Chapter 10: The Path Before Him
Ding.
[Host has absorbed a wisp of Originat. You have gained 10 EXP and 2 SP.]
Ding.
[Host has absorbed a wisp of Originat. You have gained 10 EXP and 2 SP.]
Ding.
[Host has absorbed a wisp of Originat. You have gained 10 EXP and 2 SP.]
Ding.
[Host has absorbed a wisp of Originat. You have gained 10 EXP and 2 SP.]
Ding.
[Host has absorbed a wisp of Originat. You have gained 10 EXP and 2 SP.]
....
Ding. Ding. Ding.
The notifications flooded his vision. Each second, a wisp of Originat seeped into his skin—warm, gentle, like sunlight through a window. Within ten seconds, the final chime came.
Ding.
[Host has leveled up. +5 to all stats (2 from leveling, 2 from physique, 1 from fire element, and phoenix trace).]
Lucien didn’t stop. He needed another 150 EXP. Fifteen seconds later, another Ding chimed.
[Host has leveled up. +5 to all stats.]
He opened his eyes. His muscles felt denser. His breath was deeper.
He wanted to continue, but a maid came to tell him it was time for dinner.
He hadn’t eaten since morning because of what had happened earlier that day, and he felt no hunger at all. He knew this was due to his changed physique.
He smiled and stood up.
He walked toward the dining room—a classy one.
The doors were carved from dark, ancient wood, polished to a soft, gleaming finish. Iron handles shaped as coiled dragons gleamed under the lantern light. When he pushed them open, the scent of roasted meat, fresh bread, and spiced wine washed over him.
The room was long and wide, with a ceiling that rose high enough to swallow sound. A chandelier of crystal and silver hung above a massive table of polished obsidian, its surface reflecting the flickering flames of wall-mounted torches. The chairs were high-backed, upholstered in deep crimson velvet, each one carved with the Veyrion Clan crest—a dragon coiled around a throne.
At the far end, a grand fireplace crackled, casting warm shadows across the stone floor. Tapestries depicting ancient battles and clan victories lined the walls, their colors still vibrant despite their age.
The table was set for eight, though only five places were filled. His parents sat at the head—Valyra on the left, David on the right. Seraphina sat beside his mother, her black hair catching the firelight like embers. Kael sat across from her, leaning back with a lazy smile.
Lucien’s footsteps echoed softly as he approached. Everyone looked up. His mother’s eyes glistened.
"Come, sit," she said, her voice warm. "Tonight, we eat as a family."
Lucien took his place beside Seraphina. Her hand found his under the table and squeezed.
Instinctively, he glanced at her. Her cheeks were red, and she was grinning at him.
He chuckled inwardly. He had forgotten that his wife was a bit obsessive.
Not long after, the chef served the dishes.
And of course, the dishes here couldn’t be compared to those on Earth.
Every dish carried dense traces of Originat. Even ordinary mortals who consumed such meals daily could live far beyond a century.
Even though some food items like vegetables, meat, rice, and others were similar in appearance to those of Earth, they were nourished with rich Originat.
Lucien glanced at the dishes and was surprised to see that the food served to him were his favourites.
"It’s your day, enjoy it," his father said.
No words were needed as he dived into the food.
Valyra smiled as she watched her son eating. She took one of the side dishes and added it to his meal.
"Thanks, Mom," he said as he ate what she gave him.
As he drank wine with his meal, he felt an intense glare from the side.
It jolted him into turning. Seraphina was pouting her lips.
She also took one of the side dishes and placed it on his plate. "Eat well, husband."
She flashed him a smile.
Everyone at the dining table noticed this and laughed.
This wasn’t the first time Seraphina had done this.
Almost every dinner, she found a way to get attached to Lucien.
They had thought that since they were married, she would stop the behaviour. But who would have known it would have become more intense?
Before long, the dinner became a romance scene for them.
She started feeding him. When he finished a bite, she wiped his mouth with her napkin, her eyes never leaving his face. Whenever he chewed, she stared—mesmerized by his lips, his eyelashes, his jaw.
Lucien could only follow along. He had gotten used to it.
His family just chuckled. It was good to be young.
"Dad, Mum, I have something to discuss."
After dinner, Lucien stopped everyone.
"I am planning on going out on a journey for a better experience of the world."
His words were like glass shattering to his parents.
His mother shook her head. "No, the world is dangerous out there, and you are still weak."
His father nodded in silence.
"I know I am weak," Lucien said, "but which expert doesn’t grow while stepping on bones and soaking in blood? Mom, Dad, I’m sure numerous beings have died at your hands, which honed your battle instinct and made you the formidable experts you are."
"And also, you know, because of my weak body, I couldn’t go out an inch from the mansion. Mom, Dad, I want to see what the world has to offer."
Lucien tried reasoning with his parents.
He wanted to hone his fighting skills, and with the system, he could gain experience points and level up.
It was like killing two birds with one stone.
His parents glanced at Seraphina, who shrugged her shoulders. "As long as I am following him, it doesn’t matter where we go. Our lives are tied together."
His parents were relieved at her words and turned to him.
"Okay, we get that you want to explore the world, but the world out there might not be what it seems. With Seraphina, I am relieved about your safety," his mother said.
His gaze turned to his father.
"Since your mother agreed, then I have no problem. As a man, you can’t live under the shadow of others. You have to learn how to stand on your own, especially since you are married. But don’t forget to come back within three weeks for the enrollment into Aethel Academy," his father said profoundly.
Delight filled Lucien’s heart as he thanked both his parents.
For the first time, the path ahead felt wide open.
