The Quiet Path Toward Power
Rain hammered softly against the shattered tiles of the ruined shrine roof.
Since they couldn't leave yet, Evelyn sat on the bed beside Lucien — horns casting long shadows in the lantern light — and finally shifted into something serious.
Strategy.
Survival.
Future.
"If you want to rely on me," she said gently, "then I also have to rely on you. We need clarity — where we stand, and where we're going."
She took a breath.
"The first thing is cultivation. Listen carefully — these are the magic realms demons use."
Her voice turned steady, teacher-like.
"From lowest to highest:
Starter Mage
Adept Mage
Mage (nine tiers — one star to nine stars)
Mage Lord
Mage King
Mage Emperor — also called Thrones."
She lifted her hand.
"Every realm has early, middle, and peak stages — except the Mage realm, which uses stars. For example… I used to be peak Mage King."
Her eyes softened.
"Now… I am only a one-star Mage."
Lucien squeezed his jaw.
Back in Avaritia, this had all been drilled into him — but hearing it again, now, after everything, hit different.
He remembered how hard she had climbed.
He remembered the price she paid.
Evelyn felt it immediately — the tension in his shoulders — and she wrapped him in a calm embrace.
"Don't carry that guilt," she murmured. "I was given another chance — and I kept my knowledge. I'm young again and I still have my experience as a Mage King. That's more blessing than loss."
Lucien exhaled slowly.
And then Isabella's lazy voice slipped into his mind.
Tell her not to cultivate her old Superbia manual. Just let her reach Starter Mage naturally — then you'll see why. Chaos physiques break old systems.
Lucien hid the twitch of a smirk.
"Mom… don't start cultivating the Superbia technique yet. I have something for you. But I need to reach Starter Mage first."
Evelyn didn't even question him.
"If that's what you think is best, I'll wait."
She shifted topics.
"For now — we stay hidden. This is Samar Continent — Wild Faction territory. The Dark Faction won't search here quickly. Also… I have an old friend among the fox tribes. Once I replenish mana, I can contact her. She's trustworthy."
Lucien's brow knit.
"Truly?"
Evelyn laughed softly.
"She and I met during a tournament. Blacksmithing lovers. Shared headaches from idiots chasing us. We kept in contact — she became your godmother, though we could never meet again. She's stubborn, warm, and hates the Avaritia elders almost as much as I do."
Lucien lowered his gaze.
Another reason.
Another quiet promise of vengeance.
"Alright. If you trust her, I'll trust her."
"Thank you, darling."
He pretended not to melt under the affection — but he did.
Even Isabella teased him.
Lively mother. Brooding son. Opposite, really.
Lucien ignored her.
It was time.
Evelyn straightened, teacher now.
"Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. Look inward."
He crossed his legs.
The shrine vanished.
White space replaced the world.
In its center — suspended like a foreign sun — floated a black orb wrapped in red luminescence.
His magic core.
"You should see a white plane and the core floating. Tell me the color."
"Pitch black. And glowing red."
Evelyn frowned.
"I've never heard of a pure black core. Darkness affinity should look charcoal gray…"
Isabella cut in casually.
Special physique. Ancient Prime Alpha Physique. Don't panic. Think of it as… compatibility with everything. Probably.
"Probably?" Lucien thought dryly.
He reopened his eyes.
"Mom, is it strange to have more than one element?"
Evelyn extended her palm.
Metal peeled from the shrine floor — rose into a sphere — while lightning crackled across her other hand.
"We all technically have access to every element. But true affinity guides your path. I specialize in metal and lightning. Some demons have three. Rare monsters — four."
Lucien nodded.
Hidden cards. Always keep something secret.
She tapped his forehead gently.
"Close your eyes again. Feel the mana around us. Guide it toward your core. That is how everyone below Mage King cultivates."
He inhaled.
The world unfolded.
Tiny blue particles shimmered — drifting lazily through the shrine.
He reached.
Mana flowed in.
Pressed toward his navel.
Then—
Something changed.
His core pulsed black-red.
Not pulling mana.
Devouring it.
Like a silent beast swallowing the world.
Outside, Evelyn stiffened.
Mana surged into Lucien at the pace of storms, bending unnaturally toward him, flooding his core without resistance.
"This… this absorption speed is on par with a Mage King," she whispered, stunned. "And he isn't even trying…"
Isabella laughed softly inside his mind.
Congratulations, monster. The Ancient Prime Alpha Physique doesn't "cultivate." It eats.
Lucien focused — heart steady — while the ruined shrine hummed faintly.
And for the first time…
The path forward didn't look impossible.
It looked inevitable.