The day of the ceremony arrived gray and cold.
Lukas stood in front of his mirror, adjusting his formal robes. Dark blue silk with silver trim, the colors of House Vain. He looked every inch the young noble ready to take his place in magical society.
If only they knew what he'd done to get here.
The stolen powers hummed beneath his skin. Fire magic from Garrett, lightning from Lydia. Two strong affinities that would mark him as exceptional among his peers. More than enough to secure his place at the Royal Academy.
"Lukas?" His father's voice came through the door. "It's time."
The ceremony hall was packed. Representatives from every noble house in the region had come to witness the awakening of Baron Vain's youngest son. Lukas recognized most of them—families he'd need to navigate carefully once he reached the academy.
Master Thorne stood at the center of the hall beside a crystal orb the size of a man's head. The awakening stone had been carved from a single piece of mana crystal and enchanted to respond to magical energy. When a mage placed their hands on it, the crystal would reveal their affinities for all to see.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Master Thorne announced, "we gather today to witness the awakening of Lukas Vain, third son of House Vain."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Everyone knew about Lukas's reputation. The lazy, talentless disappointment who might not have any magic at all.
Lukas walked toward the crystal with measured steps. He could feel dozens of eyes on him, most expecting failure. A few weeks ago, they would have been right.
But that was before **Plunder**.
"Place your hands on the stone," Master Thorne instructed.
Lukas pressed his palms against the smooth crystal surface. It was warm to the touch, and he could feel it probing at his magical core, searching for power to measure and display.
For a moment, nothing happened. The crystal remained its natural pale blue color, and Lukas heard someone in the crowd whisper, "I knew it. He's a dud after all."
Then the stolen fire magic responded.
Red light blazed from the crystal, so bright that several people in the front row had to shield their eyes. The color was deep and rich, indicating a strong fire affinity. Gasps echoed through the hall.
But Lukas wasn't done.
He reached for the lightning magic he'd taken from Lydia. Power that had been trained and refined over years, compressed into techniques that most mages never mastered.
The crystal's red glow flickered, then exploded into brilliant white-blue light. Lightning crackled around the surface of the stone, and the smell of ozone filled the air.
*Dual affinities.* Fire and lightning both, displayed in perfect harmony.
The hall went dead silent.
Master Thorne stared at the crystal in obvious shock. Dual affinities were rare—maybe one mage in a thousand possessed them. To see such power from someone who'd been written off as potentially talentless was unprecedented.
"Remarkable," Thorne whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Fire and lightning, both at exceptional strength. I've never seen..."
He trailed off, still staring at the display.
Baron Aldric's voice cut through the silence. "My son," he said, and there was unmistakable pride in his tone. "House Vain is honored."
The crowd erupted into excited chatter. Lukas could hear fragments of conversation—speculation about his potential, discussions of marriage alliances, whispers about how they'd all misjudged him.
*Perfect.*
He kept his expression humble and slightly overwhelmed, as if the magnitude of his own power was a surprise to him. Inside, **Plunder** purred with satisfaction at the stolen strength on display.
"Lukas Vain," Master Thorne announced formally, "I declare you awakened with dual affinities in fire and lightning magic. May your power serve the kingdom well."
Applause filled the hall. Lukas bowed to acknowledge it, then stepped away from the crystal. The light faded as soon as he broke contact, leaving only the memory of that blazing display.
As the crowd began to disperse, people approached to offer congratulations. Minor nobles who'd ignored him weeks ago now treated him with newfound respect. Young women from various houses gave him interested looks, suddenly seeing marriage potential where none had existed before.
"Quite a performance."
Lukas turned to find Cassian watching him with a thoughtful expression. His cousin's congratulations seemed genuine, but there was something else in his eyes. Suspicion? Curiosity?
"Thank you," Lukas said. "I'm still processing it myself."
"I can imagine. Dual affinities are... unusual. Especially when they manifest so suddenly."
"Master Thorne thinks my awakening was gradual. The power building up over time before finally reaching the surface."
"Yes, I heard his theory." Cassian moved closer, lowering his voice. "It's just... do you remember when we trained together? When I channeled my magic into you?"
Lukas's pulse quickened, but he kept his expression neutral. "What about it?"
"I felt something strange that day. Like something was trying to pull at my power. It was subtle, but..." Cassian shrugged. "Maybe I was imagining things."
"Probably just resonance between different affinities," Lukas said. "Lightning magic responding to lightning magic, even if mine hadn't fully awakened yet."
It was a reasonable explanation, and Cassian seemed to accept it. But Lukas could tell his cousin would be watching him more carefully from now on.
"Well, congratulations either way," Cassian said. "The Royal Academy will be interesting with power like yours."
*You have no idea.*
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of congratulations and political small talk. Baron Aldric was clearly pleased with how things had turned out—a son with dual affinities would significantly raise House Vain's standing among the nobility.
As the last guests finally left, Lukas found himself alone with his father in the study.
"I'm proud of you," Baron Aldric said simply. "I won't pretend I hadn't given up hope, but today... today you proved that the Vain bloodline still carries strength."
"Thank you, Father."
"The academy will expect great things from you now. Dual affinities come with responsibilities as well as opportunities." The Baron poured himself a glass of wine and offered one to Lukas. "Don't let the power go to your head."
*Too late for that.*
"I'll remember," Lukas said, accepting the drink.
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, father and son sharing a moment of triumph. If Baron Aldric only knew that his son's great awakening was built on theft and murder, he might feel differently.
But he didn't know. No one did.
And no one ever would.
Later that night, Lukas stood alone in the training yard, practicing with his stolen abilities. Fire danced in his left hand while lightning crackled in his right. Two different forms of power, perfectly controlled and completely his own.
The Royal Academy would be his next hunting ground. More mages, more abilities to steal, more power to claim. He was no longer the weak third son of a minor noble house.
He was a predator.
And the academy was full of prey.
**Plunder** stirred in the depths of his consciousness, already eager for the next feast. Soon, it whispered. Soon there would be so much more to take.
Lukas smiled and let both flames and lightning fade into darkness.
*Soon,* he agreed. *Very soon.*