The dim light of dawn filtered through the dusty windows of the archive, painting golden streaks over the scattered scrolls and books. Lucius leaned back in his chair, the weight of newfound knowledge pressing against his mind.
He knew the world's secrets now—the architecture of power, the fragile balance between kingdoms, dukes, and nobles, and the complex tapestry of races that filled the land.
But knowledge alone wouldn't make him strong.
Power was what he needed.
Not for conquest. Not for glory.
No, Lucius wanted something far simpler: a quiet life.
A life where he could move without fear, where friends and those who chose to walk beside him—companions, familiars, or even pets—could exist peacefully.
He didn't crave crowds or chaos. If others wished to follow him, he would welcome them. But he wasn't looking to gather a kingdom. Just stability, safety, and the freedom to live without constant threat.
That was his goal.
And to reach it, he would have to walk the difficult road of power.
Flipping open another volume, Lucius recalled the details from the novel he had read countless times—the original story that shaped this world.
It spoke of four legendary pathways, each a pillar of immense power that heroes and villains alike aspired to master:
The Path of the Shield, granting unmatched defense and resilience, but with hidden costs.
The Path of Hellfire, a destructive force of raw magical flame.
The Path of the Blood Viper, a path of lethal precision and agility.
The Path of the Wind of God, a swift and elusive mastery over air and speed.
Lucius knew these pathways weren't just stories. They were the foundation of power in this world, the keys to unlocking true potential.
But he also understood the dangers.
Each path demanded sacrifice. Each carried a price.
He was no fool—he'd seen how many had been broken chasing power without caution.
His own ability, still dormant and flickering like a faint ember, would one day grow into something formidable. He remembered the shield ability mentioned in the original tale—a power he possessed but had yet to awaken. It resided deep in his heart, guarded by a cost he wasn't ready to face.
The slow, patient path was the only way.
Lucius's eyes narrowed. He would train. He would study. He would seek out the hidden truths buried in forgotten places.
And when the time was right, he would awaken the power lying dormant within him.
Quietly, deliberately, he would carve a path to strength.
For now, the world was wide, and the threads of fate stretched long ahead.
But he would walk them on his own terms.
No flashy display. No reckless gambles.
Just steady, unyielding progress toward the life he truly desired.