The grand library of House Arkanveil was a monument of ancient wisdom—towering shelves carved from dragonwood, tomes bound in stitched basilisk hide, and scrolls inked with runes that whispered softly when touched.
At barely two years old, Lucien toddled through this sacred place with the grace of someone far older. The maids often gasped seeing him balanced so effortlessly, a book always clutched in his tiny hands, even if upside down. They thought it cute—adorable.
But the truth?
He was reading.
Not the words themselves—his infant eyes struggled with complex symbols—but the patterns, the diagrams, the mana-etched illustrations that danced before his perception-enhanced mind.
> [Mana Perception - Lv 3 (127/300)]
[Skill Acquired: Speed Reading - Lv 1 (3/100)]
Lucien often sat by the hearth, legs crossed like a miniature scholar, as he listened to the elder librarian recite stories.
It was during one such session that he asked the question that made even his stoic brother Aleron raise a brow.
"What is a Trait, father?"
---
The question silenced the room. Even the crackling flames seemed to still for a breath.
His father, Duke Reynard Arkanveil, chuckled deeply as he stepped into the chamber. The man's presence was commanding, his aura a weight of power compressed into human form.
He crouched beside Lucien and ruffled the boy's golden hair. "Ah, my boy, you've asked the question of an era."
Lucien blinked up at him innocently. Inside, he was dissecting every word, every nuance.
"In this world," the Duke began, "each person is born with the potential to awaken a Trait at the age of fourteen. Sometimes, two. Never more."
Lucien nodded slowly. I know this already… but tell me what you believe, father. Show me what the world has taught you.
"Traits are blessings—gifts of the world's will. No one knows where they come from, but they define what you are meant to become. Strength. Speed. Magic. Technique. Some allow one to tame beasts, others to control elements, or heal fatal wounds. And the rarest…"
He paused, and the room hushed with reverence.
"...the rarest can shatter mountains or rule nations."
---
Lucien absorbed it all.
> [Skill Acquired: Insight - Lv 1 (1/100)]
His mind categorized the knowledge—like a web forming in the dark.
Trait Grades:
F to E to D to C — Common, often weak.
B to A — Considered talented.
S to SS — Elite.
SS+ to SSS — Legends written in flesh and blood.
EX — Theoretical. Never seen. Only whispered.
I have one, Lucien thought. EX-grade: Devour.
And another... SSS-grade: Adaptation. Both sleeping, waiting.
---
"Is that why you're so strong, Father?" Lucien asked with a tilt of his head.
The Duke smiled, but there was a flicker in his eyes—of pride, and something else. Regret? Memory?
"My Trait is called Titan's Endurance, an S-grade Trait. It allows my body to survive even the fiercest blows. Combined with my training and rank, it has kept me alive through three wars and one assassination attempt."
Lucien's eyes gleamed.
"And Mother?"
"She has Hands of Mercy—an A-grade Trait. She was once the greatest healer in the capital."
"Will I get a Trait like yours?"
That question made even his eldest brother pause.
"No one can say, Lucien," the Duke said finally. "But with your bloodline, I believe you are destined for something great. Perhaps even two Traits."
Lucien smiled.
If only you knew…
---
The days passed, and Lucien's understanding grew deeper.
Not just Traits, but Ranks.
Mana Rank Progression:
Novice (1–10)
Apprentice (11–20)
Journeyman (21–40)
Expert (41–60)
Master (61–80)
Grandmaster (81–99)
Legendary (100+)
Mythic (Unknown, Unrecorded)
Rank dictated how deeply one had refined their mana. Traits might give power, but without Ranks, one could not wield that power effectively.
Even an SSS-grade Trait was meaningless in the hands of a Novice.
That's why the Arkanveil family focused on training from a young age—so their children could race through ranks as soon as they awakened their Trait.
And Lucien?
He was already training.
---
In secret, during the stillness of night, he cycled mana through his body.
> [Mana Control - Lv 4 (212/400)]
[Meditation - Lv 5 (88/500)]
[Mana Circuit Formation - Lv 2 (29/200)]
He formed rudimentary circuits around his tiny heart and limbs, focusing on balance and flow. No teacher guided him. Only instinct and past life experience.
Let others wait till fourteen. I will be ready long before.
---
At three years old, he joined the family's beginner lessons.
Combat basics, magic theory, etiquette, and history.
Most children stumbled. Some cried. But Lucien moved with grace—too much grace.
He learned sword grips and stance theory within a day.
He spoke of ancient wars with clarity that disturbed even his tutors.
He spoke little, but when he did, it was always the right question, the right observation.
The servants gossiped.
"A genius."
"A prodigy."
"Do you think… he might awaken a legendary Trait?"
---
But Lucien ignored the rumors. He wasn't here for praise.
He was observing the world.
And preparing.
The Proficiency Panel was his secret weapon.
> [Skill Acquired: Basic Swordsmanship - Lv 1 (12/100)]
[Skill Acquired: Elemental Theory - Lv 1 (5/100)]
He wasn't a genius because of talent.
He was simply willing to work.
To grind.
To practice the same motion a thousand times, without rest, without ego.
And with each repetition, the panel glowed.
His Adaptation Trait—though dormant—was responding.
---
One night, as the moon bathed the estate in silver light, Lucien stood barefoot on the training ground. His tiny body moved through a basic sword kata—over and over.
Step. Swing. Breathe. Reset.
> [Basic Swordsmanship - Lv 1 (99/100)]
[Basic Swordsmanship - Lv 2 Unlocked]
Suddenly, a warmth rushed through him.
His muscles shifted.
His balance corrected itself automatically.
> [Muscle Memory Synced]
A wave of understanding filled him—how to refine the next step. How to improve.
He didn't smile.
He just kept moving.
I am not the villain you remember.
I am the storm you forgot to fear.
---
The world of Traits and Power was vast.
But Lucien Arkanveil had already begun mastering it—
—long before the world even noticed.