Lucian stirred as the morning light spilled through the grand curtains of his room in the Rael estate, painting the polished marble floor with golden hues. The soft glow illuminated the intricate carvings on the wooden furniture and the silken tapestries that adorned the walls, a stark contrast to the rugged simplicity of his former life in the Maywood Forest. The comfort of the plush bed beneath him was still foreign, but he had to admit there was a strange comfort in waking up surrounded by life instead of solitude. He stretched, his body still accustomed to the rough mornings of the Maywood Forest. For a moment, his hand reached instinctively for a spear that wasn't there.
"Damn! My spear!" he groaned, sitting up abruptly. Memories of battles and hunts flashed in his mind, and the absence of his trusted weapon felt like missing a limb.
Shaking his head, Lucian muttered, "Whatever. They must have something I can use at the academy." He swung his legs off the bed and stretched once more before dressing in his training gear.
The mansion was silent as he ventured out of his room and made his way downstairs. The scent of the estate's kitchens drew him toward the expansive dining hall. Instead of a servant or maid bringing him a meal, Lucian had another idea. After a quick search, he found the kitchen and peered into the massive refrigerator.
"Woah," he muttered, marveling at the sheer quantity and quality of ingredients. Pulling out some eggs and meat, he grinned. "Let's make something good."
Firing up the grill, Lucian moved with practiced ease, cracking eggs and slicing meat. The sharp hiss of oil meeting the pan filled the air, accompanied by the rich, savory aroma of sizzling meat. The golden yolks of the eggs began to bubble and set, adding a warm, hearty scent that mingled perfectly with the smoky fragrance rising from the grill. The sizzle filled the air as he began preparing a hearty breakfast. Years of surviving on his own had made cooking second nature, and he found himself humming softly as he worked. Without realizing it, he had made enough food for more than just himself.
The sound of footsteps startled him, and he turned to see a group of maids entering the kitchen. Their expressions shifted from confusion to shock as they took in the sight of him cooking.
"Master Lucian?" the head maid asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Lucian turned, waving a spatula casually. "You don't have to call me that. It's weird."
The maid shook her head. "Apologies, but as a member of the Rael family, it is my duty to address you formally."
Lucian rolled his eyes, returning his attention to the food. "Whatever floats your boat."
Her gaze lingered on the spread he had prepared. "Master Lucian, you didn't need to make breakfast. That is our responsibility."
He shrugged. "Force of habit. And it's not like I'm up early or anything."
The head maid's expression turned to one of mild amusement. "Early? This time is unusual for anyone in the house. Most of the Rael family members rise much later."
Lucian's confusion was evident, but he didn't dwell on it. He grabbed a plate and served himself a hearty portion before leaving the rest for the household. The maids watched, bemused, as he carried his food to the table, eating with the quiet satisfaction of someone used to solitude.
After breakfast, Lucian headed to the Rael family's training grounds. The estate warriors were already gathered, their morning routines underway. As he entered, they greeted him respectfully.
"Good morning, Master Lucian," they chorused.
Lucian nodded. "Morning."
Choosing a quiet corner, he sat cross legged and began meditating. His breathing slowed as he struggled to steady the turbulent energy within. A sharp, tingling sensation crawled through his veins, followed by an intense pressure in his chest that threatened to crush him. Beads of sweat dripped down his temples as he fought to mold the chaotic Qi into a cohesive sphere. The echoes of past failures haunted him, but he clenched his fists, refusing to give in. Each breath felt like a battle, but he pressed on, the determination in his heart burning brighter with every moment of agony. He focused on his Qi, preparing for a breakthrough. His goal was clear: enter the Qi Refining Realm's first stage, Qi Condensation, by creating a dantian. This crucial step would solidify his foundation, allowing him to store and refine Qi more effectively.
The process was arduous. Lucian's breaths grew steady, his focus unwavering as he visualized the creation of the dantian. Hours passed as he directed the chaotic energy within him into a stable, rotating sphere at his core. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but he persisted.
The warriors paused their training to observe. A golden hue surrounded Lucian, faint tendrils of Qi spiraling around him. The air grew heavy with energy as the ground beneath him trembled slightly. A sudden burst of Qi erupted from his body, a deafening crack echoing across the grounds as golden energy spiraled outward in a dazzling display. The force sent a shockwave rippling through the air, scattering loose dirt and causing the nearby training dummies to tremble. The ground beneath him cratered visibly, shards of earth flung outward as the raw power of his Qi settled, leaving a faint shimmer in its wake. The faint golden light around him intensified before fading as he opened his eyes.
Lucian stood, flexing his hands. A confident smile played on his lips. Channeling his newly condensed Qi, he performed the "Tiger Claw" technique, his hands glowing faintly as he slashed through a training dummy. The power of the strike was far greater than before, and the dummy splintered under the force. The warriors around him stared, mouths agape.
"Perfect," Lucian muttered. "Maybe I won't even need a weapon for the exam."
Back at the mansion, the Rael family gathered in the dining hall for a late breakfast. Althea, elegantly seated at the head of the table, sipped her tea as she glanced at her siblings. Theron was recounting a recent sparring session with exaggerated bravado, earning an eye roll from Aurelius. Valian, ever the instigator, teased Theron with playful jabs, prompting laughter from the younger siblings. Despite the lighthearted banter, Aurelius maintained his usual stoic demeanor, his sharp gaze occasionally drifting toward the window, as if expecting something to interrupt their routine. Plates piled high with food, they chatted leisurely until Althea glanced around the table.
"Where is Lucian?" she asked, her tone curious.
Theron smirked, nudging Valian. "Let's throw water on him to wake him up. A little prank to start the day."
Valian chuckled, but Aurelius rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Act your age," he said, his voice sharp.
Before any of them could act, a powerful surge of Qi rippled through the estate. The siblings froze, their attention drawn to the window overlooking the training grounds. They saw a faint golden light fading in the distance and a crater marking the earth.
"What in the world?" Althea murmured.
As they watched, Lucian strode toward the mansion, his expression calm but focused. Aurelius's gaze lingered on him, a hint of respect replacing his usual aloofness.
At the table, Arius laughed heartily, tearing into a piece of meat. "Looks like the boy decided to train early," he said, his voice filled with amusement.
Valian, chewing thoughtfully, suddenly paused. "Wait... this meat. It's seasoned differently today."
Althea raised an eyebrow, taking a delicate bite of her eggs. "You're right. It's quite good, actually. Did the maids hire a new cook?"
The head maid, who had just entered the dining hall, cleared her throat, looking slightly nervous. "Actually, Lady Althea, Master Lucian prepared this breakfast himself."
The room fell silent for a moment as the siblings exchanged incredulous glances.
Theron's fork clattered onto his plate. "Lucian? Cooked this?"
Aurelius smirked faintly, leaning back in his chair. "It seems the boy has more skills than we gave him credit for."
Valian chuckled. "I'm not sure if I should be impressed or worried that he's better at this than the kitchen staff."
Althea's lips twitched into a smile. "Well, I must say, it's a pleasant surprise. Perhaps we should let him take over breakfast duties more often."
Their laughter and teasing resumed, but now with a renewed curiosity about their unusual guest. Aurelius, however, remained quiet, his thoughts focused on the impressive display of power he had just witnessed.
Lucian entered the mansion, his clothes dusted from training. Without a word, he made his way upstairs to wash up. The Rael family watched him go, their curiosity piqued.
As he reached his room, Lucian couldn't help but smile to himself. The day had just begun.