Chapter 5: The Gathering Storm

The Trial Grounds stretched endlessly—like a battlefield carved from storm clouds and ancient ambition.

Vast. Empty. Yet brimming with tension.

Mana buzzed in the air, thick and electric. A silence before a thunderclap.

Tens of thousands had gathered.

Heirs. Prodigies. Monsters cloaked in youth and promise.

And among them… some stood above all.

The Nine Great Families had arrived in full force.

Eyes—sharp, judgmental, and burning with curiosity—turned toward the front.

---

A sword aura split the air as if it meant to rip space apart.

Ignis Vaelthorn.

The Sword Emperor in the making. The original protagonist of the novel Lucien once read.

Now? A rival.

He stood still, sheathed sword humming, not from enchantment—but from will.

Power gathered around him like threads around a spindle. Orderly. Absolute.

[SYSTEM INTERFACE – ACCESS GRANTED]

Name: Ignis Vaelthorn

Race: Human

Age: 16 Years, 2 Months

Rank: D+ Rank

Level: 29

Traits:

[Sword God – SSS+ Grade]

[Combat Genius – SS+ Grade]

Skills:

Vaelthorn Swordsmanship – Lv. 10

Quick Draw – Lv. 8

Sword Aura Manipulation – Lv. 9

High-Speed Combat Movement – Lv. 9

Flame Edge – Lv. 7

Instant Counter – Lv. 6

Precision Focus – Lv. 5

Battle Perception – Lv. 6

Explosive Burst – Lv. 5

---

Liana von Dragora—the Dragon Princess.

Cold. Regal. Beyond reach.

Straight silver hair flowed to her knees.

Amethyst eyes, edged like crystalline blades.

Lips like frost-touched cherries.

Engaged to Lucien since birth.

She stood tall and watched him—no words, no warmth.

But behind her royal gaze: curiosity. Apprehension.

Something new had awakened in him.

---

A Vampire Prince leaned lazily on his scabbard. His breath carried ancient coldness.

An Elven Princess glowed—her light a balm in this storm of egos.

The Dwarven Heir stomped forward, shaking the earth with each step.

An Orc Son grinned, bloodlust painted across his tusked face.

The Witch Disciple, face half-covered by a hood, whispered to her shadows.

The Beastman Princess stretched—cat-like and lethal, tail swaying.

And then—

A ripple.

A breathless silence.

A Titan-blooded youth stepped forward.

No hair. Skin dark and smooth like volcanic glass. Eyes glowing amber.

His footsteps cracked the stone beneath.

The world itself seemed to lean away from him.

---

And then…

Lucien Arkanveil entered.

Not with an explosion.

But with gravity.

The kind of presence that made people forget to breathe.

Eyes turned.

Whispers ignited like sparks in dry grass.

> "That's the Arkanveil heir?"

"He's not even the official successor."

"But he's already quasi C-Rank..."

"Wait—he's younger than Ignis?!"

[SYSTEM INTERFACE – ACCESS GRANTED]

Name: Lucien Arkanveil

Race: Human (Primordial Bloodline – Arkanveil Core)

Age: 16 Years, 0 Months

Level: 30

Rank: Quasi C-Rank

Traits:

[Devour – EX Grade]

[Adaptation – SSS Grade] (Evolved: Flow of Adaptation)

[Eye of Data – SSS Grade] (Devoured)

[Rubberman – A Grade] (Devoured)

[Shadow General – SSS Grade] (Upgraded from Shadow Soldier)

Skills:

Flow of Adaptation – S Rank (Perfected Flow Achieved)

Reactive Sword Style – Lv. 3

Mana Resonance – Lv. 9

Spatial Instinct – Lv. 2

Phantom Steps – Lv. 3

Meditation – Mastered (Passive: Divine Mind Stability)

Advanced Light Weaving – Lv. 6

Divine Warding Magic – Awakened: Divine Bastion (Minor)

Radiant Mana Control – Mastered (Integrated into Core Control)

Solar Flame Resistance – (Passive: Inner Furnace)

Internal Mana Circuit Control – Refined: 68.5%

Shadow General Trait – SSS Grade:

Shadow Limit: 100

Current Shadows: 3 (General Class)

Resurrection Condition: F-Rank kills and above only

Storage Capacity:

Current: 100 Cubic Meters

Bound Items:

Soulforge Catalyst

Azrien's Flame Pendant

Adaptive Combat Notes

Forged Blade of Resonance

Beast Cores x7

Shadow Core x1 (New)

---

Ignis turned. His sword pulsed, reacting to the shift.

Eyes met.

Sparks flew.

> "You're not the only one with two Traits anymore," Lucien said, voice quiet, almost bored.

Ignis didn't blink.

> "You're still not me," the Sword Emperor replied.

Lucien smiled—cold and unreadable.

> "And you're still not enough."

---

"BEGIN PHASE ONE: THE THOUSAND STEPS OF WORTH!"

The Instructor's voice cracked like thunder across the grounds.

A tower of light erupted at the trial gate.

The world trembled.

Every heir turned.

Their mana surged.

Lucien stepped forward—

And then—

The ground beneath him vanished.