The week passed in a blur of lectures, training, and simmering tension.
Day 1 – Monday, the advanced combat class with Professor Seraphina Hale pushed every student to their limits. Lucas tested his new Shadow Step skill in sparring sessions, moving like a ghost between shadows.
Yuna practiced the Umbral War Doctrine scroll he had given her, her movements growing sharper and more confident with each session. Lucas kept his distance from her intentionally, letting her feel the absence of his touch.
Day 2 – Tuesday Dungeon Survival Theory. Professor Ava Whitlock's class focused on real-world Gate strategies. Lucas stayed after class, asking detailed questions about mana flow and risk assessment.
Ava, visibly pleased by his interest, lingered longer than necessary, indulging his curiosity with warm smiles and extra explanations. Alex watched from across the room with unease.
Day 3 – Wednesday Monster Weakness Analysis. The class dissected high-ranking creatures, their vulnerabilities, and how to exploit them. Lucas absorbed the knowledge quietly, already calculating how to apply it.
He sent Sophia a short message requesting her to prepare a simple late-night meal. She arrived promptly, her expression neutral, but Lucas noticed the faint flush on her cheeks when their eyes met.
Day 4 – Thursday Beast Taming Fundamentals. Students learned basic bonding techniques. Yuna excelled, her succubus bloodline giving her a natural edge with living creatures.
Lucas observed from the sidelines, letting her shine while maintaining his calculated distance. That night, he called Sophia again for a minor cleaning task in his training room. She came without complaint, though her movements were slightly more tense than usual.
By the end of the week, the pattern had become clear.
Lucas had not touched Yuna since the interrupted night on the kitchen counter. He gave her the Secret Art and then stepped back, letting her practice alone in the training room. He wanted her to crave his presence, to feel the absence of his dominance.
And it was working. Yuna's succubus instincts were slowly turning her quiet longing into something sharper, more desperate.
Meanwhile, his relationship with Professor Ava Whitlock had grown noticeably closer. She lingered after every class, offering extra guidance and private discussions about his Mythic class.
Ava's warm, nurturing nature made her more than happy to indulge him, though a part of her knew her growing interest went beyond professional duty.
Alex, on the other hand, grew increasingly restless. He scoffed outwardly at Lucas's attempts to get closer to Ava, dismissing them as shallow manipulation. But his real concern lay with Sophia.
Lucas had begun calling her more frequently — small, seemingly innocent requests to cook a late meal or clean a specific area in his penthouse. The tasks were always minimal, almost polite, but the frequency was deliberate. Each summons chipped away at Alex's peace of mind.
The final days of the second week at Seoul Awakener University passed in a whirlwind of lectures, training, and simmering tension.
Factions began approaching Lucas openly. First came the smaller groups, offering him high-ranking lieutenant positions and access to their private training grounds and resources. Then the mid-tier factions arrived, promising even more — seats on their leadership councils and shares of Gate loot.
By Thursday, even some of the stronger factions sent representatives, some boldly offering him the position of future faction leader if he joined them now.
Lucas listened to every offer without mockery or arrogance. He simply nodded, his expression calm and thoughtful, and gave the same measured reply each time:
"I appreciate the offer. I will consider it carefully."
He never committed, never dismissed them. He simply left the door open, letting each faction walk away with hope… and uncertainty.
The day before the weekend, the first-year assigned professors began their moves as well. Several approached him after classes with private side deals — promising exclusive guidance, early access to restricted facilities, and personal mentorship in exchange for becoming their disciple.
Some were subtle, others more direct, each trying to secure the Mythic-class student before the official ceremony.
To every professor, Lucas gave the same polite, non-committal response:
"I will think about your proposal. Thank you for the offer."
He kept his answers neutral, strategic, and impossible to read.
Friday afternoon arrived. The advanced class with Professor Ava Whitlock was the last session of the week.
Ava stood on the stage, her golden-blonde hair catching the light as she concluded her lecture. Her elegant robe hugged her voluptuous figure, but her usual warm smile was more somber today.
"Everyone," she said, her voice carrying clearly through the hall, "the week is drawing to a close. I hope you have all begun to grasp the fundamentals and mechanics of life here at Seoul Awakener University."
She paused, letting her gaze sweep across the students.
