Lucifer Windward
Lucifer was talented.
A genius.
A prodigy.
A hero.
From the moment he first held a sword, the recognition of his talent was immediate. He could still recall the way his father's eyes lit up, the fierce joy in his grip as he clasped Lucifer's small arms, shouting with elation at the potential his son displayed.
That moment was the most vivid memory of Lucifer's childhood.
He was destined to surpass even the Martial King—the strongest being alive and an undisputed force. With that destiny came the crushing weight of expectations, yet Lucifer didn't merely meet them.
He shattered them.
By the time he entered Mythos Academy, he had already become the youngest
Class 1-A was filled with the brightest talents from across the world, but none stood as his equal. For in this world, he was the protagonist.
Unrivaled.
Unequaled.
Unbeatable.
That was how it was meant to be.
His talent was supposed to be an insurmountable wall, something no one could breach. Those who were stronger than him were just stepping stones, people he would inevitably surpass with time.
But now, the certainty of that belief was starting to crack.
Arthur Nightingale.
In the beginning, it was nothing more than curiosity and appreciation.
Lucifer admired Arthur's hard work, his diligence in climbing the ranks to Class 1-A. He could see the immense effort Arthur had put into refining his basic swordsmanship—an effort that had even surpassed his own in sheer dedication. He admired Arthur's strategic brilliance, his ability to befriend anyone, his relentless drive.
But that was all it was meant to be.
Lucifer Windward was untouchable. Invincible. His talent was too vast, too brilliant for anyone to ever pose a real threat.
At least, that's what he believed.
Yet, Arthur—a man willing to improve even at the cost of death—began climbing a wall that should have been impossible to scale. At first, when Arthur reached
But things began to shift.
During the winter break, Arthur underwent a remarkable transformation, unlocking his own Gift and becoming far stronger than before. Still, Lucifer wasn't truly threatened. Not yet.
He did, however, start to raise his guard.
When Arthur lost to Ren during the field trip, Lucifer's wariness relaxed. He felt reassured that without a Grade 6 art, Arthur could never hope to match him.
Or so he thought.
Now, what was the result?
Arthur had torn through the tournament with ease, crushing Ren Kagu—the very opponent that even Lucifer himself would struggle against. And more than that, Arthur wielded a Grade 6 art.
An art he had created.
That was something even Lucifer couldn't claim.
A genius. A genius who had, against all odds, surpassed him.
And now?
Lucifer found himself utterly overwhelmed by Arthur in the heat of battle.
Arthur's foot connected sharply with Lucifer's solar plexus, sending a wave of pain through his body as he skidded across the arena. His breath hitched, and for the first time in his life, he felt the unfamiliar strain of being pushed to his limits by someone his own age.
His mana core flared as he tried to steady himself, circulating the energy through his body with a calmness that belied the growing sense of unease.
He wasn't supposed to be the one on the back foot.
Lucifer gritted his teeth, the raw power of his Gift flaring to life as he unleashed the full force of the
Up until now, he had only been using it passively, enhancing his reflexes and movements. But that wasn't enough. Not against Arthur.
The air around him warped as both searing heat and bone-chilling cold descended on the arena. His body became the conduit for fire and ice magic, the elements swirling around him in perfect balance.
But Lucifer pushed even further, unlocking the depths of his Gift. Wind and earth, fire and water, lightning and ice—all six elements he was attuned to surged forth, dancing in harmony. His control was effortless, a seamless display of elemental mastery that left the audience awestruck. A boy under sixteen, commanding six elements simultaneously, without strain.
Lucifer's emerald eyes locked onto Arthur, his gaze sharp with resolve.
Arthur, standing still, met his gaze with a calm smile. Without a hint of hesitation, he uttered under his breath, "Lucent Harmony, full activation."
The moment Arthur activated Lucent Harmony, the atmosphere around him changed entirely. A shimmering aura of translucent light enveloped his body, the air thick with the hum of mana being drawn into him from every direction. His control over mana sharpened, and the chaotic dance of elements swirling around Lucifer seemed to pale in comparison to the serene yet overwhelming force now emanating from Arthur.
Lucifer's eyes widened, his confidence wavering ever so slightly as he felt the sheer purity of Arthur's mana. The boy who once stood as an underdog, now stood as his equal—no, his superior.
Arthur's lips curled further, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. The sigils glowing faintly across his skin, marking the Qilin's blessing, flickered with power.
"Come, Lucifer," Arthur called out, his voice calm but edged with an undeniable authority. "Let's see if you can keep up."
Lucifer's fists tightened, the ground beneath his feet cracking as the weight of his six elements bore down. His pride wouldn't allow him to back down, even as the cold sting of doubt crept into his heart.
In an instant, both moved. Lucifer shot forward, the six elements converging in a brilliant display of force. Fire and ice clashed in front of him, lightning crackled along his arms, and the very earth beneath him trembled with each step.