Chapter 75: Discussion
As Lyra and Adrian settled into their conversation, the young alchemist took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. She knew that this was her chance to get the answers she so desperately needed, and she wasn't going to waste it.
"Adrian," she began, her voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in her stomach. "I have to ask - what happened between you and Elias? Why does he hate Sanguines so much?"
Adrian sighed, a look of regret passing over his face. "Elias and I have a complicated history," he admitted. "We were once friends, believe it or not. But as we grew older, our differences became more apparent. Elias couldn't accept that not all Sanguines are evil, and I couldn't make him see otherwise."
He paused, looking Lyra directly in the eye. "I want to apologize for my behavior during our fight. I let my emotions get the best of me, and I shouldn't have reacted the way I did. It was unbecoming of me, and I'm sorry."
Lyra nodded, appreciating Adrian's honesty. "I understand. But what about the ghoul incident at the academy? Elias seems to think you were involved."
Adrian's expression darkened. "I had nothing to do with that," he said firmly. "I know Elias wants to blame me, but I would never condone something so cruel. Turning a human into a ghoul against their will goes against everything I believe in."
Lyra considered his words, her mind racing with the implications. If Adrian wasn't responsible for the ghoul incident, then who was? And why was Elias so convinced of his guilt?
She decided to change tack, steering the conversation towards a topic that had been weighing heavily on her mind. "Adrian, what can you tell me about the Sanguine society? How does it work, and what role do the mafias play in it?"
At the mention of the mafias, Adrian's expression grew guarded. "The Sanguine society is a complex web of relationships and power dynamics," he said carefully. "The mafias are just one part of that web, and their role is not always clear-cut. Some operate within the bounds of the law, while others... well, let's just say they have their own agendas."
Lyra frowned, sensing that Adrian was holding back. "But what about Luciano? He seemed to be a part of a mafia, and he was willing to attack Elias in broad daylight."
Adrian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Luciano is a special case. He's a hot head, but his methods are not always condoned by the rest of us. I can't say much more than that, I'm afraid."
Lyra knew that she was treading on dangerous ground, but she couldn't help but push further. "What about the tattoo on his neck? I've seen it before.
Adrian's eyes widened in surprise. "You've seen that tattoo before? Lyra, where did you see it?."
He hesitated, as if weighing his words carefully. "The tattoo is a symbol of a particular mafia, one that is known for its ruthlessness and disregard for life. But I can't say more than that. To do so would put both of us in danger."
Lyra felt a chill run down her spine at Adrian's words. She knew that she was getting close to something big, something that could potentially change everything she thought she knew about the Sanguine world.
But before she could ask anything more, Adrian held up a hand. "Lyra, I know you have more questions, and I wish I could answer them all. But there are some things that are better left unsaid, at least for now. Just know that not all Sanguines are your enemy, and that there are those of us who want to see an Ashborne City where everyone can coexist peacefully."
Lyra nodded, feeling a mix of frustration and gratitude. She knew that Adrian had given her a lot to think about, even if he hadn't been able to answer all of her questions.
As the two of them stood up to leave, Adrian placed a hand on Lyra's shoulder. "Be careful, Lyra," he said softly. "The world is a dangerous place, especially for those who ask too many questions. But know that you have allies, even in the most unexpected places."
With those final words, Adrian disappeared into the night, leaving Lyra alone with her thoughts.
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