Samuel_Mafua_7207

Jean Luther, the youngest daughter of the prestigious Luther Clan, is both a rising swordswoman and the Emissary of Light, chosen by the goddess Celeste. After graduating from the Luther Academy, she is required to undergo a two-year assessment as an Envoy Knight, an elite order of Transcendent Master swordsmen loyal to the clan.

Upon her return, Jean is thrust into a brutal succession war for the Patriarchy of the clan. She embarks on a perilous journey to become the strongest swordsman in the world, accompanied by her divine guardian—a powerful dire wolf named Whitney.

LIGHTBEARER: THE CHRONICLE OF JEAN LUTHER

The Chamber of Aegis was unlike any training ground Jean had entered.

Carved deep within the Luther Citadel's ancient heart, the chamber was said to be blessed by the first Emissary of Celeste, where truth could not be hidden and aura bore no mask.

Jean stood in the center, Luxclade pulsing gently in her hand. Around her were runic mirrors—twelve of them—each forged to reflect not one's image, but one's soul.

The Trial Master, an Envoy Knight clad in ceremonial white and steel, stood before her.

"Final trial," he intoned. "No opponent but the one who knows you best."

From the silver surface stepped a figure—Jean Luther, but not quite.

This Jean wore jet-black armor, her hair twisted into a braid of shadows. Her aura pulsed with malice, but not rage—purposeful fury. Luxclade in her hand was corrupted, its blade blackened and cracked with crimson light.

"Funny," she said. "I thought I buried you in the Hollow."

Jean took a breath. "You're the part of me that wants to give in. The part that blames everyone. Even the gods."

The shadow nodded. "I'm the part that would burn this world down to make them pay."

The duel raged through the chamber, light and shadow spiraling in perfect symmetry. Each movement, each strike, was known—there was no secret between them. Shadow Jean fought not as an enemy, but as a mirror of Jean's every strength—and every weakness.

"I am you," she hissed. "I know the doubt in your heart. I remember your mother's screams. Your father's blood. You were powerless."

Jean stumbled back, wounds opening along her side.

"You don't want to be a leader," the shade snarled. "You want to be a weapon. So let me be that for you. Cast aside the light. Let me win this war our way."

Jean fell to one knee, the temptation like a whisper in her bones.

But then—Whitney's voice echoed in her mind.

"If you fall to your fear, you forget who you're fighting for."

"I don't deny you," she said. "But I won't be ruled by you."

"I carry my grief. My fury. My failure. But I am more than them."

She launched into the Spiral—all three in one motion—a perfect storm of light and will. Her blade struck through the shadow with blinding force, unraveling it strand by strand.

Jean stood alone, panting, blade lowered.

"Trial complete. Jean Luther—Emissary of Light—you are now a full Envoy Knight of the Luther Clan."

The chamber doors opened. Jean stepped into the light.

CHAPTER 78. DUEL OF THE SELF.