Divine Mask: I Have Numerous God Clones

Lucy was still in shock, her mind reeling from Roxana's words. The Death Volcano was no ordinary place—it was a realm of deadly heat and volatile danger.

The thought of bringing her beloved brother, Lucas, into such a perilous environment was more than she could handle. She shook her head, her voice trembling as she spoke.

"Master, the Death Volcano is incredibly dangerous," Lucy began, her voice shaking with a mix of fear and frustration. She clenched her fists, trying to stay composed, but the thought of her brother in such a deadly environment shattered her calm.

"If I go, I can handle it, but my brother... My lovely brother..." Her voice softened as she thought of Lucas, her eyes shimmering with worry. "He'll die from the heat alone!"

Her words hung in the air, heavy with emotion. Lucy's protective instincts flared, and her desperation was clear in the tremble of her voice. She stared at Roxana, hoping her master would understand, would see that Lucas wasn't ready for such a challenge.

Roxana, sitting quietly, let out a soft sigh. Her expression remained gentle, but there was a firmness in her eyes. "Lucy," she said, her tone measured and calm, "I know you're strong. You've come so far in such a short time—reaching this level in just a year. It's something to be proud of."

She paused, letting the words sink in before continuing, her gaze softening just slightly. "But look at your brother," Roxana added, her voice now laced with concern.

Lucy frowned, her hands trembling slightly. "What about him?" she whispered, almost afraid of the answer.

"If you keep growing stronger without him, your little brother—who hasn't even begun cultivating—will be left behind." Roxana's voice dropped, turning more serious, but her eyes remained gentle. "Don't you understand how he must feel?"

Lucy's lips parted, but no words came. She bit her lip, her heart aching at the truth in Roxana's words. The idea that Lucas, her precious brother, could be feeling inadequate because of her rapid growth—it hadn't occurred to her.

She was always thinking of protecting him, of keeping him safe from the harshness of the world, but maybe she had missed something important.

"But..." Lucy started, her voice shaky as she searched for an argument. "But he's only fourteen years old," she protested weakly, her uncertainty clear as she grasped for something to hold onto. "He's not even at the age to start cultivating."

Roxana shook her head, her expression now more resolute, but there was no harshness in her voice—only understanding. "Lucy, those age restrictions? They're for commoners."

Lucy blinked, caught off guard by her master's words. "Commoners?" she echoed, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"Yes," Roxana continued, leaning forward slightly, her tone more direct now. "Nobles and the strongest families have their children start cultivating as early as ten years old. It's not uncommon. In fact, it's expected of those with potential and status."

She held Lucy's gaze, her voice unwavering. "Your brother, who's fourteen, can already start cultivating. He's more than ready."

Lucy's eyes widened in disbelief, her heart pounding at the unexpected revelation. She stared at Roxana, her voice coming out in a shaky whisper, "What... what do you mean?"

Roxana offered a soft, almost reassuring smile, but there was a knowing gleam in her eyes. Without directly answering, she turned her head slightly and glanced at Zeus. "I've already helped him awaken so that he can cultivate now."

Lucy stood frozen for a moment, her mind racing as she processed what Roxana had just said. Lucas could now cultivate? Her lovely little brother, who she'd spent years protecting from the harshness of the world, was suddenly capable of embarking on the brutal path of cultivation?

Zeus, who had remained quiet at Roxana's side, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in mild surprise. He hadn't expected Roxana to have already taken steps with his "little brother."

A small smirk crossed his lips, his amusement showing through the mask. "Good job saving me the time of explaining how my 'little brother' can suddenly start cultivating," he thought to himself, his eyes glinting with subtle humor.

Roxana caught his glance, her sharp eyes twinkling with a silent understanding. She gave a nearly imperceptible nod, a hint of a smirk forming on her own lips as if to say, "Yeah, I know." Enjoy reading on m,v|le|mp|yr

Lucy, meanwhile, was still reeling from the revelation. She felt a mix of emotions crashing over her—a wave of relief that her brother could finally start his cultivation journey, but also a deep, nagging worry that gnawed at the back of her mind.

The cultivation world was dangerous, ruthless. It was a place where power dictated survival, and the strong crushed the weak. She had experienced that brutality firsthand.

The idea of Lucas stepping into that unforgiving world sent a shiver down her spine.

"I... I don't know," Lucy murmured, her voice faltering. She clenched her fists, trying to suppress the anxiety rising in her chest. "Master, I'm happy that Lucas can cultivate now, but... the cultivation world is not kind. He's still so young.

He's not ready for what's out there."

Roxana's expression softened slightly, her eyes filled with understanding. "Lucy, I know you've been through a lot, and I understand your concern."

She spoke calmly, her voice gentle yet firm, as if trying to soothe Lucy's worries. "But you have to remember, Lucas is not a child anymore. He has potential. You've seen it yourself. If you keep protecting him, he'll never grow."

Lucy's lips trembled, and she looked down, struggling with her conflicting emotions. "I just... I don't want him to suffer. Not like I did." Her voice was barely audible, laced with the pain of her past experiences.

Zeus and Roxana, noticing Lucy's inner conflict, shared a quiet sigh. Zeus knew that Lucy's overprotectiveness came from a place of love, but little did she know, he had already prepared everything necessary for his next steps and also about this the moment he heard that Lucas would follow Lucy..