The Lucid Pathway

The crowd's chatter was a thunderous hum of excitement and disbelief as Lucian descended the spiral steps, his earlier awakening still fresh in their minds. His footsteps were slow and deliberate, the confident smirk on his lips a clear proclamation of his pride. The name Lucian Delmar now resonated in awe among the nobles and commoners alike.

But then, as his foot touched the ground, the earth trembled violently. The entire ceremonial grounds seemed to shake, the tremors sending a wave of shock through the crowd. Gasps echoed as people stumbled, clutching at one another for balance.

"What's happening now?" someone shouted.

"Is this part of the awakening?"

Before anyone could answer, a blinding light descended from the sky, its brilliance so overwhelming that many shielded their eyes. The light surged downward with unerring precision, striking Lucian directly.

Lucian staggered, caught off guard by the sudden impact, but he didn't fall. Instead, his body was enveloped in the radiance, the golden-white light swirling around him like a vortex. The murmurs turned into gasps of horror and awe as the light grew denser, its intensity forcing the onlookers to step back.

And then it happened—a second awakening.

The light around Lucian burst outward like a supernova, leaving behind an eerie silence. When the crowd dared to look again, they saw him standing in the same spot, but something was different. His once-arrogant smirk was replaced by a look of bewilderment and shock.

A second translucent screen had materialized before him—the unmistakable sign of a dual awakening, a phenomenon so rare that it was considered a myth.

Whispers filled the air:

"Two awakenings? That's impossible!"

"There's only been one case like this in the last hundred years!"

"This… this changes everything."

Lucian's body began to change subtly. His amber irises shimmered as they transitioned into an otherworldly silver hue streaked with faint traces of blue. The air around him grew heavy, pulsating with power.

Then, as if the universe itself bowed to his newfound authority, a thin, translucent blade of distorted space materialized in his hand. He instinctively slashed it through the air, and the ground beneath him cracked, a faint ripple of spatial energy spreading outward.

The announcer, his voice trembling, declared, "Behold the awakening of the Lucid Pathway!"

The crowd erupted into chaos.

"The Lucid Pathway? Isn't that a legend?"

"Impossible! No one awakens the Lucid Pathway—it's a fragment of creation itself!"

"This is far beyond a god's blessing!"

Lucian's Veil Interface shimmered into view, the data displayed in its ethereal light:

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Veil Interface

{General Information}

Name: Lucian Delmar

Age: 16

Realm: Novice Realm

{Talents}

Elemental Affinity: Shadow

Elemental Affinity: Fire

{Special Powers}

Draconic Sovereignty:

Bestowed by Dracos Ignis, the Dragon God of Flame and Shadow.

Blessing Note: "A fragment of my essence resides within thee. Wield the power of dominion."

{The Lucid Pathway}

Manifestation acknowledged… Integration confirmed.

Designation: Bearer of [Rank 6: Spatial Rend] — A fragment of the enigmatic Lucid Pathway.

The Lucid Pathway, a timeless enigma etched into existence itself, defies comprehension. Its powers ripple through the fabric of reality, a testament to forces that precede gods and surpass mortal understanding. Few awaken it; fewer still survive its calling.

{Abilities}

[Spatial Slash]: Partially unshackled… fragments of its essence bleed into reality.

[Ability II]: Sealed… the void shall reveal what you must not seek.

[Ability lll] : sealed

A final note from the Veil:

"The Lucid Pathway has claimed you, bearer. This is not a gift—it is a summons, an invitation to a truth that should never be known. You have become a key to doors long sealed, and there are forces beyond comprehension waiting on the other side. They will come, not for you, but for what you now possess.

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As the words "Lucid Pathway" shone on the screen, the crowd fell into stunned silence.

"What is the Lucid Pathway?" a young noble whispered.

"It's not just power," an elder murmured, his voice trembling. "It's… something that even the gods fear."

The Lucid Pathway was no ordinary phenomenon. It was whispered to be a shard of the original creation—a remnant of the primordial forces that shaped existence itself. Unlike a god's blessing, which carried the divine essence of a single deity, the Lucid Pathway was beyond divinity. It was said to exist outside the hierarchy of gods and mortals, a force older than time, unbound by the constraints of the universe.

Legends spoke of it as a gift—or a curse—that revealed glimpses of truths no mortal or immortal was meant to comprehend. To awaken it was to stand on the precipice of omnipotence, to hold the power to reshape reality itself.

Yet its origins were shrouded in mystery. Some believed it to be the lingering will of an ancient entity long forgotten, while others whispered it was the universe's desperate attempt to balance itself against the chaos of existence. Whatever its source, one fact remained undisputed: the Lucid Pathway was unparalleled, untamed, and uncontrollable.

From her seat among the nobles, Rachel watched with unflinching intensity. Her cold, ocean-blue eyes narrowed as she observed Lucian's transformation. A faint unease prickled at the edges of her mind.

"The Lucid Pathway…" she murmured, her voice barely audible. "Even the gods covet it."

A memory surfaced, unbidden but vivid—a moment from her childhood, standing beside her father, Lord Cedric Ardent.

"Rachel," her father had said one evening, his tone grave as they stood on the balcony overlooking their estate. "The Lucid Pathway is not just a phenomenon. It is a fragment of creation itself. To wield it is to stand beyond gods and mortals, to hold a power so profound that it defies comprehension."

