Lucian Kasir wasn't always Lucian Kasir.
He used to be Mike Saunders, a lanky, socially awkward high school junior who spent most of his free time binge-watching anime, playing strategy games, and dreaming about escaping the dull monotony of his suburban life. He was the kind of kid who sat at the back of the classroom, blending into the wallpaper, with no particular talents or ambitions.
But his life ended abruptly.
The Tragic Death of Mike Saunders
It happened on a rainy Tuesday. Mike was heading home after another uneventful day of school, his headphones blasting a podcast about "the best isekai protagonists" as he shuffled along the slick sidewalk. He didn't notice the car speeding down the road, its driver distracted by a ringing phone.
The car skidded on the wet pavement, and before Mike could react, the world went dark.
When he opened his eyes, he wasn't in a hospital bed or a morgue. Instead, he found himself standing in a vast, featureless void. The air was thick with a sense of presence, and in front of him stood a man—no, a being—that exuded power. The figure looked nothing like the gods Mike had read about in mythology.
This god wore a casual hoodie and jeans, his hands shoved into his pockets. His sharp features and piercing blue eyes gave him an air of authority, but his slouching posture suggested he didn't care much for formalities.
"Hey," the god said, his voice casual but resonating with power. "You're dead. Sorry about that."
Mike blinked, his mind struggling to process what was happening. "What... What do you mean, I'm dead?"
"You got hit by a car. Pretty lame way to go, honestly," the god said, shrugging. "But hey, I'm here to make it up to you."
The Offer
The god explained that Mike's soul had been chosen to reincarnate into another world. The specifics were vague, but the gist was clear: Mike would get a second chance at life, with a couple of perks to make things interesting.
"I'll grant you two wishes," the god said, holding up two fingers. "But don't go asking for anything crazy. No world-destroying powers, no godlike omnipotence, none of that. Keep it reasonable."
Mike's mind raced. Two wishes. This was it—the ultimate isekai setup. He had spent countless hours dreaming about something like this, and now it was happening.
For his first wish, Mike asked for a system. He wanted a stat panel, skill progression, all the bells and whistles he had read about in novels and fanfics.
The god raised an eyebrow. "I can do that, but I'm not adding a shop function. No buying overpowered items or skills. You'll have to work for everything."
Mike hesitated but ultimately nodded. It wasn't perfect, but it was still a system.
For his second wish, Mike requested the powers of Menthuthuyoupi from Hunter x Hunter. The god smirked at that, clearly impressed.
"Good choice," the god said. "I can give you that. You'll have his physical abilities, the ability to transform your body, and even his rage-fueled power-ups. But," he added, "you'll have to train to master it. No freebies."
Before Mike could respond, the god snapped his fingers.
Rebirth as Lucian Kasir
Mike—or rather, Lucian—was born into a new world as the son of Kasir, a low-class noble. From the moment he opened his eyes, he realized this wasn't the peaceful fantasy world he had dreamed of. This world was brutal, competitive, and filled with dangers he couldn't have imagined.
As a noble's son, Lucian had access to resources and training that most people could only dream of. But his father was cold, distant, and manipulative, using Lucian more as a tool than a son. It wasn't an ideal upbringing, but Lucian made the most of it.
The System Panel
At the age of five, Lucian unlocked his system. A translucent blue screen appeared before his eyes, filled with information that only he could see.
[System Panel]
Name: Lucian Kasir
Level: 1
Stats:
Strength: 2.5
Agility: 1.7
Vitality: 2.8
Intelligence: 4.5
Endurance: 0.6
Skills:
Basic Combat Proficiency
Body Manipulation (Locked)
Rage Amplification (Locked)
Flow Compatibility: High
Lucian's stats were average by this world's standards, but the potential was there. With hard work and careful planning, he could become one of the strongest beings in this world.
Abroad for Studies
To avoid suspicion, Kasir sent Lucian abroad for studies. It was a convenient excuse to hide the fact that Lucian's abilities were growing rapidly. During his time abroad, Lucian trained relentlessly, honing his skills and exploring the limits of his system.
By the time he returned to his father's estate, Lucian had mastered the basics of his abilities. He could manipulate his body to enhance his strength and speed, and he had begun unlocking the more advanced features of his powers.
But despite his progress, Lucian remained cautious. He knew that revealing his abilities too soon could make him a target. That's why, during the Trial of Blades, he decided to play it safe.
Back to the Present
"Damn it," Lucian muttered under his breath, his eyes scanning the cavern displayed on the monitor in front of him.
He had been carefully avoiding attention throughout the trial, but now Kaiden was watching him. Lucian could feel the weight of his gaze, even through the camera feed.
Lucian clenched his fists, his sharp features twisting into a scowl. "Why does it have to be him?"
His mind raced as he considered his options. He couldn't afford to reveal his full strength—not yet. But Kaiden wasn't the type to let things go. If he wanted to survive, Lucian would have to think of something fast.
End of Chapter 64
Lucian's mysterious past and hidden abilities come to light, revealing a dangerous and calculated individual who is carefully navigating the deadly trials. But with Kaiden now watching him, Lucian's carefully laid plans may be at risk.
To be continued...