**Chapter 16: Mirror of Progress and a Mother’s Invitation**
Exhausted to the bone after a grueling session, Lucien bade farewell to Sir Brandon and made his way back to his quarters.
He headed straight for the bathroom, stepping into a hot shower to wash away the day's sweat and grime. As the warm water trickled down his skin, the initial fatigue gave way to a deep sense of calm and rejuvenation. A whole month of relentless training had transformed his physical frame—his body was far more flexible now, rooted in a surprising amount of raw strength.
Stepping out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist, a proud smile tugged at his lips. He stood before the full-length mirror, taking a moment to study the reflection staring back at him.
His tall, broad-shouldered frame comfortably filled the glass, anchored by long, sure-footed feet that gave him an effortless, grounded composure. With a sharp, hand-carved jawline and a striking pair of piercing blue eyes set against a messy mop of jet-black hair, he looked like he had stepped right off the cover of a classic romance novel. Tracing a hand down his torso, he smiled faintly at the subtle, firming contours of a growing set of abs—proof that the grueling early morning workouts were finally paying off.
Satisfied with his progress, Lucien walked over to his bed and sat down. After a long moment of quiet reflection, he spoke softly into the empty room.
"Ada... show me my full status window."
[Ok, host.]
════════════════════════════════════════
[ STATUS ]
════════════════════════════════════════
Name:
Lucien Alexius Valerian
Race:
Human
Class:
Magic Swordsman
Rank:
F-Rank (Dormant)
Potential:
D-Rank (Growth Type)
Level:
1
Mana:
500 / 500
(Average Human: 100)
EXP:
0 / 100
Affinities:
Fire, Lightning, Space
(Half-Awakened)
Titles:
Fatty Young Master
Drunken Fatty
Useless Trash of the Empire
Shame of the Valerian Duchy
Lonely Boy
Unbroken Steel
────────────────────────────────────────
[ ATTRIBUTES ]
(Average Human Range: 20)
────────────────────────────────────────
Strength:
24
Agility:
20
Durability:
21
Stamina:
30
Intelligence:
9
Charm:
A
────────────────────────────────────────
Unallocated Attribute Points:
0
────────────────────────────────────────
[ INNATE SKILLS ]
Special Sense
(Range: 15m)
Truth-Eye Analysis
Master Swordsmanship
Mana Breathing Technique:
Void Heart Pulse ════════════════════════════════════════
Lucien leaned back, analyzing the blue light hovering before his eyes.
Nothing drastically new,
he mused,
except for the addition of the Mana Breathing Technique, and a massive leap in my mana capacity—jumping from a meager 25 straight to 500.
It was a crucial upgrade. Out on a real battlefield, casting mid-to-high tier spells would drain an ordinary reserve in seconds. But with the ‘
Void Heart Pulse’
, he could continuously absorb the surrounding ambient mana without pause. The only catch was physical constraint: channeling mana beyond his threshold would tear his body apart from the inside out. Physical training was non-negotiable.
In two days, I need to start magic training and master basic spells as quickly as possible,
Lucien thought.
As for a dedicated sword art, the system will grant me one once I start clearing dungeons and slaying monsters.
His thoughts drifted to the looming deadline.
Two months left until the duel. Victor must be getting impatient... he's definitely planning something in the shadows. I have to get stronger, fast, to counter whatever trap he sets.
A dark, dangerous smile crept onto Lucien’s face as he whispered to himself, "I'll show you, Victor... exactly what this 'fatty' is capable of."
Knock. Knock.
The sudden sound broke his train of thought. Lucien blinked, turning his gaze toward the door.
"Come in," he called out.
He had expected a low-ranking servant bringing evening tea, but the heavy oak door swung open to reveal a surprisingly prominent figure.
‘Head Maid Martha? Why is she here personally at this hour?’
In Lucien’s memories, Martha had always worn a cold, distant expression. While she had never openly mocked him like the younger staff, her eyes always harbored the same quiet disdain as everyone else in the duchy.
"Greetings, Young Master," Martha spoke, bowing with rigid grace. "Duchess Isolde has personally prepared dinner for the two of you."
Lucien raised an eyebrow. "Me... and Mother?"
"Yes, Young Master. Only the two of you will be joining the dining table tonight."
‘What is she up to now?’
Lucien wondered. ‘
She has never invited me for a private dinner before.’
Suppressing his suspicion, he kept his voice neutral. "Tell Mother I will be there in fifteen minutes."
"Understood, Young Master." With a crisp nod, Martha turned and departed, closing the door behind her.
Lucien stood up from his bed and walked over to his wardrobe to select suitable attire.
"Well then," he murmured, pulling out a tailored tunic. "Let's see what Mother has prepared for me."