Pain.
That was the first sensation he felt.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself lying on cold stone beneath a vast, golden sky. Towering spires pierced the heavens, and floating islands drifted through the air like celestial ships.
"Where… am I?" he whispered.
Memories surged into his mind.
This was Aetherion, a colossal world teeming with magic, advanced civilizations, and countless races—Dwarves, Elves, Dragons, Demons, Beastkin, Angels, and more.
And he was no longer the person he once was.
He had transmigrated.
His new name was Lucian Voidheart.
An orphan.
A nobody.
A student at the Imperial Talent Academy.
Before he could process his thoughts, a radiant pillar of light descended from the heavens. Symbols of ancient power shimmered within it.
A voice resounded throughout the academy.
"Today marks the Awakening Ceremony."
"Step forward and receive your destiny."
One by one, students approached the crystal altar.
"B-Rank Talent: Flame Manipulation!"
"A-Rank Talent: Stormcaller!"
"S-Rank Talent: Celestial Sword Saint!"
Cheers erupted across the plaza.
Lucian clenched his fists.
Please… give me a chance.
When his turn arrived, he placed his hand upon the crystal.
The light flickered weakly.
Then dimmed.
A cold voice announced his fate.
"Talent: Physical Enhancement."
"Rank: F."
Silence fell.
Then came laughter.
"An F-rank? Pathetic."
"He'll be cannon fodder on the battlefield."
"What a disgrace."
Lucian stood frozen, his heart sinking into despair.
In a world at war, the weak did not survive.
He lowered his head and walked away, his dreams shattered before they had even begun.
But destiny had not finished with him yet.
That night, Lucian sat alone beneath the silver glow of twin moons.
"So this is my fate…" he murmured bitterly.
Suddenly, a strange voice echoed in his mind.
DING!
A translucent blue screen materialized before his eyes.
[System Notification]
The Infinite Clone System has been activated.
Host: Lucian Voidheart
Primary Talent: F-Rank Physical Enhancement
System Ability: Clone Creation
Lucian's breath caught.
"A system…?"
The screen shimmered again.
[System Functions]
Clone Creation: Create independent clones of yourself.
Talent Variation: Each clone awakens a unique talent.
Shared Growth: All experiences, skills, and power are synchronized.
Independent Cultivation: Clones can train, explore, and fight.
Death Immunity: If a clone dies, its knowledge returns to the host.
Lucian's heart thundered.
"This… this is impossible."
A prompt appeared before him.
[Would you like to create your first clone?]
YES / NO
With trembling hands, he selected YES.
A surge of radiant energy burst forth, forming a perfect duplicate beside him.
Moments later, another notification appeared.
[Clone #1 Created]
Talent: S-Rank—Void Devourer
Lucian's eyes widened in disbelief.
"S… S-Rank?!"
His despair vanished, replaced by a burning ambition.
From this moment onward, the weakest boy in the world would begin his ascent.
He clenched his fist and gazed at the stars.
"I will rise above all races."
"I will build an empire that spans countless worlds."
"And one day…"
"I will conquer the heavens themselves."