"Because starting next Monday, the Personal Disciple Ascension Ceremony will officially begin."
A ripple of tension spread through the room.
"This is one of our oldest traditions," Ava continued, her tone measured and serious. "It is the moment when professors formally select their personal disciples — those few students they will guide closely throughout their entire time at the academy. I'm sure many factions and professors have already approached those of you in the Apex group… and especially our two Mythic students."
Her eyes lingered for a brief moment on Lucas and Alex.
"Take today and tomorrow to rest and reflect carefully. This ceremony will shape much of your future here. Once it concludes, you will be obligated to either join an existing faction or establish one of your own. The path you choose now will define the rest of your journey at this university."
Ava's expression softened slightly, though the weight of her words remained.
"Remember this above all else: this place does not reward hesitation. Choose wisely."
The class remained silent as Ava stepped down from the stage, her voluptuous figure swaying with each step. The weight of her announcement hung heavy in the air.
As Professor Ava Whitlock stepped down from the stage, the class began to stir.
Students rose from their seats, the weight of her announcement still hanging in the air like a heavy fog. The Personal Disciple Ascension Ceremony was only days away, and the pressure of choosing — or being chosen — was already palpable.
Lucas remained seated for a moment longer, his eyes fixed on the glowing holographic status window only he could see.
[Status Window]
Name: Lucas Vanderbilt
Rank: F
Level: 11
Class: Heir of the Infernal Dominion (Mythic)
Skill: Shadow Step ( Basic Mastery)
The numbers were modest, but after days of relentless training, the progress felt satisfying. He had clawed his way from Level 1 to 11 purely through physical conditioning and basic sword practice. The system didn't hand out easy levels — every point had been earned through sweat and repetition.
Vivienne leaned over from the seat beside him, her short blonde hair brushing against his shoulder as she peeked at him with a teasing smile.
"So… have you two decided which faction you're going to join?" she asked, her warm amber-brown eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Or are you still playing hard to get?"
Lucas didn't reply immediately. His gaze stayed locked on the status window, his mind already calculating how to push his level higher before the ceremony.
Vivienne waited a beat, then turned her attention to Yuna on Lucas's other side, her smile turning mischievous.
"Yuna," she said sweetly, "you've been awfully quiet lately. Does our dear Lucas have you too distracted to think about factions?"
Yuna's cheeks flushed a soft pink, but she lifted her chin, refusing to back down.
"I'm not the one who keeps finding excuses to sit next to him every class," Yuna shot back, her rose-pink eyes narrowing playfully. "If anyone's distracted, it's you, Vivienne."
Vivienne gasped in mock offense, placing a hand over her heart.
"Me? Distracted? I'm simply being friendly. Unlike some people who stare at him like they want to eat him alive."
Yuna's blush deepened, but she didn't retreat.
"At least I don't pretend to be subtle about it," she retorted. "You've been batting your eyelashes at him since the awakening ceremony."
Vivienne laughed softly, leaning closer to Lucas as if sharing a secret.
"Well, can you blame me? He's the only one here who actually makes this place interesting." She glanced at Lucas, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "Right, Lucas? Or are you too busy staring at your status to notice two beautiful women fighting over your attention?"
Lucas finally dismissed his status window with a casual flick of his wrist. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he looked between the two of them.
"Fighting over me?" he echoed, voice low and amused. "That sounds like a dangerous game."
Yuna huffed, crossing her arms under her chest, which only accentuated her curves.
"She started it," she muttered, though the corner of her mouth twitched with reluctant amusement.
Vivienne grinned, clearly enjoying the exchange.
"Oh, I'm just getting started," she said playfully, winking at Lucas. "But don't worry, I'll let you decide which one of us is more distracting… after you pick a faction, of course."
Lucas chuckled softly, leaning back in his seat as the last of the students filed out of the hall.
"The ceremony is still a few days away," he said calmly. "Plenty of time to decide."
The Apex cafeteria buzzed with the usual midday energy — students from Proven and Apex tiers filled the tables, the scent of high-grade mana-infused meals and expensive beverages hanging thick in the air. Crystal chandeliers floated overhead, casting a soft golden light over the luxurious space.
