The Crest of Ruin

The afternoon sun dipped low by the time the garden meeting ended. The sound of clinking teacups and Aria's soft laughter had faded into the distance as Lucien politely excused himself.

He bowed slightly toward his father, who gave a rare, faint nod in return. Aria waved with both hands, grinning as she returned to chasing a butterfly around the flowerbed.

Lucien turned on his heel, stepping away from the garden path with slow, thoughtful strides. The moment he disappeared behind the hedge arch, Kael exhaled quietly, setting his half-finished cup on the tray.

Ellis, who had been standing nearby with her usual composed silence, finally spoke.

"My lord… you finally looked at peace today," she said softly. "It's been a long time since I saw that expression."

Kael didn't respond immediately. His violet eyes stayed locked on the garden, where Aria's silver hair glinted in the light, and the gentle breeze ruffled the leaves of the old hawthorn tree.

"It was a relief," Kael finally murmured. "To tell him. To say it plainly, without hiding. Celcia… would have wanted that too."

Ellen lowered her gaze respectfully.

"Of course, my lord. Madam's greatest wish was always for this household to remain whole. Even in her final days, her heart beat only for you… and the children."

Kael looked down at his hands—calloused and powerful, but trembling faintly.

"I couldn't protect her from fate. But maybe… I can protect what remains."

"Ellis gave a statisfied smile...as finally she saw some spark in his master eyes after all those years"

Lucien entered his chambers quietly. The ornate door clicked shut behind him, leaving the air heavy with silence.

He stood still for a moment, letting the quiet sink in. His mind replayed the garden conversation like a loop.

"Why didn't I trust him?""He always stood by us. Even when he didn't speak much… even when he was cold towards us..he---he---."

He stared at the wall, fists tightening.

"I was so blinded by the guilt and rage of my past life that I forgot to look closely to even my family."

But he shook his head and walked forward.

"No more regrets. I've come too far to sink into what-ifs. I'll make it right from now on. For myself… and for them."

"I should do some training so get my mind to peace...haash"

Lucien went to the training hall...after wearing his training garments.

The training hall glowed with ambient magic, mana crystals embedded in the ceiling casting a cold, bluish light over the polished stone.

Several young mages of the Velentis estate were in the midst of drills, casting spells, reinforcing control exercises, and honing their reflexes.

Lucien entered with quiet authority. His presence, now recognized by most, still made a few of them pause. He spotted one of the estate's senior young mages—Kieran Vael, a 3rd Circle mage and distant cousin of a vassal family.

Kieran was known for his aggressive elemental style, especially with wind and lightning.

"Kieran," Lucien called calmly.

Kieran looked up, raising a brow.

"Young master?"

"Spar with me. I need full-speed combat practice."

The other mages glanced around, some awkwardly stepping aside. Kieran's expression shifted from confusion to interest. 

"Understood."

They moved to the sparring area, both activating barrier seals to prevent fatal damage. Lucien cracked his neck and drew out his mana, his aura simmering with calm, but potent energy.

The training chamber echoed with bursts of mana and scorched air.

Lucien adjusted the cuff of his combat robe, the hem stitched with violet thread that shimmered faintly with enchantment. His staff—a sleek obsidian rod with a jagged amethyst at its tip—glowed faintly.

"Let's begin," Lucien said flatly.

Kieran didn't hesitate.

A [Flame Fang] spell burst from Kieran's hand—conjuring a crescent-shaped arc of fire that scorched forward like a wolf's bite.

Lucien flicked his wrist.

[Manashield Veil] — a transparent disc of layered mana shimmered in front of him, absorbing the blow just in time.

He retaliated instantly, using [Arc Burst]—a concentrated lance of crackling blue energy that shot forward in a straight line.

Kieran deflected it with ease using a [Flame Twister], spinning it into the air and launching a follow-up volley.

He's fast.Lucien's boots glowed softly as he activated [Blink Step], warping just beside the projectile, wind brushing his face as it missed.

