I swear I could hear my bones begging for mercy.
Every step echoed through the Valencrest halls like a reminder that I still had bones left to break.
This training hurts like hell.
Back on Earth, I'd been poor, not suicidal.
The worst I'd gotten was a slap from life ,not a right hook laced with aura.
Now, every breath felt like someone had replaced my ribs with glass shards. I was holding the wall for support as I made my way to my room....god this hurt like hell.
No one met my eyes as I passed maids, guards, even the old steward by the stairs.
Of course they didn't.
Around here, pity was just another form of insult.
And I didn't need more of those tonight.
The rule of House Valencrest was simple:
If you can walk, you can train.
And healing potions? Those were for victors, not disappointments.
I pushed open my door and blinked.
There they were — my loving siblings.
Darius, lounging on my bed like it was his personal throne, tossing a dagger in lazy arcs.
And Aria, sitting by the window, moonlight tangled in her silver hair, arms crossed, eyes full of unspoken annoyance.
Great. An audience for my dramatic collapse.
Darius grinned when he saw me. "Well, look who survived. I almost bet five silvers you wouldn't.The fact you are still standing and you could walk, I'm impressed normally you'd just lie there ."
"Should've gone all in," I said, dragging my feet inside. "You'd have lost big."
I didn't even make it to the chair before my knees gave out. Aria was at my side instantly, catching my arm. Her touch was gentle — too gentle for a Valencrest.
"He went too far this time," she muttered, voice low. "Your training wasn't supposed to start until dawn."
Her brows knitted, but she said nothing. Darius tossed a cloth at her, and the two of them started cleaning me up , cold water, no potions, because, of course, rules.
They didn't talk much. Neither did I. The silence said enough.
When Darius finally stepped back, he exhaled. "Lucien… just keep your head low this week, alright? He's pushing harder than usual."
"I wish , unfortunately I have to this for the rest of the week with no health potions because I'm weak."
Aria shot Darius a glare " Little brother I know it's tough just know you always have us."
"I know," I muttered, eyes half-shut. " They really love their brother , I can see genuine concern.
They exchanged a look — concern and frustration all wrapped in that Valencrest pride that wouldn't let them show too much.
When they finally left, Aria glanced back once. Just once.
Her expression softened — then hardened again as she closed the door.
And then it was just me.
And pain.
I slid down until I was lying flat on the floor. It was cold, hard, and for some reason, better than the bed.
"This body's built like wet paper," I groaned. "One hit and everything's screaming."
Still… that training session—if you could call it that—did show me something. My father's movements weren't just fast. They were patterned. Precise. Almost measurable.
That's data.
That's progress.
I stared at the ceiling, half-laughing through a grimace. I wondered how strong this family really is and then I realized I don't even know how this world ranks like those webnovels.
"Architect," I whispered, "show me this world's ranking system."
The familiar flicker hit my mind.
[Information Request Detected: "Ranking System"]
[Cost: 20 Points]
[Confirm?]
"You have got to be kidding me !!! You just want to rob me blind . Fine just take it ."
My head throbbed as data poured in—cold, clinical, exact.
---
[WORLD CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM]
TRAITS — the core of growth, this can be changed depending on how strong the individual grows .
F (Gray): Barely awakened.
E (Blue): Beginner cultivator.
D (Green): Standard human potential.
C (Yellow): Capable of reaching Master rank.
B (Red): Noble-tier — powerful bloodlines.
A (Purple): Heroic-tier prodigies.
S (Gold): Legendary-tier bloodlines.
SS: Divine-tier — anomalies. (User bloodline confirmed.)
TALENTS — growth potential, same rank scale.
SKILLS — Common → Rare → Epic → Legendary → Mythic.
RANKS (Cultivation Stages)
1. Initiate
2. Adept
3. Expert
4. Master
5. Ascendant
6. Transcendent
Aurean Valecrest :trait rank S
Cultivation rank : Ascendant
Darius valecrest: trait rank : A
Cultivation rank: Master
Aria valecrest: trait rank : A
Cultivation rank: Master
...
I stared blankly for a few seconds, trying to process through the fog of pain.
My father — Aureon Valencrest — was an Ascendant, trait rank S
My siblings — Aria and Darius — were Masters, both rank A.
And me?
A glorified punching bag with a D-rank body.
I exhaled slowly. "Fantastic. I'm surrounded by walking cheat codes."
The Architect faded out, its hum lingering in my skull like a heartbeat.
This world worshipped strength. Measured it. Ranked it.
Fine. Then I'd learn the system better than anyone else.
Break it down. Rebuild myself from the bones up.
But right now—
I shifted, pain ripping through my chest. "Yeah, maybe after a small nap."
I crashed face-first into the pillow, muscles twitching in protest.
My last thought before sleep hit was simple:
"If pain builds character, I'm about to become a legend."
And with that, darkness took over.