Lucas didn't linger at the Valemont mansion.
By the time he reached the vicinity of the hotel, he spotted a familiar black sedan parked by the roadside. He approached and opened the door.
Inside, his bodyguard sat in the driver's seat. Sofia was in the back.
"Get out," Lucas said calmly. "I'll drive myself."
The bodyguard nodded without question, stepping out immediately. Lucas slid into the driver's seat.
With control firmly in his hands, he drove north—away from the heart of Lutherville. The city lights gradually faded behind him, swallowed by the night, while a quiet sense of satisfaction settled deep in his chest.
He had no more plans for tonight.
Frankly, he didn't need any.
He had already achieved everything he came for.
Sofia.
The VIP card to the Golden Emporio Pavilion.
And the heirloom pendant that once belonged to Leon.
But more importantly—
He had driven a fresh wedge between House Valemont and the Hounders.
Once bitter enemies.
Later reluctant allies.
Eventually… bound together like blood brothers.
Like oil and water forced into a fragile emulsion, held together not by harmony, but by pressure and pretense.
One spark.
One shake.
And it all began to fall apart.
Dramatic? Certainly.
But that illusion of unity was finally cracking, and Lucas was more than happy to be the one holding the hammer.
Still, his thoughts soon shifted to something far more important.
"System," he called out softly.
"Are you there?"
Ten seconds passed.
Then a minute.
Nothing.
Lucas's expression hardened.
A transmigration without a system, and a protagonist blessed by fate waiting ahead?
That sounded like a suicide mission.
He let out a slow breath. But his gaze quickly regained its sharp edge.
"System or not, I can't just sit back and let the plot unfold," he murmured.
There was no time to waste questioning the system's existence. The most rational course of action was to trust himself.
Besides—
A genius born into an ancient family, blessed with rare talent… wasn't that a golden finger in itself?
---
Meanwhile, somewhere else...
"FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! HOW THE HELL DID THIS HAPPEN?!"
A storm of curses echoed violently through a cavern, laced with pure rage and raw frustration.
Leon stood there, clothes scorched, body battered and burned, his worst injuries centered around his chest.
"MY NECKLACE! MY SOFIA!!"
The image of Sofia lying in Lucas's arms burned into his mind. He couldn't even begin to imagine what they had done together.
"FUCK! LUCAS!" Leon roared.
"I'LL TAKE MY REVENGE! JUST YOU WAIT!!!"
These weren't empty threats.
They were a vow, born of fury and a shattered heart.
---
Twenty kilometers away, after more than twenty minutes of driving, a sleek black car slowed to a stop before the grand gates of a magnificent villa.
The tall black iron gates, adorned with delicate green leaf motifs, radiated elegance and environmental harmony.
Four guards in all-black suits immediately opened the gate, recognizing the vehicle as belonging to their young master.
As the car glided inside, it followed a winding path lined with lush trees, towering guardians of nature that gave the estate the feel of a forest sanctuary.
When the car reached the front yard, the villa revealed its full splendor.
A classic architectural marvel infused with modern design, standing proudly amidst manicured gardens, backed by distant mountain peaks.
An oasis amid urban chaos.
A place of calm, luxury, and natural beauty.
A birthday gift from his father, given just a month ago on his eighteenth birthday.
Lucas parked and stepped out, carrying Sofia in his arms.
Inside, the villa opened into a spacious hall adorned with pristine white marble walls and lavish furnishings.
He casually tossed his car keys onto the living room table and headed straight upstairs.
Climbing with purpose to the second floor, he entered his bedroom and walked directly into the bathroom.
---
The shower hissed to life.
Cold water cascaded over Lucas's body from head to toe, washing away blood, sweat, and exhaustion. The chill of the night air outside didn't bother him in the slightest.
As the water streamed down, his thoughts turned to the future.
What he needed to do.
What threats he had to eliminate.
What plans had to be laid.
Everything required meticulous preparation.
And it wasn't just Leon he had to worry about.
The world itself was far more dangerous.
This world resembled a fantasy setting, yet carried modern elements. Its geography mirrored Earth's, but its political system was monarchic, not democratic.
There was no Germany, America, or Italy.
Instead, powers like the Roman Empire, the United Great Kingdom of America, and the Prussian Kingdom dominated the map.
Lucas lived within the Albion Empire, specifically in the city of Lutherville.
The power system here was vast.
Magic alone was divided into five major realms, each with ten levels:
Human Realm
Origin Realm
Spirit Realm
Heavenly Realm
Transcendent Realm
Currently, Lucas stood at the sixth level of the Origin Realm.
Ordinary magi needed decades of grueling effort just to reach the Origin Realm.
Lucas had achieved it at eighteen.
This wasn't just diligence.
It was proof of monstrous talent.
Beyond magic, there were also Miracle Spirits, manifestations of the soul given physical form. They appeared as creatures, weapons, or unique artifacts, and were ranked from F to S class.
The strongest Miracle Spirits were inspired by ancient legends and mythological beings.
Some notable examples:
The Viking clan leader, who wielded Thor, God of Thunder.
The Emperor of the Qin Empire, who held the Jade Emperor.
A general of Ptolemaic Egypt, who commanded Anubis.
Lucas was nearing the time of his own Miracle Spirit Awakening Ceremony, scheduled roughly a month from now, as dictated by school tradition.
Until then, all he could do was prepare.
"If it's not S-class," he muttered,
"then this reincarnation was a waste."
Given how quickly Lucas Drakebane had died in the original story, he had never learned his true potential.
---
After a while, Lucas stepped out of the shower.
He grabbed a thick white towel and dried himself slowly, deliberately, every movement calm and controlled.
Finished, he stood before the large mirror.
191 centimeters tall.
Diamond-shaped face.
Sharp dark-blue eyes.
Thick brows.
Blonde hair styled in warrior cut.
He looked every bit the heir of an ancient and prestigious family.
"But now," Lucas smirked,
"it's time to change."
He stepped out of the bathroom.
---
After settling Sofia, Lucas lay back on his bed and unlocked his smartphone. He wasn't there to play games.
He searched for a name.
Ludrik Seethern.
The phone vibrated softly as the call connected.
"Young master Lucas?" Ludrik's voice came through, amused. "This is rare. What's the occasion?"
"I need your handcrafting," Lucas said. "Are you available?"
"As long as there's enough money, anything's possible," Ludrik chuckled. "But I doubt that's an issue for you."
Lucas didn't laugh.
"I'll get straight to the point."
He explained the specifications in detail. Ludrik listened closely, nodding at each requirement.
Despite the complexity, there was no hesitation in his expression.
"…And add a hand sensor. The size should match what I mentioned earlier," Lucas finished.
"Consider it done," Ludrik replied confidently. "When do you need it?"
"Tomorrow. Before eight in the evening."
"Understood. I'll stop by your residence around noon."
"Good. I'll send you the address."
"See you tomorrow, young master."
The call ended.
Lucas set the phone aside. His eyelids felt heavy.
"Tomorrow…" he murmured.
"There's a lot to be done."
With that final thought, Lucas closed his eyes—
and fell asleep.