The morning sun peeled through the estate's windows, casting a glow on the opulent furnishings.
Lucas stirred, memories of the disastrous family dinner still present in his mind.
The tension, the arguments, and the unspoken expectations weighed heavily on him.
But today was different. Today, he decided to take control.
He tossed aside the luxurious blankets and swung his legs over the side of the bed, feeling the soft carpet beneath his feet.
The silence of the morning was a welcome respite from the dinner's cacophony. He dressed quickly, choosing comfortable training attire.
As he descended to the ground floor, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted from the kitchen.
The staff moved quietly, preparing for the day ahead. Lucas nodded to them, receiving courteous smiles in return.
Outside, the morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass. The estate's grounds stretched before him, a tranquil oasis within the bustling city.
His destination was the Morningstar training grounds, nestled within the estate's sprawling grounds. He planned to start his training and increase his rank.
In Eridoria, everyone awakens at the age of 10, forming their mana core. Ranking up required absorbing mana, enhancing the core by compressing the absorbed mana.
It also required high mana control. After all during the rank up process, delicacy and caution were crucial as excess mana could destabilize the whole core, while insufficient mana could hinder growth.
Lucas currently stood at Iron rank, the lowest rung on the ladder. "System, analyze my mana core," he requested.
[Mana Core Analysis]
*Current rank: Iron
*Mana Capacity: 150
*Mana Control: 40%
He added, setting goals for himself.
Rank up to bronze within one year if possible.
Increase mana capacity to 3000
Improve mana control to 60%
As he entered the training grounds, the sound of clashing steel and the hum of magic greeted him. Knights of the Morningstar house were scattered throughout honing their skills.
He chose a secluded spot, away from prying eyes, and began his training.
The focus was intense, his mind solely on absorbing mana and compressing it within his core.
Time passed, and sweat dripped from his brow. The knights nearby cast curious glances, but Lucas remained oblivious.
His father, Reynolds Morningstar, stood and watched from on top of one of the mansion's balconies, his eyes fixed on his son.
Surprise etched on his face, mingled with a hint of curiosity and hope perhaps. It had been two years since he last saw Lucas train.
Not his engagement to Aurora was annulled and his mother Yennifer fell into a coma. So his son's sudden resolve was a welcome change tho it wouldn't change his mind on his heir tho.
Lucas didn't notice his father's gaze. Lost in his training, he poured all his energy into enhancing his mana core.
The sun climbed higher, casting a fierce glow over the training grounds. Lucas' mana core pulsed, growing stronger.
He was just beginning