Chapter 72: Rank S The moon had shifted slightly by the time Lucian stood up again.
His body was still sore. Not injured—but sore. That kind of ache that came from real fighting, from survival. His shirt clung to his back with dried sweat, and faint wisps of mana still leaked off his fingertips, even though the Advancement Trial was long over.
He should’ve rested.
He didn’t.
Lucian stepped toward the edge of his dorm, looking out the tall window that overlooked Aethra’s west wing. Lights shimmered across the city beyond. Distant towers blinked like signals. His reflection hovered faintly in the glass—tired eyes, loose hair, bloodstains on his collar.
A-Rank.
He finally hit it.
And yet—he didn’t feel like celebrating. Not even close.
"...Cael."
[System Online.]
Lucian didn’t move. He just kept staring out the window.
"I want to break through again."
A brief pause.
Then the system’s voice came through, a little slower this time.
[Request Registered.]
[Rank Advancement Attempt – S-Rank.]
[Warning: Confirm intent.]
Lucian narrowed his eyes.
"Confirm it."
Another pause.
This one felt heavier. Like the system itself was... thinking.
[Lucian.]
[This isn’t like before.]
[Advancing from Rank A to S isn’t just another level.]
[It is a shift.]
[You are about to step into a different phase of existence.]
Lucian blinked once. "You’re being weirdly dramatic today."
[The difference between Rank A and S isn’t numerical.]
[It is conceptual.]
[It is the boundary where mortals stop being seen as prey—and start becoming anomalies.]
Lucian exhaled once.
"And?"
[You will not face beasts.]
[You will not face trials.]
[You will face Ascension.]
Lucian’s grip on the window frame tightened slightly. "Still going."
[Lucian.]
[This path is not reversible.]
[You may die.]
Lucian tilted his head. "Kinda figured."
[Then one final confirmation is required.]
[Lucian Black.]
[Do you still choose to challenge the Ascension Trial to break into S-Rank?]
He didn’t hesitate.
"I do."
The system paused again.
Then—strangely—
[...You’ve changed.]
Lucian blinked.
"Did you just—comment?"