Lucius lay on his bed, arms folded behind his head, staring at the ceiling.
The Second Circle pulsed quietly within him, its presence undeniable.
This was power—refined, efficient, and under his control.
But what was power without purpose?
His body had become stronger over the past few months—enduring relentless training with Adrian and the Commander. His swordsmanship had improved drastically, his movements sharper, instincts honed.
Yet something still felt… lacking.
The Ardentis family was not just a family of knights. They were Magic Swordsmen—masters of both blade and spell. Their strength did not come from brute force alone but from the perfect balance between mana and martial prowess.
And yet… he had never truly fought like one.
Lucius had spent his past life as a mage. Magic had been his world. But swordsmanship was physical—something he was still getting used to.
Still… what if he could combine them properly?
What if he could reshape how a Magic Swordsman fought?
Most nobles relied on Mana Reinforcement, a crude technique of coating their bodies or weapons in mana to increase strength and speed. It was inefficient—wasting energy instead of truly integrating magic into battle.
Lucius wanted more.
If he could infuse his sword strikes with the controlled precision of magic, he could achieve something greater than any noble his age.
His Second Circle gave him that chance.
But before he could think further, a soft knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.
"Young Master?"
The voice of Elise, his personal maid, came from the other side.
Lucius sat up, brushing his hand through his hair. "Come in."
The door creaked open, and Elise stepped inside, bowing respectfully before closing it behind her.
She was dressed in her usual uniform—practical yet elegant. Her chestnut brown hair was tied neatly back, her emerald eyes calm and composed.
"The Duchess has requested your presence at a family dinner tomorrow evening," she informed him.
Lucius raised an eyebrow.
Family dinners weren't unheard of, but they weren't exactly common either.
His father, Duke Magnus, was often occupied with territorial and military affairs. His mother, the Duchess, was more focused on social events and managing noble relations.
Which meant… there had to be another reason.
Lucius leaned forward. "Did she say why?"
Elise hesitated for a moment before responding.
"It is in honor of Young Master Adrian's departure."
Lucius blinked. "Departure?"
"Yes," Elise nodded. "He will be leaving for the Academy the following morning."
Lucius exhaled slowly, absorbing the information.
The Academy—the empire's most prestigious institution, where noble heirs were trained in combat, magic, and strategy.
For many, it was a rite of passage.
But for Adrian… it had been a struggle.
Lucius had heard the whispers before.
Most noble children formed their First Circle at age 3 or 4, then reached the Second Circle by 8 or 9.
By the time they turned 10, the most talented nobles competed in an Empire-wide tournament—a grand event where young warriors clashed in a test of skill, mana, and strategy.
The top 10 contenders from this tournament earned direct admission into the Academy.
It was the fastest, most honorable path.
But Adrian had failed.
Eight times.
The Academy only accepted students up to age 20, and every year since he turned 10, Adrian had tried and failed to qualify.
Now, at 19, he was finally getting in—not through talent or prestige, but through sheer persistence.
Lucius frowned.
Adrian's struggles weren't because he was weak. He was strong, faster than most, and a solid swordsman.
But in a world where magic and bloodline mattered, sometimes effort wasn't enough.
Lucius could imagine the mockery Adrian must have endured—from nobles who had entered at 10 or 11, watching him try again and again.
Yet Adrian never quit.
And now, he was leaving.
Lucius leaned back, fingers tapping against his knee.
This changed things.
Adrian had been his strongest sparring partner—the only one who could push him to his limits.
With him gone, Lucius would need to find another way to refine his skills.
Or maybe… it was time to forge his own path forward.
The Academy's tournament still existed.
And if Adrian had failed at 10… then he, Lucius, could not afford to.
His power had awakened, but he had only just begun to understand it.
The next step would define him.
He just had to take it.