The Milkwat Realm—a boundless world of floating continents, powerful legacies, and beasts born from stardust.
Far off in a quiet corner of the Western Continent, nestled beside a mist-laden rainforest, sat a modest kingdom barely a hundred miles wide—Rainey Kingdom. Though small in size, it was a land of peace, untouched by the vicious power struggles of ancient sects and god-blooded clans.
Its streets were alive with simplicity. Vendors called out prices, the clinking of blacksmiths echoed in alleys, and laughter from taverns danced on the wind. A kingdom forgotten by the world—yet hiding talents that fate would not ignore.
In the southern region of the kingdom stood the Aurelia Clan, one of its three dominant pillars. Their sprawling compound blended stone, nature, and training fields, where younger generations molded their bodies under the burning sun.
"HAAH!"
Dozens of youths moved in sync—punches, kicks, and cultivation stances echoing through the open ground.
A broad-shouldered man stood before them, arms crossed, face stern but calm. His dark beard twitched as he inspected each movement with sharp eyes.
Hester Aurelia, an elder of the clan and former warrior, nodded slowly. "Good form," he muttered. But then, his gaze paused.
At the front row, a young man was drenched in sweat, yet his movements were smooth, powerful, refined.
His strikes carried momentum that left faint ripples in the air. Even without releasing his cultivation aura, the pressure he emitted was instinctively oppressive to the others.
A faint smile broke across Hester's face.
"That boy… always makes me feel old."
This youth was the pride of the clan—Lucifer Aurelia.
At just fourteen, Lucifer had reached the Blazed Soul Realm—a feat that others took decades to achieve. Now, three years later, he stood at the very peak of that realm, just a single insight away from a breakthrough. With a strong foundation.
He was no longer a child. His silver eyes carried calm pride, and his raven-black hair clung to his forehead, wet with effort. Even while training, he exuded presence.
"Lucifer!" Hester finally called out, his voice carrying over the drills.
Lucifer paused mid-strike, turned toward the elder, and approached with steady steps. He wiped his hands with a cloth, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips.
"Elder Hester, you seem unusually cheerful today. Something good happen?"
Hester gave a cryptic smile. "Come with me. You'll know soon enough."
Lucifer raised an eyebrow. Something about the elder's tone sent a flicker of curiosity through him. But he simply nodded, falling in step beside him as the two walked toward the inner compound.
Within the Aurelia Clan's Grand Hall...
Ancient paintings lined the walls—depictions of celestial beasts and long-dead patriarchs. The air was quiet, solemn, and filled with incense smoke that coiled upward like thin dragons.
At the center, seated on a carved jade throne, was the Clan Leader—Darian Aurelia. His black robes shimmered faintly with runes, and his presence, though not overwhelming, was deep and vast like a lake you couldn't see the bottom of.
His gaze fell on Lucifer as the young man entered.
"You've come."
Lucifer offered a respectful bow. "Clan Leader."
Darian's lips curved into a faint smile. "You've trained hard, Lucifer. The results show. The elders are pleased."
Lucifer said nothing, merely waiting for the real reason behind the summons.
Hester coughed lightly beside him, unable to suppress his grin anymore. "Lucifer, you've been chosen."
Lucifer blinked. "Chosen? For what?"
Darian leaned forward slightly, his tone turning serious.
"The Blazing Sky Institute—the most powerful legacy force in our Western Continent is sending its envoys to recruit promising talents."
His voice carried weight, each word like thunder.
"If you get selected… with your potential, Lucifer, your future will surpass anything this clan or even this kingdom could offer."
Lucifer remained still, silver eyes thoughtful.
A silence followed, heavy with meaning.
Lucifer's brows rose slightly, but he said nothing at first. The name Blazing Sky Institute wasn't unfamiliar, it was a dream that thousands of geniuses chased… and failed to reach.
Then, slowly he smiled. "Then I'll make sure they don't ignore me."
Darian and Hester exchanged a glance, both nodding silently.
There was pride in their eyes but also quiet sorrow.
Lucifer wasn't just a rising genius of the Aurelia Clan. He was also… family.
Darian's thoughts drifted as he watched the youth walk away.
"Lucifer... you've grown so fast."
A distant memory tugged at his heart.
Ten years ago, his elder brother—Lucifer's father and his wife had entered a hidden realm in search of a divine treasure. They never returned. Witnesses only said one thing: a beast of unimaginable strength had torn through the expedition, and their bodies were never recovered.
That day, a five-year-old boy lost his parents.
And from that day forward, Lucifer's childhood was buried with them.
Darian had tried to raise him well, giving him everything the clan could offer. Yet no warmth could ever replace the void left behind.
He often wondered how much of Lucifer's maturity came from talent—and how much was simply… grief, forced to grow up too soon.
After bidding farewell to the elders, Lucifer stepped out of the Grand Hall.
The training grounds still echoed with shouts and martial drills in the distance, but he didn't return to them. His steps turned toward the eastern pavilion—a place of silence, away from the noise.
Climbing the stone stairs to the fourth floor, he entered his private room and shut the door behind him with a quiet click.
A soft breeze flowed in through the open window.
The afternoon sun was sinking, bathing the sky in golden fire. Shadows stretched across the polished wood as Lucifer sat beside the window, pouring himself a cup of wine. He swirled the liquid once, then drank slowly, his expression unreadable.
But inside, his thoughts stirred.
"That dream again…"
Since he was five years old, there was one thing that never changed.
A dream. A vision.
A woman in a flowing red dress, gliding through the air like a celestial being. He could never see her face—only her back, floating amid endless mist and light. At first, he had thought it was just a child's imagination.
But then the dream returned.
Again.
And again.
Year after year.
By the time he turned ten, Lucifer realized something was wrong. Normal dreams don't repeat for five years. Normal dreams don't burn into your soul.
And most of all—normal dreams don't feel… real.
He had never told anyone, not even his closest friend.
But one month ago, something changed.
The same dream came… but this time, she turned her head slightly but not enough to reveal her face, but just enough for her voice to reach him.
A single word.
"Kaira…"
Then, the dream shattered like glass.
Lucifer had awakened that night in a cold sweat. Since then, her name echoed in his heart. His soul.
"Who was she? Why do I feel like… I've known her forever?"
There was no answer.
Only silence.
And the faint warmth of sunlight on his skin… as his eyes stared toward the crimson horizon.