The rain poured like the heavens were mourning.
Thunder rumbled above as a woman, cloaked head to toe in black, stepped through the narrow alley, her footsteps splashing in the shallow puddles. Cradled in her arms was a small basket wrapped tightly with cloth — inside, a baby, sleeping peacefully despite the storm.
She stopped at the wooden door of a quiet house.
Kneeling, she looked down at the child — his little face calm, unaware of the world's cruelty.
With trembling hands, she pulled out a silver cross necklace and slipped it around the child's neck.
"This will always be with you," she whispered, her voice cracking. "Even if I'm not."
A bolt of lightning flashed across the sky. The rain fell harder.
"Live well... become strong. Okay?"
She placed the basket gently on the doormat. Water splashed on the baby's face, and the little one stirred, his lips quivering. She knocked on the door — once, twice, three times — and disappeared into the storm.
The baby began to cry.
The door creaked open. A young woman peeked out, eyes wide. She gasped when she saw the soaked basket.
"My dear!" she called out. "Come see what I just found!"
A man hurried over. She picked up the basket carefully, whispering, "Shhh, shhh," and miraculously, the baby stopped crying.
The man furrowed his brows. "Who would leave a child in this storm...?"
The woman turned to him, eyes pleading. "Can we keep him?"
He hesitated, then sighed. "Let's go in and talk."
Inside, she removed the baby from the basket, smiling as she gently rocked him. A small paper fluttered from the basket and landed on the floor.
"We're keeping him, right?" she asked again.
He looked at her, then at the child now snuggling in her arms.
"Fine," he said softly. "We'll raise him together."
She beamed, kissing the baby's forehead. "I'll take care of him with all my love."
Then she picked up the fallen paper and unfolded it.
"It looks like... a name."
"Lucien," she whispered.
The man glanced over. "So that's what the person named him."
"Then we'll call him Lucien," she said, smiling warmly.
The man walked over, and the baby reached for his finger, holding on tightly.
His heart softened.
"He's not so bad," he said, gently kissing the child's forehead. "Let's raise him right, Beatrice."
Beatrice leaned her head on his shoulder. "Of course, Ronald. He's our little boy now. Our Lucien."
---
Present Day
Sunlight peeked through the window.
Lucien sat up in bed, black hair messy, red eyes half-lidded. He yawned, scratching his head, then wandered into the bathroom to brush his teeth. A moment later, he walked into the living room.
"Good morning," he mumbled.
Beatrice, cooking nearby, turned with a smile. "Oh, you're awake, Lucien, my dear."
Ronald, seated on the couch, looked over. "Didn't sleep well?"
Lucien rubbed his eyes. "Couldn't fall asleep. My mind wouldn't shut up."
Then grrraaa— his stomach growled loudly.
Beatrice laughed. "Go sit. Food's almost ready."
Lucien plopped into his seat at the table. Minutes later, breakfast was served. He dug in happily as Ronald joined them.
"Tomorrow's the big day," Ronald said. "You ready for the academy?"
Lucien smirked between bites. "I've been waiting for this my whole life."
Beatrice smiled. "That's our boy."
After breakfast, Lucien took the dishes to the kitchen and rushed to his room. As he entered, his cross necklace tapped against his chest. He tucked it under his shirt and looked at the poster on his wall.
Aether Crest Academy.
Lucien grinned.
"Tomorrow can't come fast enough."
---
The Next Day
The sun rose over the glorious capital of Velmoria.
Lucien stood in front of the towering gates of Aether Crest Academy.
They were massive, polished silver with twin crescent emblems carved into them. Magical runes danced across the arch above, glowing faintly from blue to gold as the morning sun hit them.
Beyond the gates, the academy spread like a shining city — white towers, silver banners, glimmering fountains, and crystal-clear skies. Students glided across the courtyards, beast companions roamed freely, and everything seemed too perfect to be real.
Lucien tightened the strap of his old coat.
"This is where monsters are made…"
With a deep breath, he stepped forward.
The gates creaked open with a flash of magic.
Students poured in. A short green man stood atop the staircase, clearing his throat.
"Line up, all of you!"
Lucien blinked. A goblin?
"I am Instructor Levi," the goblin announced. "I will oversee your entrance evaluation. Follow me."
They marched through the halls until they reached a grand room with a glowing orb at the center.
Levi gestured to it.
"This is the Aether Globe. It measures your mana… and more importantly, it detects your bloodline."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"Blue glow means you pass," Levi continued. "No glow? You fail. If it shines another color… well, we'll see."
A troll girl stepped forward and placed her hand on the orb.
Fwoosh. The orb glowed blue.
"Good," Levi nodded. "No bloodline detected, but she has mana. Next."
One by one, students approached. Most passed. A few touched the orb… and nothing happened. They stepped away in silence.
Then it was Lucien's turn.
He stepped into the circle.
Whispers broke out.
"Isn't that the guy with no mana?"
"He's gonna fail."
"Watch the orb stay black."
Lucien swallowed hard, raised his hand… and placed it on the orb.
Nothing.
No hum. No pulse. Just stillness.
Lucien's eyes widened.
"Why... why won't it glow?"
Levi sighed. "Alright, Lucien, that's enou—"
Suddenly—
BZZZT!
A faint pulse.
The orb flickered silver, then burst into a swirling crimson-violet light that danced like fire.
The students gasped.
Lucien grinned.
"Yes!" he whispered. "I knew it!"
But then—
CRACK.
The light vanished.
The orb turned pitch black.
The crystal beside it flashed:
[ERROR. No mana detected.]
Levi stared in disbelief. "What… what just happened?"
He checked the record sheet.
"No noble background… no magic lineage… But he's a demon? Then how—?"
He coughed awkwardly. "Lucien, step aside. You'll hear your results later."
Lucien stepped back, confused but hopeful.
Then—
The room shifted.
Two girls walked forward.
One bold and radiant. The other quiet and reserved.
"The Valcrin twins…" a boy whispered. "They're royalty."
Lucien blinked. Twins? From a royal demon bloodline?
"Selaris Valcrin. Velira Valcrin. Step forward."
Selaris moved first, her long crimson hair flowing behind her. She placed her hand on the orb.
BOOM.
It exploded into golden light, blindingly bright. The students covered their faces.
Lucien's mouth hung open.
"What the hell…"
Selaris smirked. "That should be enough." She stepped back.
Velira hesitated, then shyly approached. Her silver hair shimmered. She placed her hand on the orb.
Again—gold. Even brighter.
"S-sorry," she stuttered, withdrawing her hand.
Levi blinked. She apologized?
"Alright! Time for the written exam!" he barked, trying to stay composed. "Move to the next room!"
---
Later...
The students gathered in front of the academy.
Above them, a massive glowing panel formed in the sky.
"These are the names of those who passed!" Levi announced. "If you don't see your name… you failed."
Lucien scanned the list, heart pounding.
Names appeared. Cheers erupted.
But his name wasn't there.
"Lucien," Levi called. "Come here."
Lucien followed him to the side, still scanning.
"Why'd you pull me aside?" he asked, anxious. "My name… maybe it's just—"
Levi cut him off.
"Forget it."
Lucien froze.
"What… what do you mean forget it?"
Levi exhaled slowly. "Your name's not on the list. There's nothing else to say."
Lucien's heart sank.
"No. No, you must've missed it—"
But Levi walked away, leaving him in silence.
Lucien stood there, hands trembling.
"I... I failed?!"