Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 637 Her Future

Crackle.

The door opened when Aton came home, as with Silvana, Matra immediately headed out to greet him.

”Darling, dinnerʼs almost ready!” Matra uttered with a bright smile on her face.

Her eyes went wide with surprise as she gasped.

”Aton, what happened to you?”

It seemed like the reason for her reaction was tragedy, but... Atonʼs clothes were just dirty and disheveled and his hands and face showed traces of dust and engine oil.

Aton scratched the back of his head taking off his soiled jacket.

”Itʼs nothing serious, itʼs just that my guys couldnʼt keep up with the work and the order was urgent, so I had to get involved too. After all, Iʼve been doing repairs for years.”

Then, Aton cast Matra a hard look.

”How are things going with the restaurant? Is everything alright? You donʼt need my help? If you need anything, my guys can easily get the best ingredients from Second Ring.”

Blinking a few times, Matra smiled slightly, placing her palm against her chest.

”Donʼt worry, weʼre doing fine and the customers are all happy.”

”Good.”

Adam heard this conversation because Silvana heard it as well. She was in the kitchen but purposely moved closer to the wall to eavesdrop, she was always a curious child.

A few minutes later, when Aton cleaned himself up and Matra with Silvana had set the food on the table, they began to eat.

At one point, about halfway through dinner, after praising Matraʼs food a few times, Aton pointed a fork at Silvana with a mounted piece of meat.

”Silvana, even though youʼre still young and only recently went to school, I just have to ask you something, itʼs important for your future.”

”Hmm?” Silvana looked up shoving a large piece of apple pie into her mouth.

”Do you already know what you want to be in the future...?” Atonʼs face was serious, but his tone was unsure. He realized it was too early for such questions, but he couldnʼt contain his curiosity.

Matra squeezed his shoulder gently.

”Honey, sheʼs only eight years old, she just started school recently, youʼre looking too far ahead.”

Aton took a deep breath.

”Sure, youʼre right, but... Silvana, what subjects do you like in school? Iʼm sure you must have some preferences.”

This time there wasnʼt complete incomprehension in Silvanaʼs eyes, she had an answer to that question:

”I think...” Silvana muttered taking another bite from the pie, ”Math and history, especially the part about Phantoms, Dead Lands, and...”

At that moment, Silvana fell silent, it took her a few seconds to gather her strength to say the last word:

”Monsters...”

In all the schools, as part of history, the students were told about the other part of the Citadel, about everything related to the Dead Lands, from Phantoms and monsters to the military.

Everyone knew it because it was a life that didnʼt touch ordinary people but surrounded them every second.

Hearing Silvanaʼs answer, Aton took a deep breath.

”Good, math is great!”

...

Then, a year passed and Aton asked the question again, then another and another. He didnʼt bother Silvana with it, as he was only interested once every couple of months or even once a year.

However, he cared about Silvanaʼs answers and when she was 12 years old, at one of the usual dinners, Aton asked Silvana again.

”So... Silvana, you study hard, you have excellent grades, the highest in your class. Are you doing this for a specific purpose or are you still undecided about your future profession?”

Before Silvana could answer, Aton reached forward with an open palm, stopping her.

”I mean, although there is still a long way to go, you have to attend university at some point. I want you to know that your mom and I will try to pay for any university you choose, and for the major you want.”

Silvana nodded deeply. She realized that for every parent, their childʼs future was important.

”Iʼm interested in finance and research. I canʼt say Iʼve made my choice yet, but... I think Iʼd like to be either a scientist or a financier.”

Aton nodded, as he looked at Silvana once more.

”What about running a business? Your mom and I will have to hand over everything we own to someone, that day will come at some point.”

”Dad...” Silvana puffed up her cheeks, ”Itʼs too early to talk about that! Iʼm only 12 years old!”

”Hahaha, sorry, sorry, Iʼm just really worried about you...!” Aton smiled awkwardly while scratching the back of his head.

That same day, at a late hour, Silvana frowned heavily. She got up from her chair and picked up the tablet in her hands, the screen had math problems open.

”No way I can solve it... I need to ask dad for help, heʼs good at math.” Silvana bit her lip and headed towards her parentsʼ bedroom.

She didnʼt like to ask for someone elseʼs help with things like this, but she couldnʼt ignore her fatherʼs knowledge.

Step. Step. Step.

Reaching the door, Silvana raised her hand about to knock as she suddenly stopped upon hearing Matraʼs voice:

Enjoy exclusive content from

She was sitting behind Aton, her gentle hands resting on his strong shoulders.

”You see, you were worried that if we had a daughter she wouldnʼt be able to be an heir. Iʼm sure Silvanaʼs experience if she becomes a financier, or her credibility if she becomes a scientist, will be a solid foundation for our business and the legacy of the Desio Family.”

Aton sighed heavily, looking down at the floor with a deep gaze.

”I know I donʼt like this feeling deep inside me myself, but I canʼt help it... Itʼs just... if we had a son, I wouldnʼt be so worried. Damn, Iʼm a bad father if after all these years I still want to have a son instead of a daughter...”

Matra leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder. She smiled silently without saying anything.

Then, Silvana froze in the same pose for a long time. She stood with her hand raised, her fist ready to knock on the door, for several minutes, until she turned like a robot and walked back to her room.

Standing in the corner of the room, Adam stared intently at Silvana who didnʼt finish solving the math problems but instead opened the popular website she often visited to watch different videos. Especially popular were the Phantoms vs. Monsters battles.

She watched dozens of videos with glassy, empty eyes full of sadness.

”Hmm... This is the beginning of trouble, right?”

”Or...”

His gaze shifted to the screen, guessing what was going on in Silvanaʼs mind.

”Should I thank Silvanaʼs father for that chance?”