Lucas's POV
I always knew I was meant to be a hero.
When I first saw Arthur, I imagined that was what a hero looked like — calm, strong, the kind of person who could smile through battle and make others believe in victory. He had the temperament, the courage, and the stories that began to circle around him only reinforced my idea of what a hero should be.
But today shattered that image completely.
Evelyn stood across from Marcus, her expression calm but unreadable. I'd seen her fight before — sparring sessions, light demonstrations, nothing more. But this was different.
Her mana didn't even reach us directly, yet it pressed against the air like a storm trying to escape its cage. Even Mr. Ivan looked pale, sweat running down his temple. Mrs. Lily's magic shimmered as she tried to contain her daughter's energy within the barrier, and I could tell she was struggling.
Then, suddenly — silence.
The pressure vanished, leaving behind an echo in my chest. Marcus was on the floor, pale and gasping, and Evelyn stood over him like a mountain that had learned to take the shape of a person. She smiled faintly, said something to him I couldn't hear, and then it was over.
Mr. Ivan asked us to leave. He stayed behind with Marcus, but I couldn't focus on anything else. My mind was spinning.
Back in my room, I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my hands.
She's the previous hero. I'm supposed to be the current one.
But how can I call myself that when I can't even comprehend what she just did?
That kind of strength — it didn't look human. It looked like something from a legend, the kind of thing that only existed in the games and stories from the world I used to know.
And yet, here it was. Real. Tangible. Unquestionable.
There was a gentle knock on the door, and Mrs. Lily's voice followed.
"I know you haven't slept yet, Lucas. May I come in?"
I hesitated, then said, "...Come in."
She stepped inside, smiling softly as she sat in the chair beside my desk.
"Evelyn wasn't just respecting Marcus's request," she said. "She was showing you something — a glimpse of what's possible for you. A reminder of what kind of strength you'll one day need."
I looked away. "But I can't even start cultivating until I'm ten. That's three years from now. She's already at the top of the mountain, and I don't even know how to take the first step."
Mrs. Lily's smile didn't waver. "You don't have to climb it all at once. Evelyn wouldn't have shown you that view if she didn't believe you could reach it. She sees something in you — and when the time comes, she'll help you find the path."
Her words stayed with me long after she left the room.
I lay back, staring at the ceiling, the image of Evelyn's power still fresh in my mind. She didn't mean to pressure me, but she didn't have to — the example she set was enough.
She showed me the top, and for the first time, I realized how far I still had to go.