Lucas, Yuna, and Vivienne sat together at a corner table near the window. Lucas ate with calm efficiency, his posture relaxed. Yuna picked at her plate, her rose-pink eyes occasionally flicking toward a group of second-year students across the room. Vivienne sipped her shake slowly, her warm amber-brown eyes observing everything with quiet curiosity.
Yuna's fists clenched tightly beneath the table as she glared at the group. Mark and his lackeys were at it again — their voices carrying just loud enough to be heard by those nearby.
"…still parading around like he's something special."
"Son of a whore thinks a Mythic class makes him untouchable…"
"Hungry bitch's bastard…"
Yuna's jaw tightened. She leaned forward, voice low but sharp.
"Lucas… why do you let them mock you like this? Can't you just let those seniors from the Obsidian Circle deal with them? They're right there."
Vivienne paused mid-sip, her shake hovering near her lips. At first, she had assumed Mark was some old acquaintance of Lucas from his previous life. But the taunts had become a daily ritual now — "slut mother," "hungry bitch," "son of a whore."
She hadn't asked Lucas about it directly. She wanted to see how he would handle it. She knew about his connection to the Obsidian Circle, so she couldn't understand why he allowed the harassment to continue.
Mark's group was second-year, stronger than most first-years, but to the Obsidian Circle, they were nothing more than small fry.
Lucas set down his fork and let out a low, genuine laugh. He leaned back in his chair, looking completely unbothered.
"Do you think those seniors would help me without my surname attached?" he asked, voice calm and matter-of-fact. "If I keep running to them every single time I get into trouble, what do you think will happen?"
Yuna opened her mouth, but Lucas continued before she could speak.
"They'll start seeing me as weak, as someone who can't stand on his own. The moment that happens, their 'respect' turns into pity… and pity is just another form of control. I'd rather deal with a few loudmouths than become a puppet who needs babysitting."
Vivienne lowered her shake slowly, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied him. Lucas's answer was cold, calculated, and surprisingly mature. He wasn't ignoring the insults — he was choosing when and how to respond.
Yuna's fists remained clenched, but her expression shifted from anger to reluctant understanding. She glanced back at Mark's table, then at Lucas again.
"But… it still pisses me off," she muttered, voice quieter now.
Lucas gave her a small, almost gentle smirk.
"Good. Keep that feeling. Just don't let it control you." He paused, then asked more seriously, "Have you reached the Initiation stage for the Secret Art yet?"
Yuna's face brightened immediately. "Yes! I just reached it yesterday. Now I can deploy some of the abilities."
Lucas smiled, satisfied, and reached out to gently pat her head. Yuna purred softly at the touch, leaning into his hand like a contented cat.
Vivienne leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, a playful glint returning to her eyes.
"You know," she said lightly, "for someone who claims he doesn't want to be a puppet, you're very good at pulling strings yourself."
Lucas met her gaze, his smirk widening slightly.
"Someone has to."
A short while later, Lucas stood up from the table.
"I have something to discuss with Professor Ava. I'll see you both later."
He left with his usual calm stride. Yuna and Vivienne watched his back as he walked away.
Yuna's eyes narrowed as she watched his retreating figure.
"His after-class visits with Professor Ava are getting more frequent every single day," she muttered, irritation clear in her voice. "What could he possibly have to talk about with her for so long?"
Vivienne took a slow sip of her shake, her lips curving into a mischievous smile.
"Oh? For someone who spends nearly every evening in his personal quarters, you're sounding awfully possessive, Yuna."
Yuna's cheeks flushed, but she shot back without hesitation.
"At least I'm honest about it. You, on the other hand, are still pretending you're just being 'friendly'."
Vivienne laughed softly, leaning forward with a playful glint in her amber eyes.
"Touché. But tell me — why don't you ever complain when he spends time with me? After you, I'm the one he talks to the most."
Yuna smirked, her rose-pink eyes sparkling with confidence.
"Because you're still too afraid to lower your guard, Vivienne. And as long as you keep that wall up, Lucas won't make a real move. That guy isn't desperate for anyone."
Vivienne paused, genuinely surprised for a moment.
"…How did you—?"
Yuna's smile widened, a faint pink glow flickering in her eyes.
"I can smell it, darling. Now come on, let's go train before I lose my patience."
**
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