"Why would anyone want it, then?" Rachel had asked, her young voice filled with curiosity.

Cedric's expression darkened. "Because power, my dear, is a temptation no being—mortal or divine—can resist. But the Lucid Pathway is more than power. It is knowledge, Rachel. It shows truths so vast, so terrible, that they can drive even gods to madness. That is why it is both coveted and feared."

"The Lucid Pathway is not just a power," Lord Cedric had said, his tone grave as he gazed out over the Ardent estate. "It is a curse disguised as a gift."

"A curse?" young Rachel had asked, her curiosity piqued. "But isn't it something amazing? Even gods envy it."

Her father's expression darkened. "Precisely. The gods envy it because it represents something they cannot have—something beyond their grasp. The Lucid Pathway is not a mere blessing or ability. It is a fragment of the primordial truths, a sliver of creation itself. To wield it is to command the very fabric of reality, to hold dominion over forces no mortal or divine being was ever meant to control."

Rachel had shivered at his words. "But why would it be a curse?"

"Because," Cedric continued, his voice heavy with sorrow, "the power of the Lucid Pathway is too great. It tempts even the purest hearts. Wars have been fought over it, and legends say entire civilizations have been destroyed in its wake. Those who awaken it are marked, Rachel. They are hunted not only by mortals but by gods themselves. And if the gods cannot claim it, they will destroy the bearer to keep it from falling into the hands of another."

Rachel's eyes had widened. "Then why would anyone want it?"

Her father smiled faintly, a touch of bitterness in his gaze. "Power blinds, my dear. It is the ultimate temptation. Even knowing the risks, there will always be those who reach for it. But remember this: the Lucid Pathway is not a gift to be taken lightly. It is a responsibility that few can bear. Those who try often find themselves consumed by its power.

Rachel's thoughts returned to the present, her gaze narrowing as she studied Lucian. "Does he even understand what he's awakened?" she wondered silently. "The Lucid Pathway… It isn't just power. It's a fragment of something far greater. Something that even gods fear."

Elena, standing beside her, broke the silence. "Rachel, did you hear that? The Lucid Pathway! Isn't it incredible?"

Rachel's lips tightened. "Incredible, yes. But not in the way you think."

Elena frowned. "What do you mean?"

Rachel hesitated, her father's warning weighing heavily on her mind. "The Lucid Pathway isn't just a power. It's a key—a key to truths that were never meant to be unlocked. It tempts even the strongest minds, and it consumes those who aren't ready for its burden."

Elena fell silent, her excitement dimming as she processed Rachel's words.

The murmurs among the audience grew louder as the weight of Lucian's awakening settled over them.

"Wait now that i think about it , there are also rumours that Lord Orin Is holder of The lucid Pathway".

"Didn't Lord Orin Tumara have a Rank 7 Lucid Eye?"

"His son is only 16 and already awakened Rank 6… The Delmar family's influence will skyrocket!"

"Do you think Lucian will surpass his father?"

Hidden among the crowd, the heads of noble families, guild leaders, and academy staff exchanged knowing glances. Their eyes gleamed with thinly veiled greed. The Lucid Pathway was not just a sign of power—it was an opportunity.

As Lucian basked in the crowd's adoration, the Awakening Spire pulsed faintly, as if reacting to the events. Its crystalline surface shimmered, and for a brief moment, Rachel thought she saw something—a shadow, a flicker of an unseen presence.

"The Veil Interface," she thought, her unease deepening. "It always feels like something is watching. But what? And why does it grant such power to people like Lucian? What is it testing us for?"

Her father's warning rang in her ears once more: "The Lucid Pathway is a power that tempts even gods. But power without balance is destruction."

Rachel's gaze lingered on Lucian, her expression unreadable. "The real question isn't what the Lucid Pathway is," she thought. "It's why it exists at all."

The memory faded, leaving Rachel with a deep sense of foreboding. Her gaze remained locked on Lucian, who now stood basking in the awe of the crowd.

"This isn't over," she thought, her fingers tightening on the armrest of her seat. "The Lucid Pathway doesn't just grant power—it demands something in return. I wonder what price does Lucian has to pay".

Lucian, regaining his composure, raised his hand. His newly awakened eyes shimmered with a radiant silver glow, exuding an aura that seemed to bend reality itself.

"Behold," he declared, his voice resonating with newfound authority, "the gift of the Lucid Pathway!"

The crowd erupted into frenzied applause and whispers, but Rachel remained silent, her sharp gaze never leaving him.

In that moment, as the name "Lucid Pathway" echoed through the air like a forgotten hymn, it was clear to everyone present: Lucian Delmar was no longer just a prodigy. He was a harbinger of something far greater—and far more dangerous.

He descended the platform with measured steps, his gaze sweeping over the crowd like a king surveying his subjects. As he passed by Rachel, their eyes met briefly.

For a moment, there was no exchange of words, only a silent acknowledgment of the gravity of the awakening. Lucian's smirk remained, but Rachel's piercing gaze carried a subtle challenge—a reminder that power alone was not enough to earn respect.

The murmurs of the crowd followed him as he rejoined his family, the Delmar crest gleaming proudly on his chest. Today, Lucian Delmar had solidified his place as a prodigy.