The two mages exchanged spell after spell—Kieran's power constantly pressing forward, while Lucien weaved between openings with sharp counters.

"You've improved," Kieran said, conjuring twin fire spears. "But your output's still limited."

"Maybe," Lucien murmured. "But I don't need power to strike your weak spot."

With a sharp chant, Lucien cast [Mana Wire]—a nearly invisible filament of compressed mana that slithered across the floor toward Kieran's ankle.

Kieran caught it just in time and jumped—only to find Lucien had already warped mid-air and cast [Pressure Shard], an explosive mid-range spell.

The impact struck Kieran's barrier, cracking it slightly. He landed, skidding back.

"Tricky brat," Kieran muttered with a grin.

Lucien stood panting, a faint line of sweat down his temple. His eyes were sharp, calculating.

He's definitely stronger. But even if I pushed harder… I'm still not at Third Circle. So, it's difficult to win against him...I have to get stronger faster it's still not enough

Kieran raised his hand in acknowledgement.

"Match ends here. "

Lucien gave a quiet nod, breathing heavily. After that he started leaving the training ground thinking about his progress

I am still weak...It's faster than previous life. I know I must not hurry too much well...just 1 or 2 month I'll too achieve the 3rd circle soon. I just need that artifact...well it's gonna be mine soon.

Lucien stood by the window, watching the soft hues of dawn crawl across the horizon. He was thinking about the final match tomorrow that this time it's going to be him winning everyone over.

"After that Lucien slept as it's going to be long day tomorrow"

"In the morning"

The chamber door creaked.

"Good morning, Young Master," said Lyra, stepping in with her usual grace. "Today's your final match. Breakfast is ready, and your ceremonial robes are pressed."

Lucien nodded. "Thank you."

After washing and getting dressed — his robes ink-black, threaded with violet streaks that shimmered faintly with warding runes — he looked into the mirror.

Dark hair, tousled to perfection. Violet eyes — not cold, but unreadable.

Let's finish this...

The crowd buzzed like a swarm of mana-charged bees.

In the open courtyard where the duels would take place, noble families had gathered, perched like hawks on their velvet-cloaked viewing platforms. Servants stood straight, guards lined the edges, and the arena shimmered faintly from the protective barrier cast by the Duke himself.

Lucien stood calmly on the far end of the circular field, arms folded, black robe fluttering gently with the morning wind. He was excited to fight them...but maintained a cold posture towards everyone like he doesn't care.

"After few minutes an elder mage announces the match"

"—First match!" the mage announcer's voice rang, magically amplified. "Lucien Velentis versus Ceyla Drell!"

Across from him, Ceyla walked up with the grace of a noble lady. She wore pale blue dueling robes marked with the Drell sigil. Her face? Completely calm it was just too calm.

Then she smiled.

Lucien felt a cold sweat trickle.

Not this again.

Ceyla's pale hands folded neatly in front of her. "Young Master Lucien… I look forward to this."

Oh stars above. She's doing it again.

He could practically hear her thoughts screaming: "If I beat him, he'll fall in love with me! Just like in my dreams where we spar under moonlight while our hands touch and—"

Lucien cracked his neck slowly and ignored her

"Begin!"

Ceyla acted instantly. Three golden barriers exploded around her, spinning like shields. A fourth formed beneath her feet, launching her into the air. From above, she rained down Barrier Blades — translucent constructs made from hardened mana.

Lucien blinked sideways, reappearing in a puff of mist just outside the blast zone.

"Always the flashy type," he muttered.

He raised his right hand, and the air twisted. MAGIC ARROWS — 50 arrows surrounded her from each side and was attacking her it was difficult for her to dodge that because the intensity and speed were unmatched.

She gasped as her ankle jerked mid-flight, and Lucien followed up with Aether Flare, a precise burst of fire that blew her off balance.

Gasps erupted in the crowd.

