The next early morning sunlight filtered through the windows as Lucas quietly rose, taking care not to wake his parents. He had begun his day with a series of exercises—small routines to build his young body's strength and agility for preparation for the awakening ceremony, His dedication was far beyond what would be expected of a child his age, but Lucas wasn't any ordinary child. After his exercises, he moved on to bathe, washing away the traces of sleep and preparing himself for the day ahead.
When he stepped out and faced the large mirror in his room, Lucas couldn't help but pause, studying his reflection. The face staring back was undeniably otherworldly. His eyes were a rich, deep blue—like a calm yet mysterious sea, reminiscent of his mother's gaze, although his held a unique depth, a quiet resolve beyond his years. His hair, silver with faint streaks of blue, shimmered in the morning light, appearing almost ethereal, as though crafted by magic itself. It was a striking blend, reflective of his heritage. The blue hinted at the elegance of his mother, Seraphina, an elven beauty with pure white hair and eyes as blue as the sky. The silver bore resemblance to his father, Dorian, whose hair was a glistening silver that captured the essence of the Asura Clan's strength, paired with piercing black eyes that spoke of his experience and power.
Every morning, Lucas took a moment to look at himself, not out of vanity but out of wonder—he was a unique blend of two powerful lineages, and his appearance was a constant reminder of both the immense legacy he was born into and the unknown destiny awaiting him.
After finishing his morning routine, Lucas headed toward his personal library. Today, he was particularly determined to study the intricacies of the world's clans, ranks, and abilities. He knew time was precious, especially since his sister Emily would soon wake, and when she did, she would undoubtedly whisk him away to play. He couldn't refuse her—not when she looked at him with that adorable pout, her big blue eyes full of expectation. To Lucas, she was the embodiment of innocence and joy, and her energy brought a rare warmth to his life in this new world.
Once in the library, Lucas sat at a grand, wooden desk surrounded by towering shelves filled with books. The library was an invaluable treasure trove, a quiet sanctuary where he could deepen his understanding of the complex world he was now a part of.
He turned the pages of an ancient tome, one that delved into the world's ranking systems and clan hierarchies. His first subject of study was Potential. The potential rankings were divided into several levels:
F, E, D, C, B, A, S, SS, and SSS.
Most people's potential would cap at a level far below the extraordinary heights of SS or SSS. F represented the potential of a regular human, while S and above were generally seen only among prodigies, legendary figures, or those from the most elite lineages. For the majority of people, it was widely accepted that +SS was the highest potential one could ever reach. And yet, Lucas knew something that no one else could fathom: he was an anomaly, with a staggering +SSS potential. This revelation filled him with a complex mixture of pride and responsibility.
Lucas moved on to read about the Rank System:
The ranks mirrored the potential structure: F, E, D, C, B, A, S, SS, each with three sub-ranks: -F, F, +F, and so on up to +SS.
Within the public eye, +SS was regarded as the ultimate rank. People believed that only the most powerful individuals, such as the principal of Nova Academy of Heroes or the patriarchs of the Supreme Clans, could reach such a peak. For a child his age, Lucas's rank of -F was unheard of, a rare and exceptional starting point that set him on a path of limitless growth.
Lucas then studied the God-Level Clans and the power they held. They were shrouded in mystery, for their members were rumored to possess ranks beyond SS, including some who had achieved the nearly mythical -SSS rank. However, he noted that these individuals didn't reach -SSS through raw potential alone. They achieved it through decades of arduous training, utilizing immense resources, rare potions, and relics, enabling them to push their limits far beyond ordinary boundaries. His own father, Dorian Nightshade, was renowned for reaching SSS rank in his early fifties, a feat that made him a legend even within the Asura Clan. Dorian's potential was +SS, and his mastery of three elements—fire, lightning, and shadow—added to his reputation. The shadow element was especially notable, as it was a trait tied closely to the Asura Clan, rare outside their bloodline, giving them their trademark speed and stealth.
The section on Bloodlines provided another layer of insight. Bloodlines were also ranked, their strength varying from family to family, clan to clan:
1. Low-Level Bloodline
2. Normal Bloodline
3. High Bloodline
4. Exceptional Bloodline
5. Rare Bloodline
6. Mythical Bloodline
7. God-Level Bloodline
The God-Level Clans, such as the Asura and Surya Clans, were blessed with Mythical Bloodlines among their direct descendants. The direct line members of these clans were most likely to awaken powerful affinities, while distant relatives or lesser clan members faced greater challenges in awakening them. The strength of a bloodline could often determine a person's talent and potential, shaping their role and future within the clan.
Next, Lucas came across information on Skills and Relics. Skills, like potential and rank, ranged from F to SS. The Supreme Clans each possessed a single SS-level skill and an SS relic, which were fiercely guarded as ancestral treasures. These relics, often weapons of unmatched power, were passed down through generations, granted only to the heads of the clans. He knew that some SSS-ranked skills and relics were hidden in the world, knowledge he retained from his previous life, along with the location of several of these hidden artifacts. However, even the Asura Clan's extensive library contained no further information on SSS skills or relics.
Just as Lucas sighed, feeling a twinge of frustration at the missing information, he heard a familiar voice calling him.
"Lucas!" Emily's voice echoed through the quiet library as she burst in, her eyes alight with joy. She darted toward him, pulling him away from his books and urging him to come and play. Caught off guard but smiling, Lucas allowed her to drag him outside.
They played for hours in the gardens, chasing each other, laughing, and tumbling in the grass. But as they played, a memory of his sister from his previous life rose within him, soft and bittersweet. He paused, momentarily overwhelmed. Emily, noticing his sudden sadness, immediately stopped and ran to him, throwing her arms around him in a comforting hug.
"Why are your eyes wet, big brother?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Lucas wiped his eyes and managed a gentle smile, reassuring her. "It's nothing," he said, "just a memory." He didn't explain further, knowing she wouldn't understand, and she seemed to sense that he didn't want to talk about it.
After a moment, he gave her a little pat on the head and told her he needed to return to the library. Emily looked a bit disappointed but nodded, letting him go.
As he walked back to his books, Lucas couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the family he now had in this world. Emily's warmth, his mother's kindness, and his father's pride—all of it made this new life feel real and precious. And as he resumed his studies, he felt more determined than ever to use every resource, every piece of knowledge he could acquire, to protect them and to grow strong enough to face the uncertain future ahead.