Lucifer descended the creaking wooden stairs, the scent of baked bread and old ash rising to greet him. The inn was quiet. A fire crackled gently in the hearth, and the morning light spilled across the floor in golden pools.
Behind the counter stood the innkeeper, Mara. She looked up with a faint smile.
"Morning, dear. Slept well?"
Lucifer gave a short nod and took a seat at one of the empty tables. "Something to eat?"
"Bread and stew. Fresh enough." She brought it over with practiced grace and a motherly pat on the table. "That'll be two copper, love."
Lucifer slid five across the surface.
Mara blinked. "It's just two, dear."
"I'm forgetful," he said smoothly. "Consider it a tip."
She chuckled, but her eyes lingered. "You heading to the Academy Test?"
Lucifer glanced up. "The what?"
Mara tilted her head. "You serious?"
"I've… forgotten some things," he admitted, swirling his spoon in the bowl. "Got into some trouble. Hit my head, maybe. Just trying to piece things together."
The humor left her expression. "Oh. I see."
She pulled a chair, sitting across from him.
"Well then," she said gently, "You're in the Kingdom of Auris. This village's called Solshade. Southmost point before the academy road. The Academy Test happens every season. Best chance for anyone with awakening to rise in the ranks. First part's theory, then combat — with monsters, live, in front of witnesses. Those who score well get mentored. Principal himself watches the finals."
"Principal?"
She nodded. "A Rank Nine. Sole peak-rank holder among humans. Neutral party. They say he answers only to the Academy itself, not the king. Some call him the Mediator."
Lucifer chewed slowly. "So the Academy is central?"
"Exactly. Right in the middle of the continent, shared by all three kingdoms. We're part of Auris — the sun-blessed. But there's Noctellia and Durakar too. Didn't know much myself."
Lucifer nodded once. "Thank you."
Mara looked at him, eyes soft. "You've got a strange look about you. Nobel ? Whatever but don't get killed."
He only smiled.
---
Mara's POV
There was something about that boy. Handsome beyond reason, with a smile that looked carved from charm and silence. But the way he watched things — calculating, detached. She pitied him.
Lost memories? Maybe. But that calm... it wasn't natural.
Some people looked hungry.
He looked starved, like the world hadn't fed him in years.
---
Lucifer stepped out into Solshade's dusty main road. The village was small, worn by time and silence. A few merchants moved wagons slowly, children ran between houses, and old guards lounged by corner posts. He walked without aim, mind drifting.
Currency.
It was simple, really:
100 Copper = 1 Silver
100 Silver = 1 Gold
But none of the coins were made by any known kingdom. They were relics — found in ruins, forged who-knew-where. Some said the gods themselves minted them. When touched with intent, they could be split or combined — a single gold could become a hundred silvers with a thought, and the pouch didn't swell or weigh more. The leather space-block bags were cheap now. Mass-produced by dwarves.
He reached into his own pouch. His fingers brushed metal. One gold. Curious.
He glanced across the street. A creaky building with stained windows and the smell of ash and ale.
The Tavern.
He stepped inside.
Dim. Smoke clung to the air. Six or seven patrons sat in corners — two merchants, a few mercenaries, maybe an off-duty guard. Behind the bar stood a man in his sixties. Bald, thick-bearded, with eyes sharp as flint.
Lucifer moved to the counter.
"One drink," he said.
The barkeep poured without speaking.
Lucifer sipped, eyes drifting to the man's wrist. Faint glow — II and three dots.
Peak Rank 2.
His own? A glance confirmed — I with two dots. Still low, but that progress bar pulsed.
"New face," the barkeep said finally.
"Lucifer."
"Mm. Looking for work?"
"Information."
The barkeep's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Memory's fuzzy," Lucifer offered, tapping the side of his head. "Got injured in the wild."
The silence that followed was not suspicion — it was assessment.
Those eyes, once barkeep's, now felt like a sword tracing his soul.
"What about this village ? Chief ?," Lucifer said softly.
"Chief Herro," came the reply. "Old drunk. Barely a Rank Two. His second? Worse. Lizard of a man, full of cowardice. Rank Two with one dot. Bullies kids and calls it law."
Lucifer reached into his pouch.
Traced the gold.
Held it a moment. A flicker of will. The coin split, shimmered. Became silvers. He plucked one and slid it across.
"Keep talking."
The barkeep raised an eyebrow.
"You're in Auris. Sun's land. The other two? Noctellia — the shadow lands, and Durakar — the dwarves' mountain fortress. Each has Rank Nines. Queens, kings, mad priests, warrior lords. Doesn't matter. They don't bother with villages like this."
Lucifer nodded, quietly filing it all away.
"Power rules here," the barkeep added. "Ranks go I to IX. Each with three stages. Dots mark your progress. Ten? That's a myth. No one's seen it for a hundred years. Some say it never existed."
Lucifer sipped.
---
Tavern Door Burst Open
A lanky man stumbled in — loud, cocky. Armor barely strapped, badge crooked.
Second Hand.
"Hey!" he barked, walking toward the bar. "New face! You the one staying at the inn?"
Lucifer didn't reply.
"You look like a pretty boy from the Academy lists," the man jeered. "What rank? One dot? Can't even light a fire, I bet."
Lucifer turned.
Just stared.
A moment passed.
Something pulsed.
A presence.
Bloodlust.
Unwilled. Uncontrolled. Like a scent leaking from skin — cold, predatory. The air shifted.
The second hand faltered, stepping back. Others in the tavern stiffened.
The barkeep's eyes widened, then narrowed.
Lucifer blinked. The presence vanished.
He stood. Pulled another silver from his pouch. Placed it on the counter.
"Thanks."
And walked out.
---
Tavern POV
The room held its breath.
"W-what the hell was that?" the second hand muttered, trying to laugh.
The barkeep didn't laugh.
He cleaned the counter slowly.
"That," he said quietly, "was someone dangerous."
One of the mercenaries near the fire rubbed his arm. "I felt it too… like something was staring at my throat."
"Hope he's just passing through," another muttered.
But they all knew he wouldn't be.
---
Lucifer walked calmly back to the inn.
The sky above was fading gold.
He climbed the stairs, shut the door, and sat on the bed.
His fingers touched his bicep.
The dot pulsed faintly.
---