The moon had shifted slightly by the time Lucian stood up again.
His body was still sore. Not injured—but sore. That kind of ache that came from real fighting, from survival. His shirt clung to his back with dried sweat, and faint wisps of mana still leaked off his fingertips, even though the Advancement Trial was long over.
He should've rested.
He didn't.
Lucian stepped toward the edge of his dorm, looking out the tall window that overlooked Aethra's west wing. Lights shimmered across the city beyond. Distant towers blinked like signals. His reflection hovered faintly in the glass—tired eyes, loose hair, bloodstains on his collar.
A-Rank.
He finally hit it.
And yet—he didn't feel like celebrating. Not even close.
"…Cael."
[System Online.]
Lucian didn't move. He just kept staring out the window.
"I want to break through again."
A brief pause.
Then the system's voice came through, a little slower this time.
[Request Registered.]
[Rank Advancement Attempt – S-Rank.]
