Chapter 41: Gerald Rhys
Ael could have gone on lecturing forever, and Daylan wouldn't have cared—his ears hung on every word that had anything to do with his father.
However, Ael's expression and tone spoke volumes—while he didn't seem like he was hiding anything, it was equally clear that he wasn't going to be entirely truthful either.
Ael cleared his throat, the words playing softly on his lips. "I was your grandfather's apprentice. Back then, your father was just a teenager—but even at that age, he was one of the strongest people I'd ever met. Ax's aspect never worked on him...
Ever since I obtained Ax, I've used its aspect on many—but I've never been foolish enough to use its lullaby on anyone of higher rank. Your father, however, was the only one who overpowered the aspect, even in his sleep. His mind was just that powerful."
His expression darkened, the shift in his demeanor stark and chilling. "But that doesn't change the fact that you killed my grandson. And for that, you must atone."
Daylan's mind hardly registered Ael's final words, his mind reeling. "How exactly did you become my grandfather's apprentice?"
"Your grandfather never liked being called the strongest, and your father is the same. Master Albert was undeniably the most powerful man in all of Honor City, yet he chose a humble life—running his shop and managing his organization."
He paused for a moment, letting his words settle in the silence. "His prowess was undeniable, and I knew he could teach me things even the Divine Academy couldn't. As the heir to the Bastian family, I needed the strength to truly deserve that title. He refused me many times, but my persistence paid off—I eventually became his apprentice."
Ael's words raised more questions than they answered. Daylan tried to piece them together, but this was a side of his family he had never known. As much as he wanted to hear more about his grandfather's abilities, the need to understand ran deeper than the urge to simply listen.
Moreover, from Ael's words, it was clear he knew something about the Phantom—just as Daylan had suspected. But judging by his tone and the nostalgic look in his eyes, it seemed his understanding of the organization differed from the one Daylan and Astara knew.
A closed mouth gathers no relief—he knew that much. "What organization? And a shop?"