Lucifer lay sprawled across his bed, the soft rustle of the sheets barely audible over the steady rhythm of his breathing. His body was relaxed, but his mind wasn't entirely still.
Though the breakthrough had been successful, the presence of the mysterious black vortex in his lower abdomen remained a lingering weight in the back of his thoughts.
He slowly turned his head toward the window. Evening had already crept across the sky, draping the horizon in layers of indigo and gold. The stars had begun to blink into view, like distant watchers peering through the veil.
"It took me two hours…" he thought, eyes half-lidded, "Felt like a lifetime…"
His body still hummed with power, warm and vibrant, yet a quiet weariness was settling in now that the adrenaline had faded. For now, he chose not to dwell on the vortex—it hadn't harmed him, and if anything, it had pushed his breakthrough forward. But that didn't mean he trusted it.
"Later. I'll deal with it later."
Letting out a soft breath, he rolled onto his side and let the silence wrap around him. His thoughts slowly slipped into the quiet tide of sleep.
Meanwhile, in the Aurelia Clan's Meeting Hall…
The large chamber, bathed in the warm glow of golden lanterns, carried the quiet weight of responsibility. The clan leader, Darian Aurelia, sat tall at the head of the long table, his deep-set eyes unreadable beneath furrowed brows.
His hair shimmered faintly under the overhead light, a quiet testament to both his age and power.
Across from him, six elders sat on either side of the table, each dressed in their ceremonial robes—an aura of wisdom and pressure quietly radiating from their presence.
The topic was important. The mood, solemn.
The upcoming Blazing Sky Institute selection is more than just an event! It was an opportunity that could redefine the destiny of their clan.
A white-haired elder, Elder Tyr, spoke up first, stroking his beard slowly as he gazed toward the others.
"We've already confirmed Lucifer and Dennis," he said, his tone calm yet firm. "Both are excellent choices. But we still have two slots remaining."
Elder Hexter, leaned forward, his brows slightly knit in thought. He was always more pragmatic than the rest, valuing not just raw power, but potential and temperament.
"The royal family has summoned all clans to present their candidates at the palace by dawn tomorrow," he reminded them, voice carrying a note of urgency. "I believe it's time we finalize our remaining choices. What about Serenya and Marcellus?"
There was a brief pause as the elders glanced at one another.
Elder Nyra, tilted her head thoughtfully. "Serenya is… still behind Lucifer in terms of raw cultivation, yes. But her discipline and growth over the last year have been exceptional. She's not just the clan leader's daughter, she's a talent worth investing in."
Another elder nodded thoughtfully. "Serenya may not be the strongest, but she has grit. That kind of determination goes a long way at the Institute."
He paused before adding, "And Marcellus, his foundation is stable, his instincts in battle are sharp, and he trains harder than most. They may not shine like Lucifer, but they still carry the weight of our clan's hopes."
Clan Leader Darian remained silent, his fingers lightly tapping the wooden armrest of his chair. He thought of Serenya, his daughter, the one who bore his name and legacy.
She wasn't born with monstrous talent, not like Lucifer, but she had never used her status to get ahead. Every step she climbed was earned through sweat and silence.
"She wants this so badly… she won't forgive herself if she's left behind."
At last, he gave a single nod.
"Serenya and Marcellus it is. Let the final two slots go to them."
The decision was sealed without any further argument.
Shortly after, two outer disciples were dispatched to inform the chosen candidates.
On the clan's southern training grounds, a soft orange twilight kissed the field as two figures stood locked in motion. The crisp thud of strikes, the shimmer of spiritual energy, and the disciplined rhythm of footwork filled the air.
Serenya Aurelia, dressed in a sleeveless black combat tunic, had beads of sweat trailing down her temple as she adjusted her stance again. Her long silvery-purple hair was tied back into a ponytail, and her clear eyes reflected quiet focus.
Across from her, Marcellus, shirtless and breathing heavily, grinned through his exhaustion. His tanned muscles glistened slightly under the fading light, and a faint bruise was already forming near his ribs.
"You've gotten faster," he said, rotating his shoulder with a chuckle. "What did you eat this morning, a lightning bolt?"
