist. I care."

'Doubtful.'

Edward thought but knew it was best not to say anything.

He was going to leave, but he spotted one of the many scattered designs Lucas had on his desk.

There were pieces of black metal on the table as well, along with a large magic core.

"A new toy?"

He asked.

Lucas glanced down at the unfinished product.

"This? It's just a side project I'm being forced to work on."

He could hear Zoltan ruffling his feathers in protest.

That bird always had something to say. Especially when other people weren't around.

When they were, he pretended to be the nicest animal they'd ever seen.

But he knew the real him, and he was anything but nice.

He was a damn slave driver.

"Who's forcing—no, you know what? I don't even want to know."

Edward said.

"What is it going to do?"

Lucas raised an eyebrow at that.

'Well, this is a first.'

Lucas thought as he raised an eyebrow.

"You really want to know?"

Emilia and Edward never really took an interest in his projects.

Not unless it endangered others.

But, that rarely happened.

Except for that one time he made that bomb.

Not that he wanted to do it.

They asked him to. In order to see if it was possible.

He told them it was, but they wanted tangible proof. And when he delivered they damn near had a heart attack.

"It's not another bomb is it?"

Edward asked.

"No. It's a magic ring."

"A what now?"

"M.A.G.I.C Ring. Mage's analytics & growth interface control ring. To help mages get a more detailed analysis of their growth, and work on their weakness."

Lucas explained.

"As long as it's not a bomb."

Lucas didn't know what he was expecting.

Edward was too old, way past his prime. He couldn't see genius if it smacked him on the head.

This ring would change the way mages operated. It would give them an entire guideline on what they were lacking.

All in a nice design that was easy to maintain and portable.

Edward turned to leave.

"Wait."

Lucas called out for him to stop.

"You're not going to tell Emilia about this, right?"

Edward laughed and walked out of the room.

Zoltan landed on the desk as soon as Edward left.

His purple eyes stared up at Lucas.

"You really messed up, you know that, right? You should have listened to me when I told you—"

He began transmitting to Lucas but was rudely interrupted.

"Ah! Not another word. This is all your fault, you do know that right?"

Lucas pointed his finger at Zoltan.

"Help the kid out, it'll be good for you. Be kind Lucas. Blah, blah, blah."

Lucas scoffed.

"You do one nice thing, and suddenly you're the bad guy."