"His casting speed is so fast and precise even at this age"

"Yeah! he just everything is so fast"

"It's like the rumours were true"

Kael Velentis narrowed his eyes, silently watching.

Lucien, meanwhile, ducked under one of her wild blades and casually muttered, "You've improved. Almost hit me this time."

"Th-thank you!" Ceyla blushed as she steadied herself. "I worked so hard so you'd— I mean, for this fight!"

There it is.

He dodged another barrage, groaning inwardly.

Ceyla Drell. The walking disaster of a crush obsession complex. In my past life, she followed me to five tournaments, six tea parties, and once tried to bribe my butler into delivering me love letters scented with roses and she use to destroy every girl who liked me..that she had become little too irritating from him

He clenched his fist.

Flame Lash. A whip of fire snapped through her spinning barriers, cracking two at once. Ceyla gasped, stumbling.

"Match end," the mage declared. "Winner: Lucien Velentis!"

The crowd clapped—hesitantly, then louder. Some were whispering. A few jaws were hanging open.

Ceyla bowed, cheeks red but eyes sparkling. "You were amazing…Let's just I mean let's just get married...think our childern too will be so strong...hehehehe"

Lucien turned without a word with tch.

Second match: Lucien Velentis versus Talven Rourke.

The air changed.

Gone was the awkward tension of obsession. Talven walked up like a warhound, his red scarf trailing behind him, flame-like aura already flickering around his fists.

He grinned.

"Don't hold back, young master."

Lucien smirked.

"Same to you, sword-for-brains."

"Oi. I don't even use a sword."

"You sure act like you've got one stuck up—"

"Begin!"

Talven lunged. Crimson Burst — a fiery propulsion spell surged beneath his boots, sending him rocketing forward. His punch shattered the stone floor where Lucien had just stood.

Lucien side-stepped and cast Magic bullets, warping behind Talven in a blink. He threw out Pulse Shot — a focused wave of mana — but Talven spun and blocked it with a Flame Guard, sending sparks flying.

The crowd roared.

"He's matching a Second Circle prodigy…!"

"Drakos blood really runs hot!"

From the stands, Aria clenched her fists nervously. Kael didn't move, but his mana pulsed — as if prepared to stop any fatal strike.

Talven smirked mid-spin and slammed both palms to the ground. Molten Trap.

The tiles beneath Lucien's feet burst upward in a geyser of fire. Lucien leapt, his cloak whipping behind him as he cast Blink — blinking to the left—

Too late.

Talven had read it.

A Crimson Lance — long, burning hot — burst toward Lucien's ribs.

He barely twisted in time. The edge grazed his side. His black robe hissed.

Lucien winced. His heart thumped. His blood ran hot. But he smiled.

Heh. This guy's strong.

Wind gust - He casted wing gust and a gust of wind was overthrown at Telvis at high speed which made his balance crumble and distrupting his casting speed.

"Not bad," Talven growled, struggling.

Lucien raised both hands.

Mana Surge — Dual Flame Arc!

Twin whips of fire roared toward Talven. He grunted, arms crossing to block. The impact sent him skidding back, boots dragging deep grooves in the ground.

Both stood, breathing heavy.

The crowd was silent now.

A beat.

"After 5 sec Talven came on his knees as he had no mana or strength in his body"

"Winner- Lucien Velentis," said the announcer, sweating.

No one moved.

Lucien brushed his burned robe. "Nice punch."

Talven cracked his neck. "Nice cheats."

They both smirked.

Later that day, as Lucien walked off the field, the wind cool against his face, he glanced up toward the sky.

In my last life, Talven never even got to stand beside me. He died too early… protecting someone he cared about. Ceyla became twisted. Kallis… faded out. Lysandra vanished.

But this time… I'll raise them all. Use them all. Velentis will stand tall — with me at the top.

He smirked to himself.

No one touches my family. Not in this life.

END OF CHAPTER 9