Serenya smirked faintly, lowering her arms. "Just tired of you dodging all the time. Thought I'd make you sweat a little today."
Their banter was easy and casual, born from years of shared training and silent support.
Just then, the footsteps of a disciple approaching made them pause.
"Senior Serenya! Senior Marcellus!"
The young messenger bowed quickly, panting. "The clan elders have made their decision. You've both been chosen for the Blazing Sky Institute selection. You are to appear at the royal palace tomorrow morning."
For a moment, silence.
Then Serenya's eyes widened. Her lips parted, but no words came immediately.
"I… I really got chosen?"
A quiet surge of emotions welled up in her chest, relief, pride, and something that felt dangerously close to joy. For months, she had been waking before dawn, pushing her limits, swallowing the doubts of others who whispered that she was only progressing because of her bloodline.
Now, finally… she was chosen because she earned it.
Marcellus let out a low whistle. "Damn… this is real then. We're actually going to stand at the gates of the Blazing Sky Institute."
He turned to her with a grin. "Guess our lives are about to change, huh?"
Serenya nodded slowly, her voice still a little shaky with excitement. "Yeah. Tomorrow… everything changes."
They looked at each other, not just as friends or training partners… but as comrades stepping onto a path that could alter the rest of their lives.
A new battlefield.
A new world.
And a chance to prove themselves on a stage that would dwarf anything they had known before.
As the last rays of light faded from the sky, the four chosen—Lucifer, Dennis, Serenya, and Marcellus, each lay in their respective rooms under the same stars, carrying different dreams… but one shared fire.
The fire of ambition.
The fire of destiny.
Sleep didn't come easily.
For some, it was the weight of expectation.
For others, the thrill of what awaited beyond tomorrow.
And for one, the quiet pressure of walking a path no one else could see.
Midnight in Elder Nyra's secluded quarters
The door creaked open, and a shadow slipped inside.
Dennis knelt before Elder Nyra, sweat glistening on his brow despite the chill.
"He's… too fast," Dennis muttered, voice trembling with something between fear and hatred. "I trained beside him for years. Now I can barely see his back."
Elder Nyra didn't respond at first. She stirred the incense bowl beside her, eyes sharp like daggers in the dim light.
"Lucifer must not reach the capital," she finally said. "The elders are already whispering his name more than the clan heir's."
Dennis looked up. "Then what do we do?"
She leaned in, her voice barely audible, yet it sliced through the silence like a blade.
"We make sure he never arrives."
Time slipped by in silence.
And soon the stillness of night began to shift.
A faint light brushed the edge of the sky. The deep blue of the heavens softened as dawn stirred on the horizon. Cold wind swept through the courtyards of the Aurelia Clan, rustling hanging lanterns and fluttering banners, carrying with it the chill of a day about to begin.
CLANG!
A deafening bell echoed across the compound, its sound sharp and commanding like thunder striking the ground.
From its center, a powerful voice surged through the air, laced with spiritual energy that made the bones of every disciple tremble.
"All young disciples! Report to the main training ground within ten minutes!"
The voice belonged to Elder Tyr, and when he used that tone, even the laziest troublemaker didn't dare ignore it.
Moments later, dozens of young cultivators in robes of varying colors began to pour into the training field from all directions—some yawning, some sprinting, a few still wiping sleep from their eyes.
There were those who looked excited, anticipation burning in their expressions… while others bore annoyance and confusion, wondering why they'd been summoned before the sun had even risen.
But regardless of emotion, one thing was the same for all of them… They stood in total silence.
Because before them, lined up with regal dignity, were the highest authorities of the Aurelia Clan.
Clan Leader Darian Aurelia, stood at the front with his arms folded behind his back, flanked on both sides by the six elders. The moment their presence was felt, no one dared make a sound.
Then, stepping forward with slow authority, Elder Tyr let his gaze sweep across the gathered youths.
"You're all here. Good," he said, voice deep and firm. "The time has come to announce our clan's official candidates for the Blazing Sky Institute's Grand Selection."
A ripple of energy passed through the crowd as tension tightened. Some eyes widened. Some fists clenched. Hearts began to pound.
