"I might have something," Anthony began carefully, his eyes flicking to Vega, then to her parents. "Something that could help increase Vega's chances of awakening a higher-rank Human Bloodline."
At his words, the atmosphere shifted instantly. The air of warmth, happiness, and love that had moments earlier flowed so naturally between parents and daughter seemed to freeze in place, the harmony suspended as though pierced by an unseen blade. Anthony's declaration struck them like a thunderclap, reverberating in their ears and minds, impossible to ignore.
Almost at once, three pairs of eyes snapped toward him. Golden, black, and purple, they locked onto him in unison, unblinking, sharp, as though they sought to pierce into his very soul. It was not the gaze of idle curiosity, nor even casual disbelief. Rather, it was the searching, probing look of people who needed to know if his words were truth or folly, if he had spoken in jest or dared mock them in a moment so critical.
