Luke stared at his updated Record,
---
{ [| Record of Divine |] }
{ [True Name: Unknown] }
{ [Current Vessel: Luke Veyra] }
{ [Age: 17] }
[Strength: B]
[Agility: B]
[Endurance: B]
[Intelligence: A]
[Willpower: B]
[Mana: D]
[Charm: A]
[Potential: E]
{ [Progression: Novice Stage (Tier-1)] }
[Skills: Author's Insight (S), Ascendancy (S)]
[Gifts: Presence (S), Conceal (A), Manaless Disguise (B)]
[Keeper's Authority: All knowing, Exceed]
[Techniques: None]
[Weapon bond: None]
[Contracted Spirit Beast: None]
{ [Fate Points: 190]: Create++}
{ [---------------] }
---
"Hm, I was severely lacking in offense; even though I had Ascendancy, I do not have any mana techniques or weapon techniques."
Luke was never interested in weapons; he only trained his body to progress to [initiate] (Tier-2).
He thought a bit about whether he should create a weapon technique,
"Even if I created a weapon technique, without knowing the fundamentals of that weapon, it would be hollow, useful only as a trick, not true strength."
Then Luke heard a wooden door knocking sound,
"Excuse me, Sir, I am here to deliver your dress."
Luke blinked, the towering shelves fading like mist. The next moment, warm water lapped at his shoulders; he was back in the bathtub, the Celestial Library lingering like a dream half-remembered.
Then he answered,
"Leave them in bed."
The servant did as Luke said after that servant left with the door shut.
Hearing that Luke stood as he wrapped a towel around his waist, with wet hair and body, he entered the living room.
Finally, Luke had the chance to see his own face clearly.
Wet silver hair soaked in water, as crimson eyes stared back, a well-toned body, balanced strength without excess bulk. Luke had a perfect shape without a single scratch on his body.
Still staring at the long mirror, Luke thought,
[Manaless Disguise]
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, his silver hair slowly started to turn black.
And the entire Luke body tone paled a little.
His crimson eyes remained the same, but under his left eye was a small birthmark.
It was a small dot, but it elevated Luke's charm.
Even though the changes were subtle, yet decisive enough that no one would ever connect this face to Luke Veyra.
Luke smirked at his reflection in the mirror as he said,
"Welcome home, Charlie."
Dressed in a crisp white shirt, black trousers, and a black coat, Luke stepped out of his room and made his way toward Oliver's shop.
Oliver Merchandise wasn't just another store. Behind its polished counters, it stood as one of the black market's white houses; a place where transactions carried more weight than names.
Luke arrived at the counter, where the old merchant looked up at him. For a moment, confusion flickered in Oliver's eyes. Then realization struck, and a knowing smile spread across his face.
"You look almost like a different man, young sir."
Luke scratched his hair and replied lightly, "That's because I wasn't as clean as I am now."
Oliver chuckled but didn't press further. A merchant chased profit, not trouble.
"You're quite handsome, sir. And your timing is perfect. Your new identification card is ready. Only your photo and the magic tower seal remain."
"Let's get this over with," Luke said.
Oliver lifted a pentagonal artifact, its diamond core glowing faintly. "Stand clear. I'll take the photo now."
Luke stepped into position, but his hand brushed against something on the counter. He glanced down and picked up a pair of simple black-framed glasses. Turning them in his hand, he studied their clean lines.
An idea took shape. He ran his fingers through his hair, letting it fall differently, then slipped the glasses on.
Now, with his deliberately messy hair and simple glasses, Luke looked every bit the aspiring scholar.
Oliver watched, but said nothing.
The procedure went smoothly after that. As one of the white houses, Oliver's merchandise had little difficulty arranging the seal.
"The carriage to Karyal Kingdom, your identification, and your magic pouch will be ready tomorrow morning."
Oliver said as he pushed a large suitcase.
"These are dresses and essentials that you'll need for the seven-day journey."
Luke accepted it with a nod, but paused before turning away.
"Find me language books of Frestia, Apal, Elven, Demons, and Ancient Linsta."
Oliver's brow lifted slightly, but he only inclined his head.
"Understood. I'll see to it. You should rest, sir. A long journey awaits you."
Luke gave a small nod and left without another word.
...
The next day, early morning, when the first sun rays slowly expand on the horizon.
A pair of red-haired figures approached Oliver's Merchandise.
The younger one, a teenage girl with sharp yellow eyes, asked,
"Do we really have to travel for seven days, Uncle? We can just use the magic teleportation circle."
The man beside her was tall, broad-shouldered, with brown eyes. He was in his late twenties.
He gave a patient a nod.
"Alisha, you're the Emperor's niece. All the more reason you must learn how the world lives beyond the palace."
Alisha rolled her eyes dramatically, glancing at the brown-haired, green-eyed maid walking quietly at her side.
Oliver looked up, a practiced smile on his lips.
"Welcome, Sir Robert. I trust your journey was pleasant?"
Robert returned the greeting warmly, while Alisha drifted closer to Lisa, whispering,
"Lisa, tell me… do commoners even bother to bathe every day?"
Lisa stifled a sigh. Her lady's questions had grown endless lately.
"Yes, Lady Alisha. People bathe, though not in private halls like ours. They use bathhouses or rivers."
Alisha wrinkled her nose but said nothing more as the group reached the counter.
Oliver's gaze flicked towards them, then he said, "You need not worry about your travel companion, my lady."
Alisha raised a brow but stayed quiet. She knew Oliver's reputation; he was never careless with his words.
"Follow me," the merchant continued. "Your carriage is prepared."
As they walked, Oliver leaned slightly toward Robert. "There is one thing I should mention. This Mr. Charlie you'll be traveling with… he is not an ordinary man."
Robert slowed a step. "Not ordinary?"
Oliver nodded gravely.
"He is awakened, without a doubt. His bearing and his aura are those of a noble. But… for some reason, I cannot gauge his strength, nor the realm he stands in."
At that, Robert's brow furrowed, Alisha's curiosity sparked, and even Lisa looked uneasy.
To most, Oliver was a [Master] (Tier-4). If even he could not measure another's realm, it meant only two possibilities: that person had already stepped into [Ascender] (Tier-5) or they were not an awakener at all.
Oliver exhaled softly, shaking his head.
"Perhaps I'm overthinking it."
The group halted before the waiting carriage. The driver was already steadying the reins, horses pawing the cobblestones.
"I'll take my leave here," Oliver said, bowing lightly before turning away.
Lisa moved forward, opening the carriage door with a practiced gesture. Alisha placed one foot on the step, then she froze.
Sunlight spilled through the window, catching on the figure inside.
A young man with untamed black hair, a pair of black-framed glasses resting on his nose, crimson eyes fixed on the book in his hand. His elbow rested on the sill, chin propped as though the world outside barely concerned him. It was Luke in his Charlie persona.
[AI Illustration, check on paragraph comment]
Sensing Alisha's gaze, he rolled his eyes towards her. Their eyes met: hers sharp with suspicion with his calm and unreadable.
"Is something wrong, miss?" he asked evenly.
For a moment, Alisha's throat tightened. She hadn't expected his voice to be so steady, so certain. The word slipped from her lips before she could stop it.
"…You."