"Lucifer Aurelia."
"Dennis Aurelia."
"Serenya Aurelia."
"Marcellus Aurelia."
The four names rang out like chimes of fate.
"Step forward."
Lucifer was the first to move, calm and composed, his silver eyes glinting faintly beneath the early morning haze. His footsteps were slow, but every motion carried strength and certainty.
Dennis followed with a bright grin, his excitement bubbling just beneath the surface. Serenya moved with quiet pride, her back straight and eyes clear. Marcellus strode forward last, muscles taut with anticipation.
As the four reached the front, Elder Tyr gave a respectful nod.
"You will represent our Aurelia Clan in the selection. We wish you success, and may you bring glory to our name."
"Bring honour to our clan!" the disciples echoed loudly in unison, their voices rising like a tide of thunder.
"We wish you all the best!"
Claps erupted across the training ground. Smiles bloomed, shoulders were patted, and tension gave way to celebration for a brief moment.
"Lucifer…" a voice rang from the front.
Everyone turned.
It was Clan Leader Darian, his gaze locked on the young man standing at the center.
His expression had subtly changed. It wasn't just pride now, it was something else.
Shock.
Disbelief.
And a quiet awe that sent murmurs through the air.
His voice was calm, but tinged with surprise.
"You've broken through… to the True Starlet Realm?"
The entire training ground fell into stunned silence.
Even the wind seemed to pause.
Eyes flew open. Disciples exchanged stunned glances. Some gasped outright.
"True Starlet Realm?"
"At seventeen?"
"Impossible!"
Lucifer didn't speak immediately. He simply nodded once, his expression unreadable.
The confirmation was like a bomb dropped into a quiet lake.
Elder Hexter's mouth twitched as he stepped forward, spiritual sense brushing lightly over Lucifer's aura, his eyes widened.
"He's not bluffing. His energy… it's calm and resonant. This isn't the Blazed Soul Realm anymore. His core has already begun aligning with star patterns."
Elder Nyra exhaled softly, her gaze fixed on the boy. "Seventeen years old... and already touching the stars..."
A quiet murmur passed among the elders admiration mixed with a pinch of unease. Lucifer's talent was not only extraordinary… it was disruptive.
Even Clan Leader Darian, who had personally guided many prodigies, felt a slight ripple in his heart.
"Not even the most talented Crown Prince of the Royal Family reached that stage before twenty-one… but this boy… has surpassed that record."
Behind him, whispers had begun circulating.
"True Starlet Realm?"
"I didn't even reach the fifth stage of Blazed Soul yet…"
"What kind of monster is he?"
Excitement rose like a tide.
But not everyone felt joy.
Standing slightly behind, Serenya's fists clenched. Marcellus's brows furrowed. Dennis's bright grin flickered ever so slightly.
All three of them had been proud of their progress. Among their peers, they were top-tier, admired and respected. But at this moment… Lucifer's figure felt like it stood on another plane entirely.
The distance between them… Had become glaringly real.
Serenya's thoughts churned.
"I've been training until my hands bled… and I'm still only at the sixth stage. Is that the difference between talent and effort?"
Marcellus looked at his own hands.
"I thought I had a shot to impress the institute… but next to him… am I even visible?"
Dennis, however pushed those thoughts aside quickly for now. He forced his grin to return as he clapped a hand on Lucifer's shoulder.
"Brother Lucifer…" he said, trying to keep the spark in his voice, "Remind me never to duel you unless I'm wearing armor."
Lucifer gave him a small smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.
When Dennis clapped him on the shoulder, Lucifer's senses pricked his energy felt… something wrong. Just for a second. Like a smile hiding something sharp beneath it.
He had noticed their reactions.
He could feel the subtle shift.
The awe.
The distance.
The invisible wall that now stood between him and the others.
But he said nothing.
Because he knew this was only the beginning.
He would walk a path no one else could follow.
At that moment, a golden carriage etched with ancient glyphs glided into the clan grounds. The beasts pulling it were unlike any common steed—one had obsidian-black fur with glowing crimson hooves, the other bore a mane of molten bronze that flickered with heat.
A royal envoy had arrived.
And they weren't alone.