Lucas sat quietly in the vast lecture amphitheater of Crown Hall, surrounded by only a handful of students. The Crown Class roster had fewer than fifteen names — and every one of them was considered a future pillar of the continent. The air inside the room was dense with unspoken challenge.
The walls were shaped from a special spirit alloy, inscribed with runes left behind by the founders. At the center of the amphitheater floated a projection sphere — a rotating model of the entire world, flickering with spirit energy.
Their instructor entered with quiet authority. A man with silver hair, an old scar crossing one blind eye, and a robe marked with three elemental sigils: flame, ice, and shadow.
He bowed slightly.
"I am Master Kaelen. Today's lecture is simple: Understanding Power in a Multiracial World."
With a flick of his hand, the world model expanded.
"Behold the four continents of the Mortal Realm."
He pointed to the largest landmass.
"Humanus — the Human Continent."
He gestured to the verdant northern continent wrapped in forest light.
"Silvaria — home of the Elven race."
Then, to a continent of dark iron mountains and glowing forges.
"Drakzun — the continent of the Dwarves."
Finally, a land shrouded in violet mists and black skies.
"Umbrahel — domain of the Demon Clans."
Kaelen let that sink in before continuing.
"Each race controls its own territory. Each boasts warriors of terrifying power. And each has produced at least one confirmed Half-Step Demigod."
He paused, voice dropping.
"Except us."
The silence was sharp.
"Elves have Lady Sylvara — a fusionist who commands both plant and light spirits. She carved her tenth star after bonding with the World Tree Seed."
"The Dwarves have Volg Hammerblood — said to wield a living anvil spirit that reshapes reality."
"The Demon Clans follow Azakar the Boundless Flame, whose power burnt half of Umbrahel during his awakening."
"And yet…" Kaelen's tone hardened. "Humanity has not produced a Half-Step Demigod in over six centuries."
Kael Valen scoffed quietly. "But we have numbers. Influence. Trade."
Kaelen nodded. "True. Our strength lies in unity and ambition. That's how we've kept balance. But ambition alone won't win the coming storms."
He turned to face Lucas.
"But this generation... it is different. The Golden Generation. With multiple divine awakeners and unprecedented growth rates."
Then he lifted his palm and summoned a diagram.
THE PATH OF POWER:
> Star Tiers: Every soul spirit is ranked from 1 to 10 stars.
1–3 Stars: Novice Level — civilians, basic spirit users.
4–6 Stars: Intermediate Level — soldiers, spirit users with combat application.
7–9 Stars: Advanced Level — nobles, family heirs, elite combatants.
10 Stars: Divine Rank — only possible through special awakenings or divine soul resonance.
> Artificial Stars: Carved beyond one's initial soul rank. Powerful, but weaker than natural stars by 10%.
> Half-Step Demigod: A fusion of the user and their spirit. Rare. Only achieved by fusing with a divine spirit and surviving the collapse of ego.
> Full Demigod: Myth. Never recorded. Said to require the Ten-Star to awaken a Spirit Domain and transcend mortality.
Kaelen let the information hover.
"Spirit Domains are the manifestation of a soul's complete control — typically unlocked at the peak of 9-Star cultivation. The battlefield becomes yours. Time, element, terrain — all bend to your will."
"Very few in the academy even dream of such power."
He looked across the class — Lucas, Seren, Thorne, Elayne.
"But perhaps… some of you might."
---
After the lecture, Lucas walked alone through the upper terraces of the academy. He passed the four monumental halls — each one representing a Pillar Family, and each one now buzzing with life as their heirs arrived.
From the Julius wing came soft echoes of laughter and mirrorlight.
From Lamberg's forge dorms, the clang of training and beast roars.
From the Campbell grounds, silence — sharp and militant.
And above it all, the Black Tower dorms stood silent. Watching.
As Lucas looked up at the stars beyond the academy's barrier, his expression hardened.
"If humanity lacks a demigod," he whispered, "then I'll become the first."