Chapter 8

Chapter Eight: A New Beginning

Lucien woke up to the gentle rays of sunlight streaming through the small window of his humble room. He stretched his arms and legs, feeling a newfound energy coursing through his veins. As he sat up, he instinctively flexed his left arm, half-expecting the dull pain that had plagued him before. To his surprise, he found his arm fully healed, not even a hint of a scar remained. It was as if the battle with the bandit leader had been nothing more than a dream.

A smile spread across Lucien's face as he realized the truth—he had indeed defeated the bandit leader, and his victory had not been in vain. The system had granted him the power to heal and regenerate, a testament to his resilience and determination. The reality of his newfound abilities sank in, filling him with a renewed sense of purpose.

Just as he was about to get out of bed, a warm, melodic voice resonated in his mind.

["Good morning master, did you sleep well"]

Lucien's smile widened as he received the unexpected greeting from the AI. It was a validation of his efforts and a reminder that he was not alone in his quest for strength. With newfound determination, he got up from bed and headed towards his stepmother's room.

To his surprise, the room was empty. Panic welled up inside him for a moment, but it quickly subsided as he heard the clinking of pots and pans in the kitchen. Following the sound, Lucien found his stepmother standing by the stove, a small smile on her face as she cooked what little food they had.

He approached her quietly, watching her for a moment. The trauma of the previous day was evident in her eyes, but she tried her best to conceal it. Lucien couldn't bear to see her hide her pain, not when she had already endured so much.

He walked up to her and enveloped her in a warm hug. "You don't have to hide your pain, mom. I'm here for you, and together, we can overcome anything," he said, his voice filled with a mix of determination and love.

"You know you just called me mom".Tears welled up in his stepmother's eyes as she hugged him back. "Oh, Lucien, I'm so proud of you," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "You've become so strong and brave. I can't believe how far you've come."

He smiled at her words, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for her unwavering support. "Thank you, Mom. It means a lot to me," he replied softly, his heart swelling with joy.

As they parted from the embrace, his stepmother's smile turned mischievous. "Well, my brave warrior, now that you've become even stronger, there's something you need to do. You have to sign up for the school assessment. It's time to show the world your true potential."

Lucien nodded, his excitement bubbling up. He had heard of the school assessment, a prestigious event where young Awakened showcased their skills and were chosen by renowned academies. It was a chance for him to prove himself on a larger stage.

"I'll do it, Sept Mom. I'll sign up for the assessment and make you proud," he vowed, determination gleaming in his eyes.

After bidding his stepmother farewell, Lucien made his way to the bustling shopping district of the city. He carried a bag filled with the belongings of the bandits he had defeated, ready to sell them off for some much-needed funds. The market was teeming with activity as merchants and buyers haggled over various goods. Lucien weaved through the crowd, his eyes scanning the area for potential buyers.

He found a small stall operated by an elderly merchant who seemed to specialize in buying and selling secondhand items. The man's weary eyes lit up with interest as Lucien approached, displaying the stolen belongings.

"Ah, young lad! What have you got for me today?" the merchant asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

Lucien carefully placed the items on the table, each one telling a story of the bandits' misdeeds. The merchant examined them with a keen eye, occasionally muttering to himself as he assessed their value.

After a few moments, the merchant looked up and smiled. "You've brought me some fine wares, my boy. I'll give you a fair price for these, 250credits."

"300" Lucien haggled for the price used to the cheap skates of this market place, but who could blame them they lived in the poor end of the city with less technology than the cars that drive by, often resembling the villages of olden days.

As they settled on a price, Lucien couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Not only had he rid the world of a bandit menace, but he was also able to turn their ill-gotten gains into something useful. With the newly acquired funds, he purchased essential supplies and food for his stepmother.

As he was about to leave the market, something caught his eye—a small, intricately designed pendant displayed in a nearby shop. Its vibrant colors and mystical aura drew him in, as if it held a secret waiting to be uncovered.

Unable to resist its allure, Lucien entered the shop and inquired about the pendant. The shopkeeper explained that it was said to possess the power to guide its wearer to hidden treasures and ancient artifacts. Although skeptical, Lucien's adventurous spirit compelled him to make the purchase, seeing it as a potential aid on his journey for strength.

With the pendant safely in his possession, Lucien made his way back home. Their modest dwelling awaited him, a place filled with love and memories. He carefully stored the remaining supplies and food in the kitchen, ensuring his stepmother had everything she needed.

As night fell, Lucien decided to take a moment of respite and meet his two closest friends, Tom and Shelby, at a nearby pub. They had been with him through thick and thin, providing unwavering support and companionship.

The pub was lively, with laughter and music filling the air. Lucien spotted Tom and Shelby at a corner table, eagerly waving him over. As he sat down, he couldn't contain his excitement and began recounting the events of the past few days.

"I did it, guys! I defeated the bandit leader and even gained a new skill. Look!" Lucien exclaimed, pulling out his phone and showing them the picture of his application to the school assessment.

Tom and Shelby exchanged glances, a mixture of surprise and disbelief evident on their faces. "bullshit!!" they both exclaimed at the same time at the claim of Lucien "nah look bro I actually did" Lucien brought out his feather dagger from the inventory, a white jade dagger intricately designed and line with golden rims with the handle resembling the beak of a bird with a feather attached to it.

"HEY NO WEAPPMS ALLOWED" the bartender screamed at Lucien when he saw the dagger appear "sorry " LUCIEN apologised then put it back in his inventory "holy shit bro you weren't lying, wait do you have spacial skills? That shit is rare." Tom explained as Shelby mouth hung and his eyes filled with jealousy but admiration and respect too.

Lucien nodded enthusiastically. "I know it sounds unbelievable, but it's true! I can't explain it, but something within me has changed. I've never felt more alive and as strong

Shelby leaned in, her eyes searching his face. "Well, if it's true, then we couldn't be prouder of you, Lucien. You've always had a spark of greatness within you, and it seems to be coming to fruition now."

The three friends raised their glasses in a toast, celebrating Lucien's awakening and his journey towards becoming stronger. The pub echoed with their laughter and camaraderie, a moment of joy amidst the challenges that lay ahead.

As the night wore on, Lucien couldn't help but feel a deep sense happiness but longing for more power for greatness, he realised he hasn't gone anywhere with his powers yet and his brother could still easily kill him just with a glance and even his sister too even tho she was a healer not a fighter, it spoke volumes of how weak he was them who would probably be at tier 5 or 6 and he was at a measly tier 0 and he felt proud, feeling disgusted with himself and humbled he did his daily quest in the night before midnight and he went to sleep. He vowed he would train until his body breaks and become stronger before the assessment to get maximum benefits and support so he will get stronger, faster than ever.