Lucas's eyes snapped open.
Darkness greeted him.
Not the comforting darkness of sleep, but the sterile, hollow kind—broken only by faint lines of moonlight slipping through tall windows. The room smelled strange. Clean. Sharp. Nothing like home.
His body felt heavy.
Wrong.
Lucas tried to move his fingers. They responded—slowly, reluctantly—as if they weren't entirely his anymore. A soft mechanical hum filled the room, steady and constant.
Beep…Beep…Beep…
His eyes adjusted.
He was lying on a reinforced medical bed, strange bands of glowing script wrapped loosely around his arms and chest. Thin tubes ran from his body to unfamiliar devices positioned around the room—some pulsing faintly with cursed energy, others completely inert.
"…Where…?" he whispered.
His throat was dry. His voice sounded too small for the space around him.
The memories rushed back all at once.
The gate.Belle screaming.The laughter—his laughter.The darkness that noticed him.
Lucas sucked in a sharp breath, his heart pounding violently.
"I didn't die…" he muttered.
Then—
Something moved.
Lucas froze.
In front of him, just above his chest, something hovered.
It wasn't physical. Not fully.
A translucent pane of black glass floated silently in the air, its surface etched with shifting silver symbols. Lines of text arranged themselves neatly, as if responding to his gaze.
Lucas stared.
"…What the hell is this?"
STATUS — LUCAS VALE
Age: 6
Origin: Commoner
Awakening Type: Forced
Affinity Mastery
(Mastery Scale: F- → S+)
Ice Affinity: F-
Lightning Affinity: F-
Blood Affinity: F-
Shadow Affinity: F-
Note: Multiple affinities detected. Probability of natural occurrence: Near-zero.
Physical Statistics
(Untrained / Natural State)
Strength: F-
Agility: F-
Stamina: F-
Note: Growth rate unknown. Current values reflect non-combatant physiology.
Inherent Abilities
(Passive — Do not affect Overall Rank)
1. Intent Detection
Effect: Senses hostile intent or killing intent directed toward the user.
Strength: Effective for anticipating attacks, ambushes, and sudden danger.
Limitation: Reduced accuracy against disciplined or emotionally controlled opponents.
2. Six Eyes
Effect: Atomic-level perception of cursed energy; extreme efficiency in energy usage and analysis.
Strength: Grants superior understanding of techniques, affinities, and energy flow; dramatically reduces cursed energy consumption.
Limitation: Provides no direct offensive capability on its own.
Cursed Technique
Status:Locked
Awakening Condition: 1 year post-awakening
Technique Rank: Unknown
Upon seeing his status Lucas inwardly says "w-what is this I have four affinities and two inherent techniques" "i've never heard of something like this." "I thought the average person awakened one affinity and inherent techniques were something that only the exceptional pure blooded nobles recieved, and to recieve two of them as a commoner, that's just unheard of."
"Moving forward I should keep these abilities hidden, troubles will arise if people were to find out, especially people from high-ranking noble house's like the house of Zephyrus."
"I'm completely wiped though i'll deal with everything when I wake up."
The status pane slowly dimmed, the silver symbols dissolving into the air like mist under sunlight.
Darkness reclaimed the room.
Lucas let out a shaky breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His eyelids felt impossibly heavy now, his thoughts sluggish, tangled. The weight in his limbs returned, dragging him back down into the bed.
Just… sleep first.
The hum of the machines blurred together.
And the world slipped away.
Voices pulled him back.
Soft. Urgent. Familiar.
"—he's breathing steadily. The healers said the strain was severe, but his condition is stable."
"…James, please—he's been through enough—"
Lucas frowned slightly.
That voice—
"Mum…?" he whispered.
His eyes fluttered open.
Light flooded his vision, warmer this time. Not harsh. Gentle. Morning light filtered through the tall windows, casting pale gold across the stone walls. The medical equipment still surrounded him, but it felt quieter now—less oppressive.
And standing beside his bed—
"Mum?" he said again, louder.
Mya Vale froze.
For half a heartbeat, she didn't move. Then her hand flew to her mouth, eyes widening as tears instantly welled up.
"Lucas," she breathed, rushing forward so fast her chair nearly toppled over. "Lucas—oh gods—"
James was right behind her.
"Son," he said, voice thick, rough with exhaustion and relief. He placed a hand on Lucas's shoulder, careful, as if afraid he might disappear if touched too firmly. "You're awake."
Lucas blinked at them.
They looked… tired. More than tired. Dark circles shadowed their eyes, their clothes wrinkled and unchanged. They hadn't slept. Not really.
"I'm… sorry," Lucas said quietly, the words slipping out before he could stop them. "I didn't mean to—"
Mya shook her head fiercely, gripping his hand.
"No. No, don't you dare," she said, her voice trembling. "You saved your sister. You survived. That's all that matters."
James nodded, jaw tight. "Belle's safe," he added quickly. "She's resting. The healers said she'll recover fully."
Lucas's chest loosened at that.
"Oh… good," he murmured.
Silence settled for a moment, heavy but not uncomfortable.
"…Where are we?" Lucas finally asked.
James hesitated.
Mya answered softly. "The House of Zephyrus. Their estate. They brought us here after… after everything."
Lucas stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Zephyrus.
The name echoed in his mind, alongside silver eyes and overwhelming pressure.
"They said they wanted to help," James continued carefully. "And to ask questions. Later. But they promised your treatment came first."
Lucas nodded slowly, pretending calm.
Inside, his thoughts churned.
They can't know.Not about the status. Not about the abilities.
Mya brushed his hair back gently, her touch warm. "You scared us," she whispered. "But you don't have to think about anything right now. Just rest."
Lucas looked between them.
At his parents.
At the people he trusted most.
"…Okay," he said quietly.
He closed his eyes again—not because he was tired this time, but because for the first time since everything happened, he felt safe enough to let go.