Chapter 5 : Tael

Five Years Later…

In the grand Crimson Library of the Ignis estate, a young boy sat cross-legged on a velvet couch, his small fingers idly tracing the golden embroidery on its surface.

Lucas Ignis, now five years old, exuded an aura far beyond his years.

Draped in a regal black robe lined with crimson fire patterns, he looked every bit the heir to House Ignis. On his back, the symbol of his family—an upraised hand engulfed in flames—burned proudly, flickering with ever-changing shades of fire, like trapped stars fighting for freedom.

His hair, a cascade of living embers, wasn't just red; it glowed. Like a fire refusing to be tamed, shifting in intensity depending on his mood. Right now? It smoldered dimly, reflecting the state of his soul.

His ruby eyes—deep, almost liquid, like molten gemstones—flickered faintly as he stared at the ancient tome in front of him. Then, with a sigh, he shut it.

'...Five years. Five whole years. And not even a hint of a system..'

Lucas leaned back, eyes fixed on the high ceiling of the library. Since his reincarnation, he had been expecting something—a cheat skill, a golden finger, at least a damn progress bar.

..But no. Nothing. Not even a tutorial screen..

All he had was talent, potential, and an overprotective mother who acted like he'd spontaneously combust if left unattended for more than five seconds.

'...Mother hen..'he muttered.

The world called her many things—Ester Ignis, The Untamed Flame, The Crimson Empress, The Phoenix Sweetheart—but in reality?

She was just a paranoid mother hen.

His father, Noah Ignis, the Duke of Fire, was rarely home due to his duties, but he still sent him gifts. The most memorable?

A Fire Essence on the day of his birth.

Not just any, but one extracted from a Scarlet Infernal Wyvern, a beast so rare that its existence alone was enough to make seasoned adventurers cry in either terror or greed.

Lucas had absorbed it eagerly, expecting an immediate, earth-shattering transformation.

And for a moment—just a moment—he felt something shift.

Like a presence deep within him had stirred, stretching its limbs after a long, long slumber. Fire flooded his veins, his entire being resonating with power.

He had never felt more alive.

'..Is this it?.. My golden finger?..'

Then—just as suddenly as it had come—the feeling vanished.

Gone.

Like an itch he could no longer reach, like the taste of something sweet that faded before he could savor it.

Lucas sat there, utterly betrayed.

"…What?"

He tried to summon it again, to grasp whatever had awakened inside him, but no matter what he did…

Nothing.

Not even a spark.

His mind raced.

'..Maybe I need another Fire Essence..'

Since then, he had devoured every single one his father sent. From fire lizards to flame hounds to lava serpents—he ate them all like a starving man at a royal feast.

But nothing worked.

No matter how potent, no matter how rare, no matter how expensive—the feeling never returned.

Little did he know…

That first Fire Essence had come from a Grandmaster-level beast.

And beasts of that level were already considered among the strongest known to man.

Lucas didn't know.

And if he did?

..So what? I'll just find another one..

Lucas flipped through another book. If he was going to be trapped indoors like a caged phoenix, he might as well learn more about the world he was meant to conquer.

This was the world of Tael, where mana dictated everything.

Power was law. Strength was fate.

The human empire, Sylvaris, was the strongest force among men, ruled by a golden-haired, golden-eyed Royal Family said to be descendants of celestial beings.

Beneath them stood the Four Great Ducal Houses:

• House Ignis – The Fire Dukes. The flames of war and destruction. Feared and respected.

• House Vuldar – The Beastbound Clan. Warriors who bonded with legendary beasts, gaining their strength and instincts.

• House Mindweaver – The Puppet Masters. Masters of mind magic, fate reading, and manipulation.

• House Noctis – The Shadowborn. The silent predators lurking in the dark.

Beyond humans, other races thrived:

• Elves – Graceful, immortal, and arrogant.

• Beastmen – Warriors who embodied primal strength.

• Dwarves – Master blacksmiths and rune crafters.

• Fairies, Dragons, Phoenixes – Mythical beings who shaped history from the shadows.

Lucas grinned.

'This world sure is massive..'

Deep within the forests of Sylvaris, in the grand estate of House Vuldar…

A towering man sat in his war chamber, green eyes gleaming like a predator watching its prey. This was Elias Vuldar, the Patriarch of the Beastbound Clan.

Across from him stood his seven-year-old son, Nick.

Barefoot, wild-haired, emerald eyes burning with raw ferocity—he was less boy, more beast cub.

Elias studied his son, then spoke.

"We have some news about the Ignis brat."

Nick grinned, his sharp canines flashing. "I wanna fight him."

Elias chuckled. "Not yet, boy. But soon."

Nick should've just been a child.

But ever since he heard Lucas's name, something inside him had been itching.

Something primal.

Something hungry.

He didn't know why.

He didn't know how.

All he knew was that he feel the urge to beat the heir of those arrogant fireflies.

Back in the Crimson Library, Lucas was pulled from his thoughts as the heavy doors swung open.

A soft, exasperated sigh followed.

"Young Master, there you are."

A maid stepped inside.

Annie.

His personal caretaker. Tall and slender, her warm hazel eyes carried equal parts affection and exasperation.

"It's time for lunch. And don't think I didn't hear you muttering about your mother."

Lucas smirked. "Did you really ? I said you must have heard things."

Annie crossed her arms and rolled her eyes "Let's go before she sends a search party. Again."

Lucas stretched, shutting his book with a soft thud.

"Fine, fine. Let's go and eat. I don't want want another earful from her" said Lucas while walking.

Annie stood behind, and shook her head slightly and wonder ' Is it truly words of 5 years old boy should day ?'

Meanwhile Lucas as he walked out, one thought burned in his mind.

'It's time to stop waiting. I need to start training'

Because he knows…he feels it…playtime over. 

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