CHAPTER 14: CH 14: TESTING BOUNDARIES - PART 1

Lucian woke before the artificial sun even brightened. The faint warmth of the furnace hummed in the distance, steady and reassuring.

He stretched, washed his face with the cold water he’d set aside the night before, and immediately got to work.

The boy’s small figure moved quickly between the rows of crops. He crouched low, hands brushing the leaves with practiced ease. The tomatoes were almost ready; the roots on the carrots were thickening nicely.

Lucian plucked what he could without disturbing the rest, piling them neatly on the woven mat beside him.

Cooking would come next. He trimmed off the excess leaves, stoked the fire, and let the fragrance of roasting vegetables fill the clearing.

Everything he did was precise, efficient, honed by repetition.

By the time Berry stirred from his bedding, Lucian had already prepared breakfast and harvested a third of the day’s food.

Berry blinked blearily, rubbing at his face. He looked at Lucian bustling around, small arms carrying bundles of crops with a speed that put grown men to shame.

The older man’s jaw clenched. He felt... ridiculous. A grown adult, yet still lying around while a child had already accomplished more than he could dream of before sunrise.

’What the hell am I doing?Am I seriously being outpaced by a kid?’

Berry thought bitterly.

Lucian noticed his sluggishness, but he said nothing at first. Instead, after setting the food down, he turned to Berry with his usual calm tone.

"You’re awake. Good. Water the crops. Then carry those spare beams and stones to the corner over there. They’ll be useful later."

Berry blinked.

"Beams? Stones? What for?"

"Does it matter? Do it properly. Don’t slack."

Lucian’s gaze sharpened.

Berry bit his tongue. There was no malice in Lucian’s voice, but his words allowed no argument either. He sighed and trudged over, grabbing the buckets and tools as instructed.

Lucian watched for a moment, and a small smile tugged at his lips. Having someone like Berry around was convenient.

The man’s brute strength meant heavy lifting was no longer Lucian’s problem. What had once taken him half a day could now be finished in less than an hour.

’Good. Less strain on me. I can push him into these kinds of tasks/’

Lucian thought.

When Berry moved off to haul the beams, Lucian strolled through the rows of vegetables. He crouched here and there, checking soil conditions, pulling a stray weed, adjusting the placement of a wooden support.

His eyes scanned not only the crops but the perimeter itself. He wasn’t just a farmer. Every motion carried the intent of someone who didn’t trust his surroundings fully.

Still, something nagged at him.

’Berry’s not the kind to stay quiet forever. He’ll test boundaries. Better I see his intentions before they fester.’

Lucian stood, dusted his hands off, and walked over.

"Berry."

The man turned, sweat running down his temples from hauling the beams.

"I’ll be gone for a while. I need to look around the clearing. You’ll tend the fields in the meantime."

Berry froze.

"Wait—you’re leaving? Alone?"

Lucian raised an eyebrow.

"What of it?"

"That’s... dangerous, isn’t it? I mean, you’re just—"

Berry frowned. He cut himself off, but the word kid lingered unsaid between them.

Lucian smirked faintly.

"You’re worried about me? Don’t be. I’ll be fine."

Berry squinted at him, still uncertain.

The boy tilted his head, voice lowering just enough to sharpen the air.

"Besides... I’m not actually this young. This is just how I look."

Berry blinked.

"...What?"

Lucian shrugged, as if discussing the weather.

"A curse. That’s all."

For a long moment, Berry just stared. The furnace’s hum filled the silence. Finally, he barked a nervous laugh.

"You... you’re serious?"

Lucian gave him a look that silenced further questions.

"Don’t dig too deep, Berry. Some answers will only get you in trouble."

The older man swallowed. Something about the way Lucian said it—the certainty in his voice, the weight behind his small frame—warned him not to pry further. He nodded stiffly.

"Fine. Do what you want."

"Good. Keep the fields in order. I’ll be back soon."

Lucian turned away.

With that, he slipped between the rows and disappeared into the trees at the edge of the clearing.

In truth, Lucian didn’t leave. He circled quietly through the undergrowth, eyes sharp, every step measured.

He kept his distance but maintained a clear view of the valley. His gaze lingered on Berry, who stood stiffly for a moment before slowly turning back to the crops.

Lucian crouched low in the brush, hidden by shadows, and watched.

Berry worked. He carried the beams, watered the rows, and sighed heavily every few minutes.

But Lucian saw it—the way his eyes drifted. Again and again, his gaze landed on the furnace.

The man’s hands stilled on the bucket handle. His lips pressed together. Slowly, almost unconsciously, his feet carried him toward the towering construct of metal and light.

Lucian narrowed his eyes.

Berry stopped just short of the furnace. The hum of its power filled the air, and the glow reflected in his pupils. His hand twitched at his side, curling into a fist.

He’s tempted. But does he wants it badly enough to risk everything?

Lucian thought.

The man reached out. Just an inch, maybe two, separated his fingertips from the warm metal surface.

Lucian’s muscles coiled, ready to intervene—ready to make the contract bite if necessary.

But Berry froze. His hand hovered in the air, trembling. A bead of sweat slid down his temple. Slowly, painfully, he withdrew.

He turned away, muttering under his breath, and trudged back to the crops.

Lucian exhaled silently.

’Good choice.’

He leaned back against the tree, arms folding. He had tested the man’s intentions, and Berry had hesitated—yet, crucially, he hadn’t followed through.

That hesitation was all Lucian needed.

’He won’t risk it. Not yet.’

Lucian allowed himself the faintest smile. Then he turned his eyes upward, toward the artificial sun glowing steadily in the sky.

’This place will hold. And if Berry learns his role properly, maybe he’ll be more useful than I thought.’

For now, the furnace was safe.