Mark sighed and waved a hand. "It's my official name in the clan. My birth name is different."
The pegasus tilted its head thoughtfully. "I see. That explains the dissonance." It paused, then said with unexpected gentleness, "Then tell me, Human… what is the name that you liked to be called?"
Mark hesitated. His real name, Mark Spencer, echoed in his mind. Was it relevant? Would this creature even understand? But something in the Pegasus's gaze told him that he might not be able to fool it.
He inhaled lightly.
Mark didn't need to think about it. His birth name, his identity, and his past life, they were all tangled together now. He had been Lu Zhen. He was Lan Zhen. But at the core, the name that belonged to his soul was only one.
"Mark Spencer," he said plainly. "Same as the clan founder."
For a moment, the Pegasus froze mid-breath, as though something unexpected shifted in the mana around them.
