Chapter 7 : Training ground

The crimson moon hung low over the Ignis Estate, bathing the vast lands in a bloody glow. Its eerie light flickered across the obsidian walls of the grand mansion, making it seem as if the very estate pulsed with life—breathing, watching.

Lucas lay in his grand bed, staring at the high, carved ceiling. Sleep? A fool's dream.

Since his mother had finally relented, giving him permission to train, his mind had been nothing but a battlefield of restless thoughts. He had wanted to go immediately—but of course, Annie, ever the perfect watchdog, caught him mid-step.

"Young Master, the Lady says tomorrow. You need to rest."

Rest? How could he possibly rest?

Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.

His fingers curled into the silk sheets. 'A world filled with danger… and I've been playing house like a child.'

Not anymore.

The Next Morning

The Ignis Estate was alive with motion. Servants bustled through the grand halls, warriors clad in obsidian armor sparred in open courtyards, and the ever-present scent of embers and steel filled the air.

Lucas walked through the towering halls alone. No Annie. No guards. He wanted this moment to himself.

Even if he knows they must nearby. Keeping watch on him.

As he stepped outside, warmth wrapped around him like a familiar embrace.

The Ignis lands were always warmer than normal—a mark of their bloodline. The very air shimmered faintly, as if infused with fire itself.

Servants and warriors paused as he passed, bowing respectfully.

"Young Master."

"Young Master."

Lucas gave only a single nod in return, never breaking stride.

It was rare to see him outside the core area of the mansion, even rarer to see him here—walking toward the training grounds.

Eyes followed him. Whispers spread.

But Lucas?

He didn't care.

The Ignis Training ground

The gates loomed ahead—giant slabs of obsidian engraved with the flaming sigil of House Ignis.

As they swung open, an entirely different world unfolded before him.

The training grounds were vast—

Hundreds of young warriors moved in disciplined formations.

Blades clashed. Flames roared. The very ground simmered with heat.

Lucas's eyes locked onto the most important part of the training field—

The Awakening Zone.

This was where the most talented of the younger generation trained—those twelve and older, those whose mana had already awakened.

Four figures stood apart from the rest—each of them wielding flames unlike any other.

Caius Ignis – Tall, sharp-eyed, with red hair and piercing blue eyes. His flames burned cold, an eerie blue fire that crackled with ice instead of heat. His gaze held the calm of a strategist, always watching, always analyzing.

Selene Ignis – Refined, elegant, her golden eyes burning with intelligence. A member of Ester's branch family.Flames of radiance flickered at her fingertips—holy fire, pure and untouchable. If Caius was cold logic, she was a beacon of calculated brilliance.

Dante Ignis – Lanky but deceptive. His black eyes flickered with a violet hue. His fire… shadowed, dark and fluid, moving like a living entity. His smirk was ever-present, like he found the world amusing.

Orion Ignis – Short, but carried himself like a giant. His orange-black eyes crackled with a fire laced with subtle black lightning, sparks flickering at his fingertips. Arrogant, entitled, but undeniably talented.

At first, the four only observed Lucas in silence.

None of them reacted.

They didn't know why he was here.

Then—

A powerful figure stepped forward.

Instructor Aldred

Aldred Valos is one of the highest-ranking instructor of House Ignis.

A man carved from war, with black hair and deep green eyes hardened from battle. Unlike other teachers, he wasn't just a just anyone —he was a commander, a warrior who had seen blood and flame firsthand.

He studied Lucas for a long moment.

Then, with a measured bow, he spoke.

"Young Master. What brings you here?"

A silence settled over the training grounds.

Trainees stopped sparring. Murmurs rippled across the field.

Lucas met Aldred's gaze.

"I've come to train."

Stillness.

Aldred's expression barely changed.

Then, he sighed.

"…You're five."

"And?"

Aldred's brow twitched.

"And you're too young to train."

Lucas didn't even blink. "Is there a rule against it?"

Aldred exhaled. "It's called common sense."

Selene's brows lifted in surprise. Intrigued.

Caius shook his head. Amused, but uninterested.

Dante's smirk widened. 'Oh, this is going to be fun.'

Orion?

Orion grinned.

"What did you just say?"

Lucas didn't answer.

Orion scoffed, stepping forward.

"You? Train? Here?" He chuckled darkly. "Do you even know what training means?"

Lucas remained still. He wasn't even looking at Orion—his focus was still on Aldred.

Orion's grin faltered for a fraction of a second.

It pissed him off.

"You don't even have mana," Orion continued, louder. "And let me tell you, you still have seven years before you awaken it. So what are you gonna do?" His smirk widened. "Punch the air?"

Lucas finally tilted his head toward him.

For the first time, their eyes met.

And in that moment, Orion stepped back.

It was instinctive. A reflex.

The sheer weight of Lucas's gaze… those crimson eyes, like burning coals, made something deep in Orion's bloodline shudder.

He immediately regretted that step back.

His pride screamed at him. 'What the—'

Lucas, as if nothing happened, simply replied:

"That's a good idea. I'll start with that."

Orion's jaw clenched.

Aldred massaged his temples. He seems to have heard about those eyes before. Long ago.

Orion was seething now.

"You little—" He stepped forward again—

Orion abruptly stopped.

The air shifted.

The heat intensified.

The world stilled.

A new presence entered the field.

Even Aldred straightened. His eyes sharpened.

Trainees stiffened. The weight of his presence was unmistakable.

Noah Ignis.

The Duke Of Ashes.

His deep red hair flowed behind him like wildfire. His piercing purple eyes carried absolute dominance.

And beside him—

Ester Ignis.

The Lady Of Flames.

A woman feared and respected across the entire Ignis domain.

Her presence alone made even the strongest warriors hesitate to meet her gaze.

When her golden-red eyes landed on Orion—

He flinched.

It was immediate. Instinctive.

Ester didn't even say a word. She just looked at him.

Her expression wasn't even angry. Just… blank.

But Orion's know exactly who she was.

His throat went dry. His fists clenched. 'Tch… Damn it…'

Ester's eyes flickered away, as if he wasn't worth any more attention.

Instead, her gaze settled on Aldred.

And she sighed.

'I knew this would happen…'

'I forgot to tell Aldred because of Noah's arrival.'

The entire field was dead silent.

Noah, however, took everything in at a glance.

He saw Lucas. Standing firm. Well As firm as a five-year-old could be.

He saw Orion. Angry. Embarrassed. A step away from violence.

He saw Aldred. Exasperated. Unamused. Already tired of this.

All of this, and not even a second had passed. His perception was terrifying.

Then—

He grinned.

A wide, wolfish, battle-hungry grin.

"Looks like I have arrived at the perfect time ."

And with that, the flames of the Ignis Estate burned brighter.

Lucas's journey had truly begun.

End of Chapter 7.

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