Chapter 6: First Lesson & New Dimension
The training ground of the Vermithorne estate was a mid-sized courtyard, ringed by aged stone walls that had seen centuries of quiet conflict. The ground was packed dirt, worn smooth from decades of practice — though Lucen noticed that only a few fresh footprints disturbed its surface. It felt more like a relic than a place of learning.
Lucen stood there in his slightly too-large training clothes, the cool morning breeze brushing against his face. His small fingers flexed around the wooden practice sword he'd been given, its weight familiar and yet untested in his small hand. He shifted his stance slightly, feeling the texture of the dirt beneath his bare feet.
His nanny stood behind him, calm and composed as always. Her face was expressionless, but Lucen could see the faint flicker of disdain in her gaze as she regarded the man standing before them.
The so-called teacher.
Tall and thin, with dull brown eyes that flickered nervously under Lucen's steady stare, the man introduced himself as Ileiad Letiem — the fourth elder of the council, chosen to train the youngest Vermithorne heir. Lucen's system window opened in his mind, its mechanical voice as cold and precise as ever.
Name: Ileiad LetiemAge: 30Unique Ability: NoneAbility: Skilled LiarAll Stats: E and some FTitles: Scum of Humans
Lucen's red eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly as he read the system's report.
(Scum, huh. I can see it…)(Also, who exactly is giving these titles? They started popping up around when I was four. That was when I checked my nanny and saw her title — Sword Master, fourth stage. This family is very dangerous indeed… An "abandoned" child like me has a nanny who's a Sword Master.)
Ileiad cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with the quiet intensity of Lucen's gaze. "Young master, today we begin the basics," he said, his voice thin and reedy. "Hold your sword straight — like this."
He demonstrated, but Lucen's trained eye caught every flaw in the man's stance. His shoulders were too high, his grip uncertain. Lucen's lips twitched in a faint smile.
(Hmmm. Let's play with him for a while… I'll pretend to be weak. It's better to stay out of this family's power struggles — when the tower appears in this world, as the goddess said, I'll leave and become a climber. Besides, what's the point of having power if this world and my family are destined for chaos soon enough? Let my brothers fight for the throne… I'll find my own path.)
Lucen stumbled forward, the wooden sword dipping low. Ileiad's eyes brightened faintly at the sight of Lucen's "awkward" stance. "Yes… good, young master. Let's begin with the basic strikes."
His nanny remained silent, but Lucen could feel her quiet fury. Her fingers twitched — the same small, almost imperceptible motion she always made when something displeased her. She was a Sword Master herself, and she could see through Ileiad's incompetent posturing as easily as Lucen could.
Lucen moved in rhythm with the wind, his red eyes calm as he played his part. The ancient walls of the Vermithorne estate watched in silence, just as Luna did — hidden somewhere close by, her silent presence always at his back.
By lunchtime, the so-called "lesson" was over. Lucen's arms ached, though not from strain — from holding back the urge to show what he was truly capable of. He set the wooden sword down and dusted off his small hands.
His nanny approached, her voice soft and even. "Young master," she said quietly, "would you like me to arrange for a different teacher?"
Lucen tilted his head up, giving her a small, polite smile. "No, it's fine, nanny. I'll do my best and become someone great like Dad."
(Of course… I'm going to use my own training code. Right, my dear system…?)
Behind them, Luna watched in silence as always. But then, for the first time, she parted her lips — her voice a soft, almost chilling whisper that slipped into the air like a blade.
"Would you like me to kill him?" she asked, her tone as casual as if she were offering to pour him tea.
Lucen and his nanny froze. A rare flicker of shock widened Lucen's crimson eyes.
(Wow… our cute little Luna spoke. Wait, wait — what kill? What kind of bastard dares to teach a child like this in our family…? Oh, right. This damn family…)
His nanny's expression turned serious, her eyes narrowing. "Let's discuss this later," she said firmly, her voice cold steel beneath velvet.
Lucen felt a small shiver run down his spine — a chill that settled in his chest. But he managed a faint smile, his small fists tightening in quiet resolve.
(Well… they're on my side, so it's okay.)
After lunch, Lucen returned to his room. He paused for a moment in the doorway, letting the quiet of the space wash over him. The mid-sized quarters were dim, only a single window letting in a thin shaft of light. Even the air seemed to hold its breath — as if the walls themselves watched.
He stripped off his training clothes, stepping into the small adjoining bath. The icy water bit at his skin, a cold shock that cleared his mind. He closed his eyes, the chill sinking deep, washing away the dust and sweat of the morning. When he emerged, he felt clean — and sharper than ever.
Wrapped in a towel, Lucen sat cross-legged on his bed, his crimson eyes calm as he opened the system in his mind.
"Hey, system," he murmured softly. "Let me confirm this broken ability. Do you swear this skill's description is correct?"
System: "Yes."
Lucen's gaze sharpened. He read the skill description again:
Summon — to fully activate this skill, the owner of the skill must have died once.Full details of skill: You have experienced death once and are now able to use your skill fully. Do you want to activate the skill?
A faint smile curved his lips.
"Well… okay."
The system's voice chimed in his mind like a bell tolling in a dark cathedral.System: "Congratulations. You have obtained the system's first divine-level skill: Dimension Traveler."
Skill: Dimension TravelerDescription: Once a year, the user can travel to a different dimension. During the journey, your own world will not progress in time.Skill Level 1: The user can bring anything from the other dimension back to the current world (with conditions).Skill Level 2: UnknownSkill Level 3: Unknown
Lucen's heart thudded in his chest, excitement and wonder blooming in his veins.
"Oh… jackpot," he whispered. "Well, anyway… my life is important. So… let's test it now."
He closed his eyes, focusing on the flickering spark of power deep inside. The room darkened, the air thick and heavy — and then, with a soft sigh, the world fell away.
Darkness swallowed him whole.
When Lucen opened his eyes, he was somewhere else entirely. Ruins stretched around him — towering pillars cracked and broken, statues worn smooth by centuries of wind. The place felt desolate and ancient, every stone echoing with silence.
Lucen shivered, a small chill crawling up his spine. He looked up — and saw it.
A huge, unblinking eye stared down from the sky, vast and alien. In that instant, real fear gripped Lucen's small chest.
The world went black again.
System: "Please choose your desired dimension."
Lucen steadied his breathing.
Available Dimensions:
Murim
Welpiam
Nine Hell
He paused, drawing a slow, steady breath.
"Oh, damn it… whatever. I'm going to Murim — my favorite martial arts world. Let's go now. I hope this trip will be fruitful."
In an instant, the darkness fell away. Lucen blinked against the sudden brightness — and found himself standing at the peak of a lonely mountain, the wind sharp and clean in his lungs. Far below, endless valleys stretched in every direction, shrouded in mist and mystery.
A faint smile touched his lips.
(This… well this is broken )