The Crest of Ruin

As the banquet finally came to an end, nobles slowly started to disperse from the grand hall with smiles and tired goodbyes. Lucien walked silently beside Aria, his expression was calm but distant.

The moonlight glinted off the marble floor as they stepped into the quieter corridor.

"Go rest," he said softly, glancing at Aria. "You were running around all night, you must be tired."

Aria yawned cutely and nodded, her little eyes already drooping.

The maid waiting nearby stepped forward.

"Lady Aria," she greeted, bowing slightly. Her name was Clerna, a maid assigned solely to Aria. She was even her bodyguard as she was trained mage who is at circle 5.

"Take her back," Lucien said.

Clerna nodded, guiding the sleepy girl back to her chambers.

Lucien stood for a moment, watching them disappear into the hallway, then exhaled slowly.

He turned, walking back to his room, loosening the collar of his robe as he did.

As soon as he reached, he kicked off the formal shoes, tugged off the heavy banquet coat, and threw it on the chair. He sat down on the bed, dragging his hand through his hair.

"…I hate these damn banquets," he muttered under his breath, rubbing his temple. So exhausting...hah."

He leaned back, staring at the ceiling for a moment before straightening up again.

His focus shifted.

He closed his eyes and checked his internal state—his mana was circulating well. It was stable, stronger. He could feel it that he was close… just a step away from reaching Final Stage of 2nd Circle. He needed more battle experience to have more control over mana—yes—but even now, his body was adapting.

He stood up and moved toward the corner of the room where a carved drawer was placed. He rang the bell once.

Moments later, his servant knocked.

"Young master," the boy said.

"Bring me ten high-grade mana stones."

The servant bowed and disappeared.

Lucien sat down again, this time in meditation posture.

Mana Stones—a source of condensed natural energy, highly sought after by mages.

They were divided into 3 different categories:-

Low-grade stones carried around 20% mana density.

Mid-grade: roughly 50%.

But High-grade stones... they contained 90%+ raw mana—dense, heavy, and difficult to absorb unless one's body and circle were strong enough.

Lucien let out a breath.

He was thinking about his progress is good, and he should not rush things otherwise the circle would be rather incomplete and will not hold great amount of mana.

"As Velentis were gifted by a pure mana body. If he take cares of hi mana centres and don't rush things after reaching 5th circle he progress will be rather faster than normal mages"

As he was waiting for the servant to come the knock came five minutes late.

Lucien opened the door, brows already furrowed.

Luin stood there, breathless, empty-handed. A thin bruise marked his cheek, and his shirt was wrinkled like he'd been shoved and he was trembling and trying hard to hide his expression.

Lucien's tone dropped cold. "Where are the mana stones?"

"I… tried, Young Master. I told them you ordered it. The workers in the vault—they laughed at me and Called me a stray trying to sound important. They said I was lying and how can young master order a 2nd grade servant like me…..one of them hit me when I insisted. I am really sorry young master for my incompetency I---I--"

Lucien's gaze sharpened.

He didn't say a word. Just turned around.

"Follow me."

Lucien marched through the corridor, every step a declaration. His presence cut the air sharper than any blade.

When he reached the vault, the two guards at the door straightened, eyes widening.

"Y-Young Master Velentis—"

He walked straight in.

Inside, the supply room clerks were still laughing, seated at the table like the place was a tavern. They were drinking beer and playing cards with women sitting on them.

"This made Lucian ferocious"

"Where is the man who laid a hand on my servant?" Lucien asked flatly.

The room fell silent. One man stood awkwardly. "He claimed to be under your orders. But we couldn't just hand over ten high-grade mana stones to some errand rat—"

Crack.

Lucien's hand moved before the man finished.

The slap landed across the worker's face, twisting his neck violently. He stumbled, crashing into a crate, blood blooming from a split lip.

Haah...Young master why I---I didn't do I mean I am sorry please forgive me young master he suddenly stood crawling to Lucien feet

Lucien's voice dropped into frost.

"You dare insult someone who carries my command?"

Another worker tried to step in. "Young Lord, please, it's just—"

Crack.

Lucien slapped him, too—harder.

"You think the heir of House Velentis issues empty orders?"

They both staggered back, stunned. The air was dead still.

Lucien pulled off his gloves, one by one, and tossed them on the table like a gauntlet "Dirty bastards"

"I've been kind to fools for far too long," he said. "Learn this now—respect is earned, not begged. If you want to be respected, start by shutting your mouths when your brain can't keep up."

He turned to Elias, who had silently followed him in.

"Call the guards. Have these insects interrogated and suspended until further notice and report to me."

"Yes, Young Master," she said, bowing and disappearing into shadow.

Lucien leaned slightly toward the men.

"If they ever touch my people again…" His eyes glowed faintly, mana pulsing around him like coiled lightning. "I'll rip the veins from your arms and gauge your eyes out and see if you can laugh without them."

They said nothing. They couldn't, they were just trembling with fear with blood flowing from their face.

He looked to Luin, who was standing ramrod straight, fists clenched.

"Collect the mana stones exactly ten—high grade."

Luin nodded, moved swiftly, and returned with the sealed case.

Lucien walked away without another word.

Lucien entered his room frustrated and tried to calm himself and not to fret over the situation. He dropped himself down on the training mat and then sat in the meditation positions as the servant had already brought 10 mana stones with a mana stabilizer.

He then grabbed the high-grade mana stabilizer and ten mana stones kept besides him. The stones were still warm, humming faintly with mana.

He looked at them, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"Let's get this over with."

He picked up the first one. The moment it touched his skin, the mana started pushing its way in — fast and sharp. His body tensed, shoulders stiffening as the raw energy ran through his veins. It burned, not painfully, but like a damn storm trying to fit into a teacup.

His mana circuits were widening, bit by bit. He could feel it.

Second stone. Then third.By the fifth, sweat was rolling down his neck.

"Shit. Just a little more."

The 2nd Circle was almost stabilizing into Final Stage. He wasn't there yet. But it was close.

He reached for the stabilizer. Uncorked it and downed it in one gulp.

Cool, heavy and it calmed his nerves immediately. The wild flow settled into a steady rhythm. His breathing slowed down. He knew his mana nerves expanded a little bit which felt really good.

He sat still for a while to let it settle.

Then he stood up and walked over to the open window.

The estate was quiet now. All the lights from the banquet hall had gone dim. Only the moon lit the land — big and full, hanging low like it could fall if he reached far enough.

He stared up at it. His reflection on the glass looked older than it should for someone not even thirteen yet.

And then it hit him.

A memory.

He was five. It was early morning. He was playing in the garden when his mother pulled him into her arms from behind.

"Lucien.... baby," she had said, her voice soft,"what do you want to be when you grow up?"

He remembered the sun shining on her silver hair, the way her red eyes sparkled as she looked at him.

"I want to protect you and Aria!" he'd said with a stupid grin,"I'll be the strongest even stronger than Papa!"

She laughed so hard she almost dropped him. Then kissed his cheek and whispered,

"Then I don't need anything else."

Lucien closed his eyes and leaned his head against the cold window.

"I'll do it, Mother.""No matter what happens… I'll protect Aria and even dad."

The moonlight fell on his face. His fingers clenched at the windowsill.

For the first time that day, he smiled — tired, but real.

Then without another word, he turned back, dragged himself to bed, and laid down.

Tomorrow wasn't going to be any easier.

But at least tonight… he could rest.